Hi Fi Way Mix Tape Volume 3

We love a good mix tape at Hi Fi Way, have a look to see who made Volume Three:

Inspired by the way people have navigated their way through heady and uncertain periods of lockdown around the country, Brisbane’s Hollow Coves have used their latest single Hello as a way to offer listeners some lightness in the dark.

In sharing the song’s official music video this week, the indie folk duo take stories they’ve heard from those who have had to experience hotel quarantine and isolation over the past year and present a narrative that fits the emotional journey of the song itself. Capturing a wide variety of emotions in the clip, Hollow Coves inject a sense of spirit and optimism into the Hello clip, indicating that even though times may be rough, we can still find a way to make the most of it.

The single, taken from Hollow Coves’ recently released Blessings EP, is one of Hollow Coves’ finest examples of the duo’s song writing and creative dynamic to date.

“The music video for ‘Hello’ was inspired after hearing stories about some of the strange things that people had been doing during hotel quarantine/lockdowns. The song was written during COVID lockdowns so we thought it would be fun to try and capture the full range of emotions that people might experience during these moments of isolation.” Hollow Coves

Adelaide’s electrifying neo-psych rock group The Empty Threats have today released their latest single K, along with an accompanying music video. which they released last week via South Australia’s newest indie-label PAK Music.

K is the second of two single releases ahead of their forthcoming self-titled EP, which drops in November via indie label PAK Music.

The latest single is an expression of the desire to feel more alive in day-to-day life, during a year that has been so suppressed. With a chorus that chants “Burn it all to the ground / just to feel the adrenaline”, this catchy number reflects on that desire. The bare bones of the song were brought to the band by larger-than-life frontman Stuart Patterson, and was workshopped and expanded on by the rest of the band amidst the various South Australian lockdowns in 2020.

Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer and songwriter Nicky Bomba returns with brand new single, Opportunity and the announcement of his second solo studio album, and 24th of his career, Food & Shelter.

Nicky explains the premise of Opportunity, saying “This a personal breakthrough song, realising that we are all in control of our own destiny. Taking matters into my own hands and busting through the smokescreen and putting myself on notice. We have an inherent gold within and the ways of the world slaps it out of us sometimes, forgetting our true worth.”

Opportunity was mixed by Eric Coelho, Nicky Bomba and Robin Mai with mastering by King Willy. The video was filmed in the Alpine region of Victoria by Juan Pirata and Nicky, featuring some fetchingly curious bovine friends!

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are thrilled to share Catching Smoke, their most delightfully mad video yet. Catching Smoke is one of the standouts from their recently released and critically-acclaimed Butterfly 3000 album.

Following the release of the album, the band have been putting out one video every week, from the first track to the last, and today, they share their madcap, “through-the-looking-glass” vision for Catching Smoke.

Directed by Danny Cohen, and co-produced by Cohen and Tessa Mansfield-Hung, the video features the band going through a full metamorphosis, but rather than wallowing in some sort of Kafka-esque bad trip vibes, the band’s journey is one of joyful, devil-may-care determination and ebullience.

“Here’s a clip that might feel like the past, or the future, maybe both, the present?,” Cohen says. “It’s set wherever you want it to be, whenever too, in a time that’s everyone’s. It’s a story of a fleeting fleet, straying the course to inhabit their inner instinctual insect, I think. Or maybe it’s precisely what it is, Sgt. Pepper’s Bug’s Life Matrix Band but more fun.”

“Catching Smoke is about chasing the feeling that’s impossible to catch”, adds Gizz guitarist and primary songwriter Stu Mackenzie. “You’ll never get your hands on it, but you’re gonna try anyway…”

Isabella Manfredi shares a live performance video of her new track Sleepwalking. Filmed at her first solo headline show at Restaurant Hubert in Sydney on March 8th, Sleepwalking is co-written with Australian singer-songwriter, Emma Louise and features on Isabella’s Live At Hubert EP which is available now.

As Isabella explains – “My friend Emma said to me once that you have to be careful as a songwriter with what you choose to write because songs have a habit of coming true. This was very true for ‘Sleepwalking,’ which Emma and I wrote after my third escape to her house in LA from my crumbling relationship back home in Sydney.

Emma Louise, who listened to me pour my heart out on her Silverlake balcony back in 2019, and then texted me a voice memo of this song the next day. “Hey, I wrote this after you left… what do you think?”

It turned out to be more of a divining rod than I would’ve liked, but it remains one of my favourites on the album (that I still haven’t announced…) – an emancipation song, a song about awakening – and I love singing it so much (and I’m impatient) that I did a special version of it just for live. Those beautiful high harmonies you hear are Gia Vorne.

I’m so in debt to Emma Louise and Tobias Jesso Jnr for giving me a place to stay, refuge and encouragement all that time ago in LA. It allowed so many of the songs of this new era to be born.

Hydrofunk Records are excited to announce the release of RESIN DOGS brand new single Bad Dog Feat. Harlen, available on all digital platforms now.

A collaboration between Katch and Dave from Resin Dogs and Harlen, the single was recorded at Hydrofunk HQ in Byron Bay earlier this year. Working on some different styles and beats not usual to the Resin Dogs sound, Dave shared them with Katch in a listening session, and after a chance meeting with Jess Harlen at a gig, the trio got together and worked up the track into the stellar new single Bad Dog. This collaboration is the most ‘pop’ the Resin Dogs have sounded to date, with the band feeling very open to the direction of the song and embracing a new sound.

Born in New Zealand and growing up in Australia, Jess Harlen is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, song writer, and solo recording artist. Paving the way with a hypnotic groove and ethereal sound she established a music career in Melbourne releasing two full length solo albums through Plethora Records (an imprint label of Obese Records) before relocating to LA to further her pursuit in performance and song writing. Back in Australia after 5 years in the U.S, Jess collaborated on several projects before recording ‘Bad Dog’ with Resin Dogs.

On the single Harlen says ‘Bad Dog is a soulful pledge for those of us whom have heard our inner voice say one thing but felt the fear of past experience guide us to do another, ultimately looping back into the very cycle we were trying to escape. it’s an anthem to break free from the past, from the non-truths we have inherited, and to go forth courageously in our authenticity with our hearts on our sleeves.’

The companion video for Bad Dog was filmed and edited by Codie McCarthy (Indigenoise & The Boy Of Many Colors) with conceptual input from Dave, and the clip captures the beauty and elegance of the hills along the backroads of Byron Bay and their stunning surrounds. The video also incorporates footage from iconic venues Rocking Horse studios and The Triffid where Resin Dogs have both recorded and performed many times over the years.

Spiritbox, one of this year’s hottest and fastest rising bands, have announced the release of Constance (Acoustic), stunningly haunting, acoustic version, of their 2020 hit Constance. The reimagined version of the song was recorded in a church with accompaniment from a string quartet earlier this year in conjunction with The Grammy Museum COLLECTION:live #spotlightsaturdays in partnership with BMG.

Constance (Acoustic) is available on all streaming platforms now. Speaking on the process of reimagining the track for an acoustic session, Spiritbox guitarist, Mike Stringer shares: “This live version of Constance was a very ambitious project for us. Before we left to start recording Eternal Blue, I had a rough demo of an acoustic version of Constance written. While we were tracking the album, the Grammy Museum asked us if we’d want to contribute to their “Collection:Live” series with a live acoustic/stringed composition of the song. Of course this was a huge honor for us and something we couldn’t turn down, but it posed a challenge as we were recording in the middle of the desert, and I had never written a string composition before. After learning how to turn midi into notation, and some back and forth with our producer Dan Braunstein, and violinist Haruka Horii, we had a version we were confident in. This was the first time we had ever performed this song live, and the addition of the strings by Haruka Horii, Bonnie Brooksbank, and Mark Bassett really brought this whole thing to life. Putting this together was a great experience, and I hope to explore more acoustic compositions in the future with Spiritbox.”

Get ready to glide to the groove. Multiple GRAMMY® Award winners Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are here with their silky sophomore single, Skate. The boys serenade a smooth skate crew in the summertime vacation-vibe visual directed by Bruno Mars and Florent Déchard and co-directed by Philippe Tayag. Silk Sonic coasted into Skate on the wave of success from their debut ARIA Platinum single Leave the Door Open, which earned them Best Group at the 2021 BET Awards. It became the group’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, spending two non-consecutive weeks at #1 and 18 consecutive weeks in the top 10. They released the live version Leave The Door Open (Live) and serenaded audiences three times over at the GRAMMY® Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and the BET Awards.

Silk Sonic introduced Leave The Door Open alongside an official music video directed by Mars and Florent Déchard with over 346 million views and counting. The track was followed by a hugely popular social media campaign, #LetSilkSonicThrive and was immediately welcomed by unprecedented critical acclaim.

LIGHT THE TORCH released their brilliant new album You Will Be The Death Of Me in June the album hit the Official Australian Digital albums chart at # 18 and drew critical acclaim for the release which has some of the best Metal anthems heard for a long time and a contender for album of the year!

LIGHT THE TORCH have recharged the 1987 Terence Trent D’Arby classic Sign Your Name as the record’s climax. Shimmering keys bleed into an overpowering verse before it snaps into the immortal chorus beefed up with thick distortion. Howard’s instantly recognizable vocals soar over the track with soul, power and emotion.

Hot off the heels of their recent collaboration with NEEDTOBREATHE on Carry Me, Grammy Award-winning rock band Switchfoot is back with a captivating new music video for their latest single the bones of us.

Hazy montages and muted, dreamlike visuals underscore the emotion-wrought track. Directed by frequent Switchfoot collaborator Erick Frost, the the bones of us video depicts frontman Jon Foreman shrouded in the dark of night, aimlessly driving through the forgotten streets of his hometown.

“‘the bones of us’ is a song that attempts to move from the death of the past into a brighter future,” says Foreman. “When we recorded this song, we were chasing a feeling—we wanted to capture the audio version of what a dream would sound like. For the music video we had the same aim. Driving my friend’s old ‘57 Ford Ranch Wagon down the deserted streets of my hometown in the middle of the night was surreal. Dreamlike. I found myself transported back to the same blurry eyed heartache that inspired the song.”

Whilst we dream of holidays in far off distant lands, True Vibenation & JamarzOnMarz have teamed up to deliver the glistening new single Solar to take you there in a heartbeat. Keeping the summertime vibes at an all time high, Solar is the soul warming new single reminding us what’s to come now that the winter solstice has passed. Incorporating hypnotic percussion with their signature brass, the trio embrace afro-brazilian rhythms, which are all topped off by the charismatic rap styles of JamarzOnMarz.

Speaking on the creation of Solar, True Vibenation share, “It’s all about good times, good vibes and enjoying the sunshine! Just quietly it also kinda came out as an undercover anthem for green energy haha. We’ve been vibing on afro-brazilian rhythms ever since we heard them while on tour in Portugal. So the beat started off with that and once we added the horns we knew we were onto something!”

Whilst JamarzOnMarz adds “It’s not often you hear four brass players trading bars and licks on a hip hop track. ‘Solar’ is a feel-good banger showcasing the genius of True Vibenation. I’m super, super grateful to the boys for creating an inclusive space in the studio for me.”

New Zealand’s highest streaming rock band, Written By Wolves, have recruited Trenton Woodley of Hands Like Houses for a re-imagined version of Better Luck Next Time.

The new single takes a tongue-in-cheek look at one of the only inevitable facts of life: no matter what we do, no one gets out alive. Woodley not only contributed vocals, but also co-produced/mixed the track and starred in the corresponding music video directed by Written By Wolves guitarist, Bahador Borhani.

Woodley said of the track and video, “After recently flirting with the possibility of hopping the Tasman to play some shows together, and COVID summarily putting the brakes on that almost immediately, it seemed only right to work out a way to work together in spite of it all. Already a stacked track, being given the opportunity to work on Better Luck Next Time was as much fun as the song itself – it’s a wry grin, a whirlwind of energy and both a literal and figurative reminder to stay on your toes no matter what life throws at you.”

LA-based powerhouse Lady Blackbird (aka Marley Monroe) shares her brand new single It’s Not That Easy; an achingly beautiful interpretation of the deep, southern soul obscurity by Reuben Bell & The Casanova, the track is another showcase of Blackbird’s remarkable brilliance.

The new single is the fourth instalment from her highly anticipated debut album Black Acid Soul, due for its long-awaited release September 3 via BMG AUS. The album also includes Collage, Beware The Stranger, and naturally a re-imagining of Nina Simone’s Blackbird.

With a voice that has stopped critics in their tracks, Lady Blackbird is a revelatory new talent with music that transcends the jazz scene through which the LA-based artist is rooted. Reflecting influences as varied as Billie Holiday, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan, with critics drawing comparisons to Adele, Amy and Celeste, Lady Blackbird’s distinct and beguiling talent is not one to be missed.

SEETHER have released the new track Feast or Famine from their release Wasteland – The Purgatory EP, which is out now and October 22nd on vinyl. Feast or Famine is an elegy for our current state of affairs and amplifies the band’s signature heavy groove and frontman Shaun Morgan’s lyrical bite. The EP campaign kicked off on June 25th when the band shared an alternate, stripped down version of Wasteland, the original version of which appeared on their most recent album, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

Written and produced by Shaun Morgan, engineered by the band’s newest member, Corey Lowery, and mixed by Matt Hyde, Wasteland – The Purgatory EP demonstrates SEETHER’s dynamism and creative versatility. Seething with dark muscularity, the urgent What Would You Do? is a beautiful and cathartic baptism-by-fire that never lets up. With Pixies’ undertones and Beatle accents, Will It Ever End? is a startling, pandemic appropriate head trip that, like the voice in your head, goes to places unforeseen and unforgiven. Feast or Famine sounds like the unholy progeny of AC/DC and Ozzy-era Sabbath. The EP is bookended by two versions of Wasteland, the original album version and a stripped-down alternate version that features touches of piano and cello, but still retains the original’s tormented drive. This latest release finds SEETHER, one of hard rock’s most enduring and prolific bands, at the very top of their very productive game.

While the pandemic paralysed the entire world and prevented bands from touring, Latin America’s biggest metal export SEPULTURA refused to sit back and feel like animals trapped in a cage. Therefore, in early 2020, the legendary Brazilians from Belo Horizonte seized the moment to start their own weekly SepulQuarta video podcast, in which they invited other famous musicians from all over the world to not only discuss important topics, but also perform a track from SEPULTURA’s massive catalogue together with the band. The resulting full-length compilation will now be released on August 13th, with the album containing 15 classics featuring internationally renowned guests and friends such as Devin Townsend, Matt Heafy, Danko Jones and many more.

SEPULTURA unveils a new version of their 18-year-old sensational track Apes Of God that they recorded together with Death Angel guitarist and Grammy nominee Rob Cavestany. So get ready for some stomping rhythms and crushing riffs, and watch the music video.

Prolific drum and bass artist ShockOne has continued to evolve his unique flavour of music, honing a sound that is entirely his own and his new track Hardwired feat. Reija Lee exemplifies this! The new single is out via ShockOne’s own record label, Dark Machine Records in conjunction with globally renowned bass label, UKF. The Perth based talent wanted to make a cheerful anthem to juxtapose his most recent release Follow Me, a dark track about the realities of today’s online landscape. Contrasting this is the uplifting new anthem, Hardwired which starts off as a synth-heavy, euphoric electronic track which focuses on Reija Lee’s vocals then transitions into a more classic drum and bass record.

ShockOne discusses why he wanted to create a release that contrasts his previous single, “With ‘Hardwired’, I was quite conscious in trying to create something distinctly uplifting, a classic hands in the air euphoria moment for my sets. In retrospect this is probably in reaction to the overbearing heaviness of ‘Follow Me’, I was craving some light! As always, Reija came in and delivered the perfect energy to compliment the instrumental, taking the tune to another level with her vocals. I can’t wait to share this one with everyone around the world in a real life show!”

Melbourne four-piece Four In The Morning have offered up their latest single Keep It Together, out via The Orchard. Filled with references to Nixon, Press Conference, and broken fire alarms, the song gives the sense of a slightly surreal and unhinged world, which is apt for 2021.

Lead singer-songwriter Kevin explains: “Early last year — as wages were cut, gigs finished, flights cancelled, and people died on the radio — my problem was a broken record player. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to make it sing me something. Eventually I realised that fixing a record player wasn’t going to fix the world, and this song kind of stemmed from that. It’s about putting on a good face for ones you love and how that never really works.”

As the band tells it, Keep It Together started as not much more than a simple piano riff and some words. They then pushed it and twisted it and changed it until it broke repeatedly. It’s been everything from a boring indie banger to a slow piano ballad to an electronic glitch fest. But once the band landed on the song’s signature drum loop the whole thing clicked.

BUCKCHERRY have released the third video and single from the Hellbound record Wasting No More Time.

The video was directed by KasterTroy and was shot at Nelson’s Landing, a legendary ghost town 45 minutes from Las Vegas. It follows videos for the songs So Hott and Hellbound. The band also announced their February 2022 tour of Australia, co-headlining with Fozzy.

Sydney-based multi-disciplinary artist Hollie Col has unveiled the latest clip for her brand-new single, Forgot To Love You out now via Believe; an infectious hybrid of charming melody and anthemic guitar-infused pop. Produced by Xavier Dunn (Jack River, CXLOE, Gretta Ray), Forgot To Love You is the first instalment from her forthcoming EP which is set for release early 2022.

The track explores the romanticism of being single in your 20’s, failure to fully commit, and the Gen-Z dread that hits hard when you realise you’ve ruined a relationship.

Hollie explains the inspiration behind the track, “I remember I went into the studio with the phrase ‘I forgot to love you’ in my notes, I knew I wanted to write about that. Being in a relationship when you’re young and entering your twenties can be extremely difficult because you are presented with this glamorous narrative of flings and one-night stands, and you have to reckon with ‘missing out’ on that. This song is about struggling with that idea.”

The clip, which was directed, produced, and edited by Hollie, is a visual feast for the eyes, set in front of a vibrant picnic backdrop and featuring all the fun and games of a 70’s-inspired “eat your heart out” break-up party. Known for her emotive, narrative-based, and slickly produced film clips, Hollie has amassed 93k+ followers and over 10 million views on Youtube.

It’s not too often that a new artist comes along who can truly wear their heart on their sleeve and, with no pretence or facade, invite the audience to be a part of their unique world. Not afraid of vulnerability, or what might be, but just creating in the hope the music will inspire others to be proud of their own identities. Melbourne talent will hyde is an extraordinary example of such an artist, breaking out with his debut 6 track EP with you in mind. in 2020, exploring themes of hurt, rejection, shame, love, and connection.

Now the young singer/ songwriter/ producer returns with an introspective coming of age single boy., reflecting on the person he was just a few short years ago. With a lyrical approach beyond his years, the single is the first taste of a plethora of new music with the overarching message of forgiveness, and being kind to yourself. People make mistakes, will seems to say, and it’s all just part of a learning process in order to become a better human. Released with an official lyric video featuring old family footage, and highlighting the nostalgia with lofi VHS effects, boy. is an endearing insight into Will’s ongoing journey of self-discovery.

Speaking to the personal change and growth that inspired the single, will reveals “the premise of the song is around accepting change as a good thing. Forgiving yourself for changing. When I was younger I was surrounded by people at that particular time who seemed to resist any attempts I made to change myself – from the way I looked, to the views I had on life. Maturing and growing up can be scary but embracing the human you are becoming makes it a lot easier to be at peace with.”

With an incredible wisdom and outlook on life for such a young artist, will shares “‘boy.’ is an ode to the inevitable fact that I will forever be changing and learning things as a human on this earth. So why not start accepting the person I am now in the present?”

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