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Country fans love a drinking song, and Bundaberg Mark Lavender’s new single is an uplifting celebration of mates, beers and the good things in life – think Zac Brown’s Country Fried vibe.

Mark wrote ‘Wash The World Away’ when the world shut down and he couldn’t enjoy a beer with mates, but was wishing for everything he was missing.

“I wrote it during COVID when everything was really bad and all the pubs and clubs closed down, so everyone was sitting around at home,” he said.

“The song is about how you’re going to sit back, have a beer and a smoke and think about the positive things you have at home. I wanted to put a positive spin on the situation instead of another COVID song.”

The catchy single is the second to come from the Queensland Wide Bay artist who always aims to spread the happy vibes, while conveying strong messages.

“When I do it at my gigs, both the younger country fans and the older crowd sing along,” he said.

“I want it to stick in your head as a happy, go lucky song.”

Having graduated from the prestigious CMAA Academy of Country Music in January 2023, Mark is working to build his audience with his new music, reaching bigger platforms and having a bigger presence in 2023.

“I want to release more songs and thought ‘Wash The World Away’ was a good start to 2023,” he said.

“I have a lot of happy go lucky songs like that, but also singles that will be more heartfelt like previous single, ‘Strong Man’, but they’re always about real issues and real people and putting my own spin on it one way or the other.”

Recorded with Buddy Hyatt Productions in Nashville, Mark recorded the vocals for ‘Wash The World Away’ in Bundaberg with the rest of the track recorded in Music City USA.

“I formed that relationship with him in Nashville when I was there in 2016 when I recorded my previous single, ‘Strong Man’, live in the studio,” Mark said.

Multi-Platinum certified star Darius Rucker returns to Country radio with a new preview of his forthcoming album, Carolyn’s Boy, with new single “Fires Don’t Start Themselves”.

Written by Dan Isbell, Ben Hayslip and Jacob Rice, the sensual song showcases Rucker’s smooth baritone celebrated by Billboard as “one of the most distinctive voices of the modern country era” and by The New Yorker as “extraordinary: rich, round, and full of nuance.”

“When I first heard ‘Fires Don’t Start Themselves,’ the hook immediately got me,” reflects Rucker. “The beginning of the chorus, ‘Let’s drink what’s left of this…’ is classic ’90s Country. I love it!”

Rucker will also kick off his Starting Fires Tour on June 15, visiting 21 cities across the U.S. and Canada throughout the summer. Joining the three-time GRAMMY winner as direct support across most dates is popular Americana band Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, with rising star Drew Green as direct support on select dates.

He also recently announced the lineup for his second annual Riverfront Revival Music Festival, taking place October 7-8 in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. Joining Rucker to perform are fellow headliners Turnpike Troubadours, plus Lainey Wilson, Band of Horses, Greensky Bluegrass, Niko Moon, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Drivin N’ Cryin , Megan Moroney, Elvie Shane and more.

Additionally, Rucker will return to the stage this spring with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates, taking over the picturesque stretch of white sand beach at Moon Palace Cancún for the second annual HootieFest: The Big Splash, a four-day celebration of all things rock. Set for April 26-29, the destination event will feature three headlining performances on the beach by the GRAMMY Award-winning band, plus daily pool parties, intimate oceanfront performances from Goo Goo Dolls, Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul, Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Edwin McCain, Lit and Cowboy Mouth, as well as a special Hootie & the Blowfish sunset show.

We all remember that time first time we fell in love, you know the kind of love that puts hope in your heart and wind in your hair. The kind of feeling that you want to hold onto forever – kind of like fireflies in a mason jar. Well, that is exactly what Hudson Rose has captured in her latest single “Fireflies in Tennessee”.

On the back of her hit “Misery”, Hudson has followed up with a single that perfectly captures the excitement, hope and magic of young love. When asked about “Fireflies in Tennessee” – Hudson says “I want this song to feel familiar, like something you’ve heard or experienced before. Something that makes you smile and feel warm inside. As a songwriter I love creating stories and emotions that people didn’t know they needed to hear” she continues. Hudson has always used song writing as a form of communication with her fans and community and this single is no different. “I wanted to capture that feeling of butterflies in your stomach forever” – Hudson says. “Fireflies in Tennessee” is a catchy single that you will have on repeat, tapping along right from its release.

About Hudson Rose:
Hudson Rose grew up listening to a variety of music and in 2016 received her first guitar, a mini Maton and just three weeks later, in January 2017 she set off for her first Tamworth Country Music Festival. That combined with a trip to see her idol Keith Urban she was hooked, determine to use her voice and ability to tell stories through music. Hudson arrives in life with a glass half full attitude and a commitment to her music and regional community. Hudson Rose diffuses her music with an irresistible mix of hope, honesty, and fearless authenticity revealing layers of herself with each single and showing her ability to put it all out there while crafting catchy and deep melodies. Hudson Rose is an incredibly humble musician who unfailingly holds her own with industry veterans as she shares the stage, studios and airways cultivating her honest and optimistic style everywhere she goes.

Expect to hear the name Hudson Rose more and more in 2023. The young Regional NSW artist has seen a steady rise in her short career following the independent release of debut single in 2020.

Timeless, poignant and beautiful, ‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ sounds like classic Everly Brothers meets Beatles wrapped inside a western movie soundtrack – and yet it is unmistakably Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham! Their voices weave together and tell the tale with emotive precision as the narrative builds from delicate to defiant over the course of the song.

‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ is almost a prequel to Felicity and Josh’s #1 ARIA debut album The Song Club, which told the beautiful story of new beginnings and new love, and earned them 4 x Golden Guitar award nominations. Stopping short of venturing into the gory details, ‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ winds the clock back to reveal the less than beautiful landscape that the unexpected pairing of Felicity and Josh emerged from.

Written from inside his own dark days during that period, the song chronicles Josh’s reflections on the slow process of healing from trauma to almost wholeness as the broken bits leave wounds, wisdom and the determination to begin again. As the song says, “It’s better to have loved and left than never to have left at all”, and sometimes leaving is the only loving outcome for everyone involved – sometimes the only thing to do is learn your lessons, move on, and have faith that the scars you carry will carry you forward to the new beginning.

While walking along a black sand beach at that time, Josh noticed a solitary white gull feather surrounded by the vast expanse of black sand. The feather looked pure and beautiful in its whiteness but also bleached and windswept from the elements. But rather than appearing like a white flag of surrender, it seemed to convey resilient defiance to the darkness that engulfed it. The image was so striking that it became the inspiration for not only the song, but also the path forward – a path that ultimately led him to Felicity who was in her own process of venturing forward from the world of darkness that had enveloped her in the wake of her late husband’s passing.

In spite of its weighty origins, ‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ is truly uplifting and serves as a mantra for anyone who needs to move forward and leave the dark behind. With a follow up full length album to come in August 2023, ‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ provides a tantalising glimpse into what’s in store from Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham.

Multiple Aria and Golden Guitar award winning producer Matt Fell came on board as the perfect partner to help Felicity and Josh realise their vision. The all-star rhythm section of Matt himself on bass and Josh Schuberth on drums, thickens up the sound and makes a solid bed for Josh Cunningham’s electric guitar, high strung guitar and tenor banjo to lay in, adding texture and sophistication to the distinctive sound that the couple make.

‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ was recorded at home on the Central Coast of NSW. Josh Schuberth added drums at Burning Mountain Studios in the Blue Mountains of NSW and Matt Fell added bass guitar, percussion and mixed the song at Wilder Studio in Tasmania. It was mastered by William Bowden at King Willy Sound, also in Tasmania.

Deciding who was best equipped to visually capture the essence of ‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’ was an easy choice. Long time friend and collaborator, Duncan Toombs of The Filmery, masterfully tapped into the balance of fragility and strength in the lyric. Felicity and Josh are presented in black and white, standing out against the darkness like solitary white feathers on a black sand beach. The occasional feather float’s serenely through shot, and the close-up colour vision of the guitar playing provides contrast and speaks to music’s healing power to bring life back to colour following a season of bleak blackness. The clip was shot at The Filmery studio in Gosford with the assistance of 10-year-old Eliie, who did a superb job of releasing the feather to the breeze that drifted poignantly through the clip.

‘Unsteady (Ever Since You’re Gone)’, the new single from Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham is out now through ABC Music.

Powerhouse Singer-Songwriter Brooke Schubert Releases ‘New Kids In Town’

Brisbane singer-songwriter Brooke Schubert has shared stages with some of the world’s biggest artists, but her career is only just beginning. Known as a powerhouse live performer with her signature style of country and rock, Brooke has taken the last few years to write and record songs that reflect her true self and she’s now ready to show them to the world.

Her first offering ‘New Kids In Town’ is a sophisticated and catchy track, which showcases Brooke’s vocal capabilities and is destined to resonate with audiences with its worldwide appeal.

“Chasing sunsets with the windows down, we sing Eagles ‘New Kid In Town” – the opening lines of our new road trip anthem for 2023. The imagery of liberated love is captured by a world class vocal performance and a driving back beat that is synonymous with the freedom of travelling the wide-open road.

“On my way home from Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2022, I was letting the hundreds of kilometres pass me by while listening to The Eagles back catalogue. I was letting those harmonies wash over me, while getting lost in their lyrics all over again. I guess The Eagles sound country now more than ever with the evolution of music through the decades. But one thing is undeniable about their music – the way it makes you feel.

‘New Kid In Town’ is one of my all-time favourites. One of my first memories is my Mum sitting on the couch singing and playing it on her guitar. Maybe that explains my emotional attachment to the band, who knows?

Looking back, me showing my respect to them, even in a small way, was always going to happen.

I wrote ‘New Kids In Town’ while travelling down that New England Highway, recording it straight into my voice memos as it was coming to me. This song, to me, felt like home as soon as I finished writing it.

I can only hope you chase the sunsets with your windows down while listening to my ‘New Kids In Town”.

Brooke is no stranger to music lovers, having had her profile boosted with appearances on The Voice and Australian Idol but she has been touring since she was a child. Her biggest appearance yet was with Keith Urban on his ‘Light The Fuse’ Tour of Australia.

There is a debut album on the way in 2023 with a collection of songs co-written with country music heavyweights Kaylee Bell, Graeme Connors, Nolan Songs, Jerry Flowers, Linc Phelps and Natalie Pearson, along with shows and appearances at music festivals. Watch out Australia, there is a new kid in town and she’s ready to take on the world!

Award Winning Country Music Artist Col Finley Is Living His Best Life.

Col Finley returns in 2023 with a new offering and a fresh lease on life.

‘Living Your Best Life’ (co-written with fellow band member Billy Handley) is an exciting up-tempo track and is Col’s first single release since 2018, but it is the start of many tracks focused on ‘living our best lives’.

The emotion and energy behind this song are evident as Col explains: “Life is treating people hard, the uncertainty is overwhelming, we need to turn it around and the only person who can turn it around is YOU!!! Immediately we can do it by choosing the path we walk and our tone when we talk. Creating a better place for others will create a better space for YOU!!”

This positive outlook on life comes from witnessing a difficult time through a worldwide pandemic. The isolation, the lack of contact with family and friends and the outside world. From this we learn that life is precious, and we should enjoy every minute and never take anything for granted. Celebrate the good times and love those around us unconditionally. Col has a simplistic way of bringing songs to life, with subjects such as his love for family, his country and its heritage, and his controversial past of the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Those dark days saw Col and wife Nellie struggle for 14 years to be clean and to learn to live with anxiety and depression. His latest single ‘Living Your Best Life’ grew from those ashes and is a testament to their success. ‘Living Your Best Life’ is a mantra that Col and Nellie have been centred around for the past few years. Life is so unpredictable, and everyone is unsure of the future. Col’s belief is “it’s time to stop letting the future control us so let’s start controlling it” by LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE.” To live one’s best life is to say and do or be surrounded by the things that create the best you! It’s about taking control of our lives and embracing our family, friends, and the world we live in”.

The new single is bound to resonate with Col’s fans who have been enjoying his energetic live shows for years. With six successful commercial albums under his belt, Col has continued to be at the forefront of Australia’s country music scene over the past three decades. A constant advocate in mental health awareness, Col has been devoted in giving back to the community.

2023 will be a new chapter, which will see Col writing the soundtrack and performing in an Australian feature film ‘Nowhere Man’, performing at festivals, and touring to towns to play for his loyal and loving fans.

With Col Finley’s seventh album on the horizon, his love for crafted songs will be a big feature in this new project with the album due for release in 2024.

“The passion and drive that I get when I write and perform inspires me to keep producing. Music is so powerful and still so deep in my soul, I just love it and all it creates”.

Expect to see Col touring extensively in 2023-24 along with highly anticipated new music releases. An exciting year awaits!

Col Finley’s new single ‘Living Your Best Life’ is out to radio on Monday 27th March and all digital platforms on Friday 31st March

In 1902, a lively young man – known to his mates as Mickey Brennan – started work on the Mount Kembla Coal Mine high on the stunning NSW South Coast escarpment, known to the local indigenous Dharawal people as ‘Jumbulla’ – a good place for hunting wallaby.

After just one week on the job, Mickey – seeing the complete disregard for safety and care for its workers – told his boss he was ‘out of there’ – and as he entered the mine for what was to be his last day – a large pocket of unventilated coal seam gas hit an exposed candle flame causing a devastating explosion that claimed 96 souls in, what is still to this day, Australia’s worst mining disaster.

More than 12 years on, we are still putting our hunger for coal, gas and ultimately ‘profit’ over the health and well-being of not just our miners and surrounding communities, but the entire planet.

Mickey Brennan’s body was the only one never recovered from the disaster but many witnesses claim his ghost still resides in the cellar of the local Mount Kembla Pub.

“There’s a lot we don’t know about the soul – sometimes it can’t move on until the truth’s been told!”

Hopefully this song ‘Hey Jumbulla (The Ghost of Mickey Brennan)’ allows Mickey to find some long overdue peace.

The song was written by Luke O’Shea and Zane Banks after a conversation they had late one night about Zane’s great-great grandfather and uncles who were working inside the mine that day and miraculously survived the explosion.

“My mother’s family lived on Mt Kembla for several generations dating back to the early Victorian period,” Zane said.

“My great-grandmother, Agnes Perry (1899-2007) acquired many fascinating tales about the area, its history and local characters over the course of her long life.

“She was the last living person who was on Mt Kembla when the coal mine exploded on 31/7/1902 and one of the stories she told me – which left an impression – was the tragedy of Mickey Brennan and his ghost.

“It’s a tale which has been worthy of a song for over a century but was meeting Luke in 2022 in which I found the person to sing such a tune.”

This is the second single to be lifted from sixteen-time Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Next Best Thing’, to be released later in the year.

She’s played alongside some of the biggest names in country music, graced the charts and her debut single has had over a million streams – now Abby Christo has released her latest single ‘Note To Self’.

Sure to hook fans, old and new, ‘Note To Self’ is a great country-pop song full of optimistic, feel-good Nashville vibes and all about letting go of the things out of your control. “I suffer from bad anxiety, so I wanted to write a song to listen to when I’m overthinking. A song that says ‘some things are meant to be, others aren’t’.” Based between Sydney, Australia and New Zealand (Auckland and Taranaki), ‘Note To Self’ was made with the support of NZ On Air and written and recorded between the two countries – both in-studio and remotely. Abby says that the country sounds reflect her passion for country music, and that the honest, raw lyrics represent who she is as a person. “I’m vulnerable, optimistic, curious, and my music gives me a platform to be able to express it all.”

Also being released today is a music video filmed on a ‘random farm’ a few hours out of Sydney and co-directed by Abby and Blacklist Productions. “For me, sunsets, cowboy boots and open backroads bring me a lot of joy, so I had to have them all in the video! Visually, it’s how I feel when I hear the lyrics – letting go, road tripping and being at ease.” Filmed on the ‘hottest day ever’, the artist did her own hair, makeup and wardrobe changes outside the back of a car. “There were cows and birds around which felt really wholesome and grounding. The scenery made me love the song even more because it brought it to life.”

Currently based in Sydney, Abby is busy writing her second EP, and has festival performances lined up, including CMC Rocks in Queensland with Morgan Wallen and Zac Brown Band. She also has an exciting songwriting trip planned to one of the great homes of country – Nashville – later in the year.

A self-described ‘Heartbroken Optimist’, Abby Christo first stepped into the spotlight in 2015, when she appeared on X- Factor NZ as part of duo Mae Valley. They broke charts with their debut self-titled EP and played alongside global country megastars like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini. In 2017, Abby spent 2 years finding her voice as a solo artist, penning her debut single Kiss Me Into Monday, which has had over 1.4 million streams. It was during the pandemic Abby wrote her debut solo EP SLOW DOWN GIRL – an EP that contains her most authentic music yet. She went on to sell out her first headline Sydney show in July 2022, celebrating the release of her EP. With new music on the horizon, many listeners will find solace and hope in Abby Christo’s country songs.

Brittany Maggs, the hottest new artist in Australian country music, is gearing up to release her latest single, ” Typical Country Girl”. The song is a catchy and upbeat country-pop track that showcases Brittany’s powerhouse vocals and infectious energy. The track is a celebration of the people who love country but don’t quite fit the mould, with lyrics that are sure to resonate with fans of all ages.

Born and raised on a property, Brittany grew up surrounded by horses, wide-open spaces, and of course, country music. Her passion for the genre runs deep, and she has always been drawn to the authenticity and storytelling that defines the country music sound.

“Once I had decided to go into the genre that always had my heart, I felt like whenever I told someone about my decision it was followed by one question, ‘what makes you different to everyone else?'” Brittany shares. “I felt like I kept trying to tell people exactly who I was, but for me, music has always been the best way to communicate.”

With “Typical Country Girl”, Brittany feels that she has found the perfect way to express her unique identity and share her story with her growing fanbase. The song describes her perfectly, she says, and it’s her chance to explain to people exactly who she is in a way that she feels she can express herself perfectly.

“I may not dress a certain way, act a certain way, but that doesn’t make me any less than anyone else,” Brittany explains. “I’m different, but at the heart of it all, I’m just a girl doing what I love and just wanting to share my music with the world.”

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to Brittany’s talent and appeal. Following the release of her single “Carefree”, Brittany amassed over 500,000 streams on Spotify in just a few short months. She has gained an impressive following on social media, boasting more than 40 million views on YouTube and more than 380,000 fans on TikTok.

Not only is she a fan favourite, but she is also highly regarded by many of the best in the industry. “Brittany Maggs is one of the hottest new acts Australian Country has seen in recent years,” says Casey Barnes.

Brittany boasts over 84,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, showing a strong and committed fan base. With a high-energy live show that leaves audiences wanting more, no festival line-up is quite complete without someone like Brittany Maggs.

” Typical Country Girl” promises to be yet another hit for the rising star, and fans can’t wait to hear what she has in store next. Be sure to check out the track and experience the infectious energy and unique sound that has made Brittany Maggs one of the most exciting new talents in the Australian country music scene.

RAECHEL WHITCHURCH RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘I’M NOT COOL’

Two-time Golden Guitar nominee Raechel Whitchurch has revealed the first new music since her ARIA #1 debut album, Finally Clear. The loveable songbird has struck gold once again with the light-hearted single, ‘I’m Not Cool’.

‘I’m Not Cool’ is the kind of tongue-in-cheek bop that sums up the Alt-Country singer. A seriously good songwriter, who doesn’t take herself too seriously. She established herself early on as one not afraid to colour outside the lines and this single beams with that same self-assuredness. “No I’m not cool / Oh but neither are you so it’s alright”.

Inspiration for the tune came from a chat between friends. “I wrote this song after having a conversation with one of my good friends, Fanny (Lumsden). We were both laughing about how we weren’t cool and how we wouldn’t be able to fake it even if we wanted to.”

“I couldn’t get this song idea out of my head that I should make fun of myself by listing all of the uncool things I do, and then as I was writing it, I started thinking about how everyone is super uncool when they first fall in love. Your heart races, you stumble over your words, you daydream… It all came together for the chorus, and I’m Not Cool was the end result!”

The joyful bop hits the ground running – opening with a duo of dreamy guitars that instantly make you tap a beat. As with her previous work, she once again enlisted the talents of multiple Golden Guitar and ARIA winner, Matt Fell (Fanny Lumsden, Troy Cassar-Daley), for the producer’s chair.

Though for an artist as busy as Whitchurch it’s amazing she even found time to record the song at all. “I recorded this single at Matt Fell’s new place, Wilder Studios, down in Tasmania. I had back-to-back tours with Adam Harvey, then Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, and straight after the tours wrapped I flew to Tasmania, 7 months pregnant, to record new music.”

Being a constant go-getter, she wasn’t about to let her impending little one hold her up. “I’ve never recorded when I was so heavily pregnant before and it was definitely more challenging than any other recording process before. The whole family came and we stayed in a little cabin near the studio, and it was so cold that it was snowing overnight!”

She had a little help from family when shooting the single’s music video too. “I really wanted to include my husband Ben in the video so we created a storyline of us going away on a retreat together, that I am not very excited about.” Shot in Mangrove Mountain with director, Ashley Taylor, the clip sees the couple very much in their element. “In real life, Ben and I love to tease each other and play practical jokes, so it was quite easy to film this video. I just wish that Ben hadn’t got me so good with the flour in the face!”

Since garnering two Golden Guitar nominations with her ARIA #1 debut album, Finally Clear, Whitchurch has had a jam-packed tour schedule. She not only supported Adam Harvey, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham on national tours but also embarked on her own east coast headline tour. Later this year she’s slated to appear at the massive Let’s Wing It Festival in Scone.

‘I’m Not Cool’ is another triumph from this new star. “Raechel is a perceptive, thoughtful songwriter who deftly crafts her music to create songs that are personal yet universal – the mark of a true songwriter” (Sue Jarvis – Country Music Capital News). Her latest single is further proof she’s the real deal.