TALENT ON TAP // NEW MUSIC FOR APRIL
BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURLEIGH BREWING CO.
Words by Emily Halloran
There’s no shortage of new music coming out of the Gold Coast, and this April boasts a couple of debut albums and fresh singles you need to hear.
This month’s round-up is full of homegrown talent bringing everything from soulful beats from newcomers on the scene, heart-wrenching contemporary, to fresh high-energy rock from staple favourites.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Gold Coast music scene or just discovering the talent that’s here, you’ll find something worth adding to your playlist. Here’s what’s making noise this month…
APRIL SPOTLIGHT
FEATURED ALBUM: LUJA MURFI – PROJECTIONS
After years of crafting their sound through EPs and singles, the seven-piece ensemble Luja Murfi has unveiled their debut album, Projections. This nine-track journey encapsulates the band’s evolution, blending intricate jazz melodies with soulful rhythms and experimental nuances.
Featuring nine tracks, Projections is a testament to Luja Murfi’s commitment to musical exploration. Each track serves as a chapter in a broader narrative, inviting listeners into a world where genres intertwine seamlessly. The album’s production highlights the band’s attention to detail, with each instrument contributing to a cohesive and immersive soundscape.
Hailing from the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers, Projections marks the band’s first-ever album, having released three EP’s and four single since forming in 2020.
The album in its entirety is worth exploring, however, our standouts are When (a playful journey with plenty of transitions), Foogie Stomp (groovy and upbeat), and Peace (rounding out the album with a beautiful piano and saxophone send out).
NEW ALBUMS
GESTICULATIONS: ON THE VERGE OF ALMOST
The collaborative project Gesticulations, featuring musician Benny D Williams and lyricist Graham Ashton, returns with their seventh album, On the Verge of Almost. This release marks a slightly new sound for the duo, who have embraced an unrestrained and energetic rock ethos. It’s Gesticulations most heavy guitar and upbeat punk-rock to date, saying: “we let our hair down and made a racket”.
Our top picks are Kamikaze Heart (catchy singalong), Nowhere Near Somewhere (a short 1.5minute track with grungy, riff-ty guitars), and Busy Or Just Bone Lazy (fun lyrics with rocky-upbeat melodies). They’ve also tipped off the GCMN that album number eight is in the works and titled Punctual Than Punk.
NEW TRACKS
MADDISON BREEN TAKES MUSIC INTO OWN HANDS
Gold Coast’s live music staple, Maddison Breen, has released Odesa, a captivating single featuring the ethereal vocals of Amela. Odesa intertwines Breen’s indie rock roots with Brit-pop influences, resulting in a sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary, while the collaboration of vocals with Amela adds a depthful touch. It starts with strong lyrics and piano, and firms into catchy guitar and drum-driven melodies, and rounds out softly.
Odesa serves as a precursor to her forthcoming 10-track album, slated for release on April 19. Both the single and the upcoming album has been proudly recorded, mixed and produced by Maddison Breen herself. We look forward to hearing it!
LINDA RELEASES A HEAVY-HEARTED SINGLE
Soul of My Soul by Linda Angledal, a human rights advocate and singer-songwriter, offers a powerful moment of reflection. The new song is a moving tribute to love, loss, and the human cost of conflict. Inspired by the true story of Reem and Khaled, a Palestinian granddaughter and grandfather living through the devastation of war, the track doesn’t just tug at the heartstrings, it sits with grief, letting it echo. This is Linda’s most poignant release to date, delivering not just a track, but a deeply human story.
BACK WITH THE WRATH
If you’re into goth-rock you’re going to love The Wrath’s new single called Nothing’s Forever. It’s grungy, heavy, fast-paced relentless tempo and features epic guitar riffs throughout. The new track is part of the band’s soon-to-be-released third album, titled Into the Arms of Oblivion, set to be out 30 May. The Wrath say Nothing’s Forever “wrestles with love’s wreckage and life’s impermanence while painting a picture of betrayal and disillusionment”. Having made music for the past 13-years, we look forward to hearing new and familiar sounds of The Wrath next month.
CHECK OUT THE MUSIC VIDEO:
NEW GIRL AND GIRL IS BETTER THAN OKAY
Off a whirlwind year of accolades and airplay, Australia’s rising indie rockers Girl and Girl are back with a new single called Okay. The track sounds just like the band we’ve come to know and love: energetic, riff-heavy, and instantly catchy. With a tight two-and-a-half-minute runtime, Okay wastes no time getting stuck in your head. It’s fast, fun, and easy to shout along to.
Girl and Girl were awarded the Gold Coast Music Awards Break Out Artist of the Year in 2023 and were finalists in four categories in 2024 for Artist of the Year, Live Act of the Year, and Song of the Year, and Video the Year. The band is currently on a month-long tour in the US. We can want to see this song live soon!
STREAM THE TALENT ON TAP PLAYLIST NOW!
The Gold Coast Music Network’s Talent On Tap is brought to you by Burleigh Brewing.
ARE YOU A GOLD COAST ARTIST WITH NEW MUSIC ON THE HORIZON? WE WANT TO HEAR IT!
If you’ve released new music or have something due for release in April or May, shoot us the details for the chance to be considered for the next ‘Talent On Tap’ column. Email our new music guru Emily Halloran on newmusic@gcmusicnetwork.com.au with a link to the song (Spotify preferred), an artist press shot and a few words/media release about the track or album being released.