“Dark All Day” is the brand-new album from Sydney singer-songwriter Sara O’Connor. The songs on this eight-track release capture a variety of life experiences and observations of her travels through the Arctic and Antarctic. Once again O’Connor has assembled the impressive co-writing team of Phil Stack (Thirsty Merc) and Terresa Marie Allen, from her EP “Rollin’” that was released earlier this year.

FOCUS TRACKS:
‘Ain’t Home’ (Allen/O’Connor/Stack) – is all about the endless search for feeling connected. After travelling the earth looking for it, Sara has come to realise home is a feeling not a destination. Following her extensive travels and stepping foot on all seven continents looking for where she feels most connected, the songstress is very happy to say that home is definitely here, in Australia and she couldn’t be happier with that! As Sara sings, “sometimes where you start is really where you’re bound”.

‘Upside’ (O’Connor/Stack) – this song was inspired while suffering from road rage one afternoon. Sara remembers muttering words that she wouldn’t want anyone to overhear. This made her think back to when she was a little girl and in a grumpy mood, her Mum would say things like “if the wind changes your face will stay like that” and “turn your frown upside down”. The song is meant to be a fun and uplifting ditty and from the first few bars you can’t help but smile.

The cover artwork for “Dark All Day” was created by Archibald Prize winning artist Wendy Sharpe. Sara, Wendy and her partner Bernard Ollis, met onboard a ship bound for the North Pole. During that journey Wendy and Bernard painted constantly, while Sara stood by in awe, but she was also creating… new music for this album.
Apart from the album artwork there is another magnificent link between Wendy and the album. On the back of the ship one afternoon, Wendy and Sara chatted about what it must be like living in the Arctic during winter when there is 24 hours of darkness. They talked about what it must do to your psyche when it’s dark all day and all night. That moment was the beginning of the title track on the album; ‘Dark All Day’. After that conversation with Wendy, Sara went back to her cabin and wrote the song.

More info about Sara O’Connor:
• A vocalist fronting jazz outfits for 20 years and has performed all over Australia
• Performed at Australian iconic venues including The Enmore Theatre in Sydney, The Tivoli in Brisbane and Melbourne’s Forum Theatre
• Introduced to the genre by her country-loving partner Ben Soutter and to the industry by none other than Melinda Schneider
• Introduced by a mutual musical friend, Melinda took the time to chat long-distance with Sara while at the G’Day USA party in Los Angeles. Sara has high praise for the Golden Guitar winning artist insisting, “I don’t think Melinda realises that she mentored me in that one conversation”.

"DARK ALL DAY" IS OUT NOW | AVAILABLE FROM ALL DIGITAL/STREAMING PLATFORMS

Little darling only highs no more lows
And the hard times - let’s decide that they go
Is this the moment I really hope so
Little darling only highs no more lows

From the delicate opening melody to the searing guitar solo and soaring two-part vocals, ‘Only Highs’ the 2nd single from singer songwriter Brendan McMahon’s forthcoming album "In The Moment", shines. The song tells the story of those moments in a relationship that are powerful enough to alter its course. It’s a heartfelt appeal for starting over and embracing new beginnings. While the initial inspiration was the author’s relationship with his daughter, it’s a song that everyone who has experienced the highs and lows of love and friendship can relate to. Hit below to watch the ‘Only Highs' music video.

 ‘Only Highs’ is the first duet Brendan has ever recorded and features the warm, sweet vocals of Amber Ferraro, who leads Melbourne disco-house band Honey. But it’s not the first time Brendan and Amber have worked together; Amber has provided backing vocals on three of Brendan’s albums. Brendan remembers their time in the studio: “The thought came to me to have Amber sing the lead on one of the lines of the third chorus, she did such an amazing job that I asked if she would sing the whole chorus. Totally a spur of the moment decision that ended up taking the song to a whole new level!”

‘Only Highs’ follows on from first single ‘I Am’ that was released back in May - the alternative country-rock track’s associated video is nearing 8000 views on YouTube. That track found support on ABC Radio’s Saturday Night Country, ABC Country, Good Morning Country, CRN’s Dirt Music and many other outlets around the nation. You can check out the clip for ‘I Am’ here: https://bit.ly/2YBCFrp

Both singles will appear on Brendan’s full-length release “In The Moment” coming in November.

‘Only Highs’ will be available on all major platforms from Tuesday August 13^th.

For her second single, Laura-Therese Davis proudly admits she’d ‘Rather Live In The Country’. While Laura-Therese grew up in Sydney, she moved to Maclean in the NSW Northern Rivers region in 2015 and she’s never felt more at home. A recent return to the big smoke, purely for career opportunities, has only reinforced this.

The horse-loving singer-songwriter penned ‘Rather Live In The Country’ as a calling back to living on the land. While she’s experienced life in both the city and the country, Laura-Therese believes there’s no better feeling than waking up to a clear sky and a green field with horses. “I have to be in the city a lot for recording and performing but it never feels the same. I literally feel a calling back to the country; I know that’s where I belong”.

The self-taught guitarist who’s been performing since she was just four years old continues, “It’s not always easy to live on the land, so luxury is an analogy for all the mod cons of city vs country living”.

The new single begins with a crisp acoustic guitar to remind us of the simplicity of the country. With a fun, bold, catchy chorus that everyone can sing along to, the upbeat track makes you want to tap your cowboy boots and keep dancing into spring and summer. ‘Rather Live In The Country’ features fellow musician and good friend Mal Eastick - Australia’s premier blues-rock guitarist, who initially found fame in 1970s’ award-winning country-rock band Stars. This is an anthem for all country folk to be proud of where they’re from.

"Champagne and caviar, these things are not for me
Can’t keep a horse in a penthouse, it needs an open field" 
Laura-Therese Davis ‘Rather Live In The Country’, 2018

Co-written with Golden Guitar winner Lachlan Bryan, 'Diamond Mine' is the first single from alt-country singer-songwriter Mat Black’s debut LP "Trucker Hats & Heart Attacks". Drawing heavily on a deep connection with Southern Rock and that 'dirt-in-your-ears' sound, the song is a gritty account of the oft-faced disappointments associated with the music world.

"I blew in late last night... my heart was heavy and my pockets light."

The opening line of the track conjures images of disappointment and the fact that the singer's chosen path in life is, more often than not, not a lucrative one. The song goes on to list a number of sacrifices that artists make when trying to reach their goals - or find that treasure at the end of all the hard work.

"There must be sixteen different ways to say, that you ain't gonna buy today"

Sometimes all we need is a 'thanks but no thanks' from media, venues, labels, peers.... instead the repeated silences can weigh us down after a while. Yet we head back time and again to the 'Diamond Mine' that is trying to 'make it' in the music industry. Dirty guitars and a screaming harmonica solo punctuate this track, giving it a definite country-rock feel. This is a song for lovers of Neil Young, Steve Earle and Drive-By Truckers.

The single will be released June 29 on all major platforms, with a Melbourne launch show booked in for the same afternoon at The Old Bar, Fitzroy with special guests Duncan Phillips and Katie Bates. Entry is free, music kicks off from 2.30pm.

“Trucker Hats & Heart Attacks” will be released September 13.

When you listen to Brendan McMahon’s music you gain a strong sense of the man behind the songs. An inveterate traveller and astute observer, possessed of an enquiring and open mind - these are just some of his personality traits that shine through.

A talented musician and songwriter with over 20 years’ experience, McMahon is not afraid to defy expectation – his music is eclectic, adventurous and blessed with a ‘limitless fluidity’. Having visited over 50 unique and varied countries over the last decade, McMahon’s travel experiences; specifically his observations of history, cultures, people, architecture and nature are at the root of his creativity and songwriting. These themes feature prominently throughout his upcoming LP "In The Moment", due for release in late 2019.

‘I Am’, the first single from ‘In The Moment’ serves as a fitting introduction if you haven’t come across Brendan McMahon previously. This alternative country rock track (out May 28) was ignited from a childhood memory of a failed attempt to run away from the safety and warmth of his childhood home – complete with Huckleberry Finn style pack on a stick - “on my way to a brand new life, nothing to hold me, I just might take a chance” – the adventure might have been thwarted by the cold, dark, windy, rainy night beyond his bedroom window but the urge to travel and explore had been well and truly lit.

Check out the video for ‘I Am’ HERE

‘I Am’ will be available on all major platforms from Tuesday 28th May.

1st single, ‘The Great Unknown’ debuted at #1 on iTunes Country Top Songs chart
‘The Great Unknown’ single debuted at #31 on iTunes Overall chart
“The Great Unknown” EP released on Friday April 12th
“The Great Unknown” EP debuted at #2 on iTunes Country Top Songs chart
“The Great Unknown” EP debuted at #10 on the iTunes Overall Chart
2nd single ‘Start Again’ at radio today - April 17th, 2019
‘Start Again’ music video now showing on the Country Music Channel WATCH HERE

‘Start Again’ is an autobiographical track about a personal relationship. Written with good friend Taylor Foley in September 2018 while Jade was living in Nashville, post break-up. A tearjerker, expressing a desperate feeling of not wanting to move on and instead feeling a spark and wanting to start again. A personal favourite as it's one of Jade's most honest songs to date.

Hailing from Invercargill, near the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Arun (pronounced Aaron) O’Connor was born into a musical family. The youngest of four brothers who have all followed in dad’s drumming footsteps, he instead deciding on the guitar, for his musical weapon of choice. Dad played for many celebrated local acts including NZ icon Tom Sharplin.

The singer-songwriter has been playing in bands since he was 15 years old and by the end of 2016, was working in music full-time, despite initially pursuing a career in the automotive trade. When Arun isn’t working on his own music you can find him fulfilling guitar duties for some of New Zealand’s finest, most notably often-dubbed ‘Queen Of Country’ Jody Direen – including a recent tour of their homeland and Australia.

In 2018 Arun seemed to dominate the NZ Gold Guitar Awards – he was awarded in “New Country”, “NZ Song” and “Male Vocal Solo” categories plus the big one, "Overall Senior". Having tried his luck at the NZ prestigious awards a few times before it was Arun’s performance of Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ that snared the big trophy haul. Arun insists choosing this particular song was no-brainer for him, "I just love it, Chris Stapleton sings it like it's an old country song but makes it new”. This philosophy can be heard in Arun’s original music.

In September that same year, as part of the awards’ prize package, Arun travelled to Nashville, TN and recorded his debut single. An original tune, written by the NZ native, ‘Following The Line’ is a song about pursuing what you truly want in life. It is about not doing something because that’s what is expected of you. After observing some friends in rough situations like bad relationships or jobs, who had decided it was the easy option to stay. The song celebrates breaking out of the easy life and doing what you love. Even if that, is the hardest thing to do.