If anyone knows anything about dancing to the beat of a different drum, it’s definitely 16-time Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea . This is no more evident than in his new single, ‘Different Drum’.

“This song was written with my great musical mate Chris Matthews who is one of Australia’s hardest working and most travelled musicians,” Luke said.

“We were discussing what was happening in the music world of late and then having a good old laugh at ourselves for we both unconsciously seem to fly directly in the face of what’s fashionable and hip.”

Neither of them sees this as a bad thing, though, as they see the world getting better at acknowledging and accepting people for who they are, regardless of certain beliefs and habits.

“Just as long as we can all remember that one simple ‘golden rule’ … ‘to treat each other as we would like to be treated’,” Luke said.

Filled with a positive story, ‘Different Drum’ spreads the love and the important message that you should just go with what feels right.

“There is a lovely little story and message to this song – plus a real little ‘what the’ moment as the outro that for me – although it ain’t ‘typical’ country – it certainly brings home the message of just going with what feels good, not what you think it should be,” Luke said.

“Just keep dancing!”

‘Different Drum’ is the fourth single, and title track, off Luke’s highly anticipated album, released on CD today and available at gigs and via Luke’s website: lukeoshea.com

The commercial contemporary country song “Don’t Blink” marks the third consistent run of singles for Sammi Palinkas including “Meet in the Middle” which debuted at #3 on the Australian iTunes chart, #8 All Genre, and charted in the official Australian Country Radio Hot 50 Chart (CountryTown), while streaming single “You’ve Lived” debuted at #5 on the Australian iTunes Country Chart.

While currently recording her debut album with award-winning producer, Rod McCormack (Paul Kelly, The Wolfe Brothers and Lee Kernaghan), “Don’t Blink”, co-written with Rod McCormack, serves as a positive, uplifting reminder that life is short and to appreciate every moment whilst we can.

“Rod brought this idea into our write, and I instantly connected with it” Palinkas said. “I had just been retrenched in a restructure at an organisation I had worked at for nearly 10 years, and the period of reflection that came afterwards was invaluable. I had worked hard, long hours, and had been stressed out for a long time. In my last week a friend reminded me that ‘no one was going to stand up at my funeral and say Sammi did a great job at the company I was working for. They were going to talk about my legacy’. At that moment I realised as much as working hard was personally rewarding, there were important moments I’d sacrificed because I had put work first, furthermore time and experiences that I couldn’t get back. My Mum, Dad and Nan have given me so much great life advice as I’ve grown up. Rod and I wanted to write ‘Don’t Blink’ as a gentle reminder to listen to the advice and experience of those around you, because life flies by when we get caught up in the day to day, and it can all be over much sooner than we realise. Cody Johnson’s ‘Til You Can’t’ is a song both Rod and I love. It has such an uplifting feel that draws you in, and then delivers a hook and a message that really makes you think – it’s almost bittersweet against the general feeling of the song. When writing ‘Don’t Blink’, Rod and I wanted to create something positive and memorable to listen to, but when it counts really makes you think.” – Sammi Palinkas

With a lifetime of accolades, from winning a national televised singing competition at age 8, to starring in SEL/GFO’s Melbourne season of “Annie” at age 11, Sammi has developed her craft and written for many years between Australia and the US (LA, NY, Nashville), collaborating with renowned songwriters and producers including Andrew Bolooki (Selena Gomez, The Weekend, Post Malone), Fiona Kernaghan (Mindy McReady, Tina Arena), Sally Barris (Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack), Sam Gay (Deric Ruttan, Little Texas, Bryan White) and Templeton Thompson (Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina and Little Texas) amongst others.

2 x CMAA Golden Guitar Female Artist of the Year (2022, 2023) and CMC Award (2018) finalist, Hayley Jensen, is set to release a brand-new summer anthem, ‘Welcome Back Summer’ on Friday 29 September 2023.

‘Welcome Back Summer’ is a catchy summer ear-worm, bound to get toes tapping and the crowd singing along! Co-written by Jensen alongside award winning artists Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, it’s about the anticipation and excitement for the return of summer after the colder seasons. A cheerful, upbeat country-pop jam set to be the soundtrack of summer.

“I’ve recently been showcasing freshly written songs at shows, asking the audience to help me choose which ones I should record for the next album. ‘Welcome Back Summer’ was a standout crowd favourite, so I quickly diverted my producer’s focus to start working on it to ensure I could get it out in time for Summer! It celebrates the joys of the season, such as beach parties, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the sand beneath your toes, as well calling out what inevitably happens when it really starts to burn up – we all start ‘whinging about the heat’ – a nod to the banter at Tamworth Country Music Festival each year!” says Hayley.

‘Welcome Back Summer’ follows the hugely successful release of ‘Rock Bottom’, which skyrocketed to #1 in the Australian Country Radio and Country Radio Charts where it stayed in the top spot for 3 consecutive weeks. The unique, colourful music video had heads spinning too and was added to CMT across the board.

‘Bring It On’, released in April this year, also hit #1 on Australian Country Radio Charts and climbed to the #5 spots on KIX Country Hottest 20 and CMT Australia Top 50. It was also released to Country Radio across North America (SiriusXM) & Canadian Country Radio.

Once again, Hayley teamed up with Troy Kokol at Reluctant Cowboy Records, Canada, to produce ‘Welcome Back Summer’, who was also at the helm on her ARIA #1 Charting Country Album, ‘Breakin’ Hearts’, as well as her last two chart topping country radio singles ‘Rock Bottom’ and ‘Bring It On’.

Hayley has been touring extensively throughout 2023, showcasing brand new music at headline shows across the country, as well as performing in top festival spots such as: Tamworth Country Music Festival (headlined main stage), Gympie Music Muster, Charters Towers Country Music Festival (headliner), Stock Route Country Music Festival, Texas QLD Country Music Festival, Lights on the Hill, various PBR Australia Events & Festivals plus many more.

Popular Australian pop country crossover artist Jade Holland is heading to her hometown Mareeba Queensland for the first time in ten years.

Jade is performing at Savannah in The Round Festival 6-8 October amidst a stellar lineup of her peers which include Aussie Icons & International Luminaries Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers, Daryl Braithwaite, Russell Morris and Kate Ceberano to name a few.

Holland had already written and recorded a new song aptly titled ‘Home Town’ before Savannah In The Round reached out for a theme song for the festival. The lyric sees her recalling both happy and tragic memories of her youth growing up in the far north Queensland hinterland. Catchy and nostalgic ‘Home Town’ is a song we can all relate to when thinking about home.

“I grew up on a beautiful five-acre property in the bush. I have often channelled my formative years when writing songs. Mareeba was an is a magical place.

We thought we were the coolest kids on the block hanging out at centre parking in the Main Street. We would sit there for hours planning our lives”

TC Cassidy unveils stunning bluegrass duet with Angus Gill

Golden Guitar nominee TC Cassidy unveils stunning bleugrass duet, Waiting on a Train, featuring her producer Angus Gill. The romantic bluegrass song was written by Gill with US bluegrass luminary Ronnie Bowman. It features Grammy winners Ron Block (of Alison Krauss & Union Station) and Randy Kohrs, respectively on banjo and dobro, while Arkansas native Tim Crouch provides sublime fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and double bass.

The growth of country music has been phenomenal over the past 18 months and rising Adelaide Hills singer-songwriter sisters Ella & Sienna have held their own, winning awards and gaining a rapidly growing fan base Australia wide, proving they are one of the most exciting emerging artists in the Australian music scene.

Powerful and liberating, Ella & Sienna’s latest release ‘Like A Boy’ embraces the sisters’ newfound country-pop sound. Recorded with renowned producer Ken Royster in Nashville, Tennessee, the dynamic track showcases the heartfelt storytelling the sisters are earning a reputation for. The anthemic track embodies vocal harmonies that soar over rich layers of guitars, intense drum builds and prominent slide riffs.

“We had the incredible opportunity to record ‘Like A Boy’ in Nashville earlier this year after winning the NQ’s Rock’n Country Reboot Competition and we absolutely loved every minute of the process. We were keen to see how the track came to life in the studio and we were really thrilled with how it turned out” Ella.

“Of all the songs we’ve recorded, this is one of our favourites for sure. And we’re really excited to see how everyone reacts to it. Hopefully they love it as much as we do”. Sienna.

Ella & Sienna’s list of achievements are astounding and undeniably impressive. It’s been a meteoric rise for the talented young duo who have seen growing accolades over the past 2 years. Winners of the Most Popular Country Artist in the South Australian Music Awards 2022, winners of the Groundwater KIX Start and NQ’s Rockin’ Country Reboot Competitions in 2022, Top 24 Finalists in The Voice Australia (Season 11) 2022, Finalists in the Folk Alliance Australian Youth Folk Artist of the Year 2021 and 2022, second place in both the Battle of the Young Stars and Best of the Buskers Competitions at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and Semi-Finalists in the prestigious International Songwriting Competition 2020 have all helped to shape the artists they are today.

A favourite amongst Australian radio, Ella & Sienna have received support from major players KIX Country, ABC Country and community radio which has earned them chart success on the Countrytown Hottest 50 Chart. CMT have supported the girls in high rotation with music videos and they have been added to editorial playlists including Spotify’s New Music Friday and YouTube Music’s ‘Incoming Country’.

Captivating audiences across the country at shows and iconic music festivals has seen Ella & Sienna perform at Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, NQ’s Rockin’ Country, the EKKA (Brisbane) Semaphore Music Festival, Country By the River (SA) Fleurieu Folk Festival and Valley Folk Festival amongst others whilst also sharing the stages with John Schumann (Redgum) Amy Sheppard, Kristy Cox and Jayne Denham to name a few.

Now touring across several states to promote their debut EP ‘Seven Ways To Say You’re Fine’ EP, Ella & Sienna continue to build momentum, cementing the sisters as one of the most exciting acts to come out of Australian country music in years.

Ella & Sienna’s new single ‘Like a Boy’ is out at radio and digital platforms on Friday 29th September.

This incredible song is the Title Track to a beautiful collection of songs about Duncan’s life & Family. It’s written with love to Duncan’s dad, Bob Toombs who passed away in Aug 2021.

From Duncan – I started writting this song while I was making trip’s back home to Toowoomba visiting my father in hospital. He was suffering from multiple mini stokes due to the lung cancer which was found while running tests on him. I finished the song the day the nurses called me while at home to let me know he had passed. It was soon realised that I would not be able to be at my father’s funeral as the QLD border was locked again. With the help of my producer Rod McCormack, we recorded and mixed the song within a matter of days. My family then helped me create a short video for it which features a trip I took to Europe with dad and my 2 boys in 2018 and It was played at my father’s service. I watched my father’s service via live stream from my loungeroom with my family and the saving grace from not being able to be there was that at least my energy was there in the room with him. My Dad was a Train Driver and worked for QLD rail for over 30 years. He was a true people’s champion. I miss him a lot.

Duncan.

“Steel On Steel” is a rare debut album that reveals an incredible degree of maturity, craftsmanship, and emotional depth for a brand new songwriter. With Streaming for his album fast approaching 1 million streams this Australian Aria Number #1 Country Album has created massive waves here in Oz and has fast become a favourite among fans and fellow Artists throughout the OZ music industry. Duncan’s live shows are nothing short of spectacular. The atmosphere Duncan creates leaves his audiences spellbound by the heart and passion woven into the lyrics of Duncan’s songs. Over the last 10 months Duncan has made the front of the stage his new home, wowing audiences all over the country whilst touring with Beccy Cole & Adam Harvey. The spotlights are finally revealing to fans across the world the talents that Duncan has been hiding for some time. This highly awarded filmmaker and sought-after guitarist to the stars is set to stand amongst our brightest stars.

Refreshed and refocused, Sunshine Coast artist Tori Forsyth ushers in a new era with the release of her new single ‘Sometimes’. Her first release in two years, ‘Sometimes’ is a song that marks a strong intention for the 3 x Golden Guitar Award nominee, that is to seek out and pursue what she loves, and to settle for nothing less.

With plenty of new music on the way, ‘Sometimes’ is a return to the unique alt-country sound that first launched Tori’s music career. Driven by her arresting vocals, and featuring friend and country music icon Shane Nicholson, the new single is a delicate and tender reflection on the ending of a relationship, without malice or resentment, simply bittersweet.

“Sometimes’ is a breakup song.” Tori openly shares, “The only one on the record, the only one I have ever written, the only one I intend to write. Plain and simple, sometimes out of nowhere, your heart gets broken. But you pick up the pieces and move on and sometimes, most of the time, something beautiful is on the other side.”

‘Sometimes’ is produced with Scott Horscroft (Charlie Collins, Brooke & Adam Eckersley) and is recorded at The Grove Studios with her full band of Reece Baines (drums), Matthew Newton (guitars) and Zachary Miller (bass), and joined by Mak Brothers , Thom (guitar) and Andy (keys)

Eight years after emerging from regional NSW seemingly fully formed with the release of her evocative single ‘New Wall’ and the acclaimed EP Black Bird, Tori’s highly anticipated 2018 debut album Dawn of the Dark was hailed as one of the standout country album releases of the year. It planted Tori at the forefront of alternative country music, underpinning her incomparable songwriting and gritty and expressive vocals.

Not one to follow the crowds, Tori’s second album Provlépseis (2021) was an unexpected swerve away from traditional alt-country and into a more bold and bruising rock record that pushed her out of her comfort zone. Released during a period of uncertainty and world closures, the album and its singles ‘Be Here’ and ‘Down Below’ continued to resonate with loyal fans. Big streaming numbers followed, with Tori currently boasting over 15 million artist global streams on Spotify alone.

But 18 months ago, the boundary pushing artist found herself at a crossroads. Living on her parent’s farm in rural QLD, Forsyth began to think she didn’t have anything to give anymore; she wasn’t sure who she was as an artist and what her musical future looked like. The songs weren’t coming, and for the first time in a long time Tori wasn’t putting pen to paper, sifting through her feelings, and distilling them into songs that strike at people’s hearts. It was, in Tori’s words, a “big old identity crisis”.

The fog lifted when Tori settled on a new vision: to only pursue what she loved and to stick true to her values. Suddenly, with no pressure or urgency resting on her shoulders, the songs began flowing out of her. The new songs were sculpted literally and figuratively by nature, with Tori spending months living in a treehouse listening to music from the likes of Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Miranda Lambert, Nashville bluegrass outfit The SteelDrivers, with some ’90s Jewel, all while working on her parent’s horse stud and literally covered in trees.

It explains why ‘Sometimes’ feels real, warm and lived in, and no surprise why Tori chose to film the official video, directed by Bradley Murnane from Spill Films, on her parent’s property with her full band.

With a newfound freedom and lightness propelling her forward into a new chapter, once again Tori Forsyth is ready to take her place at the forefront of Australian country music. Following her BIGSOUND performances, Tori will be supporting US country artist Jackson Dean in Melbourne and Sydney with more news of live shows to come.

AFTER ARIA #1’S AND 800 MILLION STREAMS, KINGSWOOD RELEASE LATEST SINGLE “GOD ALREADY KNOWS”

Following a recording breaking Australian tour consisting of over 100 shows, Kingswood have hit the ground running with their latest single “God Already Knows” from their forthcoming album “Tale of G.C Townes”.

“The single was born of the concept that eternally plagues most; the everlasting duel between fate or chance, and whether one has validity over the other. These questions seem to be most poignant and prevalent amongst apparent and important life decisions yet are the wallpaper that encompass our every move from day to day. In particular, God Already Knows beckons the questions when a life path comes face to face with a romantic path, a fantastic collision of opportunities both lost and gained, allowing for a wild pendulum between a fulfilled heart and a broken one”. – Kingswood

Kingswood’s upcoming album “Tale of G.C Townes” was written and recorded alongside “Home” in the mountains of Queensland Australia’s hinterlands on a ranch, with the finishing touches placed both on the road amongst the record breaking 110 date Australian tour and in Kingswood’s spiritual home in Nashville, Tennessee. The album and songs were engineered by Alexander Laska, Guus Hoevenaars, and Tennessee’s Eddie Spear.

The enigmatic track features all members of Kingswood alongside Shaun Richardson on mandolin and pedal steel (Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Bela Fleck) and Billy Contreras on Fiddle.

Following his win at the Golden Guitar Awards for Male Artist of the Year 2023, Andrew Swift released his third studio album, “Lightning Strikes and Neon Nights”. The album was met to critical acclaim and debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album Chart.

Produced by Matt Fell, the album packed full of hits including “Young Lovers” “The Good Old Days” “You, Me, and a Bottle of Whiskey” and “Cheap Liquor”, the latest offering “All These Parts” mixes Swift’s signature grit with retro soundscapes and contemporary rhythms.

“There seems to be a bit of a pattern as I look back on my previous releases to include a song that I didn’t write. All These Parts is that song on this album, originally written. By Amber Rae Slade and Matt Fell, Matt pitched this song to me. I’ve always been a big fan of Amber’s work and it was a pretty easy decision to make. All These Parts is about moving on from a relationship, about cutting ties and pushing forward.” – Andrew Swift

With close to 2 million streams to date, Swift has been described as “an Australian songwriting heavyweight – with a powerfully evocative voice to match” by Country Update. Swift is undoubtedly a force to reckoned with. Both a wayward vagabond and a sweetheart, his songs brood on gut-wrenching heartache and revel in limitless joy.