Dad was a guitar playing preacher, his mum a teacher at Pera Bore (a cornerstone community school in Bourke NSW) and music surrounded William Alexander in his formative years. While dad taught young William to sing harmonies in church and gifted him his first guitar by age seven, they differed on their musical heroes. William remembers, “Dad was real big on The Oils (Midnight Oil) whose politics I respected but I preferred the Elvis Presley records mum would listen to”.

The music that helped shape William Alexander the artist, can be credited to an older family friend. Recounting vivid childhood memories William says, “I can still recall sitting at his feet while he played songs on his 12 string guitar and told stories about Slim Dusty and Bob Dylan”.

Releasing the single ‘Ridin’’ was never intended; the original plan, until Australia was put into pandemic lockdown, was to record an album with his new band - a first for this solo performer. Along with the B side ‘Streets Of Forbes’ (a traditional folk song recounting the final days of bushranger Ben Hall – other artists to record the track include The Bushwackers, and Weddings, Parties, Anything), the new music was created when a couple of buddies, regrouped on one side of the border, for a bit of fun in a home recording studio.

As the recordings took place William decided he wanted to champion Australia’s first singing cowboy, Smoky Dawson. “As one of my favourites, I wanted to release one of his songs for personal and moral reasons. Personally, he is a big influence on me as a performer. Morally, I want to always advocate for the Australian landscape and way of life. I want to showcase Australia as a place of romance and inspiration for songs”.
As an artist William knows exactly who he is, he cut his teeth performing mainly traditional American and Australian material from the great folk and country songbooks. His love of the genres was all thanks to the songs by normal people about normal people.

William will always throwback to the greats that came before, but says “I also want the romance and lifestyle of Australia's bush, plains, mountains and deserts as well as the people that care for and work it to get the recognition they deserve”.

‘Young At Heart’ is the new single from Victorian-based artist Vanessa Bourne. The follow-up to ‘Lyin’ Cheatin’ Heart’ released in July, this new single shares the same name of the album released alongside the lead single. Written by the songstress and her producer Curt Ryle, this is a tale of innocent love and most notably young love at any age. It was chosen as the album’s title track because it mentions Vanessa’s favourite artist the legendary, Merle Haggard.

The track was written and recorded in Nashville, USA back in February before our world turned upside. Vanessa has since been stuck in the UK as she was on her way back home to Phillip Island, Vic. Vanessa says, “I miss home terribly, I keep hoping I can come home soon to my little Island”.

The album features 12 new original tracks and is the first collection Vanessa has recorded in the USA country music capital. The singer-songwriter has always loved and performed traditional country music, all thanks to her parents’ avid appreciation of the genre.

The unapologetic classic country artist began performing cover songs in 2014 and transitioned into writing and composing original work in 2017. Fans of Vanessa’s work can be found in Australia, Europe, America and her parents’ homeland of India. Alongside Mr Haggard, Charlie Pride and Patsy Cline round out Vanessa’s musical idols.

 ‘Honey Pot’ is the latest offering from David Schaak, and the second single from his debut album “Meet My Ghosts”. The song was written in 2017, early into Donald Trump’s presidency, while Schaak was flying back home to Brisbane from a visit to the US. One of the first songs tracked for the album, it inadvertently set the tone for the tunes that followed. And while Schaak didn’t set out to include a politically charged song on his debut album, he perfectly sums it up, “I guess when there's something to say, you have to be ready to say it loud.”

Buy and sell the world, from a golden penthouse While your forked tongue tastes a silver spoon

Born into a name, but are you livin’

Sixty-five floors high, buried in your tomb

You’ve got your hand stuck in the honey pot Full of power and gold

Sneerin’ at the world through your rich man eyes You’ve got your hand stuck in the honey pot

Set in your ways

Because you’re still chasing the money not the soul

While the music video for ‘Honey Pot’ references Trump as the ‘villain’ - history has proven over time immemorial that the song is a reference for countless ‘leaders’; from the business elite to bankers, to royalty and the religious hierarchy – and not just the current US president.

Recalling the studio experience, Schaak says, “I knew it needed big drums and guitar but it couldn't be a straight up rock song – it had to have soul. Once we brought Brendan McMahon's (Tracy McNeil and the Goodlife, Saint Jude) keys and Jen Mize's three-part soul harmonies into the mix I knew we had something great.”

Preparing for this new single, Schaak will undoubtedly be hoping for continued success following in the footsteps of lead single, ‘Lost, Alone And Lonesome’. The Melbourne-born, now Brisbane-based artist was humbled with the response to the song after it enjoyed widespread support on radio stations around Australia including ABC Saturday Night Country, ABC Country, Good Morning Country, KIX Country, 98.9FM, Community Radio Network, with the accompanying music video enjoying a number of appearances on Foxtel’s CMT.

‘Honey Pot’ will be available on all major digital platforms on September 15.

Pre-order the song HERE

“Meet My Ghosts” will be released November 27, 2020.

David Schaak Press Kit CLICK HERE

Hailing from Tamworth NSW, Sky Valley Band was formed after band members met through various musician networks. Karen ‘Kaz’ Bevitt (vocals), Kurt Larkham (guitar/vocals), Dan Mountain (guitars), Josh Bilbao (bass) and Sam Levich (drums) have now been performing live for five years. Career highlights include the Gympie Music Muster, Groundwater Country Music Festival, opening shows for Eskimo Joe and The Wolfe Brothers and of course the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Lead vocalist Kaz Bevitt had been performing for several years as a freelance bass player and drummer for many Tamworth artists most notably Sally-Anne Whitten and 8 Ball Aitken and has also been fortunate to grace the stage with Gina Jeffreys and Adam Harvey. Her love of country music developed in the 1990s after being captivated by the sounds of The Chicks, Shania Twain, Reba McEntire and many more legendary voices.

As for Kurt Larkham there was no escaping the music industry, he naturally followed into the footsteps of his father and uncles, all very well known to Tamworth locals. Kurt is a multi-instrumentalist lending his talents to keys, banjo and of course guitar and vocals. The Tamworth native was also a member of Missy Lancaster’s touring band in 2019.

‘Maybe The Moon’, the band’s debut single, was given a test run when they performed it live for the very first time during their Eskimo Joe support spot at the 2019 Tamworth Country Music Festival. The track was so well received that the band immediately headed into the studio and its now ready for release.

Written by lead singer Kaz, the song’s inspiration came from a place of longing and final realisation that relationships may at times not be what you expect or are even mutual. We’ve all experienced heartache and seeing a close friend struggle with this, Kaz put pen to paper.

Check out the music video HERE

David Schaak loves nothing more than great lyrics, loud guitars and old technology, and he brings these long-term loves to a vibrant life through a healthy serving of Southern Americana Rock, as evidenced by ‘Lost, Alone & Lonesome’, the lead single from his impressive debut LP "Meet My Ghosts".

Whether backed by dirty guitars and swirling Hammond organ, or alone on his trusty acoustic guitar, Schaak’s tales of political greed, inequality and mental health sit, in an unnervingly comfortable way, beside the more universal truths of love, loss and loneliness.

In late 2019, David took a clutch of songs and headed into the studio with producer Lee Griffin and engineer Jason Millhouse from Recordworks (Brisbane). All three were holding on to a strict ‘less-is-more’ policy, resisting any unnecessary layering or complexity that would hide the all-important human element. The focus was on simplicity and performance – if they wanted a dirty guitar, then they simply turned it up - loud.

They were joined in the studio by the talented trio of Jen Mize, Brendan McMahon (Tracy McNeil and the Goodlife, Saint Jude) and Marty Smith (Sean Sennett, Wind Up Dolls) who all brought their own particular brand of magic to the sessions. Laced as it is with a blend of Southern Rock, Americana, Country and Rock flavours, smart songwriting and killer guitar – ‘Lost, Alone & Lonesome’ is a strong indicator of what this Melbourne bred, Brisbane based singer-songwriter is all about.

Talking about the story behind ‘Lost, Alone & Lonesome’, Schaak says “There are a lot of songs in the world about heartbreak, but I wanted to write one from the perspective of inevitability. Sometimes a relationship can be over and the actual act of breaking up is merely a formality.  Yes, there’s going to be a fight and then sadness and then loneliness; both parties have experienced it all before and just want it over and done with.

The line in the chorus ‘When you’re finished, can I keep the broken part?’ actually came from something my dad always said about getting old cars repaired. Always get the broken part back because you can probably get it repaired; to use again later – I don’t think there’s a heart on earth that hasn’t gone through a few repairs.

The first time we tracked this song the drums were a lot more straightforward. Trying to find something different to add to it we asked Marty if he could play a more complex drum pattern – apparently this is the only time he’s ever been asked to play more; and yes, he damn well could.”

‘Lost, Alone & Lonesome’ will be available on all major digital platforms on June 30.

Pre-order the song HERE

"Meet My Ghosts" will be out October 2^nd 2020.

David Schaak Press kit: CLICK HERE

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Van Walker has always been one to march to the beat of his own distinctive drum, and this year – with all the upheaval it offers, is no exception. The follow-up to lead single ‘Spirit World’ won’t be one, or even two songs, but instead three from his long-awaited solo album "Ghosting".

Recent months in isolation, and with touring and live shows also on a current indefinite hiatus has necessarily changed the way many musicians create and share music; and in this Walker has been no different to his peers. With an altered release plan and tour, Walker is champing on the bit to share his new music and believes there’s no time like the present.

‘Long Night’s Journey To Day’
Long nights journey to day/The price I must pay/For loving you, babe
This track is a cry for forgiveness and regret, but also vigilance and survival. A melancholic sorry note, if you will. Guitar wizard Jeff Lang lends his talents, this time on bass guitar, while Van’s voice shimmers with feeling.

‘When You Were Mine’
Sitting in my old bed ruminating but it ain’t a crime/Thinking ‘bout the future but I wish I was back in time/When you were mine
We all know about powerful memories and the grip they can have on us. Lamenting lost love and musing of better times, Walker doesn’t resist memory’s bitter chains.

‘Drifting Too Far From Shore’
I've lost that spark of passion I always used to have/Don't know where it's gone to or if it's ever coming back/Can't find no direction, tell me what's the reason for/Drifting too far from shore
Here Van explores the sometimes invisibility of depression, trauma and illness that leads to further isolation and abandonment.

Hit the image below to check out the video for ‘Long Night’s Journey To Day’

All 3 songs will be available on all digital platforms from June 17.

Pre-save them HERE

‘Ghosting’ will be released on August 28 via Green South Records.

Van Walker press kit CLICK HERE

Liner Notes

'LONG NIGHT’S JOURNEY TO DAY'

Van Walker - guitar and vox l Jeff Lang – Bass l Shane Reilly - pedal steel l Brendan McMahon - piano

'WHEN YOU WERE MINE'

Van Walker - guitars and vox l Mitch Dillon - bass

'DRIFTING TOO FAR FROM SHORE'

Van Walker - guitar and vocal l Jeff Lang - Bass and lead guitar l Matt Walker - Harmonica