backseat downunder
News: Magic Dirt release punishing cover of The Saints classic ‘I’m Stranded’
As part of Mushroom Music Group’s 50th anniversary and their Mushroom 50 – Singles Series, Magic Dirt have re-imagined the all-time Australian classic, (I’m) Stranded by The Saints, the iconic song that is widely acclaimed as the first big song to kick off the 70’s punk rock explosion in the UK. Adalita, frontwoman for the …
Track: AYLA is awash with ‘Fire and Wine’ in a gorgeous ambulant track that heralds a new album.
Collaborating with Sam Thomlinson (Oh My My, Bad Pony), Queensland songwriter and chanteuse AYLA has today unveiled the first of four new singles ahead of a new album due for release in February 2024. ‘Fire and Wine’ crests the waves of a scything, aquatic electronica that bubbles underneath AYLA’s gorgeous vocals that ache with emotion …
Premiere: Melbourne instrumentalist band Badinage release the dynamic ‘Mustang’ from the stables ahead of debut album.
We are over the moon to be able to bring you an exclusive first listen to the latest track from Melbourne instrumental band Badinage. We reviewed Badinage’s EP ‘Meander’ earlier this year, describing it as a collection of immersive evocative instrumentals that bleed with a melancholic intensity. ‘Mustang’ takes us in a little different direction, …
Premiere: Aotearoa/New Zealand’s Isla Noon provides us with an exclusive look at the video for her new single, the shimmering and lush single ‘Body’.
We are very honoured to premiere the brilliant accompanying video for the shimmering new single ‘Body’ from New Zealand chanteuse Isla Noon. The project of Shani Sauerman, her vocals are stunning – soft, velvet and diaphanous with a shimmering warmth, heartbreakingly yearning over an instrumentation that is contrastingly thumping, bombastic and dramatic at times, crashing …
Premiere: Wilding is back with a brilliant double single release ‘Logical Steve’ and ‘Difficult Day’, displaying his usual wit and songwriting craft.
We are very honoured to premiere the new double single from one of our favourite artists, Naarm/Melbourne’s Wilding, released through the legendary Half A Cow label. Wilding – the brainchild of Justin Wilding Stokes, is the sonic architect of some very fine whimsical, intelligent pop and we have been following his career for a number …
News: The National drop surprise album ‘Laugh Track’, unveil the single ‘Deep End (Paul’s In Pieces)’ and announce Australian tour.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that The National released ‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’ through 4AD and Remote Control Records so it is quite a surprise to report they have just dropped a new album, ‘Laugh Track’, which is being described as a companion to ‘First Two Pages…’, having been recorded during the same …
News: The legendary Simple Minds announce their biggest Australian tour for early 2024 with expanded dates.
After cancellations of an earlier tour due to COVID, Simple Minds have just announced their biggest ever tour of Australia following up an earlier announcement of them taking part in the Red Hot Summer Tour. Australia has always been a special place for Simple Minds – achieving some of their first global support here in …
Track: ‘Everything Changed’ – the mighty The Lovetones return with another jangly epic ahead of live gigs.
The Lovetones return after a three year absence with their new single ‘Everything Changed’ ahead of next month’s gigs in Sydney and Melbourne. Their signature crisp twelve string crunch carries the yearning tones of singer Mathew Tow in a track that seems to merge an REM melancholic blush with a Byrdsian jingle jangle and a …
EP Review: Lisa Caruso’s ‘Stretching’ is a gorgeous collection of personal songs with universal themes, delivered in her immersive, expressive vocals.
We have been following the steady ascent of chanteuse Lisa Caruso for a few years now and it is great to be able to hear her new EP ‘Stretching’, a follow up to 2020’s ‘In Feelings’. ‘Stretching is a glowing collection of gems that showcase Caruso’s extraordinary vocals and song writing prowess. The opening track …
News: Tasmanian band, Legal Noise plan short Australian tour on back of announcement of debut album and launch gig
Hobart garage-psych rockers, Legal Noise, have announced their self-produced debut long-player, and will be giving it its’ first full airing at a special album launch at Hobart’s Simple Cider on Friday, 15th September. A massive nine band lineup, will join Legal Noise to start the party from 5.00 PM and long into the night. The …