TALENT ON TAP // MAY & JUNE DOUBLE EDITION
BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURLEIGH BREWING CO.
Words by Samantha Morris
We’ve got 17 brand new bangers for your earholes this month: with metalcore, soul, pop and Gypsy-rock all featuring in this month’s Talent on Tap column, brought to you by Burleigh Brewing Co. There’s raw, haunting melodies, infectious indie hooks, cinematic tunes, joyful, horn-driven funk and riff-driven heavy rock – it’s like a genre-bending smorgasbord for your ears. Listen hard and enjoy!
Sweet dreams for Jinn Barrons
Gypsy-folk duo Jinn Barrons have released their third studio single ‘Sweet Dreams’. The track opens with a haunting violin, setting the tone for a dark and raw offering, accompanied by unfussy, heartfelt vocals and understated acoustic guitar. This combination allows the song to do its job – stirring the listener to connect with its ancient melodies and deep storytelling. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is an honest song, telling the tale of a man lost within his family’s past – at once dynamic and captivating.
Peptalk’s Forrest
Lara Frew, Phoebe Sinclair and Jay-Lee Kwan are three Gold Coasters, now residing in Sydney, who make up indie-pop trio Peptalk. Their latest single ‘Forrest’ – a playful nod to Forrest Gump’s undying commitment to Jenny – has already been added to two Spotify and 6 Apple editorial playlists, with this trio also scoring high-profile performance and support slots (Sydney Fringe, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Montaigne). ‘Forrest’ is a classy pop song, unencumbered yet catchy. Its simple chorus and rhythmic, atmospheric backing make it easy to listen to on repeat – but doing so comes with a warning – this song will embed itself: you WILL be singing the lyrics in unexpected moments. Because, girl, this trio knows their way around a pop song. ‘Forrest’ is a beautiful slice of pop perfection. They call themselves “your wholesome friends giving unsolicited advice,” and with serious runs on the board, Peptalk are on a mission to be the positive representation in music they longed for growing up.
I think I’m in Love with Will Carlson
Brisbane via Gold Coast solo artist Will Carlson has released his new single ‘I Think I’m In Love’. It’s a pop-rap track, layered over a trap-jersey beat: and while a collaboration at heart, the song brings Will’s unique pop-rap style to the fore. Opening with catchy pop guitar / electronic beats and crisp vocals over a Jersey-style kick, and 808 rhythms throughout, ‘I Think I’m In Love’ delivers a genre-blend that’s genuinely unique but sounds instantly familiar. Given that Will only created this song as a means to get back into the groove of producing, he’s definitely one to watch.
Addicted release for LAVELIN
Stand-out lyrics frame the opening bars of new track ‘Addicted’ from LAVELIN. It’s a catchy and sugary-sweet dose of indie-pop with elements of disco shining bright. ‘Addicted’ takes you back to a vibrant 80s dance-pop scene but here LAVELIN’s flirtatious charm, and lyricism, take centre stage. The song is about how love can sometimes become an unhealthy addiction and is a teaser for her upcoming EP ‘Forget About Us’ due 24 May.
Rainie Zenith delivers Joy and Pain
Earnest and full of wistful longing, ‘The Joy & The Pain’ sees Rainie Zenith deliver “the most heartfelt song” she’s ever written. Poignant lyrics and evocative imagery are accompanied by a male harmony line to defiantly profess, that despite being kept apart in real life, ‘they cannot police our dreams’. It’s a preview into Rainie Zenith’s debut album due in August.
The Magic delivered by Mr Rascal
‘The Magic’, just-released by Mr Rascal, is a cinematic masterpiece with clever story-telling at its core. The combination of lyrics and flawless instrumentation evoke a sense of drama – not surprising when I learn about the meaning of the song. Charting a journey of healing from the chronic condition of Ankylosing Spondylitis and discovering a sense of freedom beyond the mind, creative force Christian Duell is embracing life’s contrasts through music. Having lost two bandmates over recent years (Grant Davis in 2018 and Matthew Schneider in 2023), Christian recruited local talent in the form of George Carpenter (drums, programming, synth, auxillary percussion), Adam Dargusch (bass guitar) and Elliot Geddes (tambourine) to complement his own guitar, vocals and omnichord talents.
Death is All That’s Left for Wildheart
The opening riffs for Wildheart’s new track instantly make you sit up and listen. Undeniably metalcore at its finest, ‘Death is All That’s Left’ is unapologetic in its advocacy for the end to the discrimination and outright genocide Aboriginal Australians have been subjected to since colonisation. With lyrics that hit you in the guts, this song is as much a call to arms as it is a brutal take-down of governments and bureaucratic structures that have failed Indigenous Australians over and over and over again. Musically, Wildheart have carved a niche for themselves as metalcore mavericks – the song is full of hooks and fast and furious drumming, matched only by the intensity of vocals – harsh and melodic in equal measure.
As I watch you strip away
Our rights and sovereignty
Thrown in to cages and left to die
I see the way
You look at us
Being taken Hostage by Jargøn
“Motherfucking hostage” rings out in the chorus of this new track by Jargøn in collaboration with Chris Calyx. It’s a dark electronic number, bridging genres, which makes it difficult to describe. But the way Chris’ vocals (delivered de la Rocha style) punctuate house and electronic beats where you expect to hear guitars and drums, really works. It’s hard to find much information online about Jargøn, but I’ve reviewed multiple tracks of his this year and each one is unique in how it brings house to the fore. This collab is by far my favourite though.
Eimhin: Why do I still think of You?
What starts with Eimhin’s signature ballad format quickly turns to something a bit more rock, and I’m here for it. ‘Why Do I Still Think Of You’ opens with simple guitar chords accompanying Eimhin’s iconic folk vocals before the tempo gets turned up. Flawless songwriting continues to be a centrepiece of Eimhin’s artistry and the rock-folk combo works a treat – coming together to form a unique sound, without trying too hard to be something it’s not. Eimhin’s been teasing a debut album and this taster has this music reviewer pining for what’s to come.
Hands Up with Sunny Luwe
Gold Coast’s very own pop princess Sunny Luwe has released another sunshine-y gem. Perfect in its simplicity, ‘Hands Up’ showcases Sunny’s stunning vocals – full of soul and pep – alongside her signature, somewhat persistent positivity. ‘Hands Up’ encourages its listeners to be comfortable in their own skin with the song delivered alongside a bunch of Sunny fans joining in the chorus – like I said, pop perfection.
Obisun – a fun-filled family affair
Obisun are a mum/dad/son three-piece bringing instant fun to your eardrums. They’ve uploaded a bunch of new tracks to Spotify with first cab off the rank ‘Ocean’ opening unexpectedly (to me, anyway) with horns. If this song doesn’t get you moving, with a massive grin on your face – no matter what genre of music you usually listen to – you need to get outta my new music column. Reeling off a bunch of Gold Coast beach names between a catchy chorus and simple harmonies: ‘I love you like the ocean, I love you like the sea’, this is the most up-tempo and fun-filled track I’ve heard in a long time. ‘Wild Card’ follows along the same lines: with the sound of glasses clinking in the background, it’s a love-filled song reminiscing a wonderful night with a loving companion. There’s a whopping 15 songs that have been uploaded to Spotify this year, so the only way to get your head around this fun family outfit is to check them out yourself.
Until We Fall want to Burn This City
There’s nothing polite about the opening riffs of ‘Burn This City’. A highly-charged track with guitars front and centre and vocal melodies which soar between being rough-and-ready and melodic-and-harmonic. Musically, everything comes together in this new song, the second release of Until We Fall’s upcoming album. It follows in the footsteps of their debut track ‘A Memory’ which set the band up as one to keep a firm eye on. ‘Burn This City’ is an ode to running amok with those closest to you, letting go of your inhibitions and enjoying whatever the night may bring.
Felicity goes Bang Bang
Our favourite Bohemian rocker Felicity Lawless has released an epic cover version of ‘Bang Bang’, first released by Cher in 1966. Felicity adds her signature elements of Gypsy-world-folk to the classic track, making it an instant favourite. She’s been talking about releasing this song for years, and I for one am very glad it’s finally here.
Jumping the Line with Klacey
Klacey has returned with an honest and vulnerable new song. ‘Jumping the Line’ is a powerful folk-pop number, showcasing Klacey’s sweet and soulful vocals, introspective songwriting and dreamy melodies. Klacey says writing the track put her in a vulnerable state, “I genuinely thought no-one would ever hear it.” She’s now using these strong feelings as the basis for songwriting and the meaning of this song, she says is “to cherish the gift of sensitivity.” Klacey’s only 19, so there’s (hopefully) much more of this gorgeous music to come.
Lyric dishes up Wildfire
The much-anticipated follow up to ‘Gravity’ is nearly here. Undeniably a star on the rise, Lyric’s new track ‘Wildfire’ showcases the Gold Coast artist’s soaring vocal abilities, stellar production skills and penchant for raw love songs that connect with her audience. Quintessentially a sythn-pop banger, the track’s catchy lyrics are accompanied by pounding bass-lines that deliver the kind of song deserving of chart-topping success. Lyric has built a solid fan-base since taking out two Gold Coast Music Awards in 2023. ‘Gravity’ has amassed some 330,000 streams in just four months – a monumental outcome for an unsigned, emerging artist, only just finding her feet. The fact that she’s built such a loyal following bodes well for this new track ‘Wildfire’ which will no doubt hit the mark when it’s released 31 May.
An Untidy release from Chutney
Our favourite indie-rockers have released a dynamic double single featuring the tracks ‘Untidy’ and ‘Have it Your Way’. Reinforcing their distinctive laid-back indie sound, alongside a heartfelt exploration of navigating love admist chaos, ‘Untidy’ is chockas full of soulful vocals, evocative lyrics and powerful guitar riffs. ‘Have it Your Way’, while following the same formula the Chutney boys have become known for, is more introspective, a little less upbeat, a little DMA’s – which fits with the song’s theme that reminisces on their hometown of Burleigh and the drunken nights, live gigs and cherished moments spent in the famous beachside suburb. Together these two tracks, full of depth and energy, showcase Chutney’s versatility, as well as their talent – that continues to grow their reach with each release and each live show.
Lovers Game a new release for Wazlington
Newcomer Wazlington has released an easy-listening track ‘Lovers Game’ which tells of the ups and downs of searching for a partner; someone trying to find love. Released 18 May, this soulful and bluesy number is an impressive debut for this Gold Coast artist – for which there is very little information online.
TALENT ON TAP PLAYLIST: STREAM IT 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 next month, shoot us the details for the chance to be considered for the next ‘Talent On Tap’ column. Email our new music guru Sam Morris 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.