SNIPPETZ: Thursday November 27, 2025
This week’s Snippetz features: Ella Hooper, Conrad Sewell, Pragmatico, Lisa O’Neill, Private Wives, Stahr, Favourite Kid, Girl Monstar, KōDEM, Grace Woodroofe, DEOS, Memphis LK, Thunder, Stephen Cummings, Braison Cyrus, StormFlower, Fatai, High Street Drifters, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, Madi Leeds, Foley, The Used and more
ELLA HOOPER SHARES ROUSING NEW SINGLE GROWING UP IS HARD TO DO
AUSTRALIAN SUMMER TOUR ’26 KICKS OFF IN JANUARY
A rousing ode to self-reflection with heartland flavours and lashings of charm, revered Australian singer-songwriter Ella Hooper today unveils a new single Growing Up Is Hard To Do, emerging with a Springsteen-ready romp that effortlessly straddles relatability and unbridled warmth. An upbeat snapshot of Ella’s continued creative evolution, Growing Up Is Hard To Do will also take full flight in 2026 throughout Ella’s Summer Tour ’26 performances, kicking off on Saturday 10 January in Mansfield, before heading through Tamworth, Sale, Archies Creek, Newcastle, Mangrove Mountain, Bathurst, Boyup Brook, Ocean Grove and Balnarring Beach.
Tickets for Ella Hooper’s upcoming Summer Tour ’26 performances are on sale now from ellahooper.com.
A bona fide toe-tapper, weaving bright instrumentals, raw yet animated vocals, driving beats, a sax solo tipping its cap to Clarence Clemmons, and a tom tom breakdown worthy of the Boss, this Bruce Springsteen-hued gem also affably dovetails the scars, laughs and learnings of growing up into an outing that captures Ella’s effusive live energy, and also instantly emerges as a future festival fan-favourite. “I’m so excited to be sharing this new song!” shares Ella. “It literally made me smile when it came to my minds ear and also came quickly to life in my Nashville recording sessions…it always had a clear idea of what it wanted to be – or rather what I wanted to say, on this one. I love the chance to blend some of Nashville’s finest players, with my local Melbourne friends like Mika [Kohlman] and see the musical sparks fly! Feels like having the best of both the worlds that I love so much and spend so much time in.”
“This song comes from a period of self-reflection that kinda started with Small Town Temple – my last album,” Ella continues. “It finds me in a place where I can almost accept that growing pains never stop…I’m just learning to write different songs about them. It feels playful to me, as life is a little lighter now, internally anyway,” Ella adds. “Some days I can roll my eyes at the chaos of the last few years, or my whole life actually…it’s certainly been a hell of a ride. And as they say, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry!”
Produced by Ella along with the Australian-born, Nashville-based Sam Hawskley and ARIA-nominated creative Jeremy Dylan, Growing Up Is Hard To Do also showcases a horde of additional talent, featuring the Nashville studio band of Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow), Tom ‘Uncle Larry’ Bukovac and Rachel Loy (Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton), an unforgettable sax solo from Melbourne’s finest indie sax man, Mika Kohlman (Watty Thompson, Fenn Wilson & The Weather), and additional magic courtesy of co-producers LOLLIES, aka Clare Reynolds (Jordie Lane, Rachel Baiman and Mic Hubbard (The Bluebottles, Ben Mastwyk).
A longtime staple in the musical realms, Ella Hooper’s storied career has spanned everything from a #1 album, through to sold out tours (playing Good Things last year, and this year’s fully sold out Reflector 25th anniversary tour, and the 25th anniversary re-release which also saw the album get back into the top spot of the Aus album and vinyl ARIA charts), multiple award wins, Rolling Stone covers, radio and TV presenting, and hit singles along the way that changed the course of Australian pop culture forever. Emerging in the mid 90s fronting Killing Heidi, Ella and co. catapulted out of regional Victoria into superstardom via their debut single Weir. Taking home four ARIA Awards for their 2000 debut album Reflector, Ella also went on to become the first ever female, and also youngest person, to receive APRA’s Songwriter of the Year Award in 2001, with Killing Heidi ultimately releasing three studio albums during their tenure.
Branching out into a solo career, Ella has continued to dominate and dazzle with her dexterous musical flair, pivoting to synth folk, rock, country and Americana, with her most recent solo outing, 2023’s Small Town Temple, firmly celebrating her love of country and Americana, while also weaving deeply personal narratives into the 11-track record that also went on to debut at #1 on the Australian Country chart. Firmly in her country era and splitting her time between Nashville and Melbourne, Ella’s ongoing sonic magic continues to transfix both on airwaves and in a live setting, ticking off her Back From The Nash headline tour earlier this year, and also delighting fans with Killing Heidi’s show-stopping performances at Good Things Festival in late 2024 alongside Korn, Electric Callboy, Violent Femmes and more.
Concluding 2025 with the release of Growing Up Is Hard To Do, Ella will kick off 2026 with a bang, with a bunch of festivals around the country that beget the high octane vibe that Ella’s new music is infused with, with everything from iconic taste making festivals (Queenscliff), to outback musters (Boyup Brook), to Music In The Vines in Mansfield, Americana on the Bellarine, the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival, and a bunch of other headline outings that will yet again affirm her stalwart reputation for positivity, warmth and endless exuberance, both on and off the stage.
“Closing the year with a new single feels very me and very cheeky,” Ella laughs. “I know it’s going to go off live at the summer tour shows and festivals like Queenscliff too. The band are hanging to get their teeth into the single live, and I am just charging at the bit for 2026 and to tell more of the story and reflection that Growing Up hints at.”
Growing Up Is Hard To Do is out today.
Tickets for Ella Hooper’s upcoming Summer Tour ’26 performances are on sale now from ellahooper.com.
Stream: GROWING UP IS HARD TO DO
Watch: GROWING UP IS HARD TO DO
Follow Ella Hooper https://www.facebook.com/EllaHooperOfficial
CONRAD SEWELL ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN BLOODLINE TOUR FOR JUNE 2026 WITH GRAMMY-NOMINATED SISTER GRACE SEWELL. NEW SINGLE DESERVE OUT FRIDAY – PRESAVE NOW
Conrad Sewell is set to return to Australian stages next year, today announcing his Bloodline tour, a powerful new chapter celebrating family, legacy and the raw soul of his voice, joined by his Grammy-nominated sister Grace Sewell (PKA SAYGRACE), whose billion-stream career has made her one of Australia’s most formidable R&B exports. The tour announce comes paired with the news of a compelling new Conrad Sewell single Deserve, set to drop this Friday and available to presave now.
Following his two-part Firestone 10th Anniversary tour this year, the Bloodline Tour will kick off at The Night Cat in Melbourne on June 5, before moving through Adelaide and Brisbane, and finishing up at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney on June 27. The tour will be supported by London-to-LA singer songwriter and striking guitarist, SOLOMON.
Tickets to the Bloodline Tour will go on sale on Friday 28 November at 9am local time, with a 24hour fan presale live from Thursday 27 November at 9am local time from www.teamwrktouring.com/tours/conrad-sewell-bloodline-tour.
Excited to hit the road with his talented sister, Conrad says, “We’ve always wanted to tour together, but our schedules never aligned – Grace being in LA and me being in Australia made it pretty tough. It finally feels like the right moment in both of our careers to share the stage and make this happen.”
“We’ll both be bringing our own sets, but the real magic happens when we come together – harmonies, stripped-back versions of our songs, and a few surprises we’ve never done publicly before. It’s a celebration of family, storytelling, and the music that shaped us – this tour is all about connection: with each other, with our fans, and with the songs that mean the most to us.”
In May 2015, his sister Grace hit number one on the ARIA charts with her cover of Lesley Gore’s You Don’t Own Me, with Start Again landing Conrad the top spot of the ARIA charts in June 2015, making Conrad and Grace the first Australian-born siblings in the history of the charts to hit number one as separate acts. “Being the first siblings to top the charts in the same month was wild – we still laugh about it,” says Conrad, “it’s one of those things you don’t fully appreciate until you look back. And I love that Michael and Janet Jackson were the last ones to do it before us.”
“Music has always been in our DNA. We grew up surrounded by it — our family sang together constantly, and we learned really young how powerful music can be. That’s what drives both of us: connection, honesty, storytelling, and making people feel something.” Together, the siblings bring two world-class voices to one unforgettable night.
Starting his musical journey at the age of 8, Conrad Sewell became a household name with his first official solo endeavour, teaming up with dynamic Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo for the 2014 smash hit Firestone; a track that has since gone on to generate over 1 billion streams on Spotify alone and opened the door for Sewell to open arenas for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, Jess Glynne and just this month sharing the stage with Rob Thomas. Since then, Sewell has never looked back, going on to secure a #1 charting and Platinum certified single via 2015’s Star Again, which also took home the ARIA Music Award for Song of the Year, before going on to release two studio albums, tour the globe extensively, all while continuing to enamour with his soulful approach to pop music that is authentic as it is memorable.
The Bloodline Tour is on sale Friday 28 November at 9am local time from www.teamwrktouring.com/tours/conrad-sewell-bloodline-tour.
Conrad Sewell’s new single Deserve is out this Friday 28 November and is available to presave now.
BLOODLINE TOUR
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com/tours/conrad-sewell-bloodline-tour
THE NIGHT CAT | FRI 05 JUNE 2026 | MELBOURNE
LION ARTS FACTORY (ALL AGES) | SAT 06 JUNE 2026 | ADELAIDE
THE TRIFFID (ALL AGES) | FRI 26 JUNE 2026 | BRISBANE
OXFORD ART FACTORY | SAT 27 JUNE 2026 | SYDNEY
PRAGMATICO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH PERFECT HAVOC AND UNVEILS NEW SINGLE,
“CUT / PASTE / COPY”, OUT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28.
Pragmatico, the dance-driven project of Melbourne singer, songwriter and producer, Jacob Butler — known for his standout appearances on Australian Idol and The X Factor — enters a major new chapter with a global distribution partnership through London-based hitmakers Perfect Havoc, the label responsible for Joel Corry & MNEK’s worldwide number one smash, “Head & Heart”.
The announcement arrives as Pragmatico continues to gain international traction on dancefloors, with an ARIA Club Top 10 for “Walk The Night” with Jared Marston and Dilby, a UK Club Chart Top 10 with a 2025 rework of Sheryl Crow’s “All I Wanna Do”, plus a German Club Top 20 chart position for both Gospel Freaks and Louie V.
Recent collaborations include remixes from Friendless, Rubber People, and the billion-streaming producer Ryan Riback, further cementing the project’s rising momentum.
Now Butler returns with “Cut / Paste / Copy”, a sleek, glitchy and satirical slice of electro-pop that takes aim at influencer culture, copy-paste artistry and the pressure to constantly perform in the digital age. Built on glossy synths, analogue textures and a confident vocal hook, the track fuses nostalgia and futurism into a tongue-in-cheek critique of our online lives.
“I wanted to write something that captured the dystopian humour of living online,” Butler says. “There’s so much pressure to present a polished version of yourself, to copy what works, to be ‘on’ all the time. This song is my way of saying: everyone’s exhausted — and none of this is real anyway.”
The single arrives with self-directed visuals blending glitch art, hand-shot footage, analogue cameras and family-involved creativity. The video extends the song’s exploration of identity under digital noise, amplified through hyper-fast strobing cuts and nostalgic retro-tech aesthetics.
With a background that includes European record deals, global radio success and national TV exposure, Pragmatico represents Butler’s most intentional and artistic evolution yet.
“Cut / Paste / Copy” marks the beginning of this bold new chapter: emotionally intelligent pop with a sharp edge, grounded in craftsmanship, heart and fearless self-reinvention.
https://www.facebook.com/pragmaticomusic/
LISA O’NEILL shares new 6 track digital EP . 12” vinyl edition out Feb 20th, 2026
Rough Trade Records are excited to today share the new 6 track EP by Cavan songwriter Lisa O’Neill, alongside a video for her stunning version of the seasonally classic ‘The Bleak Midwinter’ – watch now. The EP is comprised of a group of six tracks, in Lisa’s own words she describes these songs:
“This collection of songs has been gathering a while…’All the Tired Horses’ is one of the earliest recorded pieces here which was commissioned for the Peaky Blinders soundtrack and released digitally as a stand alone single in spring 2022. I am still mystified and nostalgic when I listen to Dylan’s 1970 original track. I’ll wonder on his mantra and it’s potential as long as I live.
‘Homeless in the Thousands’ was released in January 2025, again as a stand alone single. Since it’s release, the housing crisis has become ever more acute, and I feel it’s essential to reinforce the message.
‘Mother Jones’, Cork – born Mary Harris, was an Irish emigrant to America in the 1850’s. The legendary union organiser and activist moved mountains and changed laws for the betterment of the working class people of the United States over many decades. In these censored and divisive times we are living in globally, she is a powerful reminder of the importance of activism and standing up to injustice.
‘The Bleak Midwinter’, I’ve loved this song since I first heard Berth Jansch’s unique recording of it. I later found it’s greater depth in learning more about the writer and poet Christina Rossetti, who published it under the title ‘A Christmas Carol’ in January 1872. Not unlike Mother Jones, Christina – a woman conflicted with her own personal griefs – put her heart and energy into those who struggled in the margins of society. When I sing this song, I think about the abundance of compassion and love we have within us even when we feel we have nothing to give. In the bleakest of circumstances, love is a beacon.
‘Autumn 1915’ is a poem written by my favourite Irish writer James Stephens. I recorded this at home in February 2022. That time alone was precious to me. I later tried to re-record my reading of it in the studio while compiling this collection but there was something captured in the original which I couldn’t recreate. With David Odlum, Jordon O’ Leary, Joseph Doyle and Seamas Hyland, we later developed the piece built around the original recording of voice and drone.
‘The Wind Doesn’t Blow This Far Right’, natural disasters devastate and turn our world upside down, BUT it is the man-made greed-motivated unnatural disasters put upon our beautiful planet and it’s people that inspired this song. I hope the title track of this collection pulls these six pieces together in a cohesive journey for the listener. I am proud of this EP and feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the people who gave so much of themselves to it.
“Hearing the test pressings on vinyl, to my surprise the tracks came alive again in a new way. A subtle difference but meaningful, not only sonically but as a collection that makes sense. It left me pondering, is this a short album or a long EP? I decided it doesn’t matter, it’s found it’s home on vinyl.” Lisa O’Neill
In recent months Lisa has been touring extensively both in her own right and also with The Pogues, celebrating the band and Shane McGowan’s legacy across the UK and North America. Lisa is currently mid way through an extensive tour of Ireland which ends with a show at Dublin’s Vicar Street on December 21st, remaining dates are listed below.
Forthcoming Tour Dates:
Nov 20 – Belltable, Limerick
Nov 21 – Belltable, Limerick
Nov 22 – Quiet Lights Festival at St Lukes, Cork
Nov 23 – The Attic Hotel, Doolin, Clare
Nov 28 – Jerome Hynes NOH, Wexford
Dec 21 – Vicar Street, Dublin – w/ Junior Brother
It’s been a remarkable few years for Irish songwriter Lisa O’Neill. Her acclaimed recent album ‘All of This Is Chance’reached number 1 in the Irish Indie Charts and ranked highly on many critics 2023’s Albums of The Year Lists. Amongst the wealth of praise, Gideon Coe at BBC 6 Music picked it as his Album Of The Year. It was No. 3 in Mojo Magazine’s Folk Albums Of The Year, and No.24 in their main Albums Of The Year List. Bob Boilen at NPR deemed it his No.3 Album of The Year and it was one of Songlines’ Top 10 Albums Of The Year and Uncut Magazine’s No.17 Album Of The Year and at No. 33 with The Quietus. May 2023 saw Lisa make a memorable appearance on Later with Jools Holland.
A raconteur in the truest sense of the word, O’Neill is a five-time BBC Folk Award nominee and her previous album Heard a Long Gone Song was named The Guardian’s 2019 Folk Album of the Year. She had two songs feature in Peaky Blinders – Blackbird, her own composition, and an adaptation of Bob Dylan’s All the Tired Horsessoundtracked the final scene of the epic TV drama.
All Of This Is Chance took O’Neill’s inimitable voice to greater heights, or depths, depending on which way you look at it. Throughout all eight songs on this album, it feels like she is writing in a constant state of wonderment. Not only a portrait of the artist in love with nature, but one perplexed by the ever-expanding gulf between it and modern society. O’Neill sings across that divide while simultaneously digging deep into the land, eyes transfixed on a universe of colourful birds, and beyond them stargazing into the atomized constellations of outer space of which we ourselves are fragments.
Watch The Video For The Wind Doesn’t Blow This Far Right (directed by Ellius Grace and featured musicians Kae Tempest, Kevin Rowland, Spider Stacey of The Pogues and Iona Zajac plus renowned Nigerian/Irish poet Feli Speaks, actresses Olwen Fouéré and Hazel Doupe and actors John McArdle and Jack Walsh amongst many others.) Here
Watch The Video For Homeless In The Thousands (Dublin In The Digital Age) Here
Watch The Video For Old Note Here / Watch The Video For Silver Seed Here
Website / Bandcamp / Instagram
PRIVATE WIVES RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘HEARTLINES’, ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM & TOUR DATES
Private Wives announce the release of their debut album ‘Three Of Swords’ on January 9th 2026 via Farmer & The Owl. The latest taste from the album is the single ‘Heartlines’ and the trio are heading out on tour!
Private Wives are a ferocious all-girl punk band from Wollongong, armed with grit, heart, and a sound that cuts straight to the bone. Their music is loud, raw, and unapologetically real. A collision of snarling guitars, pounding drums, and vocals that bleed honesty. With every show, they bring chaos and catharsis in equal measure, channelling frustration, anger, and defiance into something beautifully unrestrained. For anyone who’s ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or pushed aside, Private Wives are the voice screaming back.
Now, they unleash Three Of Swords, their long-awaited debut album, and a fearless excavation of heartbreak, rage, and reclamation. Across ten blistering tracks, Private Wives transform pain into power, capturing the jagged edges of womanhood and survival with brutal precision.
Alongside the album announcement comes the release of Heartlines, a gut-wrenching examination of girlhood, power, and the painful edges of growing up too soon. More confrontation than love song, it lays bare how innocence is manipulated and youth is exploited under the guise of affection. Through hauntingly personal lyrics, the track exposes the cultural blind spots that romanticise predation and leave young women to navigate the fallout alone. Musically, it balances fragility and fury, mirroring the emotional whiplash of awakening to exploitation and reclaiming one’s voice. Heartlines is Private Wives at their most fearless: turning shame into defiance, silence into something that demands to be heard.
The album takes its name from the Three of Swords tarot card, a symbol of heartbreak, grief, and the piercing truth that comes with revelation. The card’s image, a heart stabbed by three blades, represents sorrow that can’t be ignored, but also the cleansing clarity that follows when illusion is stripped away. For Private Wives, Three Of Swords is both wound and weapon: the sound of pulling those swords out yourself and learning to bleed on your own terms.
Heartlines joins previous singles The Fool and Haymaker to pull back the curtain on the full story of Three Of Swords – a journey through heartbreak, fury, and the slow, painful work of healing. From the desperate plea of Can You Hear Me to the bruised defiance of Tough Man and the bloodied vengeance of Blood in the Water each track cuts deeper into themes of betrayal, survival, and self-worth. Evan and Sloe ache with longing and disillusion, where love blurs into a hollow fantasy. Scream burns with righteous anger and warning, exposing the cruelty of impunity, while Driving Me Crazy spirals into the chaos of heartbreak pushed past its limit. Together, they trace the emotional aftermath of the Three of Swords itself. It’s a story of wounds and reclamation, of learning to pull the blades from your own heart and wear the scars like armour.
Recorded at The Pet Food Factory by Jason Whalley (Frenzal Rhomb), mixed by Mo Mayhem, and mastered by Mikey Young, Three Of Swords captures the chaos and catharsis of Private Wives’ live energy without losing the intimacy of their message.
Private Wives will be taking the stage across the East Coast of the country in January to spread their message. This album cements Private Wives as one of the most vital voices in Australia’s punk landscape: unafraid to scream about the things most people whisper. Three Of Swords isn’t just an album, it’s a confrontation, a confession, and a reclamation. It’s the sound of heartbreak sharpened into a blade, and of women refusing to let pain be the final word.
From the sweaty dives of Wollongong to wherever their music lands next, Private Wives continue to carve their truth in distortion and defiance. Three Of Swords is their declaration: heartbreak may pierce the heart, but it never takes the fight out of it.
Seismic Talent, Speed Drive Inc and Farmer & The Owl present Private Wives
Fri January 2nd – New Year New Me, Hamo Station Hotel, Newcastle
Sat January 3rd – Resin Brewing, Bulli, Wollongong
Sat January 10th – Nighthawks, Melbourne
Sat January 17th – Blutes Bar, Brisbane
Sun January 25th – Yuki Fest, Milton
Fri January 30th – Dissent, Canberra
Fri February 13th – 7th Day Brewery, Brookvale
Sat February 14th – The Loft, Sydney
https://www.instagram.com/privatewives/
STAHR Bring Desert Heat And Human Vulnerability On ‘Loving Friend’
Single Out Wednesday, November 19
STAHR’s new single ‘Loving Friend’, arriving Wednesday, November 19, carries a mesmerising intensity. Fusing grit with confident swagger, the Meanjin/Brisbane dream pop and desert rock duo walk a line between tenderness and defiance.
For those new to STAHR, the duo made their debut in 2024 with ‘The Heat’ and have since built on their blend of pop and rock. Fronted by Grace Harris and Samuel Shepherd, they trade vocals over intoxicating grooves decorated by fuzzed guitars and smouldering rhythms.
After a run of dynamic releases and support slots for the likes of Boy & Bear, Olympia and Jacob Fitzgerald, ‘Loving Friend’ marks their fourth single of 2025 and another confident stride forward.
‘Loving Friend’ moves with a fierce and hypnotic stride. Sweltering guitar riffs spark with smooth strut, giving way to Samuel Shepherd’s lead vocal, anchored by a driving drum groove. The track shifts between bold confidence and meaningful reflection to a heartfelt confession in the chorus, bursting with lush synths and layered harmonies. Every beat carries purpose, yet beneath its bravado lies something deeply human, balancing power with vulnerability.
With lyrics that are tender despite the frustration, the track paints the end of a friendship filled not just with regret but with hope. It captures the ache of watching someone unravel while still believing in their light, carrying an undercurrent of empathy and understanding that sometimes love means wishing someone well from afar.
Taking the higher road, ‘Loving Friend’ and its core message feel deeply human and universally relatable. It carries anger and pain, but it’s a reminder to let things go, to stop carrying the weight of what’s already behind you. People change, paths diverge, and sometimes the kindest thing we can do is move forward with love instead of resentment.
Unbottling all the feels with grit and vulnerability, ‘Loving Friend’ from STAHR is out on Wednesday, November 19.
Follow STAHR https://linktr.ee/stahrband
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Favourite Kid Share A Hearty Dose Of Honesty on. Debut Album ‘2 Cents Journal’ Out NOW
Favourite Kid’s debut album ‘2 Cents Journal’, out Friday 21st November, bursts with warmth and conviction. Built on pop, country and folk-rock foundations and lifted by glowing melodies, brass flourishes and more, the Queensland trio have created something that feels open-hearted and unhurried.
It’s a record about noticing the small things, finding space to breathe, and learning to see the beauty in imperfection. Across its twelve tracks, ‘2 Cents Journal’ moves through mindfulness, self-awareness and the many shades of being human.
Frontman, Ethan Roberts, writes with both honesty and humour, reflecting on his own neurodiverse experiences and the ongoing process of managing anxiety in a world that often celebrates constant positivity. Pairing reflection with feel-good energy, the album shifts between moments of yearning love songs and candid observations on mental health and well-being.
For Ethan, writing ‘2 Cents Journal’ became a way to pause and make sense of life as it unfolded. “While we can’t control everything in life, it’s important to take time to notice how we’re feeling,” he shares.
“Writing these songs has helped me through some difficult times with my own mental health, and I hope they can influence others’ minds to rest a little easier. This album is all about my neurodiverse experiences of learning to deal with anxiety in a world where it can seem like you always have to feel amazing and compare yourself to others.”
Across ‘2 Cents Journal’, Favourite Kid craft a sound that feels grounded yet full of life. Full-bodied acoustic guitar sits at the heart of the record, wrapped in rich harmonies, steady drums, warm bass grooves and hand percussion that keeps everything moving. Guided by Ethan’s easy sincerity, the three-part harmonies rise and fall with instinctive grace, carrying a sense of comfort and connection.
Meandering electric guitar lines move through moments of pause, tracing emotion in real time, while bursts of horns and layered vocals lift the music into something bright and restorative. The acoustic tones remain crisp and organic, allowing the band’s chemistry to speak louder than any production flourish. It’s an album built on feeling and flow, where every arrangement feels crafted with care yet left loose enough to breathe.
‘2 Cents Journal’ lands Friday, November 21, a heartfelt debut that feels as honest as it is uplifting.
Follow Favourite Kid Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | SoundCloud Tiktok | Facebook | Instagram | Website
BRAISON CYRUS RELEASES NEW SINGLE AS LONG AS YOU’LL STAY FEATURING NOAH CYRUS
Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer Braison Cyrus has released his new single “As Long As You’ll Stay,” featuring backing vocals from his sister, Grammy-nominated artist Noah Cyrus, available now across all major music streaming platforms.
“As Long As You’ll Stay” radiates with upbeat warmth from its opening notes, driven by Braison’s grounded and sincere lead vocal. Noah’s harmonies add emotional depth and a rich, atmospheric undertone, elevating the track into a vibrant and modern indie-folk offering. With its memorable melodies, organic instrumentation, and tight, dynamic production, the single builds into a lively, driving groove that is both effortlessly catchy and deeply heartfelt. Blending their distinct voices, the siblings craft a nostalgic yet contemporary ballad that continues to underscore Braison’s growth as a refined performer, songwriter, and producer.
LISTEN TO AS LONG AS YOU’LL STAY
The release marks the first recorded duet between Braison and Noah and follows the momentum of his critically acclaimed September single “Know This,” featuring backing vocals from his sister and global superstar Miley Cyrus. Praised by People Magazine as “a poignant reflection on the different stages of his life,” the track signalled a new creative era for Braison, one that highlights his sharpened lyrical perspective and expanding artistic range.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR KNOW THIS
“As Long As You’ll Stay” serves as the fourth offering from Braison’s forthcoming full-length album, arriving in 2026, following the summer releases “From Now On” and “Here In The Middle” featuring Sierra Lundy, as well as September’s “Know This” featuring Miley. The new project is Braison’s first full-length release since his 2021 narrative-driven psychedelic folk album Javelina and promises bold collaborations, rich storytelling, and a thoughtfully crafted sonic world. Acting as a time capsule of his creative rebirth, the album cements Braison Cyrus as an artist coming into his own – confident, intentional, and unafraid to evolve.
“As Long As You’ll Stay” from Braison Cyrus, featuring Noah Cyrus is available now on all major streaming platforms.
About Braison Cyrus: Braison Cyrus is a Nashville-based songwriter and producer whose music blends alternative country and modern folk with quiet intensity and lyrical depth. Though raised in a musical family, he came to music on his own terms – first writing and producing for others like Noah Cyrus and Fleet Foxes. His 2018 debut single “I’ll Never Leave You” marked his first solo step, followed by 2021’s Javelina, praised as “an unexpectedly brilliant debut.” His next album arrives in 2026. Self-produced in a small Nashville studio, it features a slew of surprise contributions.
FOLLOW BRAISON CYRUS: https://www.instagram.com/braisonccyrus/
Memphis LK channels early 2000s eurodance euphoria on new single ‘That Boy’s Not Nice’
Memphis LK returns with That Boy’s Not Nice, a euphoric and emotionally charged club cut that captures the bittersweet, transcendent feeling of crying in the club. Ahead of its release, the track will receive a first play on triple j’s Drive time slot the night before, with Memphis LK joining Abby and Tyrone for an interview. Known for blurring the lines between house, trance, and techno with her ethereal, spiritually tinged toplines, Memphis continues to shape her own sonic universe where raw emotion meets dance floor ascension.
Following the success of her recent single Skyflower, which received triple j First Play, adds across Spotify’s EQUAL AU & NZ and New Music Friday AU & NZ, Apple Music’s New Music Daily, and strong national airplay with 46 spins including 18 on triple j, Memphis’ momentum within the Australian dance landscape continues to climb. Her sound has also begun resonating globally through recent collaborations with DJ Heartstring, SWIM, and LB aka Labat, further cementing her place in the new wave of vocal-driven club music.
“I wrote That Boy’s Not Nice for my friend who kept going back to that same shitty guy. The production is inspired by the optimism of the early 2000s eurodance and trance — something you can feel euphoric and emotional to whilst raving.”
Built on shimmering synths, driving trance-infused basslines, and an irresistibly hooky vocal, That Boy’s Not Nice leans deeper into Memphis’ signature “heavenly club” aesthetic, the meeting point between early-2000s euphoria, spiritual lightness, and the darker, cathartic intensity of modern rave culture. The track explores the tension between heartbreak and clarity, pairing confessional lyricism with production designed to lift you somewhere above the chaos. It’s an emotional purge disguised as a dance floor release, a moment of both vulnerability and power.
A self-taught and proudly DIY artist, Memphis LK has become a defining force in Australia’s next generation of electronic voices. Emerging from Melbourne’s world-class club scene, her music taps into the sanctuary and transcendence of the dance floor, a space to let go, reconnect, and escape. Her transportive live sets fuse DJing with live vocals and saxophone, creating an immersive, euphoric experience that mirrors the emotional landscape of her songs.
Memphis will also perform at Smalltown NYD, Melbourne, 1 January 2026, alongside X-COAST, Omar+, and C.FRIM, continuing her trajectory as a must-see presence in the live electronic space.
That Boy’s Not Nice is another bold chapter in a growing body of work that celebrates imperfection, emotion, and the beauty of losing yourself in sound, a continuation of Memphis LK’s vision of a club that feels heaven-bound.
https://www.instagram.com/memphislk/?hl=en
GRACE WOODROOFE – PROMISE OF EVERYTHING’ (SINGLE)
Perth-born, Melbourne-based singer/songwriter and guitarist Grace Woodroofe shares what could be deemed her most visceral song yet, “Promise of Everything”, out now independently.
Rolling drums inject momentum and tension from the outset of “Promise of Everything”, mirroring the flightful feeling of running towards a bygone time in her life. Twinkling production juxtaposed with enduring, powerful drum lines captures both a dreamlike air and consuming tension of longing for the person she used to be. Pondering the carelessness of youth and the sweet, blissful naivety at the beginning of a relationship, Grace yearns to live in that moment once more.
With lived experience at the heart of her work, Grace’s vocals masterfully deliver the spectrum of emotions felt throughout the track’s lyrics – before she knew what she knows now. As she further says; “’Promise of Everything’ might be the most painful song I’ve written, yet also the most nostalgically beautiful.
To give the full picture of how my life’s trajectory changed through my emotionally abusive relationship, I wanted to take listeners back to who I was just before I met him. As a teenager, I struggled with depression, but after leaving high school, everything shifted. I moved to Los Angeles and suddenly found myself in a world bursting with promise, excitement and possibility. The city felt alive with opportunity. I met fascinating people, and for the first time, influential figures were validating my music and my work. Everything was new, and I was hungry to dive into it all. It was a time when anything felt possible, and that’s when I met him.”
“The song captures that sweet and sometimes naive moment in my life, sleeping on friends’ couches without a second thought, starting fresh in a new city where no one knew my history. It was liberating, full of unknowns and momentum. Woven through the song are threads of reflection, that bittersweet ache of looking back on how pure that time felt, not knowing how much pain was still to come or how it would eventually unravel all that promise. Musically, the track holds that tension – the shimmer of possibility set against the shadow of what was waiting just ahead. “
“Promise of Everything” is the third to arrive in a series of singles from Woodroofe, as she makes a triumphant return to music this year. The song is preceded by the recent shoegaze “Happy Again” and cinematic “I Love You Babe” – the latter which was praised by Double J with an addition to full rotation.
After posting a few songs online, Grace Woodroofe was first discovered and signed by Heath Ledger for his label, The Masses Music, at age 17. Swept into a whirlwind beginning of her career, she soon released her debut album Always Want on Modular Recordings – produced by acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Harper, before touring across the US and Italy alongside him. The album saw widespread acclaim including reaching #3 on the Australian iTunes Charts, singles “Battles” and “Transformer” landing various ‘Song of the Day’ accolades on US radio, plus seeing Grace feature in Vogue Australia, The West Australian, Herald Sun, The Sunday Times and named in coveted series such as Paste Magazine’s ‘Best Of What’s Next’ and Rolling Stone Magazine’s ‘Artist to Watch’. On stage, she has performed notable festivals Splendour in the Grass (alongside Ben Harper), Bluesfest Byron Bay, SXSW, Secret Garden, The Hills are Alive and more, plus supported further artists including alt-j, Glass Animals, Matt Corby, Cat Power, Jack Johnson, Paul Kelly & Neil Finn and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
In 2015, she shared the electronica-pop EP Love It Need It Miss It Want It under a new moniker, R.W. Grace, but when her personal life became consumed by an emotionally abusive relationship, Grace grew distanced from her music. Through years of trial, error and hard-earned healing, she found her way back to music, where her story could finally live in sound.
Take in the powerful sound and story of “Promise of Everything” today, as Grace Woodroofe continues to unfurl her story to the world through beautifully crafted and impactful indie-pop music.
“PROMISE OF EVERYTHING” IS OUT NOW INDEPENDENTLY LISTEN HERE
GRACE WOODROOFE INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE
THE HALO EFFECT Unveil Final Track ‘Shoreline’ From Cover EP WE ARE SHADOWS
The circle is closing. THE HALO EFFECT unveils the fifth and final song from their highly anticipated cover EP We Are Shadows, which is out now. Each member of the band selected a personal favourite and classic track to reinterpret, and this last choice comes from drummer Daniel Svensson.
Svensson’s pick is a heartfelt tribute to Gothenburg legends Broder Daniel – their 2003 alternative pop anthem ‘Shoreline’.
Needless to say, THE HALO EFFECT have made the song entirely their own, delivering a powerful and emotional rendition where frontman Mikael Stanne once again shines, seamlessly blending clean vocals with his unmistakable growls.
Reflecting on his choice, Daniel Svensson comments:
“Broder Daniel were one of the bands that created the Gothenburg indie-pop scene in the late ’90s. There are several parallels to the ‘Gothenburg Sound’ — both scenes were driven by a strong DIY ethos and comradeship while gathering international attention.”
Watch the visualizer for ‘Shoreline’: https://youtu.be/6ermCkRGfNQ
Stream the EP We Are Shadows: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/waslp
Tracklist:
1. How The Gods Kill
2. If You Were Here
3. I Wanna Be Somebody
4. Dance With The Devil
5. Shoreline
THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums
THE HALO EFFECT Online https://www.facebook.com/thehaloeffectse
DEOS Forge History into Extreme Metal with “Dura Lex Sed Lex”
DEOS, the pioneering force of Roman Extreme Metal, has unleashed a new lyric video for their devastating track, “Dura Lex Sed Lex,” a crushing taste of their latest fourth album, Augustus Omnipotens, out on 05 December, 2025 via Wormholedeath.
Translating to “The law is harsh, but it is the law,” “Dura Lex Sed Lex” is a musically ferocious and lyrically precise dive into one of the most brutal chapters of Roman history. The track refers to the Lex Pedia, the law enacted by Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus) to mercilessly punish the conspirators responsible for the assassination of Julius Caesar through death, confiscation of property, and exile.
The Rise of an Empire: Augustus Omnipotens: DEOS’s album, Augustus Omnipotens, is their most ambitious work yet—a conceptual journey chronicling the political and military rise of Octavian as he transformed from Caesar’s avenger into Rome’s first Emperor.
The album tracks pivotal, intense moments, from the forging of alliances and brutal battles to the eventual triumph of the Pax Romana. This narrative is driven by DEOS’s signature Blackened Death Metal, featuring ferocious, driving riffs, thunderous drums, and dark growls that amplify the intensity of war, power, and existential transformation.
Pre-save Augustus Omnipotens now: orcd.co/augustusomnipotens
About DEOS: Formed in 2014 by Fabio Battistella, Jack Graved, and Loïc Depauwe, DEOS have built a reputation for combining the ferocity of extreme metal with a passion for Ancient Rome that extends through their lyrics, artwork, and stagecraft. Their debut Ghosts of the Empire arrived in 2015, followed by In Nomine Romae in 2017 and extensive touring across France, Switzerland, and beyond. In 2021 they began work on their third record Furor Belli, mastered by J.-F. Dagenais (Kataklysm, Ex Deo) and released in 2022 via Wormholedeath, which led to the North Imperial Tour MMXXII. Over the past years they have continued to spread their vision of Roman metal across Europe, including London’s legendary Cart & Horses.
Now, with Augustus Omnipotens, DEOS take their concept further than ever before. Recorded between autumn 2024 and spring 2025 and once again mastered by Dagenais, the album is both a celebration of Rome’s past and a declaration of the band’s future.
DEOS are: Jack “Janus” Graved (bass, vocals), Fabio Battistella (guitar, backing vocals), Cédric “Cedd” Boehm (guitar, backing vocals), and Loïc Depauwe (drums).
Join the ranks of DEOS:
www.facebook.com/deos.legio
instagram.com/deos_official
deos-official.bandcamp.com/releases
www.youtube.com/@deos-official9793/
Stream Furor Belli: orcd.co/furorbelli
THUNDER The Legendary Live Album Returns. Available For The First Time On Vinyl And Digital, “Live” Will Be Released In A Remastered Version On January 16, 2026
British rock institution THUNDER, known for their charismatic stage presence and distinctive sound, originally released “Live” in 1998—a work that marked a significant turning point in the band’s history.
Now it is being re-released for the first time in a remastered version on vinyl, digitally, and as an exclusive digipak – a true rock document that revives the raw power of the original recordings in a contemporary sound.
Since their formation in the late 1980s, THUNDER have been one of the defining forces in British hard rock. The band combines classic rock riffing with bluesy undertones and stadium-ready hooks – a distinctive style that has thrilled fans worldwide for decades. At the heart of their sound is not only the distinctive voice of Danny Bowes, but also the songwriting and guitar talent of Luke Morley. THUNDER embodies authentic rock music with soul – versatile in the studio, rousing on stage.
The recordings from 1997 were made during a period of transition: bassist Chris Childs joined the band just before the recordings and has been a permanent member of the line-up ever since. The shows from this period are raw, energetic and full of enthusiasm – with extended solo passages, spontaneous moments and intense interaction with the audience. You don’t just feel like a listener, you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.
In 2025, the album was carefully remastered to reproduce the untamed live energy in modern sound quality. With this release, earMUSIC honors an important moment in the band’s history – and offers both long-time fans and newcomers the opportunity to relive the authentic live feeling of the late 90s in impressive quality.
The 22 songs deliver a wealth of hits such as “Love Walked In,” “Dirty Love,” and many other classics. The bonus versions include additional acoustic and studio recordings of popular fan favorites. “THUNDER – LIVE” will be released on January 16th, 2026 on CD, vinyl, and as a digital download and streaming.
Check out “River of Pain” here https://youtu.be/q-VjTc-Ndrg?si=eHDRApnoZNIx4olg
Pre-Order “Live” https://thunder.lnk.to/live
Tracklisting:
CD / Vinyl
Welcome To The Party
Higher Ground
Don’t Wait Up
Low Life In Hight Places
Gimme Some Lovin’
Empty City
Until My Dying Day
A Better Man
Does It Feel Like Love?
Dance To The Music
She’s So Fine
Backstreet Symphony
An Englishman On Holdiday
I’ll Be Waiting
Laughing On Judgement Day
Like A Satellite
Moth To The Flame
Living For Today
The Only One
Love Walked In
River Of Pain
Dirty Love
Bonus
New York, New York
Pilot Of My Dreams
Everybody Wants Her
Lazy Sunday Afternoon
Stand Up
The Only One (Studio Version)
Too Bad (Studio Version)
Something About You
(The Nomis Session)
This Forgotten Town (Acoustic)
“Live” (1998) Line-up:
Daniel Bowes – Lead Vocals
Luke Morley – Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
Ben Matthews – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Chris Childs – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Gary “Harry” James – Drums
LONG DISTANCE CALLING Release Third Single “Hazard” From Their Upcoming Live Album “Live At Lichtburg“
With “Hazard”, LONG DISTANCE CALLING release the third single from their upcoming live album “Live At Lichtburg”, set for release on December 5, 2025.
Originally featured on the band’s acclaimed 2020 album “How Do We Want To Live?”, the track is one of their most atmospheric and emotionally gripping compositions. It now returns in a powerful live rendition, recorded during the sold-out February 2024 show at the Lichtburg in Essen – a historic cinema where more than 1,200 fans shared an unforgettable evening with the band.
Following the singles “Kamilah” and “Out There”, “Hazard” once again highlights the unique energy of this performance: intense, tension-filled, and driven by the distinctive textures that define the song. In its live version, the track gains additional organic force – a blend of precise musicianship, pulsating grooves, and the unmistakable cinematic sound LONG DISTANCE CALLING are known for.
The accompanying live video captures the special atmosphere of the night: the monumental stage of the Lichtburg, the close connection between band and audience, and the dynamic presence of a song that feels even more immersive live than on the studio recording.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR HAZARD https://youtu.be/YCTR8dzPOOE
LISTEN TO “HAZARD“ https://ldc.lnk.to/Hazard
“Live At Lichtburg” not only documents the biggest headline concert in LONG DISTANCE CALLING’s career so far, but also marks a new artistic chapter. With reimagined arrangements, orchestral textures, and a commanding live presence, the album captures why the band remains one of Europe’s most compelling forces in progressive and instrumental rock.
The album will be released via earMUSIC on December 5th, 2025, in multiple formats:
2LP Gatefold Heavyweight 180g + Blu-ray and CD + Blu-ray Digipak, combining the full audio and visual experience of this unforgettable night.
PRE-ORDER THE NEW ALBUM https://ldc.lnk.to/Lichtburg
STEPHEN CUMMINGS COVERS FIVE DECADES OF AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITING ON NEW EP JOY
Cheersquad Records & Tapes is proud to announce the release of Joy, a brand new 4–track EP from Stephen Cummings, available today on vinyl and digital formats. Joy revisits songs originally recorded at various times between 1971 and 2021 by four iconic Australian acts — Spectrum, Pel Mel, Jess Ribeiro and Dag — but here they are reborn through Cummings’ interpretations, newly recorded in 2025.
Produced by longtime collaborator Robert Goodge, these versions carry Stephen’s unmistakable voice and presence, enriched by an extraordinary ensemble:
• Stephen Cummings — vocals
• Leah & Andi Senior — harmony vocals
• Robert Goodge — acoustic guitar, mandolin, keyboards
• Sam Lemann — acoustic & electric guitars
• Graham Lee — pedal steel
• Bill McDonald — bass, keyboard sounds
• Michael Davis — drums & percussion
The EP’s four tracks span five decades of Australian songwriting:
1. Living in the Balance (Dusty Anastassiou, 2021 – originally by Dag)
2. Unfamiliar Ground (Jess Ribeiro, 2015)
3. No Word from China (Jude McGee & Graeme Dunne, 1980 – originally by Pel Mel)
4. Fly Without Its Wings (Mike Rudd, 1971 – originally by Spectrum)
The result is a record that bridges generations of Australian music with fresh intimacy and resonance. The dreamy harmonies of sisters Leah and Andi Senior add an ethereal texture that lifts Cummings’ interpretations into luminous new territory. Joy is both a tribute and a reinvention, breathing new life into remarkable songs and carrying them forward in Stephen Cummings’ deeply personal style.
ORDER JOY NOW FROM Joy | Stephen Cummings | Cheersquad Records & Tapes
Stephen Cummings of course needs no introduction to Australian music fans – the Countdown Award and ARIA Award-winning singer and songwriter has had a long, productive, creative and distinguished career since his days up front of Sports in the late ’70s and ’80s.
What may still need an introduction however is the fact that in March 2020, Stephen suffered a life changing stroke.
In 2023, with the support and love of the Melbourne music community, Stephen released the acclaimed album 100 Years From Now, a record of beauty, of humanity, and of unflinching honesty. And gorgeous musicality. Recorded and mixed with longtime collaborators guitarist and producer Robert Goodge (Essendon Airport and I’m Talking) and producer and engineer Simon Polinksi (Steve Kilbey, Ollie Olsen), the album was a collection of co-writes that put Cummings’ post-stroke physical condition to the fore, both musically and lyrically. The effect of Stephen’s stroke on his singing added a layer of bittersweet heartbreak to his already emotive style.
The record was also the coming together of many of Stephen’s musical partners from over the years, including his longtime guitarist Sam Lemann and bass player Bill McDonald (who shares with Goodge a background in Melbourne’s post-punk scene and has more recently been Paul Kelly’s long term bass player) to current band member Michael Davis. Graeme Lee of the Triffids (and more recently of Goodge’s reformed Essendon Airport) contributed some pedal steel. These individuals, together with Goodge, and sisiters Leah & Andi Senior on harmony vocals, return on the new EP.
Stephen spoke of making music post-stroke back in 2023: ““I’ve had to accept now that things aren’t going to be the same but they can still be good and work with what I’ve got… I was always a natural singer and assumed I could just sing as long as I wanted. After the stroke, I had a lot of rehab to learn to walk and recover fine motor skills on my left side. I couldn’t really play guitar anymore. I did some vocal therapy and found my tone still good but the control and breathing the hard part. I learnt I if I sang more slowly and more quietly it sounded better. I have to focus more and keep to different parameters.”
Mark Mordue (author of Boy on Fire: The Young Nick Cave) on “Carry Your Heart” from 2023’s 100 Years From Now:
“A masterpiece of determination and love. (“Carry Your Heart”) would have to be one of the great vocal performances and songs out there. Stephen Cummings returning from a stroke, singing his heart out. The tension between what he did easily and yet with wired energy; and the strain now to do it again, seeking only release… A song like this may be a goodbye or a new beginning. You will be glad to have it enter your life…”
STAY IN TOUCH WITH STEPHEN VIA
www.cheersquad.com.au
cheersquadrecordstapes. bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/CheersquadRecordsTapesMGMT
www.instagram.com/cheersquadrecords/
twitter.com/wally_kempton
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Trailblazing ’80s/90s Melbourne femme rock band GIRL MONSTAR – feat. Anne McCue, Sherry Rich & Sue World – release second single “Hate Train” from forthcoming new album GRRRR!!
Girl Monstar have today unleashed their new single “Hate Train”. It’s available everywhere except Spotify – because “we don’t support corporations whose CEOs invest money from art into war weapons technology.”
A protest song by Melbourne femme rock quartet, “Hate Train” is the second taste of their upcoming new album GRRRR!! The Album [out Jan 27 2026], which is available to preorder now from Bandcamp!
“In this time, in this world, a raw fierce rail against corporate cruelty and abuse of power is a need. Wreckage in the wake of driving rhythm, and unswerving lyrics become the force” – Ros Zimmerman
Written by Sherry Rich/Ros Zimmerman/Anne McCue
Sherry Rich – lead vocals & rhythm guitar
Anne McCue – lead guitar
Janene Abbott – bass guitar & backing vocals
Sue Shaw – drums & backing vocals
***
Trailblazing Melbourne garage-pop/hard rock band Girl Monstar are back with their first new music since 1992!
Girl Monstar’s new album GRRRR!! will be released January 27 2026 on Vicious Kitten Records. New singe “Hate Train” follows first single ‘Blue Cat With Green Eyes’ – the band’s first new track in 35 years!
GRRRR!! is available to pre-order now via Bandcamp, with the two singles available instantly to all who do: GRRRR!! The Album | GIRL MONSTAR | Girl Monstar
A short documentary on the band is now up on YouTube.
Known to some as the band that introduced the world to Sherry Rich, Anne McCue and Sue World, Girl Monstar were the first all-female band to gain a national profile in Australia in the late ’80s/early ‘90s. They played over 200 shows, sharing stages with Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Sonic Youth, the Hard-ons, GOD, the Hoodoo Gurus, The Divinyls, Poison and Skid Row.
Formed in 1988, Girl Monstar gained a reputation as a formidable live act and made an impact with their all-too short recording career. Two singles – ‘Surfing on a Wave of Love’ and ‘Joe Cool’ topped the Alternative charts in 1989 and 1990, both nominated for Best Independent Release at the ARIA Music Awards. They appeared on TV shows Countdown Revolution, The Big Gig, Rage and The Factory and released the one album ‘Monstereo Delicio’ in 1992.
Girl Monstar – Blue Cats with Green Eyes (Official video)
***
After splitting originally in 1993 – their last show was a fiery gig the first Melbourne Big Day Out – three of the four Girl Monstar members went onto noteworthy music careers.
Singer/guitarist Sherry Rich switched up genres and formed the pioneering alt-country group Sherry Rich & The Grievous Angels (featuring Steve Connolly and Charlie Owen on guitar) before a ten-year stint in Nashville working as a songwriter and collaborating on two albums with members of Wilco. Returning home in 2006, Sherry continued with the Grapes, a 60s flavoured folk rock duo with Ashley Naylor and released her most recent solo album ‘The Divine Crimson V’ in 2021. She has co-written with the likes of Paul Kelly, Mick Thomas and Nashville writers including Jim Lauderdale, Tammy Rogers and Will Kimbrough.
Lead guitarist Anne McCue relocated to Los Angeles and then Nashville, forging a career as a singer songwriter and producer, merging country and blues with rock and pop. She has released 8 solo albums, including ‘Roll On,’ BBC broadcaster Bob Harris’ ‘Album of the Year’, and ‘Wholly Roller Coaster’ released in 2025. She has toured the US with Heart and Lucinda Williams, and played guitar on Robyn Hitchcock’s 2017 self-titled album. Anne is also radio host of ‘Songs on the Wire’ on Nashville WXNA.
Drummer Sue Shaw (Sue World), who had, while still at high school in 1981, formed the seminal all female Melbourne garage band the Wet Ones, has maintained a strong presence in the last 30+ years on the local garage scene with the Exotics, Plastic Section and the Wraylettes.
Completing the line-up is bass player Janene Abbott, who had disappeared into the wilds of the Northern Territory, but was freshly divorced and had just bought a new bass and amp when Sue found her. She was ready to rock!
With decades more musical and life experience under their belts and fired by the joy of reconnecting, Girl Monstar are back, stronger and more creative than ever with new songs informed by their unique experiences as women, feminists, mothers, musicians and activists.
GRRRR!! will be released on Vicious Kitten Records on January 27, 2026. It is available to pre-order now via Bandcamp, with the two singles available instantly to all who do: GRRRR!! The Album | GIRL MONSTAR | Girl Monstar
Girl Monstar on Instagram
KōDEM Release First Single from Viking Inspired Trilogy, Sorrow Of Down. New EP Tattooed Sin Out now
Newcastle progressive rockers KōDEM have released their new EP, Tattooed Sin along with new single, Sorrow Of Down.
With its moody, brooding intro, Sorrow Of A Down is cinematic in scope and delivery with lyrical themes about the self righteousness of humanity, as the band explain.
“It is really about the madness of belief. How people will fight, kill, and die thinking they’re righteous. It’s not just about Vikings, history and heritage, it’s about us now. That blind devotion, what we do to maintain that, be it physically or mentally to hold that devotion. Is it our beliefs in a force, a higher form or a god, or deep beliefs in our families? We want the people who listen to make it about whatever it feels to them. The song’s built to feel relentless, like rowing into a storm, or a life you can’t escape.”
Sorrow Of Down ist he first track of a Viking inspired trilogy, with the remaining two tracks planned for recording early to mid ’26.
Listen to Sorrow Of Down here https://lnk.to/9ZgHL0
Watch the video here https://youtu.be/_cY1LtrmgOQ
The Tattooed Sin EP is out now https://lnk.to/XlSIt4
Catch KōDEM live at the venues below
Saturday, November 29: The Pourhouse, Maitland
Late January 2026: Little Day Out Street Festival, Maitland
For all KōDEM merch and physical music head to
https://xmusiclabel.bigcartel.com/kodem
KōDEM blend intensity, atmosphere and raw emotion seamlessly. With echoes of Tool, The Tea Party and A Perfect Circle, their sound is both intricate and crushingly powerful. After two years of commanding live shows, KōDEM are gearing towards releasing their debut album that will cement their place in the next wave of progressive rock.
Kōdem are part of the XMusic roster that features,
Audio Reign, Blvd Of Eyes, Cicadastone, Dellacoma, Frankenbok, Goatzilla, Kaosphere, Karly Jewell, PistonFist, Sisters Doll, Wayward Kings, Whiteford, Wicked Things and XCalibre
Follow all XMusic artists updates and live dates on
xmusic.au
STORMFLOWER Sydney Experimentalists New EP, Equanimity is Out Now Plus New Single, SOME-BODY
With nearly 500,000 views of their first 2 singles, Sydney based experimental rock act, Stormflower have released their new EP Equanimity.
Quickly building a strong reputation for their genre-defying sound that fuses powerful riffs with emotive depth. Stormflower’s music delivers a dynamic blend of intensity and vulnerability, designed to stir the soul and provoke the senses.
In the lead up to the EP release the band put out two huge singles, Coda and All The Way and today have revealed SOME-BODY as their latest focus track.
On the track, the band comment: “SOME-BODY tackles the issue of societal pressure making you feel like you need to be someone or something other than yourself. To the point you’re feeling like you don’t know or have control of your own path. The song promotes trying to get back to finding and being true to yourself. The “home” in the 2nd half is the place of comfort where you know yourself and can be your best. So get back to wherever that is for you.”
Listen to Somebody at https://lnk.to/fUNua7
Watch the video at https://youtu.be/EUNDgDKI9Cw
Equanimity is out now https://lnk.to/MWI9Su
Great new merch from Stormflower is available at https://xmusiclabel.bigcartel.com/stormflower
Sydney fans, catch the EP Launch this Sunday!
Sunday, Nov 23: The Duke, Enmore
Follow Stormflower
Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube
BLVD OF EYES Feat Chloe Trujillo & Mark Dalbeth Release We Are Humans EP & on tour
Blvd Of Eyes EP We Are Humans, is out now!
“This EP, We Are Humans, is the most honest and unapologetic music we’ve ever made. Working with Ulrich Wild pushed us to tap into something raw and real — the kind of emotion you only get when every lyric comes from lived experience. We’ve been dying to take these songs on the road, and kicking off this tour feels like the beginning of something bigger than any of us. We can’t wait to stand in front of the fans again and scream these words together.” Blvd Of Eyes
Get your copy of We Are Humans at
https://lnk.to/qwOLQ2
Physical Orders for We Are Humans along with merch bundles and tickets are available now
https://xmusiclabel.bigcartel.com/blvd-of-eyes
Formed in 2021, Blvd Of Eyes is led by the magnetic Chloe Trujillo, wife of Metallica bassist, Robert Trujillo, whose eclectic artistry blends rap, metal, gypsy and Blues into a sound that’s as bold as it is unique. Chloe’s fearless creative spirit to the band is matched by her co-founder, Mark Dalbeth, the New Zealand-born multi instrumentalist who previously made waves in Australia with the acclaimed rock act Bellusira.
Blvd of Eyes is completed by guitarist Kevin Hicklin (3 by Design, Weapons of Anew) and Chloe’s daughter, Lullah Trujillo on drums. With a long list of live shows under the belt since forming, Blvd Of Eyes has proven their ability to captivate audiences with their raw energy and are steadily building momentum.
With the release of We Are Humans, Blvd Of Eyes bring their explosive live show to Australia. The band are embarking on a highly anticipated tour that features appearances at HeavyFest in both Brisbane and Sydney as well as metro and regional shows along the east coast.
BLVD OF EYES AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Thurs, Nov 27: Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast
Fri, Nov 28: Nortons, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast
Sat, Nov 29: Heavy Fest – Soap Box Brewery, Brisbane
All tickets available at
xmusic.au
VOCAL POWERHOUSE FATAI ANNOUNCES ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM W.O.M.A.N
Artists like FATAI are a rare breed – a beautiful blend of talent, grace, strength and humility, she is a dynamic songwriter and performer who has been endearing crowds around the world to her unique style for many years.
In 2025, FATAI marks another milestone in a career that has been full of them – the release of her long-awaited debut album: W.O.M.A.N.
Released on December 5, the album is a collection of music that redefines FATAI’s artistry for this new chapter ahead; embracing vibrancy, confidence, love and discovering one’s own inner strength.
Featuring tracks including ‘Joys Of Love’, ‘Beautiful Mind’, ‘Be Still’ and ‘I Got Love’, W.O.M.A.N is a fresh presentation of the values that have been with FATAI since the beginning of her journey. Moments of uplifting reflection, heartfelt observations on growth, relationships and finding ourselves along the way, FATAI re-establishes herself as one of Australia’s compelling storytellers with this project.
As she describes W.O.M.A.N, “Wonderfully Original, Made and Named. Why spend your life seeking false validation, comparing yourself to others and pretending to be someone that you’re not, when being authentically you is the ultimate life of freedom!”
Creating this album in Australia with good friend and collaborator Phil Turcio, FATAI navigated a spectrum of emotions as these songs came together. Songwriting being such a raw and intimate creative medium at the best of times, FATAI engaged with an organic and rich album making process, with Turcio and other talented musicians and writers, including Gary Pinto, along for the ride.
“We [Phil and I] dedicated every Wednesday to meeting and writing together. Without ever planning to write an album and simply coming back to our first love of creating because we are creators, we organically ended up with a collection of songs as you hear it in this album, feeling proud and full of purpose by the end of it. And by the ‘end of it’, I mean we are only just getting started!” FATAI
Artwork Credit: Nate Hill
For those who have been on the journey since the beginning, FATAI’s trajectory as an artist was evident early on.
Hailing from Melbourne, FATAI’s charisma and emotionally-charged presence won audiences instantly and across the formative chapters of her career, her blend of R&B, soul, and pop music brought FATAI viral success online, as well as a dedicated fanbase in Australia and beyond.
She has shared stages with artists including PJ Morton, Guy Sebastian, and Jessica Mauboy, while FATAI’s music has drawn the attention and support of Marshall Arts for live representation in the UK, USA and EU – the team who look after a select roster of artists including Paul McCartney, Elton John and others. In Australia, FATAI is represented by Craft Music, the talented team who also look after artists including Megan Washington, Missy Higgins and Ben Lee.
The announcement of W.O.M.A.N coincides with FATAI’s return to North America, taking in a six-date tour throughout January, supported by Nyla XO.
“As I embark on my 11th headline tour, I’m excited to perform my debut album that encapsulates the journey of a young girl who used to seek validation to becoming a woman who is learning, growing, and becoming all that she’s meant to be. And that’s a woman who is strong, adventurous, kind, sensitive, honest and ever evolving. This album and tour is a celebration of 30 years journeying through the highs and lows and discovering who I am today. And it feels like just the beginning.” FATAI
FATAI ‘THE W.O.M.A.N’ ALBUM TOUR
NORTH AMERICA 2026
Tickets via fataimusic.com
Wednesday 14 January Evanston Space Chicago IL
Saturday 17 January Bitter End New York NY
Monday 19 January Row One Stage Nashville TN
Tuesday 20 January Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta GA
Wednesday 21 January Tractor Tavern Seattle WA
Saturday 24 January Hotel Cafe Los Angeles CA
FATAI: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Miss Kaninna Drops New Single, Backstreets
This Wednesday, Nov 26, Miss Kaninna drops her new single, Backstreets. A departure from her previous releases Blak Britney and Pinnacle Bitch (both taken from debut EP KANINNA), Backstreets sees Miss Kaninna slowing it right down and heading into pop/rnb territory, singing rather than rapping, both vulnerable and tough.
Of the track, Miss Kaninna says: “When I was in my early 20s I had a few boyfriends that were really……really white and it was hard to communicate, we have just lived such different lives and grew up with different values and ways of being. They were also in a much higher class bracket to me so it was very dystopian to live what seemed like double life. I was put into a lot of really vulnerable situations and had to compromise my cultural safety for the benefit of them and their families. I was conditioned for a very long time to be quiet about my experiences and to put others’ needs before my own. Backstreets is a memoir of those years and how I felt. I haven’t released any music related to these experiences as I found them quite hard to talk about until recently. I found myself clinging to a relationship I didn’t even want to be in but a mixture of manipulation and my own abandonment issues held me there. I still struggle with fear of abandonment and I’m still recovering.
I love older pop rock like the late 80s early 90s, especially Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is the best artist that ever was. but for this particular track I wanted to add elements of older pop rock from that time like, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, TOTO, Gerry Rafferty, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. My first CDs were 80s pop rock and I was heavily rotating this music when I was going through so much shit with these men. So I think it was only fitting. I feel like I’m time traveling back to that time but I’m in my own music video like outside of myself, fly-on-the wall type shit.”
Backstreets was produced by Lucy Blomkamp and is out via AWAL. Finishing 2025 strong, Miss Kaninna signed a global deal with AWAL Recordings in May and was picked up by Primary Talent International (Kneecap, Nick Hakim, Dropkick Murphys) for global bookings ex Aus, following stand out performances at The Great Escape. Miss Kaninna is currently in the UK/Europe on tour supporting Kneecap, as well as performing her own headline shows. “When I first saw her play live at the 2025 Great Escape festival in Brighton, I was absolutely blown away. I don’t remember being as enthralled by seeing a live set from an emerging artist for a long time – everything about the performance was exactly what I consider to be exciting: aggressive with a true sense of purpose, and completely captivating. We are thrilled to have her as part of our roster.” – Ed Sellers, Primary Talent International
A proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali woman, Miss Kaninna is a Naarm (Melbourne)-based First Nations artist, hailing from Lutruwita/Tasmania. Making waves with her breakout debut single Blak Britney in May 2023, the rapper/singer/songwriter started a meteoric rise, emerging as a potent voice of punk and power in so-called Australia. An anti-establishment anthem written to amplify the voices of Black women, the single garnered widespread acclaim, landing full rotation and within a fortnight was the #1 most-played song on triple j.
Showing no signs of slowing down, her follow-up single Pinnacle Bitch arrived as a club-ready call-to-arms, celebrating subversion and the freedom to be your genuine self, adding to her discography of party music with fury and resistance at its core. Using the stage as a platform to shed light on the oppression faced by First Nations people globally, Miss Kaninna’s ability to simultaneously engage and entertain captivated audiences far and wide, with Pinnacle Bitch featuring on Apple Music’s The Ebro Show and amassing 250,000 streams within the first months.
Recognised for her groundbreaking work, she was named the 2023 triple j Unearthed Artist of The Year and invited to perform on the international stages at SXSW, Texas where her sets drew record crowds and garnered glowing reviews. Beyond the stage, airwaves and streaming platforms, her music infiltrated TV screens, with both Pinnacle Bitch and Blak Britney landing key placements on the Netflix hit series Heartbreak High for its second season, with Blak Britney selected for the show’s trailer.
In 2024, she made history as the first Indigenous woman to be nominated for an ARIA Award for a debut single – nabbing three nominations for Blak Britney – with nods for Best Independent Release, Best R&B Track and Best Video. Her debut EP, KANINNA, arrived to critical acclaim with sold out shows across the country. It went on to win Best Independent Hip-Hip EP/Album at the 2025 AIR Australian Independent Music Awards where she also took home the award for Breakthrough Independent Artist of The Year and was also nominated for Best Hip Hop/Rap Release, Best Independent Release and Best Australian Live Act at this year’s ARIA Awards.
MISS KANINNA SUPPORTING KNEECAP:
10 Nov – Elysee Montmartre, Paris
11 Nov – Elysee Montmartre, Paris
12 Nov – AFAS Live, Amsterdam
14 Nov – O2 Academy, Bournemouth
15 Nov – Blackstone St Warehouse, Liverpool
17 Nov – DEPOT, Cardiff
18 Nov – The Prospect Building, Bristol
20 Nov – O2 Academy, Leeds
21 Nov – O2 Academy, Leeds
22 Nov – O2 City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
24 Nov – Octagon, Sheffield
25 Nov – Octagon, Sheffield
27 Nov – O2 Academy, Birmingham
28 Nov – Manchester Academy, Manchester
29 Nov – Manchester Academy, Manchester
30 Nov – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
MISS KANINNA HEADLINE SHOWS:
2 Dec – Soup, Manchester
3 Dec – Camden Assembly, London
MISS KANINNA AUS SHOWS:
29 Dec – Beyond The Valley Festival, VIC
3 Jan – Wildlands Festival, Perth
INSTAGRAM • TIKTOK • YOUTUBE • FACEBOOK
Neeko returns with powerful new single ‘FLOWERS TO MY DOOR // SWORD OF SACRIFICE’ out Wednesday 26 November
Naarm/Melbourne-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Neeko unveils her new single ‘FLOWERS TO MY DOOR // SWORD OF SACRIFICE’, out Wednesday 26 November via RouteNote.
Blending cinematic trip-hop textures with raw emotional storytelling, this song marks a bold step forward for Neeko as both a writer and producer.
Recorded between her self-built studio in rural Australia and Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne and co-produced with Callum Edwards, this next chapter showcases Neeko’s evolution as a producer. With sonic nods to Portishead, Massive Attack, Four Tet and Lana Del Rey, Neeko weaves together a deeply personal narrative of heartbreak, rage and surrender. The track explores the aftermath of a relationship rupture, a moment of reckoning between love, loss and reclamation.
“This was one of those songs that kind of wrote itself,” says Neeko. “I was experiencing such an intensity of emotions, and they needed to go somewhere. Songwriting is a healing modality for me; it allows me to transform pain into something beautiful. I took risks with this one, and I think they paid off.”
Stream ‘FLOWERS TO MY DOOR // SWORD OF SACRIFICE’
The track opens with Neeko’s intimate vocals and a sparse electric guitar, before plunging into a pulsing beat and a moody synthscape. The song’s unexpected drum and bass breakdown pays homage to Björk’s ‘Crystalline’, fusing Neeko’s folk roots with an experimental electronic edge.
Originally inspired by a Ry X reference track, the song evolved entirely during the production process. “You think you know what the song is,” Neeko explains, “and then it takes you somewhere else. You have to surrender, otherwise you’re in trouble.”
Known for her raw, soulful vocal delivery and fearless musical exploration, Neeko continues to carve her own path through the alternative folk and electronic landscape. Neeko’s work merges folk storytelling with lo-fi grooves, vintage synths, and emotive guitar work.
Neeko’s creative journey spans over a decade of collaboration and reinvention. From founding the all-female collective BLUME (Boss Ladies Under Musical Elevation), which became a mainstay at Melbourne’s Toff in Town, including some of Australia’s finest musicians, Danika, Charlie Needs Braces, Harmony Byrne, Rat Child and Elle Shimada, to drumming with the psych-rock outfit TomGirl, Neeko has consistently championed women in music and improvisational performance.
Following a period of artistic retreat in the Australian bush and an extended creative sojourn through Bali, Central and South America, Neeko returned to Australia with an album’s worth of new material. Her forthcoming sophomore record, FLOWER TONE SLAYER (due February 2026), expands on her folk-soul sensibilities while embracing the textured trip-hop and downtempo electronica of the 90s.
Embark on this exploration into Neeko’s latest work.
Neeko – ‘FLOWERS TO MY DOOR // SWORD OF SACRIFICE’
Out Wednesday 26 November 2025 via RouteNote
Bandcamp: neekomusic.bandcamp.com
THE HIGH STREET DRIFTERS ‘WORDS FOR LEAVING/SNAKES REACH’
Fresh off a CMAA Golden Guitar nomination and a run of major festival appearances, Melbourne’s The High Street Drifters return with their highly anticipated new release, a double single featuring the heartfelt “Words for Leaving” and the blazing instrumental “Snakes Reach.”
The two tracks highlight the dual sides of the Drifters’ artistry: storytelling and virtuosity.
“Words for Leaving” is a poignant vocal track inspired by the heartbreak of parting ways on the road. With soaring harmony and a driving rhythm section, the track captures both the intimacy of love found and the ache of inevitable goodbyes.
By contrast, “Snakes Reach” showcases the group’s instrumental firepower. With fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass locked in a whirlwind of bluegrass energy, the track channels the Drifters’ inventive spirit and love of tradition into a hard-driving instrumental.
Written by Justin Vilchez, “Snakes Reach” earned 3rd place in the prestigious International Monroe Mandolin Songwriting Competition, highlighting the band’s skill and creativity within the global bluegrass community.
“Words for Leaving shows what drives us as songwriters and our inspirations, while ‘Snakes Reach’ captures the joy of playing flat-out bluegrass,” says guitarist Daniel Watkins.
“Being part of Australia’s growing bluegrass scene while carrying our sound onto the world stage is something we’re really proud of.”
The new release follows a packed run of festival appearances, including Woodford Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival, where the Drifters have been met with acclaim for their energetic performances and fresh take on Australian bluegrass music.
Their momentum has only grown since their Golden Guitar nomination for Bluegrass Recording of the Year earlier this year and an upcoming showcase at IBMA World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga, TN, cementing their status as one of the most exciting young acts in Australian country roots music.
MARK CAMPBELL AND THE RAVENS ALBUM
Mark Campbell and the Ravens’ songs delve into love and loss, joy and heart-rendering truth, and their debut self-titled album fuses country, blues, folk, rock and Americana to bring to life an enduring love story.
Recorded with ARIA-winning Jimi Maroudas (Tim Rogers, Kimbra, etc) at the desk, the album also features Dave Williams (Augie March) on drums, Davey Lane (You Am I) on guitar, Kylie Auldist (The Bamboos) on feature and backing vocals, among many others talented musicians including a horn and string section.
The 5 singles from the album so far have enjoyed impressive radio support, making 3 ABC Country national playlists, reaching #4 on the AMRAP Metro charts, and being played regularly on community radio across Australia and in the UK. The 3 accompanying music videos have over 40k views so far.
After playing upcoming sold-out upcoming album launch, the band will also be touring the album nationally in the coming six months. The album is available on limited edition coloured vinyl and CD, as well as streaming services.
MORE ABOUT THE BAND:
Previously a key member of JJJ-darlings ‘Folding For Air’ and ‘Souls on Board,’ Mark Campbell has built a live “wall of sound” behind songs that “ooze honesty.” (Beat Mag) The 8-piece live band weave a rootsy blend of alt. country, rock, blues and folk that has seen them already support many great icons of music in Australia.
EXTREME Presents “Here’s To The Losers”
The 12Th And Final Video That Completes The Cycle Of Their Groundbreaking Album “SIX”
Extreme’s sixth studio album was released worldwide on June 9th 2023 via earMUSIC and has continued to impact fans and fellow musicians around the world.
‘Here’s to the Losers,’ the video, completes the mission to create 12 visual interpretations of each song from “SIX.” It is also a “thank you” gift to fans…just ahead of Thanksgiving celebrations in the US.
See the video https://youtu.be/D6TbwSdt-88
In the video, each band member gives a nod to their respective high schools. The song is dedicated to those who have fallen, but gotten up to try again.
“Get up, you’re not the only/ Get up, you’re one of the many/ Chin up, there are no excuses/ Drink up, here’s to the losers”
Gary explains, “It’s as close to an anthem as we’ll get. It just made sense to use this as the closing song on the album.”
‘Here’s to the Losers’ is a joyous singalong that caps “SIX,” an album that found the band in impeccable form and back in front of their fans on a globe-spanning tour across the U.S., Europe, the U.K., India, Japan, and Australia.
Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt also reaffirmed his stature as one of rock’s most commanding players with an historic appearance at Ozzy Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert.
Here his blazing take on Black Sabbath’s “Changes” alongside YUNGBLUD, Frank Bello and Adam Wakeman, II garnered a Grammy Nomination for Best Rock Performance.
That milestone led to Nuno serving as music director and guitarist at the 2025 MTV VMAs. Here he delivered yet another powerful tribute to Osbourne alongside Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and YUNGBLUD.
ACCESS “SIX” https://officialextreme.lnk.to/SIXWE
Metal Pioneers CLAWFINGER unleash new Video Single ‘Big Brother’ ahead of long-awaited Comeback Album BEFORE WE ALL DIE!. Coming February 20th on PERCEPTION
Pre-Save / Pre-Order the Album HERE!
Watch / Stream ‘Big Brother’ HERE!
Swedish-Norwegian rap-metal trailblazers CLAWFINGER are back with another explosive taste of their long-awaited comeback album Before We All Die, their first studio offering in 18 long years! The new single ‘Big Brother’ arrives with a razor-edged video clip and all the pent-up fury you’d expect from a band that helped define the crossover sound of the ’90s.
The first album appetizer ‘Scum’ (listen here) followed by ‘Ball & Chain’ (stream here) have already racked up thousands of plays and reactions across digital platforms, hitting with the force of a small online detonation and proving that CLAWFINGER’s return is striking a nerve and Zeitgeist. Even with a recent live performance of their hit ‘Biggest & Best’ going viral on Instagram, or Zak performing ‘The Truth’ in a hilarious karaoke video, CLAWFINGER are being rediscovered by a new generation of metal fans, showing that their music remains as powerful and relevant as ever, nearly two decades after their last album.
The new track ‘Big Brother’ hits like a steel-toed boot to the chest. Mechanical, grinding riffs, an industrial undercurrent that pulses like a surveillance camera’s hum, and Zak Tell delivering one of his most acerbic vocal performances to date: half-rapped, half-snarled, always unmistakably CLAWFINGER. Sonically, ‘Big Brother’ feels like a bridge between the band’s classic Use Your Brain ferocity and a darker, more claustrophobic modern edge.
Lyrically, Tell digs deep into the rot of attention-driven culture:
“Big Brother is an idea I wrote back in 2007 but it never turned into a finished song. It’s about how we trade authenticity and privacy for approval. Fake lives lived on camera, zero substance, 15 seconds of fame and nothing good to say. We binge mindless content, go numb, and don’t even question constant surveillance. We’ve learned to love being tracked, controlled, and fed nonsense 24/7, we don’t think even think about it. Who the fuck are we?”
Stream / Download ‘Big Brother’: https://clawfinger.rpm.link/bigbrotherPR
Watch the video premiering here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M06vxCkaKFE&list=RDM06vxCkaKFE&start_radio=1
Known for their pioneering fusion of metal, rap, and unflinching social commentary, 2026 will see CLAWFINGER return with their brand new record Before We All Die, that will rekindle the fire which made them one of Europe’s most groundbreaking crossover acts. This hotly-anticipated comeback marks not just a return, but a reinvention, proof that true intensity never fades.
Before We All Die arrives February 20, 2026 on PERCEPTION – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Pre-save/pre-order the album now at: https://clawfinger.rpm.link/beforewealldiePR
From environmental collapse to political hypocrisy, personal disillusionment to collective denial, Before We All Die is CLAWFINGER at full volume – still pissed off, still sharp as ever, still sprinkled with a touch of self-irony, and still refusing to shut up while the world pretends it’s all fine.
“This album is part protest, part therapy, and part middle finger,” the band says. “We’re not offering solutions. We’re screaming because silence is surrender.”
More on CLAWFINGER: clawfinger.net | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music
Sydney pop power-duo FOLEY turn sour subjects sweet on newest release, ‘HONEY’
Sydney pop power-duo Foley have unveiled their shimmery new single, ‘Honey’. Following the release of their phenomenal second album That’s Life Baby! earlier this year — as well as recent single ‘Suckerpunch’ — ‘Honey’ sees the pair explore the moments where you know you’ve pushed a little too hard in an argument, bringing their brand of syrupy-sweet musical goodness to the matter;
“Honey is about taking it too far and realising you might have pushed your luck – we all have moments in a relationship where you make your point a little TOO WELL and realise you played too rough. In the right relationship those moments aren’t make or break; instead they are the times you see compassion and understanding in a partner who is willing to have your back and stick with you.” FOLEY
Ultimately a love song, and an ode to the right person who sticks it out through the sweet and sour alike, ‘Honey’ captures the tougher parts of a relationship with endless grace and charm;
“The line ‘Whenever I spill my guts you stitch me up, honey’ sums it all up – they’re there to put the pieces back together for you because they know your true heart.” FOLEY
The OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO for the track was filmed in South Korea, during the band’s recent trip there for a run of shows. With stunning scenes of Seoul city, and striking split timelapses which draw the viewer into Foley’s own little world– this visualiser is the perfect amplifier to the charm of ‘Honey’.
Bringing on an unbelievably world-class line-up of collaborators for the track’s production, ‘Honey’ saw Foley working with Pedro Calloni (Chappell Roan, ELIO, Alex Warren, Daniel Seavey, GAYLE) on mixing, as well as Grammy-nominated audio engineer Nathan Dantzler (Sabrina Carpenter, sombr, Niall Horan, Jonas Brothers, Teddy Swims) on the mastering side. Speaking to ‘Honey’s production journey, as well as the experience of working with friends and cowriters Max Jacobs and Nico Scali, Foley’s Ash & Gabe said:
“We wrote this one with our new friends Max and Nico from a band called Loretta. We all clicked straight away and had so many laughs, it made for a really energetic session. Those magic guitar chords that carry the song were brought to the session by Max and having a new guitarist in the room helped us to get into a different headspace. We wanted to write something with the acoustic guitar front and centre that could bring a bit of a bluesy tone – and the chorus really dabbles with that in the guitar and vocal stacks.” FOLEY
‘Honey’ is out now
Foley: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Tik Tok | Triple J Unearthed
THE USED ANNOUNCE A MID SUMMER NIGHT’S SYMPHONY. EXCLUSIVE BLACK TIE PERFORMANCE LIVE AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE NEXT MARCH
For over 25 years, THE USED have ticked off a multitude of milestones, with their influential career shaping the landscape both in and beyond emo and alternative rock. But in 2026, THE USED will tick off yet another monumental first in their extremely storied career, set to perform for the first time ever on the legendary stage of the Sydney Opera House for one unforgettable black tie event, complete with a full symphony orchestra and choir on Sunday 29 March 2026.
This unprecedented night, titled A Mid Summer Night’s Symphony, will offer Australian fans a chance to experience THE USED live in action as you’ve never seen them before, with the news guaranteed to delight fans far and wide; and the excitement is entirely echoed by the band themselves. “The Sydney Opera House is one of the most prestigious venues in the world. And we will be playing there with full orchestra and choir!” enthuses THE USED vocalist Bert McCracken. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for The Used and we couldn’t be more excited. Can’t wait to see you there!”
This extraordinary 2026 show will follow THE USED’s largely sold out colossal 25th anniversary down under tour in August and September this year which showcased 2002’s self-titled album, 2004’s In Love And Death and 2007’s Lies For The Liars played in full on consecutive nights in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle. But next March, the band will mount their most expansive Australian performance to date with the orchestral additions guaranteed to add some ravishing magic to multiple fan-favourites across THE USED’s extensive back catalogue.
A band who defined the sound of a generation through their balanced chaos and melodic prowess, THE USED emerged in the early 2000s in Utah, rapidly rising to fame via the 2002 release of their self-titled debut album. Since then, THE USED have ticked off four Billboard 200 Top 10 debuts and 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, while tracks like The Taste of Ink, Pretty Handsome Awkward, The Bird and the Worm and I Caught Fire have generated mass singalongs at the likes of Vans Warped Tour, in theatres and club shows across the globe, and festivals far and wide.
A band equally fluent in penning crowd-pleasers that aren’t afraid to embrace savagery and raw grit, THE USED have never wavered or rested on their laurels over the years, with their legacy undeniably continuing to grow to and beyond this very day, with Kerrang praising the band’s impact on fellow scene icons, declaring “The Used’s colorfully unhinged post-hardcore became a vital part of the scene responsible for breaking bands like My Chemical Romance [and] Fall Out Boy”. It’s no fluke that THE USED’s longevity has continued to flourish, with the band’s honesty, integrity and freedom fuelling every inch of their art as well as their genuine connection with their fans; and it’s a fanbase that not only spans the globe, but also generations as THE USED continue to exponentially find new listeners, young and old while retaining the OG’s who have been there from the very beginning.
Having toured extensively throughout their career, THE USED will close out 2025 touring alongside Papa Roach in North America, while 2026 will see them tick off Emo’s Not Dead Cruise, Sonic Temple and a hotly-anticipated performance next October with My Chemical Romance. Prior to their monumental 25th anniversary tour earlier this year, THE USED have logged multiple Aussie runs since the mid 2000s, with Australian Music Scene proclaiming of one of their many recent Melbourne shows: “this tour isn’t just about nostalgia – it’s a proper thank you to fans who’ve stuck around for two decades. And judging by the sweat, the screams and the smiles, these songs till burn just as hard as they did back then.”
Prepare for an unforgettable black tie event for the ages at one of Australia’s most renowned venues in 2026; tickets for THE USED’s Sydney Opera House performance next March will definitely not last long!
Early bird pre-sale tickets on sale: Tuesday 2 December @ 11am AEDT time
To Gain Early Ticket Access Register Here -> https://daltours.cc/TheUsedSOH
Tickets on sale: Wednesday 3 December @ 11am AEDT time
Tickets from sydneyoperahouse.com
The Used Presents
THE USED
A MID SUMMER NIGHT’S SYMPHONY
LIVE AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
SUNDAY 26 MARCH, 2026
Tickets on sale: Wednesday 3 December @ 11am AEDT time
Tickets from sydneyoperahouse.com
MAPLE’S PET DINOSAUR DROPS SECOND SINGLE CHORUS
What a difference a few months makes. Just 14 weeks ago, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur was a 14-year-old singer from Newcastle with one simple goal: to release her debut single lego independently and convince local promoters to give her band a shot at playing live.
Fast-forward to today, and lego has become a bona fide viral phenomenon. Shot entirely on a Ring camera by the teen sensation, the DIY video exploded online, becoming the most-viewed Instagram Reel in history by an Australian-born artist, with over 55 million views on Instagram alone. It’s since inspired a wave of doorbell-camera clips from garage bands around the world, with momentum rapidly carrying across platforms: 6 million views on TikTok and 1.1 million views on YouTube for the full-length video.
As Maple turned 15, her online buzz steamrolled into the real world. Her breakout caught the attention of Good Things Festival promoter Chris O’Brien, who broke the festival’s 16+ age limit to add Maple’s Pet Dinosaur to a massive lineup featuring TOOL, Weezer, and Garbage, with O’Brien declaring “Maple is going to be an absolute force”. Soon after, Maple made her SXSW Sydney debut following a late invite from festival organisers, igniting major buzz across two thunderous, back-to-back showcases with her powerhouse teenage band.
Media attention followed swiftly. Maple’s Pet Dinosaur has now been featured everywhere from Rolling Stone to network television in Brazil, while lego has become a favourite across the airwaves, including multiple spins on triple j, a full triple j Unearthed add, and a national add across the Triple M network. In the US, the track continues to rack up spins on the college radio circuit.
On top of her whirlwind critical acclaim, Maple has also rapidly cultivated an eye-watering array of high-profile fans, including Limp Bizkit’s very own Fred Durst who commented “let’s get the tour convo going” on lego’s Instagram video debut. And in September, Maple levelled up yet again, inking a deal with New World Artists for exclusive live representation across Australia and New Zealand.
Now, as Maple’s social media and global following grows by the day, one question dominates her comment section: When’s the next song coming?
The answer: chorus, the brand-new single from Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, out globally November 27, just in time for the band’s Good Things Festival run in early December. A relatable and infectious follow-up, chorus is, in Maple’s words, “an ode to a love story gone wrong.”
Mark your diaries for the accompanying chorus video out on Friday 28 November here.
The teaser video for chorus surpassed over 1.3 million views on Instagram in less than 4 days!
Watch the teaser video here.
“chorus is a little more dimensional than lego,” adds Maple. “While lego is a two-minute blast of rage, chorus is more melodic – but also heavier at the same time. The outro gives a good taste of our live energy, and I finally got to rattle off some of my favourite dinosaurs (laughs).”
Mixed by Declan White (Thornhill, Ocean Grove), chorus delivers a blazing guitar riff beneath Maple’s soaring vocal. The hook is built for festival singalongs and the breakdown is an extinction-level event.
Fans can catch Maple’s Pet Dinosaur live in action this December at Good Things Festival, and 2026 is already ramping up with a performance locked in on Saturday 16 May 2026 at BASSINTHEGRASS, the largest festival in the Northern Festival.
chorus by Maple’s Pet Dinosaur is now streaming everywhere
https://nfan.link/chorus
MAPLE’S PET DINOSAUR UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS
GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL 2025
FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER – FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE, MELBOURNE (16+)
SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER – SYDNEY SHOWGROUNDS, SYDNEY (16+)
SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER – BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BRISBANE (16+)
Tickets from https://www.oztix.com.au/
BASSINTHEGRASS
SATURDAY 16 MAY 2026 – THE GARDENS, NORTHERN TERRITORY (LIC AA)
Tickets from https://bassinthegrass.com.au/
JULES ANNOUNCES IT’S COMING ON CHRISTMAS EP
Music has always been a thread of connection for many during the holiday season – from the traditional standards, to hymnal classics and the contemporary songs that have created new memories for many fans across the globe, when it comes to Christmas…the songbook has never been stronger.
Sydney songwriter and performer Jules knows this all too well, and has brought her affinity to such a unique collection of music together with a natural talent for storytelling, in the curation of a brand new Christmas EP: It’s Coming On Christmas.
In making this EP, Jules has been able to embark on a special creative project that has not only brought her more knowledge surrounding Christmas standards and musical traditions from different countries, but it has also captivated her own curiosity about the impact of this music on generations of music fans.
The EP, recorded at Church Street Studios in Camperdown with Emmy Award winning producer Sean Carey (Julia Stone, Daniel Johns), captures the essence of the season – one that Jules describes as being beautifully complex in its nature.
“Christmas is filled with complexities. Images of homes, greenery, merriment, and the warmth of fireplaces and hot summers, sit against a backdrop of war, longing, death, and grief. This all occurs as centuries of carols, hymns, and songs provide the soundtrack. It is with this in mind, that I embarked upon curating a Christmas EP.
The music traditions we have drawn from in It’s Coming on Christmas are a tried-and-true mix. German hymns are placed next to the yearning melancholic ballads of wartime Hollywood, and the first iterations of Laurel Canyon truth-telling.” JULES
Featuring songs like ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, ‘Silent Night/Night of Silence’ and a cover of Joni Mitchell’s 1971 classic ‘River (It’s Coming On Christmas)’ – the latter of which stands as a special highlight of the record, a song that has been a favourite of artists all over the world when it comes to the Christmas canon.
“What makes ‘River’ resonate with people is how immensely sad it is. Against the Californian sunshine, Joni Mitchell wants a frozen river on which to skate away. In sunlight, she wants a cold winter. Is there anything that could define an artist more? It’s a confessional and very personal song; an oddity at the time. My whole Christmas EP is blue, but this song is the bluest.” JULES
The release of It’s Coming On Christmas marks Jules’ return, her first collection of music since the much-praised 2023 studio album, Familiar Drama. With four records to her name that have charted an impressive and authentic sonic evolution, Jules is a performer who leads from the heart – her brand of songwriting and performing has garnered the love of audiences around the country and internationally.
Establishing her own record label, Lights Record Label, in 2015 gave Jules the power to control her own creative output, redefining her role as the architect of her own journey. Weaving pop, blues and folk influences with honest and open storytelling, Jules’ music represents a great love for the craft of storytelling through music – It’s Coming On Christmas is a fitting addition to the catalogue.
Local the Neighbour confronts belief and identity on powerful new single Preacher
Local the Neighbour returns with his compelling new single Preacher, a striking exploration of identity, memory and the shadows that shape us. The Melbourne/Naarm based project of musician David Quested continues to rise with growing industry acclaim and a distinctively raw storytelling voice, following a remarkable run of achievements including international radio support from KEXP, RADIOK770 and WNRN, editorial praise from Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Mixdown and Frankie, and national spins across Triple J Unearthed, Double J and FBi Radio. As he enters a new creative era, Preacher stands as one of his most vulnerable and sonically assured releases yet.
With DIY at its core, his music is self recorded alongside close friends and influenced by artists such as Alex G, MJ Lenderman, Hovvdy and Slow Pulp. Built around swirling guitars, intimate vocals and a slow burning emotional intensity, Preacher captures the tension between childhood beliefs and adult self discovery.
This track represents a powerful moment of reflection for David as he revisits formative experiences that shaped the person and artist he has become. It is a release that deepens his artistic voice while connecting to the same confessional energy that has earned Local the Neighbour support for previous projects including Spotify editorials such as indie twang USA, Fresh Finds and Wire, and Apple Music playlists including indie plus chill, New in Indie and New in Rock.
Preacher is a song about religious trauma and the feeling of growing away from something that once felt familiar. It unpacks the unease of returning to memories that once provided comfort but now sit at odds with the person he has grown into. The single marks one of his most honest lyrical moments, built from lived experience rather than observation.
“I grew up going to church as a kid and had a pretty good time for the most part. However, as I grew up, I really started to question a lot of things, in particular the types of people I would find myself around.”
Local the Neighbour is the creative project of David Quested, a Melbourne based musician originally from Darwin in the Northern Territory. After moving to Naarm to study jazz drumming at the Victorian College of the Arts, he immersed himself deeply in the discipline before continuing his studies at the University of California Los Angeles under jazz greats Jeff Tain Watts, John Riley and Clayton Cameron. His early career saw him perform with ARIA winning jazz musicians and tour internationally as a session drummer, but an early quarter life crisis led him to a pivotal creative shift in which he chose to leave the jazz world and return to his first musical love rock music shaped by the bands he adored growing up such as Blink 182 and Paramore.
That decision opened the pathway to a new chapter of artistry. David began performing with artists including Fan Girl, JIM ALXNDR and Fletcher Gull, later joining the indie rock band Garage Sale as their new drummer. With Garage Sale he has toured the world, and has also played alongside artists like julie and Mannequin Pussy. Armed with years of musical training, community collaboration and a renewed sense of purpose, he created Local the Neighbour as a space to explore songwriting and production beyond the drum kit. His rapidly growing live profile has included supporting US indie icons Real Estate, performing at St Kilda Festival, and playing headline and support shows with local favourites Smol Fish, Swapmeet and Fangirl.
Preacher marks a new chapter in Local the Neighbour’s evolution and a bold reminder of the emotional depth and creative intention driving his work.
CONNECT WITH LOCAL THE NEIGHBOUR
Gordon’s Grandson Releases New EP KISSED With Haunting Focus Track Green Lips
Melbourne based rising artist Gordon’s Grandson unveils his striking new EP KISSED, a raw and intimate body of work that captures the emotional push and pull of youth, vulnerability and self discovery, led by the haunting focus track Green Lips, a song that strips everything back to expose the heart of his songwriting. At just 19 years old, Gordon’s Grandson, real name Harry Prior, continues to redefine indie storytelling through deeply personal music created entirely from his bedroom, crafting a sound that feels both timeless and urgently current.
Anchored by its fearless simplicity, Green Lips stands as the emotional centrepiece of KISSED, drawing inspiration from the sincerity and melodic restraint of The Smiths while leaning into a single, unbroken vocal performance that feels exposed, fragile and unguarded. The track feels almost suspended in time, allowing every breath and lyric to sit unfiltered, creating a song that feels as naked as it is honest and as delicate as it is devastating.
Green Lips represents a shift toward stillness and vulnerability, embracing a rawness that leaves no room to hide and no distractions from the emotion at the centre. Inspired by classic indie vocal stylings, the song runs on a single vocal thread from start to finish, giving it an exposed, fragile and deeply human feeling that invites listeners into its quiet intensity and emotional restraint.
Born in Tasmania and now based in Melbourne, Gordon’s Grandson has built a powerful reputation as both a musician and storyteller. An accomplished actor, Harry has appeared in major productions across Netflix, Amazon Prime, STAN, ABC, SBS, and Binge, with standout roles in Deadloch and Love Me, and as Bob Morley’s son in Love Me, as well as starring in the new season of ABC’s Bay of Fires, where his original single My Mother Said was selected for sync. Musically, he has earned major industry recognition, including being named a triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, securing triple j first plays, and landing extensive editorial playlist support across Spotify and Apple Music.
Previous releases have seen incredible momentum, with BLEED featuring on Spotify’s New Music Friday AU & NZ, Indie Arrivals, and Apple Music’s New Music Daily, as well as airplay on triple j, Youth Radio WFHB, and KXCI, while KISSING received a triple j first play and was added to 18 editorial playlists including 10 New Music Friday placements. His single 6PM was added to multiple global playlists and was the Cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds AU & NZ, while SUNLIGHT earned a first play and spot add on triple j and inclusion across major editorial platforms. All of this has been achieved through fully self written, recorded, and produced music created entirely in his bedroom.
With a fanbase that continues to grow rapidly, Gordon’s Grandson connects deeply with his audience, building a community of over 35k TikTok followers, 29.4k Instagram followers, and a highly active Discord server. His debut live performances will see him supporting Holly Hebe in Sydney (March 29) and Melbourne (March 30), marking the next chapter in a career that blends music, storytelling and emotional honesty. Named in honour of his late grandfather, Gordon’s Grandson is more than an artist, he is a voice for a generation learning to feel without filters.
KISSED EP LISTEN
CONNECT WITH GORDON’S GRANDSON https://www.instagram.com/gordonsgrandson/
Joan & the Giants and Seb Szabo celebrate friendship on joyous new single ‘Figure It Out’
Joan & The Giants supporting The Fray nationally in December
Seb Szabo’s All I Want Is You tour stopping in Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne
An evergreen favourite on Melbourne’s live circuit, singer-songwriter Seb Szabo has teamed up with magnetic alt-pop rock outfit Joan & the Giants on a brand new single, ‘Figure It Out’. A celebration of the friendship that has flourished over the past year between Joan & the Giants vocalist Grace Newton-Wordsworth and Seb, the song delves into their individual experiences as they navigate singlehood, and how they carry each other through both the highs and the lows. Listen HERE.
Having met while sharing the stage at a warehouse show last year, Grace and Seb became fast friends. Relocating to Melbourne from Western Australia earlier this year following the end of a long term relationship and consequent lineup change, Grace says working with Seb on ‘Figure It Out’ “genuinely lifted me out of something really dark and helped me find my voice, and made this the best experience I could have had in this new stage of my life.”
Reflecting on the writing process, Seb says “We decided we should have a piece of our individual story in the song – myself as a romantic miscast as a bachelor-type, and Grace exiting a long-term relationship and being single for the first time in years. We both I think found ourselves in life situations that we didn’t necessarily ask to be in, but we were having a laugh together while making the best of it all – leaving chaotic voice messages about bad dates and unsuccessful attempts at flirting with strangers. It’s such a blessing to have friends like that – they make everything easier.”
While Seb’s reflections come from those around him settling down (‘My high school friends are getting married, and I’m still singing at strangers’ weddings’), Grace sings from a place of finding herself in a new chapter (‘I’ve lost my way, I’ve been drunk on my own heartache’). Through it all, they acknowledge ‘somehow we’ll figure it out’.
‘Figure It Out’ was written halfway between Seb’s Fitzroy home studio and Grace’s grandmother’s beach shack in WA, and was completed with their friend Dylan Olliverre in his studio outside of Perth. The song was co-produced by Joel Quartermain (G Flip, Oh Pep, Meg Mac) and Edwin White (Vance Joy, Amy Shark, Jack River) in Melbourne.
Next week, Joan & the Giants are set to kick off a sold out national run supporting The Fray on their How To Save A Life 20th Anniversary tour, with Seb joining Grace on stage on select dates to perform their new release together. “‘Figure it Out’ brings me so much happiness, every time we’ve played it so far the song just feels like friendship,” says Grace. “I hope it’ll resonate with people stumbling through life or navigating tricky times and leaning on their mates to get through it all.”
Throughout December, Seb is taking his most recent single ‘Tangerine (All I Want)’ on the road, with the All I Want Is You tour visiting Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. Tickets are available from sebszabo.com.
From his widely adored house shows and vibrant city busking sets, to his own sold out headline shows, showcases (BIGSOUND) and support slots (Charlie Collins, Bic Runga, Medium Build), Szabo and his band carry audiences through a heartwarming – and at times heartbreaking – rollercoaster of love and loss, and gently catch them on the other side. His music has been played across triple j, triple j Unearthed, and community radio, and praised by Rolling Stone, The Music, Beat and more.
Joan & the Giants have had a whirlwind past 18 months, making their international debut at SXSW Austin earlier this year, and supporting global superstars P!NK and Tones & I at Optus Stadium last year. From Unearthed Feature Artist to Happy Mag’s Needle In The Hay winners and with multiple WA Music Award wins and nominations, the group continue to move from strength to strength with their striking blend of alt-pop rock and candid, heart-on-sleeve songwriting.
Seb Szabo All I Want Is You Tour
Thursday 11th December – Oxford Art Gallery – Sydney, NSW
Friday 12th December – Smith’s Alternative Downstairs – Canberra, ACT
Friday 19th December – Northcote Social Club – Melbourne, VIC
Tickets via sebszabo.com
Joan & the Giants supporting THE FRAY
How To Save A Life 20th Anniversary Tour
Wednesday 3rd December – Metro City – Perth, WA SOLD OUT
Friday 5th December – Eatons Hill Hotel – Brisbane, QLD SOLD OUT
Saturday 6th December – Enmore Theatre – Sydney, NSW SOLD OUT
Sunday 7th December – The Forum – Melbourne, VIC SOLD OUT
Tuesday 9th December – The Forum – Melbourne, VIC SOLD OUT
Wednesday 10th December – Enmore Theatre – Sydney, NSW SOLD OUT
About Seb Szabo: Seb Szabo is dancing into summer by letting his guard down. The charming Melbourne songwriter shares heartfelt, cinematic fragments of his life for dreamers & everyday romantics. Building a groundswell of loyal followers in 2025 by performing in unique live spaces (backyards, warehouses, the streets) as well as appearances supporting Medium Build, Bic Runga, Jordy Maxwell and at BIG SOUND, Szabo’s lyric-driven singalongs capture the colours of romance: dancing in the kitchen, crushing on strangers, exploring new cities, getting ghosted, and imagining then dashing entire futures over a cup of coffee.
Celebrating the release of new road-trip-ready single ‘Tangerine (All I Want)’ by bringing their joyous energy to the “All I Want Is You” Tour in December 2025, and an EP due early next year, Szabo & his band are stepping forward, ready to leap from hometown secret to unmissable Australian act.
https://www.sebszabo.com/
About Joan & the Giants: Proving to be a must watch act in 2025, Melbourne based alt pop-rock band Joan & The Giants (originally from Western Australia) have taken 2025 by storm making their international debut at SXSW in Austin, Texas landing them an international booking agent working with Steve Zapp at ITB. The band had a huge 2024 supporting global superstars P!NK and Tones & I at Optus Stadium, and have recently toured Australia supporting US pop icon Belinda Carlisle on her 10 show theatre tour.
The four piece landed Triple J Unearthed feature artist after the release of their single ‘Born in the Wrong Time’ which also won them the Australia wide Happy Mag ‘Needle in the Hay’ comp and Best Rock Song / Runner Up Song of the Year at the 2024 WA Song of the Year Awards and was recently nominated for an APRA Music award this year.
Connect with Joan & the Giants https://www.joanandthegiants.com/
MADI LEEDS shares new single ‘Nightmare’ amidst Asia tour
Currently in the middle of a three-stop tour in Asia, Melbourne singer-songwriter MADI LEEDS today shares her brand new single ‘Nightmare’. The track heralds a new chapter for the artist, seeing her swap out the pop sheen for an unapologetic indie edge – one for fans of Slow Pulp, Snail Mail, and Soccer Mommy. Listen HERE.
The shift in sound lends itself to the lyrical content of ‘Nightmare’, as Madi explores existential dread, health anxiety, and the fear of getting older.
“People often say things like, ‘Why don’t you leave that for later in life?’ or ‘What’s the rush?’ But I’ve always felt that getting older is a privilege and feel that tomorrow isn’t promised,” says Madi. “From experiences with grief and loss I try not to take things for granted.”
After a fainting trigger at a music festival during a Phoebe Bridgers set, Madi had an intense lucid dream, which inspired the darker themes in the song. “In the dream, I was asleep in my own home while an old, witch-like woman in a cloak watched me from my street – then suffocated me and I couldn’t wake up. Later, I found out it’s a common lucid dream known as ‘the old hag’. The lyrics draw from that dream but also use it as a metaphor – of being haunted by my future self, or the fear of looking back one day and realising I didn’t live my life to the fullest.”
The track was produced by David Quested, aka Local the Neighbour, in his attic studio in Melbourne. It was mixed by Simon Dobson (Rum Jungle), and mastered by Bennett Littlejohn (Hovvdy).
MADI LEEDS has been building a name for herself abroad, having performed multiple times across Asia. Earlier this week she performed in Hong Kong, and is set to perform in Seoul tomorrow night, before heading to Tokyo for a show on December 4. Back home, MADI LEEDS has supported the likes of Pseudo Echo, performed at Moomba Festival and Melbourne Music Week, and written with Japanese Wallpaper on her single ‘Identity’. Across her releases, Madi’s music has been played on triple j, triple j Unearthed, and community radio including live performances on Triple R, SYN, Southern FM, and Northside Radio. Madi has also featured in Beat Magazine, Happy Mag, Foley Mag, 1700 TV and more.
With plans for hometown live shows upon her return and more music to follow in 2026, the new chapter of MADI LEEDS is just beginning.
MADI LEED
Asia Tour 2025
Tuesday 25th November – The Wanch – Hong Kong
Friday 28th November – Hyanglak – Seoul
Thursday 4th December – Ruby Room ‘Berlin After Party – Tokyo
Connect with MADI LEEDS https://www.facebook.com/madileedsmusic/