SNIPPETZ: THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2026

SNIPPETZ: THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2026
This week’s Snippetz includes: Ella Hooper, Thrashville, FRIDAY*, Josh Pyke, Bad Juju, KSMBA , Griffin Morris, Elaura, Chirai, Candlemass, These Future Kings, Chloe Gill, Salty, Australian Rock Collective, Saint Ergo, Ashley Naylor, Rostam, She/Her Records, The Motley WhereHaus, From Ashes To New, Electric State, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, Kindred, Bella Mackenzie, Bloods and more.

 

ELLA HOOPER SHARES STOMPING NEW SINGLE I GOT EYES (ON YOU)

Ella Hooper delivers a bold, barroom banger in new single, I Got Eyes (On You).  An upbeat, finger-wagging, foot-stomping anthem that swaps heartbreak for hard-won clarity. Released today, the single is packed with jumping zydeco squeezebox and an earworm chorus that lets Hooper rip into a classic ‘fool me twice’ tale. This track feels like beer spilling on pub floorboards while the band plays on. Landing like an Americana response to Robyn’s Dancing On My Own – but Hooper’s not crying in the corner, she’s walking out the door.

I Got Eyes (On You) follows last year’s Springsteen flavored coming of age track – Growing Up Is Hard To Do.

“I Got Eyes (On You) is the next step in sharing this new era. I’m pushing the boundaries of what Americana means to me.. including more of the diverse flavours I love like the Cajun and Zydeco elements here. From the crazy playing on it, to the production, to the cheeky lyrics –  I’m really proud of it”

Written and recorded in Nashville with a who’s who of players, the track was born from a modern day music-industry meet-cute. After becoming obsessed with the work of East Nashville songwriter Melody Walker, co-writer of Sierra Ferrell’s Dollar Bill Bar and the Grammy Award-winning American Dreaming, Hooper slid into Walker’s DMs to heap praise on the songs she couldn’t stop spinning. A connection sparked and months later, Walker was assembling the backing band for Hooper’s Americanafest appearance (Americana’s answer to SXSW) and the pair found time for a co-write in Walker’s living room.

Following a long walk-and-talk around Radnor Lake where both women unpacked a helluva few years and wondered whether they (and maybe the world) were ready for a little cheek and levity, they set out to write something with grit, smarts and heart. The result: a relatable, no-BS “I’m done with you” anthem for anyone who’s chosen a swift exit over being the ‘pick me’ girl.

The studio band reads like a Nashville honour roll: Sheryl Crow’s drummer Fred Eltringham, Tom “Uncle Larry” Bukovac on guitar, Rachel Loy (Willie Nelson, Vince Gill) on bass, not to mention bringing Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor’s pedal steel player – the iconic Dan Dugmore – out of semi-retirement to feature on the track. The sound is loose, live and electric, capturing the joy of seasoned players in a room chasing the same spark. A notable Melbourne based addition is Flora Smith, squeeze box virtuoso and granddaughter in law of Australian music pioneers, Slim Dusty and Joy McKean. Stacked is an understatement.

“I’ve wanted to record in Nashville since I was a kid reading my parents’ record liner notes, seeing the city’s name pop up again and again,” says Hooper. “Seems like every great singer-songwriter from Dylan to CMAT has their Nashville record, and I felt ready for mine. Being there so much these last few years I feel plugged into a community — especially in East Nashville — that feels like a perfect chrysalis for my musical evolution.”

Accompanying the release is Hooper’s wildest, most joyfully unfiltered music video yet, a high-octane live-performance romp shot in her beloved North East Victoria, in and around the iconic North Eastern Hotel in Euroa. Directed by long-time photographic collaborator Laura May Grogan and shot by Indigo Tait-Atkin, the all-female crew captured the countrified patina of the late-1880s watering hole where Hooper genuinely plays and hangs out. It’s Hooper being fully, unapologetically herself – boots on boards, eyes wide open.

“I’ve been wanting to do a live performance clip for ages, as playing with my band is such a big part of what I do,” beams Hooper. “Laura and Indi encouraged me to bring my authentic energy and yes, my silliness to the fore. Working with a tight crew of young female creatives on something so bad ass was honestly pretty special. Everyone burned the midnight oil to get it done, including calling in favours from my country friends for catering and cameos. This a window into my actual reality. Just add dancing on top of cars, being a bar-wench and bringing the razzle dazzle to a 1880s Victorian era pub – which I definitely don’t do every weekend!”

Hooper’s origin story of exploding on to the scene with the band Killing Heidi is well documented. Scoring No. 1 albums, Rolling Stone covers, a stack of ARIA’s and pop culture phenom status as the millennium broke, she is a well loved and respected veteran of the Aus music scene.

Branching out into a solo career, Hooper has continued to surprise and dazzle with her dexterous musical flair, trading in everything from pop rock to synth folk, her evolving craft as a writer has been clocked and celebrated by critics. Her most recent solo album, 2023’s Small Town Temple, was nominated for the Australian Music Prize. The record shared deeply personal narratives over warm acoustic sounds and debuted at #1 on the Australian Country chart. Firmly in her country era and splitting her time between Nashville and Melbourne, Hooper’s sonic shapeshifting continues to transfix both on airwaves and in a live setting.

Hooper has captured the energetic rock chick energy she is known for and blended it with a whole lot of twang on this new single.

I Got Eyes (On You) is out today. Hooper is also hitting the road with legendary Celtic country innovators, The Waterboys on their tour of Australia and New Zealand throughout May.

Stream: I GOT EYES (ON YOU)

Watch: I GOT EYES (ON YOU)

Follow ELLA HOOPER https://ellahooper.com/

 

 

THRASHVILLE ANNOUNCES LINE UP FOR 2026 RETURN

Set amongst the lush bushland confines of Dashville, at Lower Belford in the Hunter Valley, Thrashville returns, ready to rejoice at the darkest time of year, Saturday 27th June 2026.

Today the festival announces the first portion of the line up, with a broad range of bands from right across Australia, plus one special international guest, coming together for a one day explosion of punk, rock, metal and all in between.

The special international guest is a American punk pioneers FEAR, who for the first time ever in their fifty year career, are heading to Australia!

Formed in Los Angeles in 1978, FEAR didn’t just help shape punk rock – they defined its confrontational spirit. In 1981, the band made history as the first punk act to appear on national television in North America with their infamous Halloween performance on Saturday Night Live, courtesy of John Belushi. The chaotic set left the studio in shambles, landed the band on a permanent ban list, and was later ranked the #1 musical performance in the show’s history by Rolling Stone.

Their landmark debut album has sold over 500,000 copies and is widely regarded as one of the ten greatest punk records of all time.

Other leading acts on the bill include internationally acclaimed, Australian brutal death metal act Disentomb, and Australia’s most loveable high-energy punk rascals The Bennies.

The full line up is below:

FEAR (USA) | Disentomb | The Bennies
Dregg | Hybrid Nightmares | Turtle Skull
Good Sniff | Private Wives| Couch Wizard | Catpiss
Purple Disturbance | Pyrefly | Whisperhead | Shacked!
Happy Fuckin Family | Immortal Within | I Hate People

PLUS Thrashville will add the four winners rising from the Thrashville Regional Battles, which happen across NSW at the following regional locations:

Crossroads Bar – DUBBO – 9th May
Pot Belly Bar – CANBERRA – 18th April
The Servo – PORT KEMBLA – 22nd May
Blah Bar – LISMORE – 31st May

Tickets for these regional battles will go on sale in coming days, alongside an announcement on the 16 or so bands that will join those line-ups.

Thrashville 2026 Early Bird tickets sold out in a couple of days, and with today’s incredibly unique and heavy line-up announce, it’s all positive signs that 2026 will be a big year for this fiercely inclusive regional festival, which holds its own as an outing like no other.

Rolling off the success of last year – where the 2025 event trialled a new time of year and a four-stage layout, and seemed to take the throne as the best edition in the festival’s history – the 2026 festival will, in most cases, remain exactly the same: a few minor tweaks at best, but mostly the return of all the good stuff.

In 2026, Thrashville is pleased to announce that the festival is supported by the Australian Government’s Revive Live program. Providing financial support towards the regional battle events and other festival programming and infrastructure.

The festival will be a huge day of live music, accompanied by an evolving mix of awesome attractions, including pro-skateboarding displays, roaming performers, a tattoo parlour, select stalls and live art displays.

Thrashville is rated MA+15. Whilst under-age persons are welcome to attend, they must be in the immediate presence of a responsible adult at all times.

Tickets for Thrashville are on sale and available via the Dashville website. dashville.com.au/thrashville

 

 

rituals Sees FRIDAY* Carve His Own Path in Bold New Release

Western Sydney’s FRIDAY* returns with his latest single rituals, a bold exploration of self-determination, ambition, and the pressures of carving your own path. The single signals the next chapter in FRIDAY*’s artistic evolution, showcasing his signature ability to fuse personal storytelling with kinetic, genre-blending production while positioning him as one of Australia’s most distinctive and forward-thinking voices.

“Rituals is about carving your own path in life. Disappointing people in order to realise your own dreams. A common immigrant child experience. Touches on the pressures to excel in order to prove people wrong. To prove yourself wrong. The song was arranged in a sample collage fashion. A proof of concept for ‘Alternative afropop’.”

rituals follows the success of FRIDAY*’s stellar 2023 debut EP Darling, which catapulted him into the national spotlight and established him as Western Sydney’s quintessential African popstar. Since then, he has continued to build momentum through select appearances including Dylan Atlantis’ 2025 single ‘Thought You’d Know By Now’, contributing guitar for fellow Full Circle member Nick Ward, and releasing his non-DSP mixtape Union Jack Southern Cross on Bandcamp, Nina Protocol, and SoundCloud. The mixtape, produced by FRIDAY* and featuring scene heavyweights emjaysoul, Dylan Atlantis, Station Hayes, Zion Garcia, and Sollyy, included the standout track fomo, which was added onto triple j rotation, and was available as an exclusive run of physical CDs that sold out, cementing his reputation as a self-starting, forward-thinking artist.

Renowned for his undeniable showmanship, FRIDAY* has delivered standout performances at BIGSOUND, Laneway Festival, Vivid LIVE, and NYE On The Hill, and has been hand-picked to support Paris Texas (USA), grentperez, and 1300. His rise has been further recognised through being named triple j Unearthed Feature Artist of the Week and FBi Radio Independent Artist of the Week, alongside a wider profile via the Full Circle documentary.

With global tastemaker support from Pigeons and Planes and backing across major DSP playlists including Front Left, Dopamine, and Fresh Finds ANZ, rituals marks a confident return.

Alongside the music, the rituals aesthetic extends into an exclusive lyric video and merchandise collection. The lyric video, dropping Thursday, 12 March, draws inspiration from word-based neo-conceptual artists like Barbara Kruger and Jenny Holzer, as well as their integration into streetwear brands such as Supreme, Junya Watanabe, and Off-White. Using clean, no-frills Helvetica, and a bold red-and-white palette, the video places the song’s words front and center, while the merch splits the lyrics across a series of t-shirts transforming the lyrics into wearable, conversation-starting pieces.

The collection LIVE now via the official website

fridayrituals.bigcartel.com/products

rituals Single LISTEN

 CONNECT WITH FRIDAY* https://www.instagram.com/seenonfriday/

 

 

Josh Pyke  ‘Kingdom Within’ New Single & Album Announcement
‘Kingdom Within’ LP out June 12 via ADA Music Pre Order now
‘Kingdom Within’ Single out now via ADA Music

With his eighth studio album, ‘Kingdom Within’, out June 12th, via ADA Music, Sydney singer-songwriter Josh Pyke delivers a masterfully crafted collection of songs that explore humankind’s shifting moral compass in a rapidly changing technological landscape, how society values human creativity, love, loss and family.

Produced by ARIA Award winner Chris Collins (Matt Corby, Royel Otis) ‘Kingdom Within’ is a bold artistic statement that demands examination and repeat listens, this album reaffirms Josh’s place as one of Australia’s most compelling storytellers.

In the title track, ‘Kingdom Within’, he sings, “With no Kingdom within such a rudderless thing we become.”

“This song is really about reconnecting with your moral core,” he explains. “The Kingdom Within I am referring to is our rich internal life. In a world that seems really fraught at the moment and is really fragmented by not only what is going on in the political landscape but also in social media, I think it is more important than ever that we reconnect with what is important to us. This is different for everybody, but for me its creativity, art, nature and most important of all, family.”

Josh is currently rounding out 38 intimate shows across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and the ACT for his Feeding the Wolves and Other Stories Regional Solo Tour.

‘Kingdom Within’ LP out June 12 via ADA Music Pre Order now
‘Kingdom Within’ Single out now via ADA Music

Feeding the Wolves and Other Stories Regional Solo Tour 2026

Remaining Shows

FRI 20 MAR – DRPAC, THORNLIE, WA

SAT 21 MAR – HARVEY RECREATION & CULTURAL CENTRE, HARVEY, WA – SOLD OUT

SUN 22 MAR – BRIDGETOWN POTTERY RESTAURANT, BRIDGETOWN, WA – SOLD OUT

THU 26 MAR – THE MEMO, HEALESVILLE, VIC

FRI 27 MAR – THE CAPITAL, BENDIGO, VIC

SAT 28 MAR – THE CUBE, WODONGA, VIC

SUN 29 MAR – RIVERLINKS WESTSIDE, SHEPPARTON, VIC

WED 08 APR – PORTLAND ARTS CENTRE, PORTLAND, VIC

THU 09 APR – LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC

FRI 10 APR – GEELONG ARTS CENTRE, GEELONG, VIC

SAT 11 APR – THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE, VIC

THU 16 APR – FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE, FRANKSTON, VIC

FRI 17 APR –  THE WEDGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, SALE, VIC

SAT 18 APR – BERNINNEIT CULTURAL CENTRE, COWES, VIC

SUN 19 APR – MEENIYAN TOWN HALL, MEENIYAN, VIC – SOLD OUT
FRI 24 APRIL – ALICE SPRINGS BREWING CO, ALICE SPRINGS, NT
SAT 25 APRIL – PORT LINCOLN BREWING CO, PORT LINCOLIN, SA

Tickets are on sale now
https://www.joshpyke.com/shows

 

 

BAD JUJU SIGN TO EASY LIFE RECORDS. RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘THE WEIGHT OF WATER’

Melbourne nu metalcore outfit Bad Juju have today released their new single The Weight of Water, the band’s first release via new label home Easy Life Records (Softcult, Normandie and Lonely The Brave).

Recorded with Chris Lalic of Windwaker, the track builds on the sonic world of their previous EP Simulacra and continues to develop the band’s sound. Driven by a bouncy sledgehammer riff, nu metal groove, moody alternative rock atmosphere, and flashes of hardcore energy, the single introduces Bad Juju’s partnership with the UK-based label and signals the beginning of a new chapter.

Speaking on their new single, vocalist Russell Holland shares “The Weight of Water is the band’s heaviest release to date. The lyrics confront the end of a long-term friendship, where bad behaviour was ignored until the illusion finally cracked. As the ‘high’ wears off, you see the truth, cut the deadweight, and walk away. It’s raw, confrontational, and unapologetic, capturing the moment denial ends and self-preservation takes over.”

Stream The Weight Of Water HERE and watch the visualiser HERE.

Bad Juju craft heavy, immersive songs that fuse crushing guitars with dark atmospheric melodic hooks and nostalgic nu metal textures. Their sound exists between aggression and introspection — where weight, mood and tension collide.

They’ve shared stages with artists including LANDMVRKS, Loathe, Movements, Boston Manor, Touché Amoré and Teenage Wrist, reflecting the band’s natural alignment with both heavy acts and modern alternative artists.

Last year’s EP Simulacra represents a defining chapter for the band, pushing further into layered production, sharper songwriting and a more aggressive sonic identity while maintaining their balance of mood and melody. Singles such as ‘Simulacra’, ‘Incision (Cut You Out)’ and ‘Honey’ showcase Bad Juju at their most powerful, blending brooding tension, soaring choruses and visceral impact.

BAD JUJU is Russell Holland – vocals, Abe Miller – guitar, Armarin Saengsri -guitar, Matthew Nichols – bass, and Drue Herring – drums.

UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS

MELBOURNE
Saturday 21st March
Revolver Bandroom
with Post Heaven, Saving Face & Marionette
Tickets Available HERE

 

 

KSMBA Unveils Emotional Techno Release ‘Release Me’

KSMBA steps into their most emotionally exposed and sonically commanding era yet with the release of Release Me. The Sydney-born, Melbourne-based producer, vocalist and DJ has built a reputation for crafting electronic music where intensity meets intimacy, and on this latest single they sharpen that balance to its most powerful point. Driven by hypnotic repetition, atmospheric vocals and a surging undercurrent of tension, Release Me transforms heartbreak into something urgent and physical, unfolding as both a cathartic club moment and a deeply personal confession.

Written in the aftermath of a significant relationship breakdown, Release Me channels emotional rupture into propulsion. The track builds around a haunting vocal refrain that circles like a thought you cannot silence, pulling listeners into its orbit before erupting into a release that feels both euphoric and unresolved. It is vulnerability delivered through force, reflecting KSMBA’s rare ability to translate lived experience into dancefloor language without losing emotional weight.

“I wrote Release Me as a way of processing the breakdown of a very significant relationship. The vocal phrase, which is repeated throughout the track- ‘release me from this love’- came from a place of wishing with my whole being that I could simply erase the love I had for this person. I couldn’t.”

The single continues the trajectory of an artist whose ascent has been swift yet deeply grounded in musical discipline. Launching the KSMBA project in 2023, they draw on more than 13 years of formal training, graduating from the Royal College of Music in London before transitioning from classical saxophonist to boundary pushing producer and DJ. That foundation remains embedded in their work, bringing rare compositional depth and musicality to underground techno, atmospheric vocals and melodic intensity that move fluidly between strength and vulnerability.

KSMBA’s growing presence has been felt across some of Australia’s most respected stages, delivering high impact performances at Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Let Them Eat Cake, and Party in the Paddock, alongside revered venues including PICA, Miscellania, The Timber Yard and Club 77. They have supported global and local heavyweights including Mall Grab, Effy, Kettama, Sim0ne and Nooriyah (UK), earning a reputation as one of the country’s most compelling emerging electronic acts.

Beyond the club circuit, KSMBA’s cultural impact continues to build. Named an Artist to Watch for 2026 by Mixmag, they have appeared on the cover of 10 Magazine’s music issue, featured as a Mixmag ANZ cover artist, and been selected as a triple j Unearthed Feature Artist. Their breakout single Eyes was recognised among triple j Unearthed’s Top 50 tracks of 2025, peaked at #39 on Spotify’s AU Viral Chart, and has contributed to a catalogue that has now surpassed 370,000 streams across platforms, supported by national radio including airplay across the ABC and key community networks.

With Release Me, KSMBA does not simply offer another club track, they offer an emotional reckoning wrapped in rhythm. As they lead toward a major EP release later this year, the single signals an artist unafraid to let the dancefloor hold grief, longing and truth, further cementing their position as one of Australia’s most exciting and emotionally resonant electronic voices.

CONNECT WITH KSMBA https://www.instagram.com/ksmba__/

 

 

‘Lay Low’ – Australian Idol’s Griffin Morris Returns With First 2026 Single

Melbourne based folk-pop artist Griffin Morris first captured attention during his televised debut on Australian Idol 2025, reaching the Top 30 with a powerful “stadium dream” performance of Blame It On Me by George Ezra. Morris is diving into a new chapter of his career as an artist using his heartfelt lyricism seen in previously released tracks Stitch It Up, Hopeless Romantic, and My New Home. His 2026 release ‘Lay Low’ sees Morris lean into the pop-country genre and prove to his new fans that he is one of Australia’s emerging songwriters to watch. Arriving March 26, 2026, Lay Low marks the beginning of a string of fresh releases coming this year. ‘Lay Low’ is grounded in dusty imagery, carried by a chorus that feels intimate with layers of acoustic guitar marking a gentle yet confident step into the pop-country genre. Reflective and quietly powerful, the track leans into Morris’ folk-pop roots with a solid pop foundation. The emotional honesty of the track could be compared to the likes of Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Vance Joy, and Myles Smith.

‘Lay Low’ is about knowing when to step back and trusting that growth doesn’t always have to be loud. Speaking about the track Griffin shares: “Lay Low came from a place close to my heart, it’s about cutting out the noise of the world and figuring out who you are when everything settles.” “I wrote this during a time of unease in my life, i was in the middle of moving states, and deciding if i wanted to continue friendships and relationships after i moved” “This song is about becoming the man you want to be, even when it means walking away from parts of your past.” “I grew up hearing stories about resilience, hard work, and learning to let go of things holding you back, ‘Lay Low’ carries a bit of that old-school wisdom, and I hope it feels familiar to people who’ve lived a little.” Hawthorn news also stated that, “Whether through Australian Idol or his independent performances, Morris is a name to watch in the Australian music industry.” With over 2 Million streams to his name and more than 40,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Griffin Morris is quickly building his reputation as an emerging Australian artist. He secured a Top 30 place in the 2025 season of Australian Idol, and in 2024 performed as an opening act for Noah Kahan’s Stick Season tour at Brisbane’s Riverstage for a crowd of 10,000. Morris has also branched into international collaborations in the house-pop genre, which have collectively racked up over 1.5 Million streams. A Mandatory Music release ‘Lay Low’ will be available on all streaming platforms on March 26, 2026.

Instagram: @GriffinMorrisIg | TikTok: @GriffinMorrisIg

https://bfan.link/lay-low-7

 

 

ELAURA ‘THAT AIN’T IT’ (SINGLE)

‘ELAURA has a magnetic presence that is more powerful thanks, conversely, to its subtlety. Her music doesn’t shout at you, her vocals are honey smooth and never demanding or attention seeking, and her songs are perfectly crafted to gently seep into your heart – before you know it you have fallen so deep you have no desire to ever leave.’ – Women in Pop

ELAURA releases ‘That Ain’t It,’ single, a fierce declaration of self-worth delivered with 2000s flair!

Chilean-Australian artist ELAURA makes a fierce declaration of self-worth with her new single, ‘That Ain’t It’, out Wednesday 11 March. Steeped in 2000s flair, it’s your invitation to step into your main character moment, serving up the first glimpse of an exciting new body of work planned for 2026. The accompanying video visually explores the journey of walking away from toxic power-play, culminating in a stronger sense of self.

What started as a solo heartbroken writing session with ELAURA and her guitar on her apartment floor became an ode to the magic of collaboration, featuring vocals from Priscilla Stanley, Yara Alkurd, Zoe Jenner, and Amaya MacDonald and Nick Vargas on guitar, recorded by Josh Yardy and produced by Moses Carr alongside Nicolas Duquemin (Vocal Producer). While touching on themes of heartbreak and betrayal, the track is about calling things what they are, knowing when to walk away, and finding strength in yourself again. ‘I hope people blast it, sing it with their chest, and feel that 2000s R&B groove kick in, because that era’s drama and power were everything I wanted to channel in this track’ – ELAURA

Stream ‘That Ain’t It’ – Out Now

The video brings ‘That Ain’t It’ to life through a playful yet empowering face-off; a girls-and-gays dream team taking on the boys in a soccer game, dripping in Y2K attitude. What starts as heartbreak ends as a victory dance, reclaiming power with every beat and eye-roll. It’s cathartic, nostalgic, unapologetically bold, and the ultimate glow-up anthem for anyone who’s ever been taken for granted. ‘Creating the visuals from Emi’s ideas and working with such a passionate and creative force was such an honour. From planning to shooting, it was such a fun time with the best crew, and I’m glad we got the visuals to a place where they really told the story of the song’ – Bryce Thomas-Morgan (Director)

Born in Australia with Chilean heritage, ELAURA grew up in the forested valleys of the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, a backdrop that deeply influences her soulful sound. On her artist name, ELAURA says ‘It’s a mix of my first and second name, Emily and Laura. These are my grandmother and great aunt’s names, I decided to blend them because my artistry feels like a homage to the women that came before me.’ Drawing this sentiment into all her creativity, her music is steeped in storytelling, often weaving in her second language, Spanish. With a few releases out, ELAURA has had the opportunity to perform alongside the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and performs across iconic Melbourne venues, including Howler, Northcote Social Club, and the NGV. Her upcoming body of work journeys song by song, from heartbreak to self-worth, and gracefully paves the way for listeners to reflect on their own ability to heal through hardship.

 

 

Soul-Pop Goddess CHIRAI Lands at Teamwrk Records Alongside ‘Blueberry Skies’

Teamwrk Records is thrilled to announce the signing of soul-pop singer-songwriter CHIRAI, alongside her cinematic, charting single ‘Blueberry Skies’, a track already sparking a viral trend on TikTok.

Drawing inspiration from Lang Leav’s poem “Blue”, CHIRAI wrote ‘Blueberry Skies’ to capture the beautiful, overwhelming feeling of knowing you’ve found the one. The track pays homage to classic “wedding” songs, most notably “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups, which appears in the intro and outro, while soaring gospel-style choruses and lush harmonies elevate the cinematic production.

Recording the track was a labour of love, with multiple dedicated studio sessions to ensure every harmony and vocal was CHIRAI’s own authentic voice.

“Making this song felt intentional,” she explains. “It was one of the first times I truly took the driver’s seat creatively, making bold artistic choices that were entirely my own.”

‘Blueberry Skies’ explores the search for love and self-worth, celebrating the men who make us feel safe and the journey of finding what women truly deserve in relationships. CHIRAI’s music is honest, reflective, and deeply human, a mirror for listeners navigating life’s highs, lows, and overwhelming beauty.

“Music is the only way I really understand myself and the world around me,” says CHIRAI. “I hope when you listen, you feel seen, a little less alone, and maybe even grateful to be here too.”

The signing marks an exciting new chapter for CHIRAI with Teamwrk Records, supporting the continued commitment to nurturing bold, honest voices in music who capture the human experience in all its complexity.

‘BLUEBERRY SKIES’ OUT NOW, VIA TEAMWRK RECORDS INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

 

 

CANDLEMASS (SWE) – AUSTRALIAN DEBUT TOUR 2026

For the first time ever, Swedish epic doom metal pioneers CANDLEMASS will bring their monumental sound to Australian shores this September and October for a long-awaited debut tour in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Formed in Stockholm in 1985 by bassist and main songwriter Leif Edling, Candlemass stand as one of the true architects of epic doom metal. Alongside Saint Vitus and Trouble, they defined the genre — pairing slow, crushing riffs with grand, operatic vocals and darkly majestic compositions.

Their 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus didn’t just introduce a band — it created a movement. Over the next four decades, Candlemass built a towering discography and enduring global legacy, earning Swedish Grammis Awards and were also nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in the US.

From the monumental weight of Nightfall and Ancient Dreams through to the modern doom mastery of The Door to Doom and Sweet Evil Sun, Candlemass have consistently delivered epic, crushing metal of the highest order.

Now, Australian audiences will finally experience these hymns of doom performed live.

TOUR DATES
Wednesday 30 September – The Corner, Melbourne
Thursday 1 October – Liberty Hall, Sydney
Saturday 3 October – Perth – Armageddoom 8 at The Rosemount
Tickets from: https://yourmatebookings.com/tours/candlemass-aus-tour-2026/

The Perth performance will see Candlemass headline Armageddoom 8, delivering a set befitting the undisputed kings of epic doom.

LINE-UP
Leif Edling – Bass
Johan Länquist – Vocals
Mats “Mappe” Björkman – Guitar
Lars “Lasse” Johansson – Lead Guitar
Jan Lind – Drums

With original Epicus Doomicus Metallicus vocalist Johan Länquist back at the helm, the band stands at full, formidable strength — honouring their legacy while continuing to shape the future of doom.

After 40 years of darkness, Australia will finally feel the weight.

PRESENTED BY Fuzz Factory Touring, Your Mate Bookings & Armageddoom Festival

 

 

CULT MELBOURNE BAND THESE FUTURE KINGS (1984-1990) TO RELEASE LONG LOST FINAL ALBUM FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF FRONTMAN AND CO-FOUNDER PERRY A. WHITE

A BAND WHO FOLLOWED THE MUSICAL MIGRATION FROM SOUTH OF THE RIVER TO NORTH IN THE LATE ’80s, THESE FUTURE KINGS OPENED FOR THE LIKES OF ED KUEPPER AND THE GO-BETWEENS AND BRIEFLY FEATURED WARREN ELLIS ON VIOLIN.

Kylpyvesi Records announces the forthcoming release of Via Dolorosa, an unreleased album recorded in 1990 by cult Melbourne band These Future Kings, a band whose founding members both grew up in migrant families in the city’s outer South-Eastern suburbs, and whose co-songwriter, lyricist and vocalist Perry A. White passed away in 2025. Recorded in 1990 and intended as their second album, Via Dolorosa was shelved when the band’s label folded, leaving the band devastated. They broke up shortly afterwards.

In mid-2025, following Perry’s passing, his sister and band bass player Claudia White worked to track down the original master tapes for the lost album. These were finally unearthed from a box that had travelled from Melbourne to the UK to Portugal with These Future Kings co-founder and co-songwriter, guitarist Charles Caldas (who went on to become CEO of Shock Records and global rights agency Merlin). These have been fully remastered by Mikey Young, and on March 30, 2026, 35 years from its recording, Via Dolorosa will finally see an official release on vinyl through Kylpyvesi Records, the label of renowned music author and chronicler David Nichols, (who was the first person to ever release music by the band on his Distant Violins cassette compilation).

Via Dolorosa is available to pre-order now, with the songs “Crossing Open Ground” and “Song of my Leaving” available for immediate download for those who do, from:

https://thesefuturekings.bandcamp.com/album/via-dolorosa

These Future Kings were formed in 1984 by friends Perry A. White and Charles Caldas, who both grew up in migrant families in the Springvale/Westall area of Melbourne and met at Monash Uni. The band also included Claudia White on bass, Mark Freeman on drums and Steven Johansen on saxophone and keyboards. They became a regular fixture on Melbourne’s live inner-city music circuit – playing early shows at St Kilda’s legendary Seaview Ballroom and eventually following the migration north of the river to regularly headline shows at venues like Fitzroy’s beloved The Punters Club, who featured the band on the venue’s Hair of the Dog live album.

Signed to Rampant Records, home of bands including Not Drowning Waving, the Wreckery, Blue Ruin, Sea Stories and Stephen Cummings, the band released an EP “After This”, a single “Bury My Bones” (which featured Warren Ellis, who briefly joined the band), and their debut album, Carnival, which was recorded in a deserted flour mill in Burnley and produced by Tim Cole of Not Drowning, Waving.

In the late 80’s, adding viola player and backing vocalist Jennifer McCutchan as a sixth member, TFK’s brand of heartfelt acoustic-driven pop gained a larger following, headlining their own shows locally and interstate and regularly supporting major artists including the Go-Betweens and Ed Kuepper.

In 1990, with former Sea Stories drummer Nick Wilson as a new member, the band recorded their most ambitious album, Via Dolorosa, produced by Ted Lethborg of label-mates The Odolites, and featuring guest musicians from Weddings Parties Anything, The Killjoys, The Odolites and more. The album was a marked evolution from their previous sound, revealing a far richer, more mature set of songs than on their previous releases. The album was sadly shelved following the closure of Rampant. Heartbroken, the band broke up soon after.

***

Via Dolorosa is released on vinyl and as digital downloads on March 30, 2026 from the Kylpyvesi Bandcamp page and available to pre-order now. It will be available in Australian record stores via Efficient Space.

Via Dolorosa will be digitally released on April 10 via all digital platforms globally via Redeye Worldwide.

Details on future releases and projects will be provided via the These Future Kings Facebook page.

 

 

HOOLIGAN HEFS & SAVAGE UNITE FOR DANCE-RAP ANTHEM ‘WHISTLE’

Australian hitmaker Hooligan Hefs joins forces with Aotearoa icon Savage for the first time on their explosive new single, ‘Whistle’.

A high-voltage crossover between dance and rap, ‘Whistle’ delivers pounding energy, chant-ready hooks and undeniable bounce built for peak-time floors. Bridging generations and borders, the track pairs Hefs’ commanding Western Sydney presence with Savage’s instantly recognisable voice, striking a balance between nostalgia and forward momentum. The result is a festival-sized party record primed to move seamlessly from clubs to global playlists.

Hailing from Doonside in Western Sydney, Hooligan Hefs has become one of Australia’s most influential rap exports. Known for his raw storytelling and unapologetic authenticity, he has amassed more than 500 million catalogue streams globally, alongside multiple platinum and gold accreditations. His breakout anthem ‘No Effect’ announced his arrival as a major force in Australian hip hop, while the massive hit ‘SEND IT!’ further cemented his commercial impact, dominating streaming platforms and becoming a staple across clubs and festival stages nationwide. Through headline tours and culture-shifting releases, Hefs has built a fiercely loyal fanbase and continues to drive the sound of a new generation. This year, he will take a significant step onto the global stage with his first US tour – a major milestone in expanding his sound to an international audience.

Aotearoa heavyweight Savage – best known globally for the multi-platinum smash ‘Swing’ and club staple ‘Freaks’ – is a trailblazer of Pacific hip hop and Polynesian representation on the world stage. With a career spanning more than two decades, Savage has topped charts, collaborated internationally and become one of New Zealand’s most recognisable musical exports. His unmistakable tone and commanding delivery continue to resonate across generations of rap and dance fans alike.

‘Whistle’ by Hooligan Hefs and Savage is out now on all streaming platforms.

BUY/STREAM HERE

WATCH MUSIC VIDEO HERE

NEW LEVELS EXTENDS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH VIRGIN MUSIC

Jelal Edmonds is the founder and CEO of Australian independent label and management company New Levels, one of the country’s fastest-rising forces in contemporary music. Recently extending a major global partnership with Virgin Music Group, the deal positions New Levels for significant international growth across releases, marketing and artist development.

Under his leadership, New Levels continues to build a formidable roster. The label has re-signed marquee artist Larissa Lambert, while expanding with high-impact signings including Hooligan Hefs and rising rap talent CV. Emerging acts Open Till L8 and Rops1 further demonstrate the company’s commitment to cultivating the next wave of Australian music.

Beyond recorded music, the New Levels management division represents respected electronic DJ Joel Fletcher and breakout artist Alyzée, reinforcing the company’s cross-genre influence and industry reach.

With strategic global infrastructure now in place and a rapidly expanding roster, Edmonds has positioned New Levels as a key independent powerhouse driving Australian music onto the world stage.

For more info on Hooligan Hefs, visit: NSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

For more info on Savage, visit: INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | X | FACEBOOK

 

 

Squeeze – new album Trixies Out Now on BMG

BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room – watch/listen HERE

More than 50 years after it was written Trixies, the new album by Squeeze, has been released.  One of 2026’s most anticipated albums Trixies is the band’s first album in eight years but the first they ever wrote. A collection of stories set in a fictional night club, Trixies, the album was written by the band’s teenage founders Chris Difford (19) and Glenn Tilbrook (16) at the very start of their songwriting partnership. Now more than fifty years on, Squeeze have completed the circle and realised the vision the precocious teens had for the songs that, as the Guardian wrote, show that “all the Squeeze hallmarks of melody, romance and storytelling were there from the beginning.”

“A record imagined in youth, realised in maturity and vibrating with the thrill of possibility” Classic Rock

“Imaginative, impressive and, most importantly, fun” – PopMatters

“A surprising and impressive release” The Wire

Click to watch ‘Why Don’t You’ video

Before the sky-high classics such as ‘Up The Junction’, ‘Tempted’, ‘Cool For Cats’, ‘Another Nail In My Heart’ and ‘Labelled With Love’, before the 2008 Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, the Mojo Icon award, the quintessential Cradle To The Grave, the world tours and festival highlight sets, and before 2017’s celebrated The Knowledge, there was Trixies.

The only problem with these songs – crime scene vignettes like ‘The Place We Call Mars’ and ‘Don’t Go Out In The Dark’; the riotous come-hither rapacity of ‘Why Don’t You’; and the evocative acoustic scene setter ‘You Get The Feeling’ – was that, back in 1974, the musical vision of the young creators exceeded their virtuosity. “We fully committed ourselves to songwriting, but this was three or four years before we even got to make our first record. Long story short, these were songs that we just didn’t have enough musical experience to record properly” explains Difford.

Fifty years on, and having rediscovered the original cassette, that problem no longer exists for the band whose live shows are legendary and who have played more than 600 shows since reuniting in 2007. So what better way to mark 50 years of Squeeze than to complete the circle and realise the vision they had for Trixies? “The songs that we wrote then astound me. I’m proud of them now, and I’m particularly proud that it was young us that did that. These are very much the same songs that we wrote then,” says Tilbrook, “The only difference is that now I can teach the songs to the rest of the band. Back then, I didn’t even know what the names of the chords were!”

Now this precocious opening volley of songs – under the guiding production hand of Squeeze’s bassist Owen Biddle (The Roots, John Legend, Al Green) – finally gets to enjoy its moment in the spotlight.

And by returning Difford and Tilbrook to the birth of their creative partnership, Trixies has acted as the catalyst to a latter-day songwriting surge. On the heels of Trixies, an album of brand-new Squeeze songs – recorded concurrently with Trixies – is finished and set to follow in the future. “The act of revisiting the Trixies songs had me in tears,” smiles Tilbrook, “partly because they’re so good, but also because I’m aware of all the stuff that I’ve still yet to hear and write.” The sentiments are echoed by Difford: “It really fills me with joy that at my age we can discover that we wrote such great songs when we were teenagers. I’m very proud of that.”

This autumn Squeeze will be embarking on the most ambitious UK tour of their career, one that will also support the anti-poverty charity Trussell and Grassroots Music Venues. The 16-date Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour in 2026, starting at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on November 12, and ending at the Brighton Centre on December 5, will see Squeeze headline several arenas for the first time – including a hometown show at London’s O2 Arena just 3 miles from where the band started. Joining Squeeze on the tour as Very Special Guest will be singer, songwriter and activist Billy Bragg. Ahead of the UK tour Squeeze will take to the stage at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on September 19 alongside special guests Adam Ant and The English Beat, followed by an appearance at the Bourbon & Beyond Festival in Louisville, KY on September 26.

Squeeze band:
Chris Difford – guitar & vocals
Glenn Tilbrook – guitar & vocals
Owen Biddle – bass
Melvin Duffy – pedal steel guitar
Steve Smith – percussion
Stephen Large – keyboard
Simon Hanson – drums
Danica Dora – backing vocals
Leon Tilbrook – guitar

Trixies formats:

Black Vinyl – Cat# 964215841

Transparent Pink Vinyl – Cat# 964202901

Transparent Red Vinyl – Cat# 964216311

CD – Cat# 964202912

Deluxe CD – Cat# 964202933

See www.squeezeofficial.com for more information

Squeeze – new album Trixies

Out Now on BMG

 

 

CHLOE GILL RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM  ‘I HAVE A HABIT OF DREAMING’

TOURING THROUGH APRIL – JUNE

Bringing together intimate storytelling with a gorgeous mix of country pop, indie and folk-rock sounds, Newcastle’s CHLOE GILL proudly presents her anticipated debut album, I HAVE A HABIT OF DREAMING. Featuring singles ‘Pushing Punishment’, ‘Down The Drain’, ‘Why?’, ‘Over Me’ and ‘Something In the Winter’, the album represents a strong touchstone in Chloe’s career.

Life lessons mix in with observations on emotional growth, as Chloe’s own personal journey navigating adulthood threads together with her ever-evolving creative adventure. Across its ten tracks, I HAVE A HABIT OF DREAMING offers the listener an opportunity to become immersed in gorgeous soundscapes, while also learning more about the songwriter and her natural ability to bring light to dark; rich texture to some beautiful observations, from paper to the studio and here, to record.

I HAVE A HABIT OF DREAMING delves into Chloe’s process of growing and adapting to life shaped by a late ADHD diagnosis; a process that has led her to discover and embrace self-love and acceptance. As such, she hopes the album offers some sense of resolve and connection to others out there who may have travelled, or are travelling, a similar path.

“My goal with this project is not only for neurodivergent people but is for anyone who has ever felt different, the record’s whole point is to remind people that it’s everyone’s first time being alive, as well as everyone’s last time being alive. How it’s just so much more worthwhile and meaningful to be kind, grateful, present, not get so caught up in things that don’t serve you, work, life stress, things you can’t control or the past.

It’s about leading your own life, dreaming your own dreams and bringing them to life. I have always had a very supportive network around me and I understand not everyone has that privilege or ease in life and that sometimes it’s more complex than that, but this album really serves as a place for people to come to when they just need to feel a little more loved, believed in, confident, capable, strong, fearless and totally inspired to lead their own lives.” CHLOE GILL

The album has seen Chloe work with Newcastle producer Gareth Hudson (Amy Vee, Buddy Knox) at Hazy Cosmic Jive Studios. It also features contributions from talented musicians including Rachel Pogson, Eli Love, Brandon Yarnold, Jamie Pollock and Jesse O’Neill, who together with Chloe, have created a bed of sounds that elevate the lyricism in a beautiful way.

Sophisticated and fresh in its approach to heartfelt storytelling, I HAVE A HABIT OF DREAMING shows Chloe’s confidence as a songwriter and performer; pouring every ounce of honesty into her writing, she remains connected to the songs in such an emotionally mature way.

“It has been so much fun recording, touring, releasing and writing this project. I am eternally grateful for the collaboration across this project, I am so grateful for everyone who has been involved in making it happen.

Recording an album whilst navigating an ADHD diagnosis, touring, my sister moving overseas,  and ending my long term relationship, and many other life events was really interesting and overwhelming. Life doesn’t stop just because you’re making an album. It really helped me use the album as an outlet for my emotions, my fears, my desire for understanding myself and who I really have been all my life.” CHLOE GILL

CHLOE GILL AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

TICKET LINK

Friday 17 April Stag & Hunter MAYFIELD NSW

Thursday 21 May The Wesley Anne MELBOURNE VIC

Friday 22 May The Taproom CASTLEMAINE VIC

Saturday 23 May Peninsula Hot Springs MORNINGTON PENINSULA VIC

Sunday 24 May Shiraz Republic CORNELLA VIC

Friday 29 May Knappstein CLARE VALLEY SA 

Sunday 31 May The Wheatsheaf Hotel ADELAIDE SA 

Saturday 27 June Fusebox MARRICKVILLE NSW

CHLOE GILL:  Official Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed | TikTok

 

 

SYDNEY POP ARTIST SALTY STEPS AWAY FROM THE ALGORITHM  WITH NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘TOUCH GRASS’

LISTEN TO SINGLE HERE | WATCH VIDEO HERE
KICKS OFF NATIONAL TOUR SUPPORTING PEACH PRC

Sydney pop artist Salty returns with her bold new single ‘Touch Grass’, a self-aware pop anthem that captures the tension between living life and performing it online. Arriving alongside a striking new video, the track marks an exciting sonic shift for the rising artist as she continues to carve out her place in Australia’s next wave of pop.

Written and recorded in under six hours alongside collaborators Chelsea Warner and Cyrus Villanueva – the same team behind her previous single ‘Uh Huh!’ – ‘Touch Grass’ finds Salty leaning into glossy, high-energy pop while confronting a deeply modern dilemma: the addictive pull of social media and the quiet disconnection it can create.

“Touch Grass is a self-aware pop anthem about confronting my addiction to my phone and social media, and the quiet tension between living life and performing it online,” Salty explains. “It captures the moment I realised I was prioritising curated, post-able achievements over genuine, present experiences  – and the decision to step outside, reconnect and actually be in my life. Some days I am a slave to the algorithm, but it’s in the moments where I practise that self-control I actually feel the most myself.”

Sonically, the track channels the sun-drenched polish of Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun, paired with a more ethereal, refined take on the chaos-pop energy of Charli XCX’s Brat, with a subtle cool girl edge reminiscent of Horsegirl’s ‘Take It Offff’.

The accompanying video brings the song’s themes to life through playful storytelling. Renowned for the exceptional choreography that defines her work, Salty once again delivers a striking clip –  featuring dynamic choreography set against sweeping shots across rollicking green hills. The result is a vibrant, high-energy visual that mirrors the song’s push-and-pull between digital overload and the grounding pull of the real world.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Salty has steadily built momentum on the live circuit, recently supporting Keli Holiday on his sold-out East Coast tour and performing as part of Live Nation’s Ones To Watch showcase. Internationally, she has also taken the stage at the legendary Los Angeles discovery platform We Found New Music, a showcase that has previously spotlighted artists including Billie Eilish, Arlo Parks, Dermot Kennedy, Kim Petras, Sam Fender, The 1975, Bishop Briggs, The Marías and Sigrid.

Her music continues to resonate with audiences and tastemakers alike, earning airplay across triple j, HIT Hot Hits, NOVA FM, KIIS, iHeartRadio, triple j Unearthed, SYN FM and BBC Radio 1’s Future of Pop.

Streaming support has included Spotify’s Pop’N’Fresh and New Music Friday AU/NZ, alongside Apple Music’s New In Pop, while editorial coverage has come from Vogue Australia (who named her “one to watch”), RUSSH, Future Music, The Music, Milky, Women in Pop and Ones To Watch.

With ‘Touch Grass’, Salty isn’t just stepping outside – she’s stepping confidently into a new era. The release arrives as Salty prepares to join Peach PRC on her upcoming national tour, bringing Touch Grass to stages across the country

SALTY LIVE SHOWS 2026

*Supporting Peach PRC

Thursday 12 March – Palace Foreshore, Melbourne *

Friday 13 March – AEC Theatre, Adelaide *

Sunday 15 March – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney *

Thursday 19 March – Brisbane’s Cultural Forecourt, South Bank *

Saturday 21 March – Ice Cream Factory, Perth *

Saturday 28 March – Shed 6, Wellington NZ *

Sunday 29 March – Powerstation, Auckland NZ *

GET SOCIAL WITH SALTY

TIKTOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

 

 

Rising country artist LAURA FRANK returns with empowering new single ‘GOD KNOWS I KNOW’

In the midst of a massive 60 date tour across Australia, Brisbane singer/songwriter LAURA FRANK has today released her latest single ‘GOD KNOWS I KNOW’, a powerful, introspective single about pushing forward and taking risks in life. The track is the first of a string of singles yet to come in 2026, culminating in an album currently set for release in October.

Mixed and produced by Jordan Power (Xavier Rudd, Kasey Chambers, Dope Lemon) with mastering from George Georgiadis at Little Wing Sound (Gang Of Youths, Matt Corby, Kim Churchill), the track was recorded in Byron Bay’s Hinterland, in a purpose built studio owned by legendary Australian artist Bernard Fanning. Written by Laura along with partner and creative collaborator Nick Morrissey, the process started as a conversation between the pair and was carefully built around the vocal melody, to ensure all the emotion in those lyrics was reinforced sonically.

“God Knows, I Know” came together in a really honest season for us. We’d been touring heavily through regional Australia, living in close quarters, juggling music, family and everything in between.

 The song started as a conversation — the kind you have late at night when you’re tired but thinking clearly. We wrote it simply, just the two of us, chasing the feeling rather than trying to be clever. When we took it into the studio, the goal was to protect that rawness. We built the production around the vocal rather than the other way around. If something felt like it was distracting from the lyric, it went. There wasn’t a big dramatic moment in the making of it — it was steady, intentional and collaborative. Everyone who played on it understood that restraint was important. The process felt grounded. No overthinking, no chasing trends — just serving the song and letting the emotion lead.” LAURA FRANK

The result is an uplifting, infectious track that showcases Frank’s powerful delivery and vivid lyricism at it’s very best. Musically, Frank explains the track “leans into a modern country sound with space to breathe — restrained where it needs to be, but building in intensity as the emotion rises. We didn’t want to overproduce it. The heart of the track is in the lyric and the vocal delivery — it’s conversational, almost like you’re thinking out loud and then realising you actually believe what you’re saying.”

Lyrically, Frank says the track “sits in that uncomfortable space between conviction and doubt. It’s about backing yourself when things feel uncertain — when not everyone understands your choices, your relationship, your path, or the risks you’re taking. There’s tension in it, but there’s also clarity. At its core, the song is about trust — in yourself, in your partner, and in the quiet knowing that doesn’t always need outside validation. It’s not loud or defiant for the sake of it. It’s steady. And sometimes steady is stronger.”

Laura is currently on an extensive tour with Tom Curtain, taking on 60 dates across regional Australia. Laura is no stranger to the live circuit, supporting the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, James Blundell, Brad Cox, Melanie Dyer and many more in her time; and making appearances at festivals such as Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster and the Groundwater Country Music Festival. To this day she has over 650k total streams & 20k+ social followers; and has seen strong radio support from the likes of Triple M Country and ABC Country.

UPCOMING SHOWS

TICKETS

Supporting Tom Curtain w/ Chis Matthews & Melanie Grace

Friday 27th Feb Warracknabeal Racehouse Warrachnabeal, VIC

Saturday 28th Feb Amphitheatre Recreation Reserve Amphitheatre, VIC

Sunday 1st March Heathcote Showgrounds Heathcote, VIC

Friday 13th March Dandenong Ranges Pony Club Mornington, VIC

 Saturday 14th March Meeniyan Pony Club Stony Creek, VIC

Sunday 15th March Sale Polocrosse Club Sale, VIC

Friday 20th March Mansfield Showground Mansfield, VIC

Saturday 21st March Ballan Racecourse & Recreation Reserve Ballan, VIC

Sunday 22nd March Pony Club Barwon Heads, VIC

Friday 27th March Colac Showgrounds Colac, VIC

Saturday 28th March Coleraine Showgrounds Coleraine, VIC

Sunday 29th March South East Field Days Lucindale, SA

Friday 3rd April Murray Bridge Riding Club Murray Bridge, SA

Saturday 4th April Burra Burra Show Burra, SA

Sunday 5th April Melrose Showgrounds Melrose, SA

Friday 10th April Kadina Showground Kadina, SA

Saturday 11th April Waikerie Waikerie, SA

Sunday 12th April Wasleys Wasleys, SA

Laura Frank: Official Website |  Facebook | Instagram | Tik Tok | Youtube | Uneathered

 

 

AUSTRALIAN ROCK COLLECTIVE PLAYS EAGLES

Performing Eagles’ Hotel California in full plus their greatest hits this June

Local supergroup Australian Rock Collective (ARC) announce a new tour, performing Eagles’ legendary HOTEL CALIFORNIA in full, along with a selection of the band’s greatest hits, across Australia this June.

ARC is undoubtedly Australia’s most celebrated all-star ensemble with a combined 33 ARIA Awards and 16 Top Ten ARIA Albums. Comprised of four living legends in Australian rock music – Kram (Spiderbait), Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Mark Wilson (Jet) and Davey Lane (You Am I) – they bring to the stage the rabid enthusiasm of friends who grew up as diehard music fans combined with the legacy, skills and experience of artists who have directly contributed to it.

Davey Lane says, “Strap yourselves in and be our esteemed guests as we set the controls for the heart of the sunny Californian state, the spirit of ’76 and one of the greatest selling albums of all time – Eagles’ Hotel California.

It’s incredibly precise and loose, fast and easy (seemingly) – we’re not shy of challenging ourselves and this could be the most challenging yet. We’ve been very lucky to grace some of the greatest Australian venues and concert halls over the last 7 years we’ve toured, and we’re limbering up for this to be the biggest tour yet. We might even grow moustaches especially for the occasion!”

The tour starts in Brunswick Heads on Friday 5 June, followed by Brisbane, Newcastle, Thirroul, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, before wrapping up in Perth on Wednesday 24 June.

Tickets go on sale Monday 16 March, at 11am local time.

My Live Nation members may secure tickets first during the presale which commences on Friday 13 March at 10am and concludes on Monday 16 March at 10am. Register at livenation.com.au/register.

All times are local.

AUSTRALIAN ROCK COLLECTIVE (ARC) PLAYS EAGLES THIS JUNE

HOTEL BRUNSWICK, BRUNSWICK HEADS, NSW
FRIDAY 5 JUNE

CONCERT HALL, QPAC, BRISBANE, QLD
SATURDAY 6 JUNE

CIVIC THEATRE, NEWCASTLE, NSW
TUESDAY 9 JUNE

ANITA’S THEATRE, THIRROUL, NSW
FRIDAY 12 JUNE

LLEWELLYN HALL, CANBERRA, ACT
SUNDAY 14 JUNE

HAMER HALL, MELBOURNE, VIC
TUESDAY 16 JUNE

CONCERT HALL, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, SYDNEY, NSW
THURSDAY 18 JUNE

THEBARTON THEATRE, ADELAIDE, SA
SATURDAY 20 JUNE

ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH, WA
WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE

For complete tour & ticket information, visit: livenation.com.au

Live Nation Presale: Fri 13 Mar, 10am – Mon 16 Mar, 10am

General Onsale: Mon 16 Mar, 11am

All times are local.

ABOUT ARC: Few musicians are as qualified to call themselves the Australian Rock Collective.

Comprised of four living legends of Australian rock music – Kram (Spiderbait), Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Mark Wilson (Jet) and Davey Lane (You Am I) – ARC bring not just the rabid enthusiasm of friends who grew up as diehard fans of rock music and its legacy, but the chops, skills and experience of musicians who have directly contributed to it.

Between them ARC can count 33 ARIA Awards, 16 Top Ten albums, and 2 x ARIA Hall of Famers in Jet and You Am I. Throw in over 20+ years of heavy international and national touring, sold out shows spanning tiny dive bars to football stadiums, songs that have virtually become national anthems, and collectively ARC can claim several lifetimes worth of sustained musical excellence.

ARC formed in 2014 when, on a whim, the four friends were asked to perform at the World Cup in Brazil. Since that baptism of fire, the group have forged a tight-knit musical kinship as unique as the careers that made them so successful in their own right.

As well as regularly playing festivals and events the nation over, ARC regularly draw from their earliest inspirations to present classic albums at some of the most prestigious venues in Australia. ARC’s lively presentation of modern rock touchstones such as Abbey Road, Let It Be, Harvest, Dark Side Of The Moon and Led Zeppelin IV – even while continuing to make records and undertake extensive tours with their own bands – give audiences a genuinely powerful experience: an unmatched insight into this music that resonates through generations, by four musicians who continue to make and contribute to it themselves.

This is music played for music fans, by music fans.

Connect with ARC Facebook  Instagram

 

 

SAINT ERGO ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF “BODIES IN MOTION”, THE FINAL HIP- SWINGING SINGLE BEFORE SHE DROPS HER DEBUT ALBUM LIVED EXPERIENCE

Melbourne’s genre-blurring storyteller Saint Ergo is set to release Bodies In Motion (featuring Maddy Herbert), on Sunday, March 15. Bodies In Motion marks the third single from her anticipated, debut album Lived Experience. Fusing R&B, Electro Soul and Baroque Pop, the 2024 Music Victoria Award winning artist spun this song into existence by asking herself the question…

“What if light and love could be interchangeable at a quantum level?”

The song evolved to become a celebration of love and connection that transcends our limited experiences of gender and that infinite love is woven through the fabric of the universe and every body, every gender expression and every sexual orientation is divine.

“I had imagined this song as a duet from quite early on… but the song only felt like it came together when Maddy and I went into the studio and we recorded our vocals. finally felt like the song was right. Some of the lyrical components only came along during this session and it made the story come alive for me.” –

Rooted in community, care and lived truth, Saint Ergo’s work explores gender, power, identity and the emotional texture of modern society. Her artistry resists the disposable pace of digital culture: all releases from this body of work, including Bodies In Motion, will be available exclusively on Bandcamp and physical formats, honouring a slower, more intentional relationship between artist and audience.

Bodies In Motion offers a bold glimpse into Lived Experience—a debut album that promises depth, courage and uncompromising queer beauty.

Out on Sunday, March 15 via Bandcamp & physical formats ONLY.

Saint Ergo is delighted to be a part of Record Store Day, 2026. Her debut album will be available on April 18 at selected participating stores and her ‘in store’ performance will be announced very soon.

https://www.facebook.com/saintergo

 

 

ELLA ION RELEASES LIVE ACOUSTIC SINGLE ‘MAP – BREAKFASTERS LIVE AT 3RRR’ + PERFORMING AT SXSW

Kaurna Land/Adelaide based Ella Ion touches down in Texas ahead of a week showcasing at SXSW. To celebrate she shares a strikingly poignant acoustic version of her 2025 single ‘Map’. Recorded live to air in the early hours of a February morning on 3RRR FM’s Breakfasters program, just her voice and an acoustic guitar. Centred around the strangeness of trusting someone new, Ella’s ability to trace the contours of old wounds with poetic lyricism is an exercise in cutting the listener straight to the bone.

The track was recorded live in studio by Karl Chapman and mixed and mastered by Bonnie Knight. Breakfaster Jas Moore said of the live-to-air “A genuinely stunning performance from Ella – I still have goosebumps.” Ella will be bringing this feeling to audiences across Texas this week while showcasing at SXSW. She has four official showcases and a number of parties spanning March 12th to 17th with all details below for those who will be in town.

~ LISTEN TO “MAP – BREAKFASTERS LIVE AT 3RRR” HERE ~

2025 saw Ella win two South Australian Music Award fuelled by tracks “Map // Creature Skin”, “Mess In Your Eyes // Vultures”, “Blue Black Crows” and “Looking For Nothing”. All tracks received play across triple j, Triple R, PBS, 4ZZZ, Radio Adelaide, Edge Radio and more as well as being added to over a dozen Spotify editorial playlists each and featured in Frankie Magazine, The Music and Rolling Stone among others.

The past year has been one of transformation for Ella, breaking out of her Adelaide hometown to play headline shows, The Great Escape and Green Man Festival and support Jake Bugg (UK), Big Sleep (IRE) and Folk Bitch Trio across the UK and Europe, making the trek over thrice in 2025 alone. She supported Suki Waterhouse (UK) at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne for Rising Festival in June, showcased at BIGSOUND in the middle of her debut Australian tour, played Port Fairy Folk Festival and supported acts such as Folk Bitch Trio, Gordi and Kacy & Clayton.

Listen here

Emerging from Kaurna Land (Adelaide, Australia), fragmented-folk musician Ella Ion crafts music that cuts deep to the core. Drawing on influences of indie-rock, folk and country, her eloquent lyricism and masterful musical control delivers a cacophony of raw emotion, anchored by grit and heart. Ion has already amassed a loyal following across Australia, having played at a plethora of prolific venues, events and shows. However, the reach of her sonic capabilities stretches beyond country borders, with listeners streaming her music across the UK, US, Europe and more.

From picking up a guitar at 10 years old to performing in beloved local bands as a teenager, Ion broke into the wider music scene in 2023 with her debut LP ‘Waiting’. A 10-track exploration of the tension between longing, stagnancy and growth, ‘Waiting’ saw Ion earn praise for her seamless ability to balance deft introspection with an outward curiosity. Like her songwriting, Ion’s live performances similarly demonstrate the musician’s masterful range. From intimate encounters of tender folk to electrifying post-rock arrangements, Ion flaunts her ability to transform a room of anyone and everyone into a fan with her magnetic stage presence, considered songwriting and angelic vocal range.

Ella Ion is holding nothing back as she barrels forward in a direction of raw sonic and personal exploration. With a renewed creative direction and personal clarity, she’s carving out her own path in real time.

You can listen to “Map – Breakfasters Live on 3RRR” HERE.

ELLA ION @ SXSW 2026

Thu 12th March – Happen Twice @ Webberville Food Truck Park – 4PM – 4:40PM

Thu 12th March – South By Kickoff @ Paseo (48th floor) – 6:30PM – 7:10PM

Thu 12th March – Wanderlust Wine Co – 11PM – 11:40PM

Fri 13th March – SXSJ @ Hotel San Jose – 1:00 PM – 1:40PM

Fri 13th March – Summer on Music Lane @ Hotel Magdalena – 8PM – 8:40PM

Sun 15th March – Born Loser @ Chess CLub – 3:15PM – 3:45PM

Sun 15th March – BIGSOUND @ Seven Grand – 10PM – 10:40PM

Mon 16th March – Global Stage @ Downright Hotel – 8:40PM – 9:10PM

Tue 17th March – Saxon Pub – 12AM – 12:40AM

FOLLOW ELLA ION Instagram · Facebook · Bandcamp · Spotify · Apple Music

 

 

ASHLEY NAYLOR RELEASES NEW SINGLE “RACING TIME” AHEAD OF HEADLINE MELBOURNE SHOW

A 3:50 RADIO EDIT OF THE NEARLY 6 MINUTE EPIC FROM ASH’S RECENT ALEXANDRIA SUNSET ALBUM, “RACING TIME” IS A CLASSIC NAYLOR POP-ROCKER AND WILL APPEAL TO ALL FANS OF ASH’S OLD BAND EVEN AND HIS NEW RUNNING MATES THE CHURCH

“Racing Time” is the latest single from Ashley Naylor’s critically acclaimed Alexandria Sunset album, and to celebrate, El Reno Music is releasing a strictly limited edition 7″ coloured vinyl single.

Harking back to the great days of Australian alternative music, a 3:50 Radio Edit of the nearly 6-minute epic “Racing Time” is a classic Naylor pop-rocker and will appeal to all fans of his old power pop band Even and his new running mates The Church.

The single will only be available in two colours – translucent red and translucent green.

Translucent green copies will initially only be available as a gig giveaway in Melbourne & Sydney (with the Sydney show to be announced soon).

Translucent red copies will be available via Bandcamp and at upcoming gigs.

A limited number of translucent red copies will also be included in the Alexandria Sunset ‘Racing Time Bundle’, featuring a red translucent copy of Alexandria Sunset, as well as a red translucent copy of the “Racing Time” 7″ single.

The single is available through the usual digital channels now, and pre-orders are also open for the limited-edition vinyl copies, via Bandcamp. These includes unlimited streaming of “Racing Time” via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Download available in 24-bit/96kHz.

 https://ashleynaylor.bandcamp.com/album/racing-time

Ashley Naylor Spaceship – LIVE at MEMO Music Hall – FRI 27 MARCH 2026

And in even better news, the Ashley Naylor Spaceship band will be playing its biggest Melbourne show to date at MEMO Music Hall on Friday 27 March 2026.

This show will also serve as the Melbourne single launch for the “Racing Time” 7” vinyl, and in a gesture of sheer madness or extreme generosity, the first 100 or so music lovers to pre-purchase a ticket to this show will receive a free copy of the 7” vinyl single, or an Ashley Naylor “Racing Time” t-shirt.

Here are the gig details: https://www.memomusichall.com.au/memo-gig/ashley-naylor-spaceship/

Melbourne musician Ashley Naylor plays guitar in The Church, The Stems, Paul Kelly, the RocKwiz Orkestra and for a host of other artists. He is the beloved guitarist, songwriter and singer of ’90s Triple J faves Even, leader of instrumental outfit Ashley Naylor Spaceship and co-conspirator in a number of other acts including The Grapes and The Ronson Hangup. Released last month, while Ash was in the midst of a huge arena tour with Paul Kelly, he breaks substantial ground in a new phase in his career with the release of his new solo vocal album Alexandria Sunset.

The new solo vocal material follows Naylor’s acclaimed instrumental solo guitar album Soundtracks Vol. 2 and the birth of his new solo band Spaceship and is Naylor’s first vocal solo recording in over a decade. Primarily song focused rather than a vehicle for Naylor’s guitar playing, Alexandria Sunset is the first solo album on which Naylor himself plays and sings every note himself since 2004’s Four Track Mind and it’s a much more evolved record than that was. It digs deep into the classic stylings of the late ’60s and ’70s that Naylor has always loved. As the artist himself says, “I’m an indie artist hung up on classic rock”.

“I’ve been working on three separate albums in recent years,” continues Naylor. “This one finished itself first once I committed to the idea that it would consist of songs I recorded all the parts for on my own. Much of what I do is in a collaborative environment; this album is a deliberate move into a very singular musical world I’ve created. These songs were recorded in spare quiet moments which informed the intimacy of much of the material

 “This album is an unfettered foray into my own rock fantasy, where guitar solos are long, songs take detours, and the audience would just sit and listen to the music. I believe the true essence of this album will reveal itself over time”

ASHLEY NAYLOR’s ALEXANDRIA SUNSET IS OUT NOW ON EL RENO MUSIC.

ORDER CD OR DIGITAL RELEASE, OR A RANGE OF DIFFERENT VINYL EDITIONS INCLUDING THE ALEXANDRIA SUNSET ‘RACY RED’ + ‘RACING TIME’ RED VINYL BUNDLE HERE

Ashley Naylor – Official | Facebook

Ashley Naylor – Official | Instagram

Ashley Naylor Official – YouTube

elrenomusic.bandcamp.com

 

 

ROSTAM ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM AMERICAN STORIES

Following last month’s release of his original version of Vampire Weekend’s beloved single “Campus”, GRAMMY-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, and composer Rostam has revealed details of his highly anticipated third studio album, American Stories, to be released on May 15th. This marks the fifth full length album release on his own label, Matsor Projects via Secretly Distribution, and is the first new Rostam album since 2021’s lauded Changephobia. Today’s announcement comes replete with the album’s soaring lead single, “Like a Spark,” a haunting and evocative introduction to a richly textured and masterfully crafted album.

LISTEN TO “LIKE A SPARK” NOW  LISTEN

Fully exploring his Persian roots for the first time on a record, on American Stories Rostam quilts together elements of Americana and traditional Persian music. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Rostam’s vocals are complimented by his own playing across the album; on acoustic guitar and piano and, in places, drums and percussion. He brought in fellow Iranian-American Amir Yaghmai (The Voidz), whose contributions deepen and enrich the record’s Persian musical textures threaded throughout. These influences intertwine seamlessly with Rostam’s lyrics, which reflect on his lived experience as an American, creating a work that feels both deeply personal and intercultural.

Says Rostam of the album’s genesis, “At some point in making this record I realized the album I wanted to make was one that reflected my identity as both Iranian and American. Pushing the most Iranian elements right up against the most American ones brought me a certain kind of joy. The first time I put microtonal saz melodies over Western guitar chords, I was thrown off by the way the two rubbed together. But the more I listened the more I became drawn to that rub. I became addicted to it.”

He was also joined by a plethora of talented friends, including Clairo on vocals (for “Hardy”), Yaghmai on saz, violin and guitar, Daniel Aged on upright bass and pedal steel, Paul Cartwright on violin, Gabe Noel on cello and upright bass, Hamilton Berry on cello, Henry Solomon on flute and clarinet and Andrew Tachine and Joey Messina-Doerning on drums. American Stories was produced by Rostam – his 14th album credit as producer – and every track was mixed by mutli-GRAMMY winning mix engineer Tom Elmhirst and mastered by GRAMMY-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar. With most of the songwriting credited to Rostam, there are a couple of co-writing appearances for GRAMMY-winning songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. While it’s been five years since his last solo album, Rostam has been working consistently with other artists in that time frame, including earning GRAMMY nominations for his production work with Haim and producing for Georgia, Carly Rae Jepson, Santigold and Vagabon.

The album’s cover is the American flag presented upside down. Rostam discusses the intentionality behind this choice:

“The presentation of the flag upside down is something that the Left, the Right, and the Native American Land Back movement have all made use of. It’s a symbology that’s shared by all these groups and yet could mean different things to each of us. I’m interested in that conversation; that conversation is fundamentally American.”

The video of “Like a Spark” is taken from American Stories: A Concert Film, premiering later this spring. The film sees Rostam teaming with his six piece band and director Antony Muse for an 8-song live performance shot at the legendary Sound City Studio A where Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and countless others have recorded.

Rostam furnished the studio with pieces from his living room and studio, making the space unmistakably his. With the band, he blends Middle Eastern music with the more familiar tones of Americana to create a unique and deeply personal sound.

There are no click tracks, playback tracks, or samplers. The music is live, the tempos fluctuate, the possibilities abound. This same six piece will join Rostam on the road for his U.S. and international tour dates.

WATCH THE “LIKE A SPARK” VISUALISER HERE

MORE INFO:
Website
Instagram
Spotify
Twitter
TikTok
Apple Music
YouTube

 

 

SHE/HER RECORDS ANNOUNCES SOPHOMORE COMPILATION ‘TDoV Compilation 2’

She/Her Records is proud to announce its sophomore compilation, TDoV Compilation 2, will be released on March 31st, Transgender Day of Visibility. This day is dedicated to celebrating the trans community and amplifying the visibility of trans individuals. Likewise, this compilation brings together 17 diverse tracks from transfeminine-led projects from across the globe, including the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Compared to their first compilation, everything is different now. This compilation explores a far darker, more disturbed terrain compared to their TDoV Compilation 1, in reflection of (or retaliation to) the current state of the world.

Following their first year in operation, She/Her Records boasts 1 best record label nomination by Femme House in Billboard, 2 TDoV compilations, and 3 solo releases! At the same time, the transgender community has suffered increased stigma, loss of rights and loss of access. We would be honored if you would consider writing a feature or review about TDoV Compilation 2 for Australian Musician. Your platform’s support in sharing their stories and talents would mean the world to us, and to the artists involved, during such a crucial time.

Tracklist:
01. Fashiongore – Home Is Where I Don’t Belong
02. LUNA LIAS – Figlix
03. vividnestavy – po rozklade opekniem
04. олень – поздно ночью
05. hi maya – skating on that psychedelic mirror
06. Liza Plants –  Garden of Delights
07. Four Limbs Six Hands – tucked out
08. Lust Hag – Stifled Glare
09. Skylar Conover – The Altar
10. Taylor Shields – Bread Ha
11. Powderpaint – Gargoyles
12. SARCOMA vs. LUNA LIAS vs. YZBL vs. Letania vs. Cloggy Slutge – Cursed Noise Lesbians Attack!
13. Letania – Dicha
14. Cloggy Slutge – Kimchi Hotdog
15. pity bullet & Spin Cycle Pups – Song for Nia
16. Alien Flower – Cibo
17. pseudo-antigone – gracia

Release date:
March 31st, 2026 (Transgender Day of Visibility)
Available on Bandcamp, Ampwall and Apple Music to purchase or stream on all major platforms except Spotify.
Pre-order available on March 17th, 2026 on Bandcamp and Ampwall.

Pre-order link: https://album.link/tdov-compilation-2

She/Her Records sheher.website // bandcamp // bluesky // instagram // tumblr

 

 

THE MOTLEY BAUHAUS HAS A NEW VENUE
The Motley WhereHaus. Melbourne’s Largest Independent Artist-Run Festival Venue
OPENS ON 23 MARCH FOR THE COMEDY FESTIVAL

The Motley WhereHaus will open this Melbourne International Comedy Festival at 432 Queen Street, Melbourne — adjacent to Queen Victoria Market — on Monday 23 March as the largest independent artist-run venue in Melbourne.

Spanning three levels and housing 13 performance spaces, including the adjacent Motley Spielhaus, the new hub will host around 15% of all Festival performances in 2026. Developed and operated by artists, the venue is designed as a hub, specifically to support independent creators at scale while remaining artist-led at its core.

The Motley WhereHaus is opening for the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with 36 performances per night, every night of the Festival. Tickets will be available via individual show listings. Or just come along and try your luck on the night, you never know what you’ll find.

“It’s been an enormous undertaking,” says founder Jason Cavanagh. “but the response from the community has been overwhelming. Places like the Motley, that provide accessible, affordable and dynamic spaces are crucial to allowing artists to grow their careers. These artists are the lifeblood of the whole industry, so it’s so much fun watching what happens when they have the space to play ”

In a Festival landscape the WhereHaus stands apart as an artist-driven initiative — built by artists, for artists. It represents a significant expansion of Melbourne’s independent performance infrastructure and has already generated substantial behind-the-scenes excitement across the local arts community. Performers and producers have responded with strong early interest, recognising the venue as a rare large-scale platform that maintains independence at its foundation.

WhereHaus extends the vision behind The Motley Bauhaus, expanding into a 12-stage ecosystem where emerging and established artists share the same roof. The venue will host a broad mix of comedy, theatre and experimental works, providing room for risk-taking and development.

The new venue also functions as a social and creative hub. With multiple bars and lounge areas woven throughout the building, audiences can move between rooms, meet performers and make a full night of their Festival experience.

Positioned in the CBD next to Queen Victoria Market, WhereHaus invites audiences to take a chance on unfamiliar shows and immerse themselves in a concentrated independent arts environment.

The Motley WhereHaus is opening for the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with 36 performances per night, every night of the Festival. Tickets will be available via individual show listings. Or just come along and try your luck on the night, you never know what you’ll find.

Venue Launch 23rd March 2026

Website https://themotley.com.au/wherehaus.html

Location 432 Queen Street Melbourne

 

 

FROM ASHES TO NEW Drop New Song + Video “Die For You”

New Album Reflections Out April 17 via Better Noise Music

From Ashes To New recently announced their new album Reflections, out April 17 via Better Noise Music.
Today, the Lancaster, PA-based quintet shares the latest single from the album with, Die For You

Watch the video, featuring Cruella Morgan at https://youtu.be/3wZ1S1iV50o

According to Brandyberry, the song reflects “the fallout of a relationship built on control, desire, and guilt. It’s a song that captures the exhaustion of giving endlessly to someone who keeps asking for more and mistaking survival for love. At its core, the song is about the moment clarity breaks through, forcing you to question how much of yourself you’re willing to lose.”

Case echoes these sentiments, furthering, “‘Die For You’ is about bending over backwards, doing everything you possibly can to please someone in a relationship, and it just never ends up being enough. And it feels like no matter what you do, it is just never good enough.”

The weight of the subject matter is matched by the heft of the layered vocals and accompanying razor sharp riffs and moody melodies. Fans cannot help but feel the song’s very real beating heart.

The 12-track REFLECTIONS is the follow-up to 2023’s BLACKOUT, which achieved the #1 spot on several iTunes and Spotify Rock and Metal charts across the globe. It was a massive success. Yet, in late 2023, FROM ASHES TO NEW arrived at a creative crossroads. The group wrapped up demos for 16 songs for what was supposed to be their fifth studio album. However, instead of sprinting towards the finish line and completing the record, the band scrapped those demo sessions. The process went against everything the band had ever done before. But largely starting anew —they kept two songs— was liberating. The band collectively knew it had to make something that remained true to their traditional sound yet broadened the tent to capture the ears and focus of a fresh audience. “I wanted to take what we are good at and push it even further,” Brandyberry says. “That was the process for this whole record.”

As a result, fans can hear a reinvigorated FROM ASHES TO NEW on REFLECTIONS.

REFLECTIONS TRACK LISTING:
“Drag Me”
“Forever”
“Villain”
“Die For You”
“Black Hearts”
“Upside Down”
“(Not) Psycho”
“Parasite”
“New Disease”
“Darkside”
“Falling From Heaven”
“Your Ghost”

REFLECTIONS will be released as seven different configurations: CD, periwinkle vinyl, black/white/orchid vinyl exclusively on the band’s official webstore, urchin vinyl exclusively at various indie record stores nationwide, violet/black wave vinyl exclusively via GimmeMetal.com, silver/black vinyl exclusively via Revolver magazine’s website, and black/white/violet vinyl exclusively via Spotify Fans First.

Exclusive merch bundles are available on the Better Noise Music Store HERE

Pre-order reflections at https://fatn.lnk.to/reflections

 

 

ELECTRIC STATE Perth Rockers Tell Everyone It’s Time To ‘Stand Up’

Boasting a ferocious blend of progressive grunge, punk attitude and groove-laden hard rock, Electric State are a riff-driven juggernaut out of Perth, WA and are one of the most talked about live rock acts in their genre right now.

The time has come to Stand Up. Grab a megaphone, join the ruckus and start climbing on some bars. As Electric State unleashes onto the world their first track fresh from signing with the amazing XMusic family.

‘Stand Up’ is a hard-hitting track that talks about standing up for what’s right, not letting people walk over you. The world and politics will always pull you in different directions but if you don’t ‘Stand Up’ for something you believe in you’re just a passenger in life!

The already sold out single launch ‘Stand Up’ on the Ship Happens boat cruise will light up the swan river this Saturday, March 7, where crowd participation will be rewarded and encouraged as they try to not rock out the boat too much and leave anyone in the wake.

The Ship Happens cruise for the single ‘Stand Up’ will be crazy, loud, high voltage and crowd participation is required!

Bring your own #Janisthemegaphone!

Listen to Stand Up
https://lnk.to/tSHraB

What the video at
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DLOAC-mQVt8

Stand Up and What Do You Want are taking from the bands forthcoming album,
Standing On The Edge
Due for release on Jan 8, 2027
Pre orders are available now
https://xmusiclabel.bigcartel.com/electric-state

**********

A two-time WAM Award-winning outfit, Electric State have been blowing minds and doors off Perth venues since their first show in 2019, packing rooms such as The Amplifier Bar, The Sewing Room, Lynott’s Lounge and Badlands. Their sound is a melting pot of heavy rock influences, drawing comparisons to Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Rival Sons, Gyroscope and even Killswitch Engage.

Their debut album Green Machine received global airplay and earned solid praise internationally, helping the band secure tours through Japan and the UK in 2023, alongside international support slots with US act, Skillet. Media have described Electric State’s live shows as “blaring sirens, deafening chants, bar climbing and megaphones,” confirming their reputation as a must see live act.

Recent highlights include closing two stages at Nannup Music Festival 2024, where their explosive performances turned Tigerville into a high voltage singalong, complete with crowd members joining the band onstage armed with megaphones. PLus their recent XMusic debut, “What Do You Want” was mixed by Anton Hagop (Silverchair, Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo)

TOUR DATES
Saturday, March 7: Ship Happens Boat Cruise, Perth

Thursday, April 30: XMusic 5th Birthday Night 1 – Musicland Melbourne
feat. Dellacoma, Sisters Doll, Karly Jewell and Electric State

Friday, May 1: XMusic 5th Birthday Night 1 – Musicland Melbourne
feat. Frankenbok, Cicadastone, Frankenbok, Awaken The Hate and Electric State

Fri, May 1 & Sat. May 2: Kalbarri Open Air Festival – Kalbarri, WA

Connect with Electric State
Web | YouTube | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook

xmusic.au

 

 

EVERYTHING AROUND YOU, THE NEW ALBUM FROM MULTI-AWARD WINNING DUO FELICITY URQUHART AND JOSH CUNNINGHAM, IS OUT NOW via ABC MUSIC. TOURING NATIONALLY MARCH-MAY 2026

Multi-Award-winning singer-songwriters Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham have released their highly-anticipated third studio album, Everything Around You (via ABC Music).  LISTEN HERE.

Drawing on life’s joys and struggles, Everything Around You is an uplifting collection of songs about hope, love and resilience, offering light in the midst of life’s challenges.

With a mix of Blues, Roots, Folk and Country, Felicity and Josh bring energy, warmth and nuance to every track. Featuring radio favourites I Want You, Joy Roller, Lifeline, Stone In Your Heart and New Frontier, the album highlights the duo’s knack for combining intricate instrumentation with heartfelt storytelling.

“Music is a miraculous form of expression that can inspire hope, and that’s what we want to do with our songs,” says Josh.  Felicity adds: “Sharing our hopes, dreams and reflections feels like an important thing to do, not just for our own kids but for everything and everyone around us.”

Produced by Felicity, Josh and Matt Fell, and recorded across Birdsong Studio (Central Coast, NSW), Wilder Studio (Gowrie Park, TAS), and Fireswamp Studio (Blue Mountains, NSW), the album features Felicity & Josh on acoustic, electric, baritone, resonator and slide guitars, along with mandotar, banjos, ukuleles, glockenspiel and jaw harp.  Matt Fell plays bass guitar, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer and Mellotron, with Josh Schuberth on drums and percussion, and pedal steel on the title track.  Special guests include daughters Tia Hannah on fiddle and Ellie Hannah on bass guitar for Grace and Joy.

After kicking off the year with standout performances at the Illawarra Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Nundle Rocks, Riverboats Music Festival and Cobargo Folk Festival, this powerhouse duo are in great form and ready to hit the road.

Don’t miss the chance to catch Felicity and Josh live as they take their Everything Around You album tour around the country in the coming weeks.

FELICITY URQUHART and JOSH CUNNINGHAM

EVERYTHING AROUND YOU – NATIONAL ALBUM TOUR 2026

6-9 MARCH – Port Fairy Folk Festival – Port Fairy, VIC

14 MARCH – Tallagandra Hill Winery – Gundaroo, NSW

15 MARCH – The Estate Camden – Camden, NSW

26 MARCH – The Presynct – Nambour, QLD

27 MARCH – The Majestic Theatre – Pomona, QLD

28 MARCH – Lefty’s Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD

9 APRIL – Brunswick Ballroom – Brunswick, VIC

10 APRIL – Queenscliff Town Hall – Queenscliff, VIC

11 APRIL – Taylor’s Palace Hotel – Warracknabeal, VIC

12 APRIL – Cresfest: Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel – Creswick, VIC

16 APRIL – The Joan – Penrith, NSW

17 APRIL – Mary’s Underground – Sydney, NSW

18 APRIL – Avoca Beach Theatre – Avoca Beach, NSW

1 MAY – Crossroads Bar – Dubbo, NSW

2 MAY – The Cordial Factory – Grenfell, NSW

3 MAY – Badlands Brewery – Orange, NSW

8 MAY – Duke of George – Fremantle, WA

9 MAY – Lyric’s Underground – Maylands, WA

10 MAY – Bridgetown Pottery Restaurant – Bridgetown, WA

15 MAY – Trinity Sessions – Adelaide, SA

16 MAY – Murray Delta Juke Joint – Goolwa, SA

17 MAY – Mallee Spirit Distillery – Lameroo, SA

Tickets on sale now at www.felicityandjosh.com.

Everything Around You is out now via ABC Music – available on CD, Vinyl, and all streaming platforms.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR I WANT YOU

FOLLOW FELICITY AND JOSH Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

 

 

SKINDRED Drop Brand New Single ‘Can I Get A’. New Album, You Got This, Out April 17 via Earache Records

Returning To Australia This September

Welsh ragga metal legends Skindred have released their brand-new single ‘Can I Get A’

With a jaunty electro-honky-tonk intro leading straight into a infectiously singalong pop chorus, complete with “woop-woops”, ‘Can I Get A’ is an inspiring song of resilience and defiance, with playful sonic nods to the ‘80s, including a Phil Collins-style drum break and a soaring gospel backing vocal.

However dig deep into the lyrics of ‘Can I Get A’ and you’ll uncover a mini autobiography in song, addressing issues of childhood poverty and family hardship, made bearable through the love and support of those closest to you. It takes lead singer Benji Webbe back to being orphaned as a child, and how he was raised by his older brother who was little more than a kid himself.

“It’s me as a child seeing my friends with all these amazing things that people take for granted that I never had,” he explains. “I was eleven years old and was worried what my life would become. A lot of kids where I lived got into trouble and ended up in prison. I was just gonna grab that microphone and see where it would take me. I want to empower people to know that you can be what you want to be. Don’t spend your life worrying about what you haven’t got. Live your life because now is the time.”

The track is accompanied by a brilliant, tongue-in-cheek video, featuring the band performing alongside male and female dancers inside whirling graphics.

Watch the video at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnq1fUZjCQw

You Got This is Skindred’s ninth album and is an all-killer-no-filler set which features everything that people love about the band – hard-hitting slammers, mega addictive hooks, earwormy soundclash elements, and dancehall vibes destined to ignite venues across the globe.

The title track was released as the first single from the album late last year, accompanied by a brilliantly entertaining video. And it was followed in January by the fiery and fizzing hook-laden banger ‘This Is The Sound’.

Production for the album came from the Grammy-winning Jay Ruston, who drummer Arya Goggin admires for having the songwriting chops to work with ‘80s power ballad master Desmond Child, while also producing Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Mike Patton’s, Mr Bungle.

The new album finds the Newport trio – completed by guitarist Mikey Demus – embarking on a thrilling journey to follow the mainstream breakthrough that came with 2023’s critically-acclaimed album Smile. That album shot straight into the UK Official Album Chart at #2 and Skindred went on to receive the Best Alternative Music Act Award at the MOBOs, also winning Best UK Act at the Heavy Music Awards.

Long-revered as one of the best live bands on the planet, they played their largest headline show to date at Wembley Arena and toured the world, smashing every festival and headline performance and winning tens of thousands of new fans in the process. Those new fans will join Skindred’s long-established rabid fanbase in lapping up every note and lyric of You Got This.

The tracklisting for You Got This is:
You Got This
Can I Get A
Born Fe Dis
This Is The Sound
Broke
Glass
Big ‘Em Up
Do It Like This
My People
Give Thanks
Dred Or Alive

You Got This will be released on April 17, Pre order now!
https://earache.lnk.to/YouGotThis

TOUR DATES
Catch Skindred In Australia this September
Tues, Sept 1: Magent House, Perth
Thurs, Sept 3: The Gov, Adelaide
Fri, Sept 4: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Sat, Sept 5: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Sun, Sept 6: The Triffid, Brisbane

Tickets on sale now via
www.destroyalllines.com

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BELLA MACKENZIE RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘THERE MUST BE A FIRE’ AHEAD OF RILEY GREEN SUPPORT DATES AND FESTIVAL APPEARANCES AT CMC ROCKS AND JULIA CREEK DIRT N’ DUST

Rising country music artist, Bella Mackenzie, releases ‘There Must Be A Fire’ the first single from an exciting new era.

Described as a song about betrayal and following one’s intuition, ‘There Must Be A Fire’ finds Bella writing with more self-confidence and authenticity than ever before. “this era is me in my most real and confident state. Entering my 21st year of life this year, I decided to only write what was real to me and ‘There Must Be A Fire’ is no exception. To me, this song is the definition of ‘trust your gut’. I wrote this song based off the saying ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ and in this case, the fire is the other woman.”

With its modern edge and Bella’s remarkable talent at the forefront, ‘There Must Be A Fire’ was co-written with Grammy and CMA nominee Parker Welling (Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini), Grammy Award winner  and CMA nominee Josh Kerr (Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen) and Golden Guitar nominee Jacky McCormack, who also produced the smoky country rock single.

Shares Bella,“I wrote this with hugely accomplished songwriters Josh Kerr, Parker Welling & Jacky McCormack so it was bound to be a hard hitting song lyrically. I can’t give too much away but this track is just the tip of what’s to come…”

LISTEN + STREAM

Nominated for Female Artist Of The Year at the Country Town Awards and over 4.3 million+ global  streams, Bella has achieved multiple Top 10 Country Radio chart-topping singles including the recent single ‘Tombstone Desperado’ with Jake Banfield, ‘Grew Up Country’, ‘Down South’ and ‘Cowboy’.

Now based on the Central Coast NSW, Bella Mackenzie has a busy touring schedule ahead, hitting the road with US country super star Riley Green on his Cowboy As It Gets’ Australian Tour, before taking the stage at Australia’s premier country music festival, CMC Rocks. With these incredible shows and even more new music to be announced, Bella Mackenzie is continuing her rapid ascent as one of country music’s most compelling new voices.

BELLA MACKENZIE LIVE SHOW DATES

Friday March 13 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne VIC (supporting Riley Green)

Saturday March 14 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne VIC (supporting Riley Green)

Monday March 16 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW (supporting Riley Green)

Tuesday March 17 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW (supporting Riley Green)

Friday March 20 – CMC Rocks QLD, Rebel Stage

April 17-19 – Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival, QLD

For all ticketing and tour information HERE

With over 4.3 million global artist streams and close to 100k social media followers, Bella Mackenzie has been winning hearts and minds of country music fans with singles ‘COWBOY’, ‘DOWN SOUTH’ and ‘BUY ME A DRINK’ and her debut EP WILD THING. Since launching her career, Bella has received from media outlets including Country Town noting her “catchy country-pop tunes, and can-do attitude”; while Rolling Stone Australia chose her debut single ‘COWBOY’ as the Best Australian Music Of The Week.  ‘COWBOY’ went onto gain high rotation on Country Music Radio, peaking at #2 on the Australian Country Radio Charts.

Bella has supported James Johnston, Chase Rice and Redferrin on national tours and played to capacity crowds at BIGSOUND, BOOTS, BUCKLES & BEERS, Ridin’ Hearts Festival, where she made great waves with a fan-favourite duet alongside Riley Green on “You Look Like You Love Me” (originally recorded with Ella Langley), and in 2025 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.

FOLLOW BELLA MACKENZIE HERE

 

 

BLOODS Return with New Single “All My Friends” And Reissue Debut EP Golden Fang

Out NOW via Share It Music

Watch “All My Friends” Music Video. Directed by Sofia Albinelli

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Bloods return with a reissue of their debut EP Golden Fang, arriving on streaming services for the very first time and more than a decade after its original release in 2013. The reissue is accompanied by a brand new single, “All My Friends,” written in response to the ongoing femicide pandemic in the band’s home country of Australia. The song is a celebration of women in their most human moments, honoring the everyday details that so often go unnoticed. In collaboration with their non-profit label Share It Music, Bloods will also be supporting Moving Out Moving On (MOMO), a New South Wales-based domestic violence outreach support service, with a portion of proceeds from the release donated to raise vital funds, as well as awareness.

Speaking on the new track, Bloods’ lead singer MC shared:

“I wanted to write a song that captured the things the women I love might not even realize make them incredible to me. The tiny details that make them human are what make them beautiful. I started with the superficial and moved into the more literal with each verse – every element of these incredible women coming together to paint a portrait of people who deserve love, respect, and most of all, safety.”

First released in 2013, Golden Fang still sounds strikingly current. Its raw immediacy, sharp hooks, and unfiltered urgency still resonate just as powerfully today. At the time of its release, Bloods stood apart as a female-led punk band fronted by two women of color, cutting through a scene that was overwhelmingly male and white. That perspective, both confrontational and deeply human, gave Golden Fang its bite, and continues to define Blood’s voice.

Since then, Bloods have quietly built an impressive global footprint, earning multiple synchronization licensing placements across film, television, and advertising. Of note, their music has appeared in the standout films Babes and The Last Word, the hit TV shows grown-ish, One of Us Is Lying, and Trinkets, the Nat Geo limited series Queens, and a UK-based advertisement for Parkdean Resorts. With Golden Fang finally finding its place on digital services, and “All My Friends” marking a powerful new chapter, Bloods are here to reaffirm their ability to fuse uncompromising punk energy with cultural relevance and real-world impact.

Golden Fang (Reissue) tracklist:

1 All My Friends – music video
2 No Fun – music video
3 Into My Arms – music video
4 Bodies5 Back to You – music video
6 Hailing Down7 Language – music video

Bloods on social media: IG / TikTok / YT
Bloods on Bandcamp

For more information about MOMO: https://dvnswsm.org.au