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If HAIM & Shania Twain got together to make music, it’s sonic sister would be Hayley Marsten’s new single, “Drowning Myself” released today (October 8th). No stranger to the ‘sad banger’, Hayley has bared her heartbreak to her audience many times before but no song in her back catalogue compares in vulnerability.

About the realisation that sometimes the only person who can pull you out of the deep end is the one who threw you in, you. ‘Drowning Myself is the sadness I thought I would never explore, my own mental health’. Hayley spent her early years as a songwriter as a Taylor Swift fan, being schooled in how to write a hook from the heart and genre bend with the best of them. And it shows on “Drowning Myself”, taking the best parts of her alt-country roots and sparkling power-pop all over them.

“In some ways this song feels like a huge departure for me. But in reality this is the most me that has ever been in a song”. It might feel like a different approach but the stellar songwriting is unchanged in this song, the heartbreak kid now delves deeper into herself to try to quell the pain. This release marks Marsten’s first as a co-producer with the powerhouse production team of Dan Sugars and ARIA Award Winner Magoo (Reguritator, Kate Miller-Heidke, Powderfinger).

This single marks a step into a new era for her as an artist but also her emerging from her darkest place with her grief spun into gold.

Australian Country Star, Jade Holland, has been consistently sharing her story with audiences across the globe over the past three years with singles like, the Multimillion streaming “Drive Thru”, International Award winning “That’s The Wine”, the 2019 Charting Townsville Flood appeal charity song “Lives on the Lawn” and 2020’s breakout hit, “Do It Right”.

Now her follow up single, “Fight For It”, due for International release on 8 October, is poised to become an anthem for a world struggling to recover from covid fatigue.

As Ambassador for Mental Awareness Foundation, Jade will make history on Sunday 10 October as she debuts “Fight For It” at the annual Walk for Awareness event in Brisbane in front of tens of thousands of Queenslanders. The official video will be filmed that day with a cast of thousands.

“Fight For It is for every single person who has lost someone to suicide. It’s a song that we all can relate to. We’ve all been there. This is our time to stand together and sing for those who are no longer here.” Holland shared. “This is our anthem now.”

Being one of the first music artists to go on the road post lockdown, Jade took her Resilience Tour throughout regional Queensland in late 2020 in partnership with the Mental Awareness Foundation, and witnessed, firsthand, the power that music had to reconnect and heal a local community. It was these places and faces that inspired her to sit down late one night after a show in Mount Isa, where she wrote the first three words, Fight For It.

“Fight For It” was recorded and produced across time zones in a unique fashion thanks to border restrictions and lockdowns. Co-written by Jade with Sinead Burgess and Bryce Sainty, it was produced by David “Messy” Mescon at Messy Room Studios in Nashville with Aria Award winning artist, Tyrone Noonan, appearing on the backing vocals with the chorus vocals recorded in the Pushworth office with the whole team jumping in to help out.

“Fight For It” will be released through The Manick Label/In Grooves/Universal Music Group on Friday 8 October 2021.

I would like to tell you how my new single ‘Sailing’ came to find its way onto paper. This story goes back to when I was a young teenager. My family lived in a suburb in Sydney very close to the Parramatta River. It was there that the river was my backyard and boats became a way to enjoy this wonderful harbor.

Buying a boat at thirteen was going to be a challenge. So I worked every moment I could, saving my money. One day I was doing work for a nice old man in his garden, washing cars, chopping wood, any job that I could to help finally buy a boat. This lovely man and his wife often noticed how hard I worked. They offered to give me an old 12 foot tinny with a small outboard motor, knowing that I would pay them back for this boat in time, for which I did.

This opened up a whole lot of new adventures up and down the river, but my favourite time of the year was December when the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was about to start. The colors of the sails, the excitement of the spectator’s boats large and small, all trying to navigate to have the best position to watch the big maxi yachts fight for position. And there was me and a mate in a little tinny, but we loved every second of it.

On our journey back up river we would say “we will be one of those crewmen one day and sail all the way down to Hobart”. There was only two things that stopped me. One was I would get terribly sea sick and still do. The other was I lacked the confidence to sail so far out to sea. But that never stopped me dreaming about the romance of it all. Funny being a river rat kid, to being a farmer and nowhere near the salt water.

Now, since my wife and I decided to sell the farm and enjoy our benefits of years of hard work, we can once again smell the salt air. My utmost respect goes to the men and women that battle the oceans. – Tony Kennelly.

Tony Kennelly possesses something of an eagle eye view on the Australian music scene. For more than 45 years he has observed and played a part in its ever-changing landscape. With 30 years gone by between his youthful role as a guitarist and singer around Sydney in the 70’s and 80’s at a pivotal time in the birth of Australian Rock Music, Tony returns to his role as a songwriter in the country/folk scene.

Tony possesses a sense of musicianship and songwriting that are a testimony to his years of experience. He’s been there, done that and seen the whole story unfold. His ethos behind the music is based in a pure love for the songs and with an appreciation for the old folk tradition, there’s a real story and message behind his work.

Coming fresh off their recent hit Where Is The Love, Key Loch are bringing us another passionate single! Come Home To Me is a worthy successor to their emotional last single, and the beautiful tones of Avery May Parker’s voice combined with the smooth drums and gentle guitar will make you feel right at home.

Key Loch are Damien Reilly and Justin Gross. They are the founders of the 90’s power Aussie Rock Band Southpaw, which you can learn more about at www.southpawmuzik.com . They bring together a production history between them of 50 years of song writing and playing live music in Australia. And this time, the duo are featuring a third member to their killer ensemble, that being Avery May Parker! A sweet and soulful performance in every lyric, Avery’s voice and Key Loch’s expert playing guarantee that every time you listen to Come Home To Me, it’ll hit you right where it counts.

This track is an emotional story about a husband that has been sent off to war, with his wife pining for his return. “Come home to me”, come back alive, come back safe. It’s a heartfelt scenario that cuts deep and pulls no punches. Avery once again knocked it out of the park with her vocals, and alongside Damien and Justin’s incredible production, we think this one is bound to be a massive hit!

The cozy chord progressions and delicate lyrics will transport you homely times, to nostalgic times you once fondly lived through, and to happy times that are yet to come, or perhaps never will come and are bound to your imagination. The future is a mystery, however the passion presented in this song is a constant, one that cannot be altered, merely moulded to suit your idyllic preference. Key Loch are making a name for themselves in the music world with hits like this, and it’s only a matter of time before that name becomes a household one!

Axle Whitehead Returns to His Country Roots with ‘One Gun’

Axle Whitehead is one of Australia’s most versatile musicians, with studies in jazz improvisation through to a gold-selling pop single ‘I Don’t Do Surprises’, but it’s country music where Axle’s heart lies. First jumping into the country world in 2011 with ‘Sister Sunshine’ Axle has toured around Australia and beyond, juggling a successful acting career with his first love of music.

Whitehead has spent much of the last decade throwing himself into a successful acting career traveling between Los Angeles and Sydney with roles on the international hit TV series Shameless and Marvel Agents of SHIELD. Already known across Australia as the host of iconic music show Video Hits and game show The Wall as well as a four-year stint on Home and Away, it’s music that always brings him home.

His new single ‘One Gun’ is his most accomplished track to date, collaborating with writer /producer/ musician Carl Dimataga (Khalid, James Fauntleroy, Thundamentals, Baker Boy) creating a roots-based sound harking back to his regional Victorian upbringing, melting rock, blues and jazz influences into a unique and contemporary country sound. With his soulful vocal winding through a shuffling, minimalist guitar lick, ‘One Gun’ explores the relatable story of a man trying to find his identity. A parallel to Whitehead’s own fulsome career coming full circle to his country roots, the song is Axle Whitehead at his confident and accomplished best.

“I am incredibly proud of ‘One Gun’, said Whitehead. “Through writing many songs, Carl and I have stumbled across this Soul/Country sound. By taking the drums out it allows the listener to sit and breathe
with the song whilst the guitars do the heavy lifting.”

“Before I went to music college to study Jazz all I wanted was to be Garth Brooks or Steve Earle. Now after exploring a few different genres over the years, I’ve finally found my own sound.”

‘Miss You’ is a story of what it’s like to be on the other end of a love that’s fallen apart early, where one of the partners has to watch the other move on when they thought maybe it was more.

Jarred Taylor has been playing his heart and soul out over the country for the past few years, developing and perfecting his craft and sound. When opportunity arose to open for Dragon and Mental as Anything, it gave Jarred a taste of what an audience gives back and strengthened his urge to want to perform and share his music.

His debut single ‘Songs We Know’ went to number #1 on the All-Australian Country Charts, with his most recent single ‘I Won’t Sleep Tonight’ featuring the Crawford Brothers, winning the International Song Writing Competitions Unsigned Section, and landing top 10 in the Country Section of the competition.

Listening to Jarred’s original songs, you can’t help but hear his diverse musical tapestry with influences ranging from AC/DC to The Eagles, Keith Urban to Cold Chisel. In 2018 Jarred was the first recipient of the prestigious John Minson Scholarship to attend the Country Music Academy of Australia, where Jarred worked with the industries best and brightest to help further his career.

Since then, Jarred has taken large strides to push himself, playing events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Deni Ute Muster, and becoming a top ten finalist in the Toyota Star Maker Competition.

Since the easing of Covid restrictions, Jarred has made a huge comeback, playing gigs in Queensland and New South Wales, all whilst adding two new beautiful twins to his family.

A recording born during lockdown, Big Sky Mountain pay tribute to their country roots with their latest single ‘Bed Of Roses’. Lassoing the talents of producer Jackson Barclay (Vera Blue, The McClymonts), this evocative, tell it like it is, boot skootin’ ballad captures all that it means to be human. The hopes, the failures and the comebacks.

The seven piece all female Americana band from Sydney bring it on home with soaring harmonies and lush arrangements and quotable lyrics. Featuring guest Aussie slide legend Bruce Reid who puts the twang in the …. “The ultimate silver lining in a really crap year – this is one to curl up in bed with.”

Big enough to be a netball team but small enough to be a good luck charm … BSM don’t look like your typical Australian country band … Seven women, a kaleidoscope of harmonies and one trumpet – chaotic, earthy and real. Big Sky Mountain make no apologies for not having an obscure cool edge, they are what they are and they love what they do.

With a sound reminiscent of The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and a pinch of Kasey Musgraves, these ladies can sing and they’ll hold you to ransom with their jaw dropping harmonies, driving rhythm section and fierce musicality.

2019 saw the birth of ‘All Our Minutes’ – the first studio album from Big Sky Mountain. Produced by ARIA award winner Paul McKercher, the album is clean, classy and commercial and already boasts international sales in Europe, South America and Asia.

In their short time together, the band has already played gigs at the Perisher Peak Music Festival, Girrakool Blues Festival, completed regional tours, become regulars on the Sydney live music scene and where also invited to perform at the 2020 National Folk Festival in Canberra. Early 2020 also saw Big Sky Mountain make their debut at the Tamworth Country Music Festival to packed shows that captured them a bounty of new fans.

During the COVID pandemic Big Sky Mountain got busy in the studio re-defining their recorded sound with producer Jackson Barclay. The results were two fantastic new singles, a new contemporary twist on their sound and a fabulous musical partnership.

Golden Guitar winner Ashleigh Dallas ponders this question in her upbeat new single.

“The song is a balance between real life and dreaming,” the Tamworth singer-songwriter said. “My husband works away with his job and being a musician means I’m often away with work, in normal times, so it’s that zone of wishing, knowing we have great things around us and winning the lottery wouldn’t be about material things, but to have an essence of freedom, rather than worrying about budgets and also being able to travel in a non-COVID world.”

Ashleigh wrote ‘Lottery’ while preparing for her upcoming album, and this is the third single she’s released this year in preparation for her next full-length offering.

“I wrote this as a letter to (husband) Chris and I,” she said. “We do the balance quite well, but sometimes it tips and this song is all about celebrating the fact that you can live like you’ve won the lottery even if that’s sitting outside and not worrying about work for a little bit.” The premise of the song is how we always put things off and we keep working and that’s where the idea of living like we won lottery.

“I reckon this pandemic has really cemented what you want more from life,” Ashleigh said. “It’s about allowing yourself to do things that make yourself feel good and are fun, which could be a stress on the budget, but the memories are worth more. I do hope that people take the fact out of it that sometimes it’s good not to look at the bills, don’t get into debt, but live simply and do what makes you feel great with the people who make you feel good.”

Produced by Brett Dallas, ‘Lottery’ is another track with Ashleigh’s country style written all over it with a solid 90’s country driving feel. “I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to create with this and it feels nostalgic for me because it combines the inspirations of what I listened to when I was a kid,” Ashleigh said. “The pandemic has forced us all to create in different ways, as this is the first time that we haven’t had to record solely on a weekend”.

“I also still wanted to give this song the visual that I think it needed with Chris, my husband, on the video camera and we shot our parts over three days locally, which was a lot of fun and it gives me a new respect for what videographers do. Our vision came to light with Jay Seeney from Blacklist Productions using the footage we shot, along with other footage he had.”

The title track of The Wolfe Brothers new album, Kids On Cassette, was always going to be a special single release. Embodying the soul of the album and taking the listener back to the retro heart of where the brothers first started their musical journey. The Tasmanian duo have created a trip through time with the new video clip of the single. Watching the clip, filmed on-location on The Wolfe Brothers’ Berry Farm in Southern Tasmania, viewers will have flashbacks to their own childhoods, it invokes memories of lazy days exploring and innocent fun.

For Nick and Tom Wolfe, the clip was a real exploration of their own childhood. “Kids on Cassette is all about that amazing feeling of being a kid, when everything seemed bigger and it felt like the summer holidays lasted forever,” says Nick. “Tom and I are so grateful to have grown -up where we did as country kids, and in this video, we tried to capture a day in our childhood. Exploring, learning, getting into strife, and of course, playing music with our mates.”

The video features two young actors from Tasmania – who themselves are actual brothers – playing younger versions of Nick and Tom. The clip was filmed where The Wolfe Brothers would ‘knock around’ as kids. “To watch the brothers play us was amazing,” says Nick. “I think their personalities really reflected ours, I could see a lot of similarities between us – a couple of country kids who make their own home movies and recordings and write songs and jam. Really, we could not have found a more matched pair! To watch the kids all jamming in the old fruit pickers hut where we used to 20-years ago was uncanny. It was like stepping into a time machine. Seeing the kids jamming out at a band practice really brings a smile to my face. I remember being in that very room, rocking out with our mates, all just totally high of the joy of music, long before any thoughts of business or careers ever entered our heads.”

Written with Erik Dylan (Kip Moore, Luke Combs, Eric Paslay, Eli Young Band), the brothers also wrote the track “Ain’t Seen It Yet” from the album with the Nashville songwriter. The Wolfe Brothers consider him one of the best lyricists in the world. Kids on Cassette was recorded between MCC Recording Studio in Calgary, Canada and Love Hertz Studio, in Sydney. It was produced between Nick Wolfe, Matt Fell and Johnny Gasparic.

The last single from The Wolfe Brothers latest album – “Startin’ Something” featuring LOCASH – achieved the brothers their 15 consecutive #1 single on the day the album was released. The album “Kids on Cassette” debuted on the ARIA Official Country Album Chart at #1, the ARIA Official Australian Album Chart at #2 and the ARIA Official All Genre Chart at #6.

“Kids On Cassette” was one of the first tracks that The Wolfe Brothers wrote for their latest album, and they instantly knew they wanted the track to be a key single and set the tone for the record. “As we all know vinyl has made a huge comeback in recent years, but much of the soundtrack of when we were kids was on tape,” says Nick. “We had Walkmans and boomboxes as kids and cassette players in our first cars. We’d play those things till they got chewed up and we’d have to pull them out and try to salvage them by winding them up with a pencil. So much of the music that we absorbed into our DNA and shaped us as musicians came from cassettes.”

The song is also a bit of a call to arms from The Wolfe Brothers to the next generation, and they hope kids take something away from watching the video. ” Don’t ever truly grow up,” says Nick. “Always keep a little bit of that ‘kid jamming in the garage’ spirit, and if you’re lucky enough to do it for a living one day, that’ll help you remember why, and help you get through the challenges.”

Kids On Cassette is released to radio on Monday 20th September. The video clip for Kids on Cassette launches online on Friday 24 September 2021.

The Wolfe Brothers fifth studio album Kids on Cassette is available now internationally through BBR Music / BMG.

“Whatever” is a swaggering celebration of girls-night-out, sisterhood-is-powerful solidarity.”

• Cowboys & Indians

“Look out Country Music video world… JD Reynolds has left her mark! WHATEVER… Just in time for going back out on the town. Outtakes… worth the wait.”

• The Hollywood Times

“JD Reynolds released her unapologetic, vivacious single “WHATEVER,” which is filled with a lot of sass and attitude. The listener can recall Shania Twain meets Gretchen Wilson.”

• Markos Papadatos, Digital Journal

“JD Reynolds lays it on the line with a ‘no muss no fuss’ performance in her new video for “Whatever”!”

• Guitar Girl Magazine

Country singer/songwriter JD Reynolds sets the scene for a carefree, feel-good time with the release of her hot new single, “WHATEVER “. This girl-power anthem features Reynolds and her girl gang headed for a night out, enjoying each other’s company because it’s simply all they need. Playful and powerful, “WHATEVER” is the perfect tune to add to every girls-night-out playlist. The music video shows JD’s “WHATEVER” attitude, dancing on tables and ignoring all country boy temptation. “WHATEVER” signifies that the only approval needed is your own!

The “WHATEVER” music video was exclusively premiered by Country Rebel and is available to download and stream on all digital services now.

“WHATEVER is the attitude of 2021. Go out, do WHATEVER you like, wear WHATEVER you like, say WHATEVER you like, and don’t give a dang about WHATEVER anyone thinks of you. Let’s go!” shares Reynolds.

About JD Reynolds:
A true singer, a real songwriter, a neoteric producer, an incredible dancer, and a striking performer, all wrapped up in a stunning package, and yet, her down-to-earth country girl charm is what makes this extraordinary artist so real. JD’s sound is fresh originality for country music. “My entire album came to me like a bolt of lightning, the JD sound, my sound, respecting country music roots yet having my own next level twist”. As an up-and-coming producer, JD teamed up with Grammy-nominated seasoned producer Braddon Williams, credits include Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, The Script, and Kelly Clarkson. Together, Braddon and JD have produced what country music insiders have nicknamed “The Jagged Little Pill of the Country”.

“It’s my favourite song of mine that I’ve ever recorded – and I’ve recorded a few now,” enthuses Allison Forbes of her new song ‘Pieces Of Silver’.

This is a beautiful song of hope and aspiration, built around a musical melange that seems to come from another time and place. The feel of distant locations and musical textures combine in a musical performance that’s part Appalachian mountains, part remote Irish countryside and part backroads Australia. And then there’s the words. Despite everything the world throws at us we’re all looking at the same stars that every generation has gazed at – and hoping for the same things.

“No matter how dark the darkness gets, there will always be the stars.”

With ‘Pieces Of Silver’ Allison Forbes may have created a new genre. “Punkgrass”. This thrashing and energetic new release from 4 x 2021 CMAA Golden Guitar finalist Allison Forbes is the third single from her forthcoming album ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. Produced by ARIA-winner Matt Fell, this bone-shaking, monster tune is one you will want on repeat. With thumping rhythm, soaring vocals and resounding guitars, Allison Forbes is at the top of her game. And it’s her game. You can join in too. Why not? What have you got to lose?

Allison Forbes is a new-age outlaw of country music. Tamworth’s rebel child is a breath of fresh air and an outburst of originality in songwriting.

Nominated for 4 x CMAA Golden Guitars in 2021, Allison’s debut album ‘Bonedigger’, produced by ARIA Award-winner, Shane Nicholson, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian country music charts in February 2020 and was the second highest-selling independent artist across all genres that week. She stuck around on charts and radio all year and was voted Most Popular Female Artist in the Independent Country Music Awards.

The controversial single ‘Broken Radios’ reached #1 on Australian Country Radio and she has no intention of slowing down any time soon. Already, Forbes has recorded a brand-new album ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ with ARIA Award-winner Matt Fell set for release later in 2021.

Allison Forbes has secured her spot tightly in Australia’s alt-country scene. Brave and authentic insightful lyrics and addictive melodies, her stories will charm the pants off you. An honest and inspiring performer, her voice soars easily through any style with strength, warmth, and consideration. A dark gothic thread weaved through the straw of a country music basket of goodies.

Sue Dyson is excited to be releasing her third single to Australian radio titled ‘Bird On The Wind’, lifted from her upcoming EP of the same title. Produced by Simon Johnson at Hillbilly Hut in Sydney and written by acclaimed songwriter Reece Kirk.

‘Bird On The Wind’ tells a tale of that inner desire to be free of the common responsibilities that weigh us all down from time to time, feeling the envy of a bird and its ability to fly away at will.

Born and raised in the Wairarapa, New Zealand, with family roots stretching back to Barraba in New South Wales, Sue learnt the values of hard work and dedication from an early age, which helped to fuel her ambitions as a recording artist.

Sue has appeared on The Good Morning Show in NZ as a solo artist and has worked on other televised events, including The New Zealand Music Awards and has been the first-choice demo singer for several productions.

Sue performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Australia and has recently been traveling around the north island of New Zealand performing at the Country Rock Festival in Auckland and the Clareville Country Music Festival in the Wairarapa New Zealand.

Multi-Platinum-selling country pop superstar Sam Hunt has today released his brand new single ’23 ‘. Written by Hunt with Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and Chris LaCorte (who also produced the track), ’23’ has the singer thinking back warmly on a past relationship. Using an early photo of his wife, Hannah’s, aunt and uncle when they were a young couple for his song art, Hunt further illustrates the nostalgia and fondness of days gone by. Despite moving on with new cities, jobs and life, the story goes on.

At a recent session at Ocean Way studio in Nashville, Hunt and his band performed a scaled back version of the new song. Fans can watch the performance of ’23’

’23’ is the first new track from Hunt since last year’s album ‘SOUTHSIDE’ featuring a string of hit singles with ‘Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s’, ‘Kinfolks’ and ‘Hard To Forget’. The album also featured mega hit ‘Body Like A Backroad’ which peaked at #9 on the ARIA Singles Chart and has since gone 7x Platinum. ‘SOUTHSIDE’ was released to critical acclaim with the album and various tracks landing on multiple “Best of” lists for 2020 including The New York TimesBest Albums and NPR’s Best Songs (“Hard To Forget”). The album earned additional praise from American Songwriter, Associated Press, Billboard¸ Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Pitchfork, Slate, The Ringer and more.

ANNOUNCES THE PRE-ORDER OF HER EIGHTH STUDIO RECORD BLUE BANISTERS ALONG WITH THE RELEASE OF HER NEW TRACK AND VISUAL ‘ARCADIA’ Today Lana Del Rey announces the pre-order to her eighth studio record Blue Banisters following the success of her previous album Chemtrails Over The Country Club , which was released earlier this year. Digital and physical album due for release on October 22nd, the pre-order for Blue Banisters is available now on participating partners as well as www.lanadelrey.com. Blue Banisters will include previously released songs ‘Wildflower Wildfire’, ‘Blue Banisters’ and ‘Text Book’. Alongside announcement of the pre-order, Lana released the new track ‘Arcadia’, which she wrote and produced with Drew Erickson. The new track is accompanied by a visual in which Lana directed, and can be found on all participating partners.