Photo by: Marcus Coblyn

Romanie’s power lies in her storytelling – her ability to see the world beyond the noise and channel her introspections into piercingly relatable yet beautiful songs. Her latest single ‘Are We There Yet?’ taps into the nuanced feeling of being never enough, of always striving for the next thing. With this she primes the landscape for her debut album ‘Are We There Yet?’ – a body of work exploring the intricacies and intensity of time itself.

“The idea for the song came from a prominent feeling in my life where I always feel like I’m looking towards the next goal, dreaming about the next thing. Always running out of time and feeling like seconds are slipping through my fingers. Especially throughout lockdown, I felt like I was aging but nothing else was happening and I got so frustrated by what felt like missed opportunities.” Romanie

Collaborating once again with acclaimed producer Alex O’Gorman (Angie McMahon, BATTS), Romanie has also taken on a co-production role for the single. Mastering was skillfully handled by Isaac Barter (Alex The Astronaut, Didirri).

The single ‘Are We There Yet?’  serves as the centerpiece of Romanie’s forthcoming debut album. Inspired by a sense of perennial restlessness and the constant pursuit of personal goals, it captures the inner struggle of being perpetually fixated on the future. Feeling the weight of stagnation and a deep frustration with missed opportunities during the lockdown period, she imbues a genuine and palpable urgency within the song.

Initially uncertain about the song’s completion, Romanie revisited her creative process a year later when she stumbled upon an old voice memo that bore the question, “Are We There Yet?” – with a new found mindset of brutal honesty she was able to re-craft the single with piercing authenticity.  

“For ‘Are We There Yet?’ this approach definitely was a great vibe – I wanted it to feel like the song was rushed, as if you’re always on edge. I still wanted it to be a playful song, imagining my 10 year old self sitting in my mom’s car and asking 50 million times ‘are we there yet? when will we arrive?’ – as if that would get me my answer when I’d have made it in the music industry or life in general,” Romanie

The forthcoming album, “Are We There Yet?,” is a heartfelt tribute to Romanie’s fixation on time and marks a significant turning point as a song-writer. Throughout the creative process, Romanie found inspiration and guidance through School of Song workshops and her friend Kate Davis, whose mentorship allowed her to tap into the raw essence of her writing. It was during this time that Romanie shared some DIY voice memos with Alex O’Gorman, prompting an immediate decision to embark on the album-making journey together. 

“The whole album is basically an ode to my obsession with time, timing and movement in space and time. Being uncomfortable and real, it’s the first time I’ve been completely honest with myself throughout writing songs and saying things as they are without trying to be poetic or trying to impress someone.” Romanie 

PRAISE FOR ROMANIE

“Ethereal and melodic with the sort of songwriting prowess that makes you feel privileged to even be listening to such a composition.”

Rolling Stone Australia

“Romanie’s vocals are pure and direct. The lyrics are poignant, the melody gorgeous and the song has an appealing honesty to it.”

AU Review

“The track navigates feelings of loneliness and isolation, feeling separate from the world and those around you”

MILKY

“Graceful amongst the rumble and moving in emotion. Gorgeous Romanie!”

Claire Mooney, triple j

“Warm, soulful and intrinsically beautiful Romanie’s music is guaranteed to bring you calm and joy.”

Women In Pop

ARE WE THERE YET? (single) is out July 12

ARE WE THERE YET? (album) is out October 26

Romanie: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Twitter | Triple j Unearthed I Merch

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The Dutch-born and Nashville-based Platinum duo Vicetone releases their first EP since 2019, titled “Departing Reality,” and it’s exactly the dreamy escape the title promises. Featuring tracks that cross genres between electronic and dance-pop sounds, the 4-track package creates an emotive and yet dance-worthy ethos. Starting with the brand new lullaby-esque “Voices In My Head,” which fuses ethereal melodies and a futuresque drop with silky vocals. Vicetone continues the vocal-driven wave with the previously released “The World Has A Heartbeat,” which features organic basslines and crystalline melodies, while “Dopamine Junkie” is a playfully danceable anthem. Rounding out with the euphonious “Tomorrow Never Comes,” the EP delivers both the easy summer listening vibes that are perfect for any occasion as well as serious dancefloor fillers, right on time for Vicetone‘s EP-themed summer tour. Read on for what Vicetone had to say about the EP below:

“The ‘Departing Reality‘ EP represents the feeling of floating away and having your worries disappear when you’re listening to music that really hits you. We produced songs for this EP that gave us goosebumps and put us in that blissful state of being transported by the melodies.” – Vicetone

Since 2012, Vicetone has built a reputation for consistently delivering addictive melodies and pushing the creative bounds of dance music. Infectiously melodic and energetic, the distinct Vicetone sound has earned Dutch DJ/Producer duo Ruben den Boer and Victor Pool over 1 billion streams, multiple Platinum and Gold records, and a loyal global fanbase. While still in college, the childhood friends released their debut record, “Harmony,” and were quickly launched to global notoriety – within the year, they landed a spot on DJ Mag‘s prestigious Top 100 DJ list and began touring globally. Vicetone has since brought their brand of emotionally charged dance music to their 2021 album “Legacy” and hits like “Nevada” and “Something Strange“, a #1 chart-topper on Sirius BPM. Their viral hit “Astronomia” became a TikTok phenomenon and a bona fide stadium anthem, currently streaming over 1 million plays per day. Their dedication and talent quickly caught the attention of audiences, leading to performances at festivals across Europe and Asia, including Dream Station Seoul and iconic venues like the Hanoi Opera House. With releases on influential record labels like Ultra, Spinnin’ Records, Armada Music, and Monstercat, Vicetone solidified their position as trailblazers in the electronic music scene. Aside from their shared musical endeavors, Ruben and Victor also connect through their mutual love for video games. They consider gaming to be an essential part of the bond they formed as teenagers, giving them an opportunity to escape reality and tap into their childlike curiosity. This mindset translates into their music-making process, allowing them to be playful and creative with their compositions.

Photo by: Kyle Huninghake

Mainland Break, the Denver-Colorado based five-piece indie-rock sensation have today released their anticipated debut album ‘One Way Ticket to Midnight’. Alongside this release they also share their spotlight single ‘Portland’ with accompanying music video. With this release the band take listeners on a sonic journey through the night, confronting fleeting and fading memories and the unchangeability of the past.

“One Way Ticket to Midnight takes the listener through a lonely, reflective night that recalls distant friendships, lost love, and missed opportunity. It begins at sundown, with the golden nostalgia of “Calling After” and builds to the revelry of “One Way Ticket to Midnight” – set at the height of the night. The album works towards sunrise, but never realises the dawn, and leaves the listener alone and grasping at fading memories.” Mainland Break

The album was the result of a combined effort of unified talent from a range of contributors. It was recorded and produced by Mark Anderson (Sylvan Esso) at Cowboy Cowabunga Recordings and Glory Bird Studios, mixed by the talented Joey Oaxaca (White Reaper, twen, Mamalarky) and mastered by Dave Cooley for Elysian Masters (DIIV, M83). The result is a sonically rich and captivating listening experience that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on fans of indie rock.

One Way Ticket To Midnight includes previous singles ‘One Way Ticket To Midnight’ and ‘Calling After’. The 10-track album takes listeners on an emotive and introspective journey. A sonic experience that will have you clutching at fading memories dissecting the common experiences of fleeting and fading love, the enduring nature of relationships, the uncertainty of the future, and the unchangeability of the past. The album commences at sunset and begins to confront the emotions that linger in the night, ultimately building to a crescendo of the title track before continuing towards a sunset that never arrives.

The second track of the album “Portland” is released as the spotlight track of the album and provides a glimpse of Mainland Break’s sonic and visual journey. The accompanying music video is treated to be reminiscent of old super-8 footage, flickering film and fuzzed out visuals herald the simplicity of the past.

Mainland Break consists of Evan Oliver, Kevin Kohl, Travis Rice, Ian Gassman, and Steven Hennig who come together in a harmonious mix of talent, power and a desire to explore their musicianship. The world was first introduced to them and their sunny indie rock sound with their acclaimed 2019 EP, ‘Short Stay’. After a 4 year hiatus of refining their sonic identity they returned in early 2023 with the title track of their imminent debut EP.

ONE WAY TICKET TO MIDNIGHT TRACKLIST

Calling After
Portland
Split Time
Talking in the Cinema
The Ranger
One Way Ticket To Midnight
Replacements
All Night
Lucky Mile
Memory Fades

PRAISE FOR MAINLAND BREAK

“US outfit preview their debut album with this bold and driven indie-rock gem”
Mystic Sons

“‘One Way Ticket to Midnight’ is a driving indie rock singalong, carried by a propulsive bassline and a gleaming chorus. The narrative of the album walks through the events of a single night, and the title track acts as the record’s anthemic peak, where the rock revelry and effortless energy are at their highest.”
Under the Radar

“ [they] have you finding it difficult to resist having a bit of a bop, whether you’re in your chair or on the dance floor.”
Essentially Pop

“ Mainland Break let loose in the best way possible on this glistening, golden-hued single, all but ensuring we pay close attention to them in the lead-up to their promising debut album’s release.”
Atwood Magazine (Calling After single)

“One Way Ticket To Midnight (single) is a zippy cool tune stoked up by riff-manic guitars, a vigorous bass/drums tandem, and clear-cut vocals. Buzzing stuff for your hungry ears. Don’t miss it.”
Turn Up The Volume

One Way Ticket To Midnight is out July 21st
Mainland Break: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

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Multi-platinum Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike announce their forthcoming debut studio album – “Rewind + Repeat,” with the release of its first single – “She Knows,” a massive collaboration with David Guetta, Akon, and Afro Bros. Their debut body of work will see the duo throwing back sonically to the 90s’ and drawing inspiration from trance, techno, rave, hardcore to also pull at some nostalgic heartstrings for many listeners. It’s no secret that the #3 DJs in the world know how to throw a celebration, and they’re pulling out all the stops with a number of unique features and events prior to the full album release. For a multisensory experience, most singles on the album will be accompanied by a mini-documentary to bring listeners behind the scenes with the guys and hear about how the track came to life and the inspiration behind it. Additionally, fans can look forward to a whole new line of aesthetic merchandise from the superstar duo in honor of the release, including an exclusive vinyl set, exclusive physical CD, and some other goodies. As for the actual music–expect the timeless energy of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike‘s sound with some elevated and unexpected twists and epic collaborations with artists including David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Creeds, Lil Jon, Regard to only reveal a few.

The album is off to a red-hot start with the summer anthem “She Knows,” which fuses the best of electronic and hip-hop/R&B sounds. Since Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and David Guetta have collaborated on tracks in the past and Guetta and Akon joined forces on the 2000s hits “Sexy Bitch” and “Play Hard,” it’s also bound to pull at some nostalgic heartstrings for many listeners. Opening with dynamic melodies and a euphonious bassline, “She Knows” incorporates sultry vocals courtesy of Akon that turns up the spice factor for summer dance parties. The song appeals to a wide range of listeners, from fans of dance music to lovers of the classic sound of the 90s to hip-hop/R&B aficionados. With its big room-inspired low ends and booty-shaking beats, “She Knows” leaves plenty of space for any type of club and festival play. Be on the lookout for the next releases leading up to “Rewind & Repeat“‘s drop, which you’ll also be able to hear during the Belgian duo’s hectic summer tour. Dimitri and Mike will be making a special appearance at Tomorrowland‘s mainstage for an album-focused performance that will broadcast to millions on the festival’s livestream.

“It’s so great to team up with David again for this summer anthem – we’re also huge Akon fans, so to bring those two back together on our collaboration is next level for us. The sample from “The Sunclub – Fiesta” is part of our musical history and journey and sets the tone of what we want to achieve with our upcoming album: going back to our roots!” – Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

Since their debut in 2007, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike have been making waves with hits like “Mammoth,” “Tremor” with Martin Garrix, “The Hum,” “Higher Place” in collaboration with NE-YO, and “Hey Baby” with Diplo, all of which went Platinum and spent record amounts of time on the Billboard Dance charts. Further flexing their prowess, the brothers teamed up with Hans Zimmer for a rework of “Dead Men Tell No Tales” from the 5th installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Then teamed up with David Guetta and Kiiara on “Complicated,” which has over 160M streams on Spotify and almost 90M Youtube views, and released one of the biggest songs of the summer 2019 – “Instagram,” which also featured David Guetta, Afro Bros, Daddy Yankee, and Natti Natasha. Pairing these chart-topping accomplishments with a packed tour schedule that has included Tomorrowland, EXIT festival, Creamfields, EDC Las Vegas, and more, the world has fallen in love with the duo’s high-energy performances and dynamic style. They have consistently been ranked on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs and became the first duo to take the #1 spot, further flexing their prowess by teaming up with hitters like Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Fatboy Slim to Lil Jon, and remixing superstars like Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Chainsmokers, Major Lazer and many more. Currently ranked #3 on the prestigious DJ Mag‘s Top 100 DJs chart, previously they finished at #5, clearly showing they are among the most recognizable artists in the history of dance music. Always evolving with the times, clocking up 30 million fans on social media, combined with billions of music streams and video views of their live performances and music, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are certainly ones to watch for many more years to come.

David Guetta

DJ. Producer. Artist. David Guetta is a musical trailblazer and an international icon. With 2 x Grammys awards, 11 x Grammy nominations, 7 x UK number 1 singles, over 40 billion global streams, and 50 million records sold worldwide, and is currently the 4th most streamed artist on Spotify with over 75 million monthly global followers. Guetta has most recently achieved the “Producer of the Year” award by the BRITs in recognition of his production successes. The French producer mastermind has collaborated with some of the world’s biggest stars, including SIA, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, J Balvin, Becky Hill, Raye. Such work has resulted in numerous hit singles, such as “When Love Takes Over,” “Sexy Bitch,” “Memories,” “Where Them Girls At,” “Without You,” “I Gotta Feeling,” and “Titanium” which has over 1 billion streams. Guetta has stormed into 2023 with his new dance smash – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me,” with the two pop megastars Anne-Marie and Coi Leray. It arrived as the highly anticipated follow-up to Spotify global #1 and streaming monster – “I’m Good (Blue)” with Bebe Rexha. The track earned Guetta his eleventh Grammy nomination, receiving a nod for “Best Dance/Electronic Recording,” has garnered 1,8 billion global streams and simultaneously hit #1 at the US Top 40 & US Dance Radio charts. David Guetta demonstrates time and time again why he is the most cherished electronic artist of our generation.

Afro Bros

Giordano Ashruf and Rashid Badloe, known as the Afro Bros, are a Latin Grammy-nominated DJ/Producer duo based in The Netherlands. They established themselves as pivotal players in the DJ culture, creating a new wave and music genre, which resulted in them being award-winning DJs, producers, and successful entrepreneurs. In 2016 Afro Bros released a track called “18 Plus,” which started as a joke for them but slowly began to mutate into a huge international hit thanks to its highly catchy melody. They also co-produced the #1 songs in the Netherlands, such as “Energie” and “Come Again” from Ronnie Flex, Frenna & Boef, and are also responsible for co-producing the Latin Grammy-nominated track “Sua Cara” from Major Lazer. Their biggest hit, also a Latin Grammy-nominated record, is Nicky Jam & J Balvin‘s “X,” which has already reached 2 billion views on YouTube and clocked up 900 million streams on Spotify alone. In 2019 they released 2 huge singles, “Instagram” together with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, David Guetta, Daddy Yankee & Natti Natasha, counting already over 200 million streams, and “Boomshakalaka,” featuring Sebastian Yatra, to name only a few of the duo’s releases. 2023 marks a year of rejuvenation for Afro Bros, as they prepare new productions in collaborations with international artists and a worldwide tour to bring their “Booty Beats” to the dance floors across the globe. They are already off to a solid start, having produced together with DJ Snake the hit lead single “Amarillo” on J Balvin‘s last album – “Colores.”

Akon

As soon as you hear Akon‘s voice, you know it’s him. His shimmering, soulful voice has propelled countless hits across genres – from pop and R&B to hip-hop and dance. In addition to his own chart-dominating singles “Smack That” and “I Wanna Love You,” he’s made a staggering 300 guest appearances for icons including Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne, R. Kelly, and Eminem. With over 35 million albums sold worldwide, 5 x Grammy Award nominations, and 45 x Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt, he’s simply unstoppable. Akon holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the #1 selling artist for master ringtones in the world and became the first solo artist in history to lock down both the #1 and #2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Akon has chosen to address the immediate needs of Africans through an effort known as “Akon Lighting Africa.” This initiative addresses the concern that more than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is without electricity and that more than 85% of those living in rural areas lack access to it. Akon Corp., in conjunction with GIVE1 PROJECT and Solektra International, a member of ADS Group (Africa Development Solutions Group), has assembled a dynamic group of strategic partners in order to create replicable, scalable, and cost-effective energy solutions.

Photo credit: Sethen.SSL

Perth’s indie-surf-punk-rockers The Mess Around have taken their melting pot of musical backgrounds and influences, combining them all together on a candle-lit evening to create their new single ‘Want You Back’. Inspired by demonstrations of love & the romantic chase to win back the affections of another when you’ve slipped up, ‘Want You Back’ is a tongue-in-cheek guide to getting them back in your arms. With sonic influences from Dune Rats, Skegg & Beddy Rays, The Mess Around have however constructed their own unique sound, with a rollercoaster of tempos & guitar rhythms to make the 2 minutes, 43 seconds of ‘Want You Back’ feel like a genuinely epic ride. 

Working out of Perth’s Oracle Studios (Mongol, Arctos), the larrikins headed into the studio to record ‘Want You Back’ with their own drummer Alex Ford. In search of a unique space, The Mess Around headed to a farm owned by Alex Ford’s dad, to record drums in an environment that they could make their own. Keeping production in-house allowed them to flex their creativity even more, with Alex Ford also mixing the track, before it was sent off to be mastered by Simon Struthers (Sly Withers, Something For Kate, Karnivool).

We have all been in that relationship where one person is a tad more obsessed than the other. This song is for the people that realized the moment after a breakup, that slip ups were made, regret sets in and there’s the realization it was a mistake. “Want You Back” is a fun demonstration of showing your love for someone, beginning the romantic chase to portray how much they mean and ultimately get them back in your arms.” The Mess Around

We captured “Want You Back” on the family farm. The peacefulness of the countryside, the rogue sheep being fought off during the day, the fire pit at night with marshmallows and beers all somehow manifested their way into this light hearted yet deep song, as we sat around talking about our previous life experiences good and bad. A few of us were soaking in the scenery thinking “how’s the serenity” when Chris involuntarily came through and decided he would crash Alex’s dads’ farm motorbike. We all freaked but when it turned out he was okay, it become a thing and laughed about it for the rest of the day. In hindsight it was a butterfly effect moment, as without that happening and us retreating to go jam, Chris wouldn’t have written that cheeky little number on guitar, which eventually would eventuate into ‘Want You Back’. 

The Mess Around

Revered for the good vibes & larrikinism in their live performances, The Mess Around will be launching ‘Want You Back’ the only way they know how – with a ripping gig, surrounded by their mates. Hitting the Indian Ocean Hotel in Perth on Friday, June 30th the band will be using it as their first show to perform the track, as well as bringing their new music to fans. Joined by Perth stalwarts The Decline (Pee Records), as well as Grunge Barbie & Helena, the show is sure to be a wild  night to celebrate the next step in The Mess Around’s career.

The happy-go-lucky musicians comprising The Mess Around have managed to skid & tumble their way into hearts across WA. Having been covered by Channel 9 News for their bobsled antics (HERE), the band quickly picked up festival slots on WAMFEST & Blossom Festival, as well as sharing stages with Mitch Santiago, King Blue, Dear Sunday & making fast-friends via Instagram DM’s with The Terrys. With 100k+ streams across DSP’s, placement on Spotify’s ‘All New Rock’ playlist  & praise from triple j’s Dee Salmin, The Mess Around are also being touted by tastemakers Heavy Magazine & AAA Backstage; well on their way to being trailblazers of Australian rock.

THE MESS AROUND ‘WANT YOU BACK’ RELEASE SHOW

TICKETS

Fri June 30th The Indian Ocean Hotel Perth 

w/ The Decline, Grunge Barbie, Solar Juice

PRAISE FOR THE MESS AROUND

“This is very slick! Giving me old school Two Door Cinema vibes. I reckon The Mess Around would be sick live.”

Dee Salmin, triple j

“classic Australian rock vibes, beach themes and some real good time vibes. It has positive flow, rocking guitar work and super fun and uplifting moments over the entire four minutes. This one is certainly going to put a smile on your dial”

AAA Backstage

“tapping guitar melodies brings us emo pop punk realness.  Everything great about being an Aussie – their Labrador-like friendliness and fantastic comedic timing – is included.  It’s loud, proud, and – at times – outrageous but goddamn does it make us smile.”

PLAY/LISTEN

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed | Spotify

Brisbane alt-rockers Joy In Motion welcome a new member to the fold and return to their rock roots with vengeful new single, Wasting Away.

Featuring stadium-worthy drums, blistering guitars and synthy soundscapes, Wasting Away sees the band explore a DIY approach to their craft as vocalist Jake Solway steps into the producer role with their new material. Thematically the single draws on Solway’s unsavoury experiences at a previous toxic workplace and the unsupportive environment that followed.

“People who I thought were my friends turned out to be snakes who either contributed to or turned a blind eye to some despicable behaviour shown to me by superiors,” explains Solway. “I felt like I was wasting away at that job, which inspired this song and a few future tracks too”.

The release of Wasting Away marks a new era for Joy In Motion as they welcome second guitarist, Jackson Lehane (formerly of Stateside), to the band. It sees the fresh-faced five-piece showcase a grittier side as they step away from their earlier pop sounds heard on the 2021 EP, ‘Stardust’, and back to their heavier foundations.

Joy In Motion is Jake Solway (vocals), Carly Sinn (drums), Joshua Wessling (bass), Jesse Simo-swer (lead guitar) and Jackson Lehane (rhythm guitar). The rockers emerged onto the music scene in 2017 with their upbeat blend of emo-pop as heard on their debut EP, ‘Falling Out’.

Their 2021 follow-up, Stardust, saw the band further delve into realms of pop through dreamy melodies and infectious hooks. Lead single Leaps & Bounds compelled triple j Unearthed’s Dave Ruby Howe to declare, “If big, buoyant pop with band fundamentals is your thing then check this out”.

To date, Joy In Motion have joined some impressive lineups, supporting the likes of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (US), Real Friends (US), The Dangerous Summer (US), Tonight Alive, The Faim and more. 2019 saw Joy In Motion secure the opening slot on the Brisbane leg of Good Things Festival, where they joined the bill alongside acts including Parkway Drive, A Day To Remember, Simple Plan and more.

Wasting Away is the first instalment of an exciting new chapter – available now and streaming everywhere.