Music

from Beaches COVERED. Issue 28 - CULTURE

What’s in Season Harbord Growers

SONS OF THE EAST

Local Australian band, Sons of the East, are an under-theradar success story, racking up millions of streams and selling out shows across Europe without ever straying from their independent roots. And like their musical heroes, they built that impressive following through exceptional original songs, an irresistible vocal blend, and a little bit of luck.

Growing up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, band members Jack Rollins (vocals/ guitar), Nic Johnston (vocals/ keys) and Dan Wallage (guitar/banjo) have been friends since childhood. Now, with an international fan base and a strong foothold in the U.S., they are completing work on their fi rst full-length album and attracting early attention through singles such as “You Might Think,” “On My Way,” and “Fool Me.”

“The longer we’ve gone on, the more we realise the better stuff we write harkens back to the music we grew up listening to,” says Nic, citing The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac as examples. “Harmony has been a big part of what we do for a while now. It’s so powerful when you hear a song with three-part harmony, especially when it’s done live and it’s done well.”

The musical chemistry stems from the friendship they’ve developed since their teenage years. Dan explains, “Before we did any of this, we were mates and that’s the underlying reason why we’ve kept on doing it. That’s made it so much easier.” When their 2013 music video for “Hold On” landed on an infl uential blog, it proved to be a break-out moment. A festival booker in Europe happened to hear them online and offered them a gig. The shows pulled in hundreds of fans in cities where Sons of the East had never played.

The band is preparing to release their fi rst full-length album and attracting early attention through singles such as “You Might Think,” “On My Way,” “Fool Me” and “Undone”.

Sons of the East are playing at a free performance at The Deck at Pittwater RSL on Monday 25 April 2022 from 5pm.

INSTA: @sonsoftheeast

KIRRAH AMOSA

WORDS: + PHOTOGRAPHY: BEEHIVE PR

Emerging with wicked hooks and a vocal presence that is impossible to ignore, Canberra R&B artist Kirrah Amosa is an absolute breath of fresh air.

With her new single ‘Possessive’, Kirrah brings the type of energy R&B fans have been riding hard for within the genre in recent years: confi dent and passionate, with a unique sense of edgy cool threaded throughout.

Late night beats and rhythms are a strong foundation for Kirrah’s hypnotic R&B vocals as they weave around a narrative that is pretty straight forward: ‘a loving reminder,’as Kirrah says, to ‘keep your hands and eyes on your side of the table.’

Tune INTO

MICHAEL JAMES KEANE

Indie folk country NEW ALBUM ‘Wandering Bull’

Sasha March

Dreamy luxe-pop NEW SINGLE ‘Can I Call’

There is a playful energy within the song that keeps Kirrah’s self-awareness in check. On this record, she acknowledges the darker side of herself, but also that through dark times, she has emerged into a healthier space where she is at peace with her being.

“2020/2021 bestowed on me the best of the worst; crushed my dreams, dissolved years of hard work, ended my relationship, introduced me to my new bestie, anxiety, and helped me understand that the niggling feeling in the back of my head wasn’t motivation to be healthier – it was body dysmorphia.

“2022 is offi cially the new year of birth as I have completely shed all remnants of the shame and doubt that fuelled my being and have fully embraced my good and semi-toxic traits e.g., ‘Possessive’.“

“Instead of entering the always-vicious screening cycle with a new potential partner, feel free to play them ‘Possessive’. Let ‘em know what to expect, and if they get surprised by your ‘passion’ (or emotion-fi lled mood swings), that’s on them,” says Kirrah.

This year will see Kirrah unveil more new music than ever before; a treat for fans around the country who have been following her journey as not just a talented singer.

INSTA: @kirrahamosa

DEBBIES

WORDS: + PHOTOGRAPHY: BEEHIVE PR

Jervis Bay duo Debbies are back with their melodic punk rock in ‘Let You Know’.

Following off a year that saw a growing fanbase, Noah Egan and Alex Robertson have kicked things up a notch with their new sounds.

Wrapped in stylistic references and throwbacks to the likes of Blink 182, The Story So Far and more contemporary Australian projects like Ceres, Luca Brasi and Lincoln Le Fevre and a recent revival of American punk rock, ‘Let You Know’ comes with heart on its sleeve.

“We wanted to show a more mature and upgraded side of Debbies that we felt like we hadn’t done yet. We’ve been inspired by the punk rock revival that has been going on in the American music scene lately. This made us keen on producing some more punkish tones where we think we’ve landed somewhere between what our fans already love, and a taste of the direction we are taking Debbies in,” said Noah and Alex.

“In trying to create a different style of songwriting, we steered away from the topics we usually write about.

“After stringing together personal experiences, writing lyrics with my girlfriend and playing the song countless times, it felt like we ended up with the most real Debbies song we have created so far,” said Noah.

INSTA: @debbiesband

Dani El-Rassi

Indie Folk / Pop NEW SINGLE ‘Til You Run Out Of Words’

Taylor B-W

Indie / R&B NEW SINGLE ‘In Ur Net’

Beks & Lucy Neville

Dreamy electric-pop NEW SINGLE ‘Make Believe

Jewell ery is a form of love

Jewellery is a creative expression of your individuality, of your fashion culture and your love for yourself and others. By Brigitte encompasses the essence of the Bohemian’s wandering heart, the spirit of adventure and beauty. The retreat-like breeze of Manly is a bohemian haven to Brigitte, founder of By Brigitte. Her full range can be enjoyed online at bybrigittejewellery.com or can be touched and felt instore at Manly Jewellers.