GOOD MORNING ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM BASKETBALL BREAKUPS + SHARE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE 'GARDEN

Good Morning - the Melbourne-based recording project of Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons - announce their second album of the year, Basketball Breakups, due October 4th. In conjunction, they release the lead single/video, “Garden.” Following previous standalone singles “Boy, I’m Just A Loser For Your Love” and “Take It Easy For Me, Stranger,” “Garden” is upbeat, featuring breezy guitar and soft, nearly-plain-spoken vocals. The track considers the danger of being complacent, and rebukes the idea that if we wait, what we want will come. Listen to Garden now!

Photo by Xi Cao

The band head off to North America in October, having already sold out their Los Angeles show in less than a week. Having already announced shows in 17 cities, the band have just added a new show in Toronto, Canada. Stay tuned for additional shows to be announced!

All tickets are on sale now and all dates can be found below!

Good Morning's own Stefan has also curated this week's Numero Group weekly playlist – he went through Numero's release archive and chose his favourite tracks for his Numero 4 Numero playlist. Listen now!

FIRST EVER USA TOUR!
SELLING FAST Wed. Oct. 9 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop tickets
SELLING FAST Sat. Oct. 12 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios tickets
Sun. Oct. 13 - Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall tickets
Mon. Oct. 14 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza tickets
Wed. Oct. 16 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge tickets
Fri. Oct. 18 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Total Drag Records tickets on door
SELLING FAST Sat. Oct. 19 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle tickets
JUST ADDED Mon. Oct. 21 - Toronto, ON @ The Baby G tickets
Tue. Oct. 22 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo tickets
SELLING FAST Wed. Oct. 23 - New York, NY @ Baby’s All Right tickets
Fri. Oct. 25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boot and Saddle tickets
SELLING FAST Sat. Oct. 26 - Washington DC @ Pie Shop tickets
Sun. Oct. 27 - Asheville, NC @ Mothlight tickets
Mon. Oct. 28 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement tickets
Tue. Oct. 29 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa tickets
Thu. Oct. 31 - Dallas, TX @ Dada tickets
Fri. Nov. 1 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk tickets
SOLD OUT Sat. Nov. 9 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Cid tickets

Basketball Breakups was recorded over four humid summer days in a studio in Japan, self-produced and mixed, and mastered by Liam “Snowy” Halliwell. Blair and Parsons, who are joined by bandmates James Macleod and John Considine, sound truly at ease on these songs, which are mostly comprised of early takes. Named after the blissful “breakup dinner” at the end of a junior sports season, the spirit of that communal joy is alive on this album. While their previous album, The Option, was tightly rehearsed and made with the vision of a true rock record in mind, Basketball Breakups was recorded while it was arranged, on digital and tape. 

There’s a sense of on-the-fly intimacy on this album. These songs are privy to anxiety and anticipation, the good and the bad kinds of extended reflection, and what the band term their first “requited” love songs. Ultimately, Basketball Breakups shows Good Morning at their most candid and their most understated - dealing in the poetics of everyday life with levity, grace, and grit. 

POPPONGENE SHARES NEW SINGLE 'ETERNALLY ALONE'

Today Poppongene shares 'Eternally Alone', the second single taken from her upcoming EP. Produced in collaboration with Tim Harvey (Real Feelings, Jade Imagine, Emma Louise), “Eternally Alone” is an upbeat ode to dating-complacence, dreaming of an effortless connection, all the while reasoning that alone isn't so bad.

Photo by Louis Roach

Of the song, Poppongene says:
It's a humorous pop song about wanting warm connection without warped compromise. It’s me daydreaming about a lovely shimmering romance that I don’t have time for. Less morbid than the title suggests, much more about poking fun at my priorities.

Originally from Byron Bay, Treloar is now based in Melbourne, and plays as Poppongene both solo and with a five-piece band, with Skube Burnell, Gemma Helms, Justin Kuchel, and Deanna Ramsey. Off the back of the success of her first three singles, Poppongene has played significant shows, supporting Lucy Dacus (US), Weyes Blood (US), and Slow Dancer.

GOOD MORNING DROP TWO NEW SINGLES and ANNOUNCE FIRST EVER USA TOUR + HEADLINE MELBOURNE SHOW

Today, Good Morning - the Melbourne-based recording project of Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons - present two new singles, “Boy, I’m Just A Loser For Your Love” and “Take It Easy For Me, Stranger” which you can stream/ download HERE. 

“Boy, I’m Just A Loser For Your Love” is a song of laid-back pessimism. Parsons’ vocals drawl over drifting guitar and gentle percussion as he sings about a faltering relationship. “‘Boy, I’m Just A Loser For Your Love’ is meant to be two things - a queer country song, and a synth country song”, says Parsons. “It’s definitely queer, and it definitely has a synth or two. Whether or not you could call it country is another thing, but hey, we tried.”

Throughout “Take It Easy For Me, Stranger,” Blair and Parsons’ voices softly blend together, resulting in a gorgeously hazy track of crooning intimacy. "‘Take it easy…’ was recorded in a shop on High Street in Northcote. Lyrically it’s directed to some crazy entitled person we met at a bar on Lygon St, although I doubt they will ever hear it. It’s a reminder that no one person’s life is anymore important than another’s, and that anger and prejudice don’t serve to benefit anybody."

To celebrate the release of their new music, Good Morning will embark on a an extensive 18 Date Headline Tour of North America, which will mark the first time the band have ever toured the US of A, much to the delight of their legions of fans stateside. Full details and all ticket links for the North America tour can be found here.

Before they depart Australian shores Good Morning are excited to announced that they will play a very special show in their hometown of Melbourne at Howler on Friday 22nd of September. Supports for this show will be announced shortly but in the meantime you can grab your tickets here. 

Good Morning are also very excited to welcome Bec Young and Collective Artists to their team, who will now be taking care of all AU/NZ bookings. Of the new signing, Bec said ‘We are thrilled to welcome Good Morning to the Collective Artists roster. They’re one of Melbourne’s most respected acts, who are also making exciting inroads internationally, and we are stoked to be on the team!'. Collective Artistsnow fill out Good Morning's international booking team which already consists of Anna Benefield of Ground Control (North America), Anita Richelli of Listen Collective (UK/EU) and Jordan Corso of Anniversary Group (Asia).

GOOD MORNING
LIVE @ HOWLER, MELBOURNE 
Fri. Sep. 20 - Melbourne, VIC @ Howler tickets

FIRST EVER USA TOUR!
Wed. Oct. 9 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop tickets

Sat. Oct. 12 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios tickets

Sun. Oct. 13 - Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall tickets

Mon. Oct. 14 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza tickets

Wed. Oct. 16 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge tickets

Fri. Oct. 18 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Total Drag Records tickets on door

Sat. Oct. 19 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle tickets

Tue. Oct. 22 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo tickets

Wed. Oct. 23 - New York, NY @ Baby’s All Right tickets

Fri. Oct. 25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boot and Saddle tickets

Sat. Oct. 26 - Washington DC @ Pie Shop tickets

Sun. Oct. 27 - Asheville, NC @ Mothlight tickets

Mon. Oct. 28 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement tickets

Tue. Oct. 29 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa tickets

Thu. Oct. 31 - Dallas, TX @ Dada tickets

Fri. Nov. 1 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk tickets

Sat. Nov. 9 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Cid tickets

ELIZABETH DEBUT ALBUM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NATURE OUT NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Today Elizabeth announces her debut album, The Wonderful World of Nature, out November 1 on Our Golden Friend.  With this news she also shares the debut single, 'Parties.' The track premiered at The FADER and Elizabeth told them, “‘Parties’ is about the lack you feel when you lose someone close to you and try to fill the void with cocktails and strangers. It's about the surprising distance you can feel from someone even though you once loved them so hard. It's a heartbreak banger designed for sad girls and those who love them.”  

Photo by Naomi Lee Beveridge

She further explains, “I shot the video with Nick McKinlay, a true champion. It's fun and glamorous but it's all about isolation, the feeling of watching other people having a good time while not fully being able to participate. We played with the idea of party clichés; the dull and tense office party, a Heathers-esque garden party, a wild Hen's night and a classy cocktail party." 

Of “Parties” The Fader notes, "The quiet, ambient siren that heralds the beginning of Elizabeth’s debut single “Parties” feels like a warning alarm; It practically tells the listener This song could fuck you up. Chaotic, heartbroken pop in the vein of Lykke Li and Sky Ferreira, “Parties” is a forceful and resonant first single from the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter; with its central hook of “I go to parties like I don’t need anybody / But I only miss you more,” “Parties” begs to be screamed along to in the Uber home or wept along to during a Monday afternoon comedown." Read full Fader feature here.

A new patron saint of sad girls, Elizabeth is a glamorous tragic, a queer pop anti-heroine holding a curtain of glittering melodies and catchy veneers over ugly truths. "Parties" is a sparkling, slowburn sad-banger, an exorcism in excess, and an awakening. Channelling the energy of Marissa Cooper dumping her banana lounge into the pool, 'Parties' is messy, glamorous, and demands your attention. The Wonderful World of Nature is made up of pop songs that leave a lasting mark; they bruise and linger. Tasked with building out the world in Elizabeth’s deepest imagination was producer John Castle, who now adds Elizabeth to his roster of collaborators alongside Hatchie, Cub Sport, Jack River and Vance Joy. Operating with an absolute absence of ego, together Castle and Elizabeth succumbed to their purest pop whims. Pre-order album here.

The Wonderful World of Nature out 1st November

Who is Elizabeth…. 

Elizabeth first established herself as the lead singer and songwriter of the Melbourne indie-pop outfit Totally Mild. After releasing two beloved records, the band dissolved, granting her the independence she’d required to fully commit to her solo project and the space to reimagine who Elizabeth can be. 

Who Elizabeth can be, it appears, is a glamorous tragic. A queer pop anti-heroine holding a curtain of glittering melodies over ugly truths.

Casting herself as the antagonist wielding pop songs as weapons, she wipes away her running mascara and escapes a destruction of her own making. This debutante divorcée has traded in her white veil for a cocktail and concocted a collection of shimmering heartbreak bangers that celebrate the femme and her indulgent indiscretions. The record is a testament to obsession and the desire to consume as much – of people, of substances, of herself – as she can.

I go to parties like I don’t need anybody / Then I only miss you more / Excited faces, unfamiliar places / I will try to forget it was me who you adored

The addictive pull of people and the parties where they sway together in dark corners hangs like a cloud of smoke over the record. Through the dark, Elizabeth emerges as a tortured muse taking it all in with a pout, all batting eyelashes and ulterior motives, her platforms leaving ghostly marks behind on sticky carpets. Like Lana Del Rey, she proves to be an expert in extracting beauty from catastrophe, balancing a whimper and a snarl precariously on a knife’s edge.

In facing the futility of holding onto something that’s already slipped out of her grasp, Elizabeth has created a new kind of heartbreak album  - one made up of pop songs that leave a lasting mark; they bruise and linger. The Wonderful World of Nature exists in a place of its own making; one where hedonistic and tender femmes can freely indulge in their desires and the things that cause them pain, emerging broken and whole in new ways on the other side.  

Elizabeth will play special single launches in Melbourne and Sydney to celebrate the release of 'Parties'. On Saturday September 7, Elizabeth and her band of angels will play a free show in Sydneyat the Vic on the Park, and on Saturday September 14 they grace Melbourne's Northcote Social Club, with tickets available here.

JADE IMAGINE Debut album Basic Love out now!

Melbourne’s jade imagine release their highly anticipated debut LP Basic Love today on Milk! Records / Remote Control. A powerful exploration of the simple vs. the abstract, Basic Love is an existential ride that shimmers through its playful pop-tones and stripped back nature. Emotionally dictated by the wit and noir of Jade McInally (vocals, guitar, synths) and propelled by a band that seamlessly fuses together elements of synthwave and art-rock, this album is an impressive culmination of jade imagine’s signature style of bleak pop and contemplative new-wave.

Basic Love speaks of the internal and emotional monkey grip that exists within our generation – it’s all meant to feel good even if everything is sinking. Written half in the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne, this album encapsulates both the magic and the struggle of existing in a society that’s trapped in-between worlds; the romantic vs. the sci-fi.

From the opening track 'Gonna Do Nothing' – a Kraut-pop anthem that oscillates between LA glam and robotic surf-rock - the band works collaboratively to build a system of sonic dualisms that portray the conflicting moodboards of our modern day world. Basic Love is a calculated push and pull that tries to reconcile the experiences of living in a beach town that’s been suburbanised to the point of dullness, versus living in a city where your dreams are industrialised to the point of turning into capital.

This album is full of ponderings about nature as much as the cogs of capitalism. 'The Weekend' opens with the line “Coast to coast, what I’d like most is to live over there’” yet this assertive optimism quickly becomes a lament of the “9-to-5 mentality” and the depressing idea that weekends is the only time one has to be free. Supported by a repetitive and punchy instrumentation, the mechanical beat beneath the surf-pop vibe of the melody nicely adds to the subject matter of the song.

With a recording lineup composed of Liam “Snowy” Halliwell (The Ocean Party, Ciggie Witch) on bass, producer/guitarist Tim Harvey (Emma Louise, Real Feelings) and James Harvey (Teeth and Tongue) on drums, Basic Love has a truly dynamic essence. Each member plays a role which tightly considers each sun-filled texture against the bleak nature of Jade’s poetic observations.

The production behind Basic Love nicely adds to the dualistic feel of the album, recording each track live and using exclusively analog instruments to form an organic but artificial sensation. Produced and mixed by Tim with the jumping off point and guidance of Jade’s vision, each track lays gently over a bed of analogue warmth, alluding to past and future technologies and capturing the intimate essence of lo-fi recordings. It has a cohesive yet fluid sound achieved by an impeccable balance that prioritises the space and dynamics between instrumentation and vocals. It’s a neat and timeless production reminiscent of bands like Talking Heads, Broadcast, Blondie, Sonic Youth and Mazzy Star.

Following their debut EP What The Fuck Was I Thinking? (Milk Records, 2017), on Basic Love each member of jade imagine has consolidated their skills and role as part of a unit to create a powerful album in close consultation with each other. It’s an intimate collaboration where consideration and attention to detail create songs that speak of the personal as much as the political with much lyrical efficiency and technical poeticism.

Purchase / Stream jade imagine - Basic Love: https://jade-imagine.lnk.to/BasicLove

PEAK TWINS NEW ALBUM 'BELOVED' OUT NOW

“‘Water’ is a spectacular return to the spotlight for the group – setting a tone of emotional maturity and acceptance, no-doubt forged through the years of bruising and battering their soul has undergone in the period between recordings. To a lush backdrop of dusty twang, solemn keys and lavish string accompaniments, Peak Twins plumb the depths of crestfallen, post-relationship downheartedness.” – Weirdo Wasteland

“Originally a duo emerging from the ‘burbs of Adelaide, Peak Twins return with their second album, Beloved, after a six year wait. The first single, ‘Water’, throws a dummy pass with noisy dissonance to begin but then quickly morphs into sweet Aussie melancholic jangle...Embellished with heart tugging strings and lyrics that offer the spirit of “she’ll be right”, it’s the kind of tune that you’ll happily lean on after a frustrating day.” – Tone Deaf

Today Peak Twins share their highly-anticipated second album Beloved. The album is a richly-rendered exercise in melodrama and melancholy, engaged with the past without necessarily invoking it. With an interest in the atmosphere of melodrama and unease that pop music can build, Beloved revels in subtle moments of tension and release: string arrangements are in conversation with rich vocal melodies, then give way to spooky, cinematic instrumentation. Watch the video for title track 'Beloved' here.

The album is available today to stream on all platforms, and to own on special edition blue vinyl!

To celebrate the release, Peak Twins play a special album launch show at The Curtin on Saturday 24th August, with support from Sarah Mary Chadwick, Deep Red and The Opals. Tickets are available HERE.

POPPONGENE SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE 'NOT WRONG'

Poppongene shares 'Not Wrong'.  Taken from her upcoming EP, 'Not Wrong' marks a distinct step forward in the artistic development of Poppongene, the alias of Melbourne multidisciplinary artist Sophie Treloar. Produced in collaboration with Tim Harvey (Real Feelings, Jade Imagine, Emma Louise), “Not Wrong” is a glittering slow-burn, a song of initial infatuation, of the equal thrill and uncertainty of attraction. The song's video, directed by James Thomson, sees Treloar ride through rain-soaked streets and sit alone – but not lonely – in a smoky bar. 

"Not Wrong" is premiering now at Austin Town Hall:

"Poppongene might not be a name on everyone’s tongue just yet, but Sophie Treloar’s project definitely will turn some heads with this new single. At first, it’s the voice that really draws you in, dangling through your speakers as it allows for the guitars to carefully ring from behind. I was fully immersed, just lost in the song, much as our character is in the video, pushing through life." - Austin Town Hall

Having released three previous singles – “Do It, Girl”, “Belgravey”, and “Esky” – on Our Golden Friend, Poppongene’s debut EP welcomes a new era for the project. Originally from Byron Bay, Treloar is now based in Melbourne, and plays as Poppongene both solo and with a five-piece band, with Skube Burnell, Gemma Helms, Justin Kuchel, and  Deanna Ramsey. Off the back of the success of her first three singles, Poppongene has played significant shows, supporting Lucy Dacus (US), Weyes Blood (US), and Slow Dancer.

jade imagine shares new single 'Remote Control' and announces album Basic Love

Photo by Nick McKinlay

Today jade imagine release their new single 'Remote Control' which was premiered via Gold Flake Paint. It's the second track lifted from their debut album Basic Love which is set for release on Friday 2nd August via Milk! Records/Remote Control Records.

Of the single & video Jade McInally, jade imagine’s front-person and key songwriter says, "Remote control is a song about the conflict between reality & escape and the two worlds we live in; dreaming and denial in a world of practicalities and productivity. It's an exploration into synth territory. We wanted this track to be equal parts spooky and catchy, like taking a night-drive in a 1980's sci-fi film. The film-clip begins as we are waking up into our dreamscape - a place between two worlds. Throughout the clip, 'real life' flashes through. We had such a blast filming with director Lilli Waters and the team. We hope you enjoy it!"

A powerful exploration of the simple vs. the abstract, the album Basic Love is an existential ride that shimmers through its playful pop-tones and stripped back nature. Emotionally dictated by the wit and noir of Jade McInally and propelled by a band that seamlessly fuses together elements of synthwave and art-rock, this album is an impressive culmination of jade imagine’s signature style of bleak pop and contemplative new-wave.

With a recording line-up composed of Liam “Snowy” Halliwell (The Ocean Party, Ciggie Witch) on bass, producer/guitarist Tim Harvey (Emma Louise, Real Feelings) and James Harvey (Teeth and Tongue) on drums, Basic Love has a truly dynamic essence. Each member plays a role which tightly considers each sun-filled texture against the bleak nature of Jade’s poetic observations.

The production behind Basic Love nicely adds to the dualistic feel of the album, recording each track live and using exclusively analogue instruments to form an organic but artificial sensation. Produced and mixed by Tim with the jumping off point and guidance of Jade’s vision, each track lays gently over a bed of analogue warmth, alluding to past and future technologies and capturing the intimate essence of lo-fi recordings. It has a cohesive yet fluid sound achieved by an impeccable balance that prioritises the space and dynamics between instrumentation and vocals. It’s a neat and timeless production reminiscent of bands like Talking Heads, Broadcast, Blondie, Sonic Youth and Mazzy Star.

In addition to recently signing with UK label Marathon Artists for the world outside Australia & NZ, jade imagine are pleased to announce their addition to UK booking agency ATC Live's roster, signing with agents Matt Hanner and Felipe Mina Calvo.

Pre-order jade imagine - Basic Love via https://jade-imagine.lnk.to/BasicLove

PEAK TWINS SHARE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE 'BELOVED

Today Peak Twins share 'Beloved', the second single from their upcoming album of the same name, out June 28. The song had its radio premiere last week on Double J's Curated with Karen Leng, and its video is premiering today on Eucalypt. It's available to stream and download here. 

"Beloved" is a confessional, a kind of melancholic plea, its lush string arrangement mirroring the drama the song indulges. Lyrically, Peak Twins aren't afraid to work with and against cliché, embracing a legacy of crooning and storytelling, and “Beloved”, their upcoming album's title track is no exception. 

The "Beloved" video, directed by Luke Byrne, is premiering now over at Eucalypt. They say:

"[T]his gorgeous new video from Peak Twins [is] produced and edited by Luke Byrne...the video is a timeless and stunning accompaniment to their new single Beloved...Effortlessly beautiful yet gorgeously written, Beloved comes lifted from a wonderfully melancholic album of the same name - the first from Peak Twins since their debut LP in 2013."

Beloved is out June 28 via Our Golden Friend. It's available now to pre-order on blue vinyl. The band will play a special in-store at Record Paradise on release day to celebrate.

RVG SHARE JOHN CALE COVER 'DYING ON THE VINE'

RVG have shared their crowd-favourite cover of John Cale's "Dying on the Vine", now streaming everywhere here. The B-side to the 'Alexandra' 7-Inch, the cover regularly opens the band's live show. Of the song, RVG's Romy Vager says:

"I’m a huge fan of this period of Cale’s music. It’s a strange balance of honest and grandiose pain, it’s like watching a car full of cocaine drive over a cliff. I guess that’s something I’ve always tried to do with the band: The kind of performance where you’re trying to make people feel anything but good about themselves. We played this song at our first gig and people have been bugging us to record it ever since so I’m glad that it’s finally around."

Paste Magazine writes: "Frontwoman Romy Vager bares her whole heart with this vocal performance as sorrow drips out of every nook and cranny of her voice. RVG’s guitars are just as poignant as Vager’s rough rock warble—they twinkle with a bittersweet glow." Brooklyn Vegan also included the song in their "9 New Songs Out Today" list.

"Dying On The Vine" is available alongside "Alexandra" on limited edition 7-inch vinyl, with only 200 copies available. The 7-inch is available now to pre-order.

The band are currently on tour in North America and have now completed their run of shows with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever.  They have two headline shows remaining in San Diego (13th June) and Los Angeles (14th June), before heading home to Melbourne for the Reclink Community Cup (23rd June). Details are below!

US
13th June - Soda Bar, San Diego Tickets
14th June - Gold Diggers, Los Angeles 

AUS
23rd June - Reclink Community Cup, Victoria Park, Melbourne Info