Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Teenage Joans support Foo Fighters

We are so incredibly proud of UNIFIED Artist Management artists Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Domestic La La artists Teenage Joans for their incredible performances supporting Foo Fighters on their Australian tour. Teenage Joans played two career-defining shows at HBF Stadium in Perth and Melbourne’s AAMI Park, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers performed an iconic opening set for Foo Fighters on night one of their two-show stay in Melbourne.

This marks another milestone in the careers of both acts, with Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers releasing their debut album to both critical and commercial success, reaching #1 on the ARIA Top 10 Digital Albums and being a Triple J Feature Album.

“It can’t be easy opening for such a massive show, but they smashed it, combining a slick and polished performance with moments of sweet, slightly self-conscious banter.  Their set was closed out with “Pretty Good for a Girl Band”.  You’re not wrong.  I can’t wait to see where their career takes them.” The AU Review on Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers AAMI Park performance.

Teenage Joans album ‘The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest’ debuted at #7 on the ARIA Australian Albums Chart, and continue to amass a passionate and loyal fanbase.

Cahli and Tahlia Borg (vocals, drums) have been churning out banger after banger, and collecting quite a few accolades for their edgy and melancholic-infused brand of music. With ‘support act for Foo Fighters’ on their resume makes me think there’s simply no stopping them.” Scenestr on Teenage Joans’ performance at HBF Stadium.

Ocean Alley’s ‘Confidence’ tops the Australian ARIA singles chart

Congratulations to UNIFIED Artist Management and Community artists Ocean Alley, who have landed back on the ARIA Singles Chart, with their 2018 hit, Confidence, reaching the #16 position overall and #1 Australian single this week.

2023 has been huge for Ocean Alley – a year that has seen them perform at a number of the biggest Australian festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Spilt Milk and Groovin The Moo, as well as undertaking the biggest Australian, UK and North American tours of their careers.

Managed by UNIFIED Music Group’s Senior Artist Manager Dan Nascimento – OA’s song Confidence surged across DSPs on the back of a viral TikTok moment, hitting the #1 spot on Spotify’s US Viral 50 Chart, among other global territories. This has led to the band recently exceeding 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, as well as seeing an increase of over 160,000 followers on TikTok. This achievement is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of how people are finding and consuming music and engaging with artists. It is also an example how meaningful outcomes can be achieved across all facets of an independent artist’s business when they continually dedicate themselves to hard work on the road and online.

More than anything, it’s proof that you can’t keep a good song down.

Josh Pyke Signs With UNIFIED Artist Management, Announces Final Josh Pyke Partnership

Pictured: Josh Pyke // Photographer: Matt Wilson

 

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer and children’s book author Josh Pyke has signed a new artist management deal, revealing today a partnership with UNIFIED Artist Management’s Sarah McMillan.

Pyke’s career to date has seen the release of six studio albums including 2022’s To Find Happiness, all of which have debuted in the ARIA Top 10, as well as four ARIA Awards and category wins at the APRAs and CMAs. His songs have placed in triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown on nine occasions.

A multi-talented creative, Pyke has also written several children’s books, with seven titles currently available through publishers worldwide, and another set to be released in September this year. Pyke has established himself as a respected composer for Film and TV. He is currently writing music for ABC’s dedicated 24/7 radio station and on-demand app ABC Kids Listen. 

Of his signing with UNIFIED, Pyke said: I’m incredibly excited to be working with Sarah and UNIFIED for the next chapter of my career. I’m as passionate about music now as I was when I started almost 20 years ago, and seeing Sarah share that passion and energy is really inspiring! I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years holds!”

UNIFIED Artist Manager Sarah McMillan said: Josh Pyke is an incredibly talented artist, revered both domestically and internationally. We are honoured to be working with him at this stage of his career and looking forward to taking him to new heights here at UNIFIED Music Group. I personally have been a big fan of Josh right from Memories and Dust days so I feel very lucky to get this opportunity to work with him. I am looking forward to learning from such a successful musician, songwriter, producer, author and all-round lovely human being. The future is bright!

Josh Pyke today also announces the final Josh Pyke Partnership. Launched in conjunction with APRA AMCOS in 2015, the Josh Pyke Partnership has for almost a decade offered an unsigned musician the opportunity to receive mentorship and funding to help grow their career. Past winners include Gordi, Alex Lahey and Angie McMahon.

As with previous years, the 2023 winner will receive a $7,500 grant as well as mentorship from Pyke, as well as meetings with experienced artist manager Sarah McMillan from UNIFIED music group and Select Music’s owner and booking agent Stephen Wade, to help grow their careers.

Entries are open from April 19 through June 21, 2023. Entrants must not have signed a contract with a recording or publishing company to be eligible. Submissions must include a business plan (maximum two pages) explaining how you would like to grow your musical career, including a SoundCloud link to a maximum of two songs online. The winner will be announced on July 5.

Pyke added: “Creating the JP Partnership with APRA AMCOS has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever worked on. Having a tiny hand in supporting the success of artists like Gordi, Alex Lahey and Angie McMahon has been an enormous privilege, and has also led to friendships and collaborations. I’ll always be super proud of this project. 

“After 7 years though, it’s time to announce the final JP Partnership. I want to acknowledge the input and generosity of Wonderlick and Select, who have been pivotal to the mentorship element, and welcome Sarah and UNIFIED into the fold for the final endeavour! I can’t wait to dig into the entries for the final round, there are always incredible musicians to discover!

UNIFIED Artist Management is part of UNIFIED Music Group.

Josh Pyke’s upcoming live shows include Salt Festival in South Australia on April 29, and Banana Festival in NSW on May 6. Pyke has also been announced as a support for The Waifs for a run of shows in NSW and the ACT this July.

Dan Sultan Teases New Music, Announces New Management and Booking Agent

Pictured: Dan Sultan with Ash Hills // Photographer: Michelle Grace Hunder

Multi-award-winning musician Dan Sultan is preparing to share new music after inking fresh artist management and booking agency deals, announcing today that he’s partnered with UNIFIED Artist Management’s Ash Hills and Lonely Lands Agency’s Harry Moore, to help guide the next chapter in the singer-songwriter’s illustrious career.

The way in which Dan Sultan – the songwriter – has been able to capture the complexity of the human condition has brought him widespread acclaim and accolades. But for Sultan – the human outside the art – it’s this complexity that has belied some of his most challenging years.

Sultan unpacked some of these challenges during a talk at TEDxCanberra last year titled ‘Impact Through Creativity’, a deeply personal monologue about how creativity has a cathartic impact on trans-generational trauma – moments in life that change you forever.

It’s this closely guarded trauma that inspired the lyrics for “Story”, a powerful ode about reclaiming one’s own narrative, in which Sultan’s signature sound shines. “Story” lands on streamers next Thursday (Feb 23) via Mushroom Group’s Liberation Records, marking the beginning of a vulnerable new chapter.

For over a decade, Sultan’s work has become synonymous with an important thread of songwriting that forms a detailed tapestry of Australian music. Across four studio albums, his artistry has been built on unbridled rawness; an ability to emotionally shatter a listener with passionate lyricism, and build them back up over the space of a singular playback. It’s a gift that has consistently won him praise from critics.

Sultan, who started playing the guitar at age four and wrote his first song at age ten, cemented his position as a prolific artist during the 2010 ARIA Music Awards where he entered the mainstream public consciousness when he won Best Male Artist and Best Blues & Roots Album for his second LP, Get Out While You Can.

He went on to win four more ARIAs over the last decade, including Best Rock album in 2014 for Blackbird and Best Children’s album in 2018 for Killer Under a Blood Moon. He’s also won four AIR Awards, two APRA Music Awards, four Deadly Awards, six National Indigenous Music Awards, and two Music Victoria Awards during his almost decade-long partnership with Liberation Records after signing with the independent label in February 2013.

Also announced earlier this week, Sultan will join Vance Joy on a North American tour in August and September this year, where he will play iconic venues like Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Denver, CO, and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

Dan Sultan said: “To have found a home with my manager Ash Hills at UNIFIED, and my booking agent Harry Moore at Lonely Lands Agency, is wonderful. Moving forward with such a strong team, at a time when I’m making my best work, is very exciting.”

Ash Hills, General Manager, Artist Management AU/NZ, at UNIFIED Music Group, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Dan Sultan to UNIFIED and to be working with him on this next stage of his career. Dan is an incredible artist and has been working on some of his best work yet, I can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear it.”

Harry Moore, General Manager at Lonely Lands Agency, said: “I’m extremely grateful to be a part of team Dan Sultan. Dan has had such a long and successful career and is an incredible live performer. To get the chance to work with the team, and build his live business, is something I am very excited about.”

UNIFIED Artist Management and Lonely Lands Agency are part of UNIFIED Music Group.

WAAX RELEASES NEW ALBUM AT LEAST I’M FREE + NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO NO DOZ

Image Credit: Finnian Mullen

“You would be hard-pressed to find a live act in Australia right now that’s more feverish than WAAX.”
– PILERATS

“WAAX have redefined what it means to be punk in the 21st century.”
– THE MUSIC

“We already know WAAX can rock, but the Brisbane shredders are heading in exciting directions for their second album.”
– TRIPLE J

Today, WAAX releases their highly anticipated second studio album At Least I’m Freevia Dew Process. Awash in samples and programmed beats as well as gargantuan riffs and, of course, frontwoman Maz DeVita’s spine-tingling howl, At Least I’m Free telegraphs the band’s ambition to step beyond ‘Australian rock’ and into a weirder, wilder landscape.   Following the release, the Meanjin based four-piece will perform a 22-date national album tour this October to December.

At Least I’m Free is paired with the genre-bending and standout new single No Doz, which was co-written with US rock superstar K.Flay, and captures the key-experimentation behind the record. “No Doz is about control. More specifically it’s about losing it. In the video I have no control in the shopping trolley. I am at the mercy of the band who is pushing me around. The video reflects the newer, fresher vibe that we were going for when writing No Doz. It’s filled with energy, reckless abandon and bursts of colour,” says DeVita.

WAAX will also make a record store appearance this afternoon at Sonic Sherpa in Brisbane, with an acoustic performance and signing copies of their new album At Least I’m Free. See below for full details.

You might consider At Least I’m Free as something like a second debut album for WAAX — a creative and emotional rebirth that’s resulted in some of the band’s finest, punchiest songs ever. The eleven track collection sees them teaming up with the production team behind their debut breakout album Big Grief – Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and Grammy Award-Winner Nick DiDia (Rage Against The Machine), as well a co-write with Linda Perry on Dangerous.

At Least I’m Free contains some of WAAX’s most vibrant, emotionally nuanced songs to date — scream-your-heart-out punk tracks that, nonetheless, are generous and empathic in a way that’s reflective of DeVita’s emotional state while she was writing the album. “I feel like with our last record, it was all ‘Fuck you’,” she says. The breakup that inspired this album, on the other hand, was due to faults on both sides — perfect fodder for some of DeVita’s most subtle, emotive songs to date. “I don’t want to hate people — I feel like as I’m getting older, I just don’t have the time to hold on to grudges.”

You can hear that kindness seeping through on songs like Read Receipts and Man Like Me, the latter song’s chorus of “I hope you learn to love yourself/I hope you find peace” providing one of the album’s most striking moments. And you can hear it, too, on the galvanizing Most Hated Girl, on which DeVita counters the outlandish self-laceration she would dole out as a 16-year-old while acknowledging the ways the system fails young women. Best of all is Same Bitch, a song that finds DeVita embracing the glorious messiness of her own personality, and was partially inspired by the unapologetic chaos of the stars of The Real Housewives of Melbourne: “Darling, you know me, I’m still that same bitch!”

WAAX has been to hell and back and, now, they’re charging forward — with clear eyes, a fighting spirit, and, most of all, the freedom they’ve always craved.

WAAX RECORD STORE SIGNING + ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE

Friday 12 August @ 4:30pm | Sonic Sherpa
Location: 12/360 Logan Rd, Stones Corner QLD

AT LEAST I’M FREE TOUR DATES
Presented by triple j, Unified Music Group & Select Music
Tickets are on sale now HERE
Special guests to be announced

Thursday 6 October – Kambri, Canberra ACT
Friday 7 October – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 8 October – Unibar, Wollongong NSW
Thursday 13 October – Pub Rock Diner, Devonport TAS
Friday 14 October – Royal Oak, Launceston TAS
Saturday 15 October – Altar, Hobart, TAS
Thursday 20 October – The Northern, Byron Bay NSW
Friday 21 October – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour NSW
Saturday 22 October – Burleigh Bazaar, Gold Coast QLD
Friday 4 November – The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 5 November – Eleven, Sunshine Coast QLD
Thursday 10 November – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide SA
Friday 11 November – Freo Social, Fremantle WA
Saturday 12 November – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury WA
Friday 18 November – The Cambridge, Newcastle NSW
Saturday 19 November – Sunken Monkey, Erina NSW
Friday 25 November – Seabreeze Hotel, Mackay QLD
Saturday 26 November – The Warehouse, Townsville QLD
Sunday 27 November – Edgehill Tavern, Cairns QLD
Thursday 1 December – Volta – Ballarat VIC
Friday 2 December – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 3 December – Torquay Hotel, Torquay VIC

DOWNLOAD ARTWORK

WAAX
AT LEAST I’M FREE – OUT NOW

MORE INFO: 
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
WEBSITE
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
YOUTUBE

FELIVAND releases debut album ‘Ties’ + headline tour

Meanjin/Brisbane-based singer, songwriter and producer, FELIVAND, today releases her exquisite debut album, Ties out via Sweat It Out, and ahead of headline live shows throughout August and September.

An imprint of FELIVAND’s rich and talented inner-world, Ties represents a journey of self-care, curiosity and introspection. FELIVAND harnesses her songwriting talents to turn observations and reflection into lasting sonic memories, inflected with indulgent neo-soul energy. Between soundscapes of rich bass lines, warm, jazz-flickered chords, harmonic vocal stacks and crisp doses of percussion, FELIVAND ruminates on the all-pervasive questions of mental health, spirituality, interpersonal connections, and her own place in the world.

Although FELIVAND still records in much the same manner as she began – an abundant flurry of noodling around with samples, bass lines, vocal stacks and chords, cocooned in her bedroom’s secluded sphere of creation – Ties sees her open this once private sphere to outside collaborators including Wes Singerman Taydex (Princess Nokia, Kehlani, Anderson Paak), Maxwell Byrne (Mallrat, Allday, Cub Sport) Ed Quinn (Slum Sociable, Sycco), Tristan Hoogland (Joji, James Blake), and more.

Speaking on the release of Ties, FELIVAND says: “I have dreamt of recording an album ever since I was little, so to see ‘Ties’ in its final form brings me a childish joy and satisfaction I can’t quite put into words. I have never felt more aligned with or proud of anything I have written before.”

Opening the album is the melancholic beauty of “Way Out”. A gliding trill of piano flutters ahead of a steady beat that introduces the soul-laden voice of FELIVAND amid harmonious melodies. Next, “Stolen Seats” ensures a skipping beat, with the clever simplicity of an organ-led melody, speaks to the power of perception in seeing ourselves, versus how our loved ones see us. Soon, “Not My Way” enters, offering a slowed down coat of introspection, as bass chords twang and acknowledge the lyrical sentiment of letting go.

A woozy and off-kilter interlude in “Safe Here” becomes a definitive mood-setter for the record, seeing bass notes skip and warble to the beat. Previous Billboard and FBi Radio-acclaimed single, “Butterfly Wings” arrives next, seeing a one sided conversation set to a swaying tempo, where percussion flourishes and playful synths glide with FELIVAND’s lyrical exploration of growth and curiosity. FELIVAND collaborated with, LA-based producer duo Wes Singerman and Taydex (Anderson .PaakPrincess NokiaRich BrianKendrick LamarKehlani) on the track, and in the process masters a duality of sensitivity and attitude.

A late 2021 release, “Where Were You” followswhich scored applause from triple j, community radio, NME10 MagazineMTVrage and more upon release. A ballad-like piece of empathy, the song consoles, restores and uplifts in equal measures. Next, “Big Little” sees a groove-heavy bass line kick in, while a snappy hook jolts you into an infectious rhythm, as a reassuring love note. Soon, “Ripple Effect” relies on distorted guitars and a muted bassline, to see its swanky and smoothness tell the tale of snowballing action.

A melancholic dream-pop jam of jangly guitars and cruisy backing vocals, sees “Lately” enter, before the self-soothing power of “My Cool” as an antidote to anxiety in its funky stratostephic tempo. Next, “RIde Home” sees slow gracious movements of piano, and a resounding horn fill space prior to a softly tapping snare. FELIVAND locks into a higher register and between whispers and smokey vocal hues, speaks to those who struggle to be alone. A finale, “Seasons” arrives as a magical epilogue, befit with crispy and rolling basslines, and softly scattered vocal hues, closing the door on this chapter in FELIVAND’s universe.

Influenced by the likes of Kali Uchis, Solange, James Blake, among others, FELIVAND’s recent projects have garnered praise from Billboard, COLORS, triple j, Rage, NME, Apple Music (New Artist of the Week), community radio and more. Prior to her album singles “Where Were You”“Butterfly Wings” and “Not My Way”, FELIVAND’s 2020 sophomore EP, Nerve, arrived a bewitching, seamless slide into slinkier, darker shades of pop for her soul-tinged music. It marked a distinctive maturation in sound from debut EP, In Bloom, that now boasts more than 12 million streams combined. In her next movements, fans can hear Ties in its live beauty this month as FELIVAND performs headline shows from hometown Brisbane’s Woolly Mammoth on August 19, Mary’s Underground in Sydney on August 27, and Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on September 2.

Don’t delay in soaking up the effervescent and elegant sphere of FELIVAND, as her debut album in its radiating beauty, emotion and vulnerability, Ties enters the world for endless play.

TIES IS OUT FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 VIA SWEAT IT OUT

FELIVAND AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

Friday, August 19 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane – TIX HERE
Saturday, August 27 – Mary’s Underground, Sydney – TIX HERE
Friday, September 2 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne – TIX HERE

WAAX ANNOUNCES NATIONAL ALBUM TOUR + NEW ALBUM AT LEAST I’M FREE OUT AUGUST 12

Image Credit: Finnian Mullen

“You would be hard-pressed to find a live act in Australia right now that’s more feverish than WAAX.”
– PILERATS

“WAAX have redefined what it means to be punk in the 21st century.”
– THE MUSIC

“We already know WAAX can rock, but the Brisbane shredders are heading in exciting directions for their second album.”
– TRIPLE J

Ahead of the release of their highly anticipated second studio album At Least I’m Freeavailable Friday 12 August via Dew Process, WAAX has announced a mammoth 22-date national album tour for October – December. Kicking off on Thursday 6 October in Canberra, the Meanjin based four-piece will perform across the country before wrapping on Saturday 3 December in Torquay. Tickets are on sale now.

“We cannot wait to see everyone out on the road, it’s going to be so special. We didn’t get a chance to tour our last album so this one will make up for lost time! It will be a super exciting immersive world for our community to party in,” says frontwoman Maz DeVita of the tour.

This extensive tour follows on from their sold-out national Dangerous tour in April and May as well as recent dates as special guest for The Amity Affliction. Maz also joined Northeast Party House on stage at Splendour In The Grass for a riotous cover of Linkin Park’s One Step Closer.

On At Least I’m Free, WAAX teamed up with the production team behind their debut breakout album Big GriefBernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and Grammy Award-Winner Nick DiDia (Rage Against The Machine). The album features recent single Read Receipts, the Queensland Music Award winning single Most Hated Girl, Help Me Hell,and the Linda Perry co-write Dangerous, in addition to some fresh collaborations, including US rock superstar K.Flay on the standout No Doz.

You might consider At Least I’m Free something like a second debut album for WAAX — a creative and emotional rebirth that’s resulted in some of the band’s finest, punchiest songs ever. Awash in samples and programmed beats as well as gargantuan riffs and, of course, DeVita’s spine-tingling howl, it’s a record that telegraphs the band’s ambition to step beyond ‘Australian rock’ and into a weirder, wilder landscape. Listening to At Least I’m Free, that ambition doesn’t feel misplaced. WAAX have been to hell and back and, now, they’re charging forward — with clear eyes, a fighting spirit, and, most of all, the freedom they’ve always craved.

AT LEAST I’M FREE TOUR DATES
Presented by triple j, Unified Music Group & Select Music
Tickets are on sale now HERE
Special guests to be announced

Thursday 6 October – Kambri, Canberra ACT
Friday 7 October – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 8 October – Unibar, Wollongong NSW
Thursday 13 October – Pub Rock Diner, Devonport TAS
Friday 14 October – Royal Oak, Launceston TAS
Saturday 15 October – Altar, Hobart, TAS
Thursday 20 October – The Northern, Byron Bay NSW
Friday 21 October – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour NSW
Saturday 22 October – Burleigh Bazaar, Gold Coast QLD
Friday 4 November – The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 5 November – Eleven, Sunshine Coast QLD
Thursday 10 November – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide SA
Friday 11 November – Freo Social, Fremantle WA
Saturday 12 November – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury WA
Friday 18 November – The Cambridge, Newcastle NSW
Saturday 19 November – Sunken Monkey, Erina NSW
Friday 25 November – Seabreeze Hotel, Mackay QLD
Saturday 26 November – The Warehouse, Townsville QLD
Sunday 27 November – Edgehill Tavern, Cairns QLD
Thursday 1 December – Volta – Ballarat VIC
Friday 2 December – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 3 December – Torquay Hotel, Torquay VIC

AT LEAST I’M FREE – TRACK-LISTING:

1. Mermaid Beach

2. Read Receipts

3. A Man Like Me

4. No Doz

5. Most Hated Girl

6. Beam Me Up

7. Dangerous

8. Jeff On The Streets

9. Help Me Hell

10. Same Bitch

11. Whoever

HUNNY SHARES UPBEAT NEW EP ‘HOMESICK’ VIA EPITAPH RECORDS

“…a satisfying mix of the alternative rock, pop-punk and new wave influences the band has dabbled in since their inception,”-Buzzbands LA

 

Today, Los Angeles based pop-rock band HUNNY release their new EP ‘Homesick’ via EpitaphRecords and produced by Carlos De La Garza (Paramore, The Linda Lindas.) As a follow up to their 2019 debut album,YES. YES. YES. YES, the EP’s 4 tracks span across the indie/pop-punk spectrum with tinges of late 90’s alternative rock. Its lyrical themes of longing and laments on social status are also quite satirical, highlighting the band’s penchant for paring moody lyrics with bright and sunny melodies.

The band also shares the suitably over dramatized music video for title track, “Homesick” the third and final in a trilogy of tongue-in-cheek videos to accompany the EP. The members play washed up models frolicking on a beach in classic boyband montages, setting the tone with Abercrombie-esque shopping bags and frontman Jason Yarger in a pair of UGG boots. The first two videos were self-shot and directed, so bringing on director Mason Mercer (Citizen, JoyceManor) and a whole team was a treat for the guys. Enamored by the final product, Yargerstates, “We loved Mason’s concept so we just let him rip. He’s a true freak and he killed it.”

WATCH THE “HOMESICK” MUSIC VIDEO HERE

LISTEN TO THE EP HERE

Over the course of the pandemic, the four members of HUNNY collectively made nearly 100demos that turned into the cohesive compilation of Homesick. The title track came to be as guitarist Jake Goldstein was literally at home sick when he wrote the original demo during quarantine. With the word itself being polysemantic, the band finds that the song can take on a few different meanings. Jason Yarger recalls,

“It started as this cheeky little tune but when we started fleshing it out as a real track it started to morph into a bit more.”He explains, “It turned partly into some sort of love letter to touring and how much we’d missed it after nearly two years of not being on the road.” That sentiment is wrapped in a lot of insecurities they were feeling about the future of the band-and in turn their lives-due to the pandemic. The frontman continues, “I personally felt like I was going backwards-not touring and working a day job. I wanted my life back. I was homesick.”

The EP throws you into the unique offbeat nostalgia of Y2k from the music to its visual references. Led by single “Speed Dial” whose music video was self-shot by the band, it evokes the feeling of watching a home movie through pixelated VHS tape. “Loser,” with its awkward-yet-endearing moments, captures an overdressed Jason Yarger at a beach boardwalk alongside clips of roller blading footage.

The band sought out to explore new sounds after briefly straying from their punk beginnings in favor of 80’s new wave and 90’s pop influences on their 2021 album. “We’re trying to get to the root of the music we want to make at this point,” they said. With a fresh direction, the new EP finds them attempting to reconcile those differences with swirling guitar riffs, catchy pop melodies and sugary sweet synths. ‘Homesick’ propels HUNNY one step closer to their newfound sound.

HUNNY is lead singer/guitarist Jason Yarger, guitarist Jake Goldstein, drummer Joey Anderson, and on bass/keyboards Kevin Grimmet.

Boy & Bear enter the studio for album #5, sell out the prestigious Sydney State Theatre, announce new management & booking teams

December 16, 2021 – UNIFIED Music Group has today announced the signing of Australian chart-toppers Boy & Bear to UNIFIED Artist Management and its Lonely Lands booking agency.

One of Australia’s most successful bands of the past decade, the new signing comes as the band returns to the studio to begin production of their much-anticipated 5th studio album

The past few months have seen Boy & Bear return to the top of festival lineup announcements, sell out multiple headline shows including the State Theatre in Sydney, and team up with new management in UNIFIED Artist Management’s Aidan McLaren & Joe Miles, and boutique booking agency Lonely Lands with agent Harry Moore.

McLaren said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Boy & Bear. They’re just such a compelling band. Amazing songwriters, incredible live. They’ve achieved so much already and yet there is so much more to come. I can’t wait for people to hear the new music the guys are working on and to see what’s in store over the next 18 months and beyond. Watch this space.”

Moore said: “I have always been a massive fan of the band since they formed. It’s an absolute honour and privilege to work alongside this incredible band and team.”

All four of Boy & Bear’s previous albums have reached Top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart, with two of them reaching No 1. Their debut album Moonfire (2011) reached double-Platinum sales, won five ARIA Awards with three songs in the triple j Hottest 100.

Their sophomore album Harlequin Dream (2013) achieved Platinum certification and the No 1 spot on the ARIA Albums Chart, staying in the Top 10 for five weeks. They followed it up with Limit Of Love (2015), resulting in their second ARIA #1 album debut. Their last album, Suck On Light (2019), also reached the Top 10 of the ARIA Albums Chart and further consolidated their reputation, connection, creativity and was voted in Richard Kingsmill’s Top 10 albums that year.

For a band that consistently averages over 1 million Spotify monthly listeners, regularly sells out venues globally and has a growing international fan base, Boy & Bear’s future is looking bright.

Boy & Bear would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thanks to everyone who has been part of their journey so far.

 

2022 BOY & BEAR TOUR DATES

Friday 7th January 2022 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay VIC – SOLD OUT

Saturday 8th January 2022 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay VIC – SOLD OUT

Sunday 9th January 2022 – Ocean Sounds Festival, Phillip Island VIC – SELLING FAST

Saturday 29th January 2022 – SummerSalt Festival, Roche Estate, Hunter Valley NSW

Sunday 30th January 2022 – SummerSalt Festival, Stuart Park, Wollongong NSW

Saturday 12th February 2022 – Sydney State Theatre, Sydney NSW – SOLD OUT

Saturday 19th February 2022 – Festival Falls Creek, Falls Creek NSW

Sunday 20th February 2022 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca-Moama VIC – SELLING FAST

Saturday 19th March 2022 – Peninsula Picnic, Mornington VIC

Saturday 30th April 2022 – Sounds Bout Right Festival, Cairns QLD

Saturday 21st May 2022 – Bass In The Grass Festival, Darwin NT

THE RIONS SIGN TO UNIFIED ARTIST MANAGEMENT + NEW SINGLE ‘DISASSOCIATION’ OUT NOW VIA COMMUNITY MUSIC

On their last official day of high school, 2021 Unearthed High winners The Rions are announcing their signing to UNIFIED Artist Management today as well as the appointment of  Select Music for booking.

The news comes alongside the release of The Rions’ new single ‘Disassociation’, out now via Community Music following its radio debut on triple j yesterday. Launched last month, Community Music is the newly-minted distribution arm of UNIFIED Music Group, also home to its own Artist Management division, suite of record labels (UNFD, Domestic La La & THAA) and other companies spanning booking, events & festival, merchandise and more.

On signing The Rions, UNIFIED Artist Manager Steve de Wilde shares:

“To have such incredible songwriting instincts and playing chops at such a young age is a rare thing. It feels like sky’s the limit for these guys and we’re really excited to be on board to help bring their vision to life.”

Meanwhile, Select Music Agency’s Stephen Wade adds:

“We are so happy to welcome The Rions to the Select Music family. Fresh out of school and ready to take on the world & we cant wait to help them build the career they deserve. Immensely talented, yet humble and most importantly wonderful human beings we look forward to starting this career journey with them & look forward to being a part of their team.”

Today The Rions also announce their debut hometown headline show to celebrate ‘Disassociation’. Going down at Sydney’s The Vanguard on January 21, the launch sits alongside the band’s other appearances at 2022 summer festivals including NYE On The Hill, Yours & Owls and Play On The Plains.

After winning Unearthed High in August, The Rions returned to Forbes St Studio with Producer Callum Howell (Ocean Alley) to record the follow up to their acclaimed single ’Night Light’Click here to listen to ‘Disassociation’ now, meanwhile the band explains more on the track below:

“The song is about the effects that disassociation has had on someone dear to our hearts, and how it changed the way they view their life. We wrote it in an acoustic, story-telling style revealing more about the song through the lyrics the same way the character learnt more about disassociation, understanding more about what they were feeling. We wanted to achieve the feeling of an allusive journey that is moving at its own pace with a humble sense of importance through the recording. We worked with the amazing Callum Howell (Producer/Mixer) who really helped bring the song to life.”

THE RIONS
NEW SINGLE ‘DISASSOCIATION’
OUT NOW VIA COMMUNITY MUSIC

Stream it here:
therions.lnk.to/disassociation

Learn More About Community Music
Learn More About UNIFIED Artist Management