SNIPPETZ: THURSDAY 23 JULY, 2026

SNIPPETZ: THURSDAY July 23, 2026
This week’s Snippetz includes: Joshua Batten, Atomic: The Songs Of Blondie, Labracadabra Studios Open Mic, Milina Mihic, Mick Pealing & Nick Charles, Everlast, Riley!, Holly Throsby, Jett Blyton,  Fenne Lily, Holly Hebe, David Kushner, Kevin Sullivan, Kate Miller-Heidke, Loathe, Eliza Hull, Psycroptic, The Datsuns, Mark Lang, Groom Epoch, Kwasi, Polly, Chiodos, SIAMAURA, Large Mirage, Big Delicious, Stefan Rose, JONAH MARAIS, CHINCHILLA, Creature Fear, Ernie Garland Jr, Edie, Liliana de la Rosa, FROM ASHES TO NEW, Beyond The Valley, Cohen Noir, Ashley Naylor, Lottie McLeod, Black Spikes, WEDNESDAY 13, Future Shade, WILDLANDS FESTIVAL and more.

JOSHUA BATTEN RELEASES NEW SINGLE “OUT OF THE ORDINARY” OUT NOW

NEW ALBUM ‘TRUE OPTIMISM’ SEP 28th!

Melbourne singer-songwriter Joshua Batten has released his latest single “Out Of The Ordinary” to all music platforms.

The opening track from Batten’s upcoming fourth studio album “True Optimism”, “Out Of The Ordinary” is a guitar-led rock anthem with elements of power pop and country, featuring autobiographical lyrics about maintaining enthusiasm, taking control of a situation and being open up to new experiences and opportunities.

The title itself is a play on how Batten himself views himself as an atypical singer-songwriter, never belonging to any particular scene in the mainstream music industry, refusing to conform to current pop trends and jumping between different styles from song to song.

As Batten explains; “I started seriously writing my own songs when I was about 15, and I was performing regularly by 19. Back then I had quite a naive view of how the music industry worked and what my place would be in it. Now I am over 30 years old and although I’ve grown a lot and had some amazing career highlights, I still fall back on a lot of my old habits. Also, while most of my childhood friends have settled down, getting married and raising kids, I remain married to the music.

“I still actively seek out new activities and opportunities beyond my bubble, while also trying different approaches to my usual tasks to see if I can reach a better outcome. Sometimes those outcomes aren’t what I expected, and there is always a level of fear in trying something new, but it is important to have an open and accepting mind in an ever-changing landscape.”

Alongside Batten’s lead vocals and guitars, the song features regular contributors Jesse Bates on drums, Jason Vorherr on bass and Montana Sharp on backing vocals.

Joshua Batten’s fourth studio album, “True Optimism” is set for release on CD, Vinyl and Digital Download on September 28th, 2026, with a full streaming release to follow in early 2027.

Batten will launch the album with a full band concert at Kew Court House on October 17th as part of the 2026 Matsumura Jailhouse Concert Series, with special guest musicians Montana Sharp and Justin Yap.

Batten will also be touring throughout Spring 2026, playing solo and band gigs in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

UPCOMING GIGS

Jul 25-26 – Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival, Echuca VIC (Solo)

Jul 30 – The Galway Hooker, Perth WA (Solo)

Sat, Aug 22 – Brunswick Artists Bar, Brunswick VIC (Joshua Batten Band)

Sat, Aug 29 – ArcoBar, Moorabbin VIC (Solo – Supporting Things of Stone & Wood)

Oct 9-11 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga SA

Sat, Oct 17 – Matsumura Jailhouse Concert, Kew VIC (Album Launch – Joshua Batten Band with Guests)

More dates TBA, including tour dates in NSW, VIC & SA!

LINKS
SoundCloud
AMRAP Artist Page
AMRAP Stream/Download

www.joshuabatten.com.au

Facebook: joshuabattenmusic
Instagram: @joshuabattenmusic
YouTube: Joshua Batten Music
Spotify: Joshua Batten
BandCamp: Joshua Batten

 

 

Independent Melbourne Label Brings BLONDIE CELEBRATION To Thornbury With Unusual Vinyl-and-Ticket Model

An independent Melbourne record label is applying a strategy more commonly associated with international touring artists than tribute concerts when Atomic: The Songs Of Blondie arrives at Thornbury Bowls Club on Saturday 1 August.

Presented by Pop Preservation Society, the concert includes limited collector ticket bundles pairing admission with imported 180-gram editions of Blondie’s Parallel Lines and Eat To The Beat. Patrons purchasing five tickets can add one album for $4, while ten-ticket bundles include the opportunity to purchase both albums for $8, with records collected at the venue on the night.

The approach reflects the broader activities of Pop Preservation Society, a Melbourne-based independent record label, music publisher and artist services company founded by musician and producer Victor Stranges. Alongside releasing and promoting original Australian artists, the organisation has developed a productions arm dedicated to presenting live performances celebrating influential songwriters and recording artists while creating regular employment opportunities for local musicians.

Its productions include concerts devoted to Blondie, The Clash, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, XTC and The Specials, together with its ongoing Songwriter Series, which explores influential catalogues through productions including New York Stories, Get Stiffed! and the forthcoming Last Of The Angry Young Men.

Atomic: The Songs Of Blondie features vocalist Anthea Palmer with Stu Thomas (Dave Graney & The MistLY, Kim Salmon & The Surrealists), Mike Dupp, Victor Stranges and Garry Allen performing two extended sets drawn from Blondie’s catalogue, from the band’s emergence on New York’s CBGB scene through the recordings that established them as one of the defining groups of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Rather than focusing solely on chart success, the performance spans Blondie’s broader body of work, reflecting the band’s evolution from punk beginnings into one of popular music’s most adventurous and influential recording acts. While the live productions have become an important part of the organisation’s activities, Stranges says they also support the label’s wider work.

“Every show creates work for musicians, technicians, photographers, videographers and designers while introducing audiences to what we do as a label and publisher. It’s become a sustainable way of supporting live music while continuing to develop original Australian artists.”

Atomic: The Songs Of Blondie will be presented at Thornbury Bowls Club on Saturday 1 August. Limited collector vinyl ticket bundles remain available.

Atomic: The Songs Of Blondie
Saturday 1 August 2026
Thornbury Bowls Club
27 Ballantyne Street, Thornbury
Tickets: AtomicWeAre.com

 

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT LABRACADABRA STUDIOS, ABBOTSFORD

My name is Julian, I’m hosting an Open Mic & Music Networking Night on Tuesday 4 August at Labracadabra Studios, a new recording space in Abbotsford. More than just an open mic, the evening is designed as a relaxed meet-and-greet for Melbourne musicians to perform, connect, collaborate and get to know other local artists. Every performance on the night will be professionally recorded free of charge, and performers are encouraged to bring their own camera if they’d like to capture video content. Anyone wishing to perform can RSVP via the Labracadabra Studios Instagram page.
https://www.julianschweitzer.com/

 

MILINA MIHIC releases poignant debut EP, The Man You Remember

Sydney singer-songwriter Milina Mihic today unveils her highly-anticipated debut EP, The Man You Remember, a deeply personal collection of songs that capture the complexities of love, loss, identity and growing into yourself. Four years in the making, the six-track EP cements Milina as one of Australia’s most compelling young voices, pairing earnest songwriting with lush, cinematic production and evocative storytelling.

Drawing inspiration from artists including Jeff Buckley, Phoebe Bridgers and Elliott Smith, The Man You Remember inhabits a dreamlike emotional landscape where memories blur, perspectives shift and human connection remains at the heart of every song. Weaving together richly textured instrumentation, orchestral flourishes and intimate lyricism, the EP explores the moments that define us, balancing heartbreak and hope with quiet resilience and self-reflection.

“The Man You Remember is something I am so insanely proud of,” shares Milina. “There have been lots of tears and so much hard work poured into this EP, which makes it even more exciting for me. It’s been four years in the making, and I can’t wait for people to finally hear it.”

The Man You Remember by Milina Mihic is out now.

Stream The Man You Remember

 

 

MICK PEALING & NICK CHARLES with THE LONG ROAD HOME AT MT MARTHA BOWLO Sat 15 August

What happens when one of Australia’s finest voices combines with Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues?

The answer is a sublime mix of soul, blues and folky country music! A brilliant award- winning song catalogue, choice classics and supreme musical ability makes for a memorable show.

Mick’s voice is the sound of iconic Australian country rock legends, Stars, while Nick’s career covers thirteen US tours and every conceivable award in roots music.

Their stellar Long Road Home band comprises Paul Jonas on violin and Ed Bates on pedal steel and Tony Bonnici on bass. Great musicianship, four part harmonies and a recording catalogue sublime.

Here’s a concert for all lovers of roots music and songs brought to you by some of the best.

TIX: trybooking.com/DNXFX

MT MARTHA BOWLO
SATURDAY AUGUST 15

You may bring your own food/snacks to the venue. Bowlo bar open with great prices. CARD ONLY.
Doors from 7:30pm | Show 8:15pm
General Admission $40 + BF
@ door (if still available)

Book your tickets at www.marthasalt.com.au, and you can always call Salty if you have any questions on 0419 359 829.

 

 

GRAMMY-Winning singer, songwriter & Rap legend EVERLAST drops “Peace of Mind” from Embers to Ashes album – out August 28

GRAMMY-winning Irish-American rapper, singer & songwriter Everlast has released new single and music video “Peace of Mind” from his first album in eight years, Embers to Ashes. Produced by Yelawolf, mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, and with cover art by award-winning Tristan Eaton, Embers to Ashes is out August 28 on Everlast’s own Martyr Inc Records, in partnership with Thirty Tigers and Regime Music Group (more via Variety, Billboard & SPIN).

With a music video featuring graffiti pioneer RISK, the incendiary “Peace of Mind” is a hard-earned reflection on redemption, self-awareness, and the search for meaning and integrity in a world consumed by temptation, addiction, and materialism. Everlast mixes down-home blues and epic rock, blending spiritual undertones with a powerful message of personal accountability. The song serves as both a cautionary tale and an anthem for anyone seeking purpose, redemption, and the courage to live authentically.

Nashville songwriter D-Ray, whose credits include Embers to Ashes as well as Jelly Roll’s “Son of a Sinner” and “Dead Man Walking,” says: “Yela and Erik had the concept for the song. I had just walked outside to smoke, and by the time they made it to me, Yela already had a percussion vibe and melody, while Erik was starting on the verse one lyrics. The song wrote itself because I feel like we’d all seen people take what they thought was a shortcut to success, or to true peace in general, and we all related to that so much. The song is a story not only about being yourself, but also trusting what you’re capable of…forgiving and countering hate with love, without regret. These lines hit me the most:

‘In a world of hate you gotta fight for love

Every night you pray but it’s not enough

When you beg for change and the good lord calls your bluff.’”

“Peace of Mind”: Watch / Listen

“There’s a freedom in being broken,” says Everlast on previous single “Losing Man’s Game” featuring intergenerational crew of Andy Frasco, Amigo the Devil and DJ Muggs(Cypress Hill) – who also produced House of Pain’s hit “Jump Around” – in the Reservoir Dogs-inspired video. “My Hollywood” is a lighter hearted take on the ups and downs of success in the entertainment world, while the first single and music video for “Stones” is a journey from self loathing to self healing and forgiveness (“soulful and heartfelt” – VICE, “a masterclass in the genre-bending style Everlast pioneered” – BroBible).

There are two mantras Everlast keeps close: whatever’s happening is inevitable, and this too shall pass. The philosophy comes into focus on Embers to Ashes, shaped by a decade that saw his Los Angeles home burn down in the 2018 Woolsey fire, the pandemic, a divorce and more. But the seed was planted a decade before – in 2015, Everlast was in Berlin and went to check out Yelawolf. That night, Yelawolf told him he’d love to produce a record for him. Ten years later, they connected in Nashville to make Embers to Ashes, with Yelawolf producing – encouraging him to bring in co-writers like David Ray (Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims).

Maybe it’s hard to understand how the guy who recorded one of the biggest breakout hip-hop hits in history (1992’s “Jump Around” with his old group House of Pain) as well as the enduring empathy anthem of the 20th century (1998’s “What It’s Like”) could go from Armand de Brignac to Canadian Club (“We went from champagne and crystal glasses to drinking cheap whiskey out of plastic,” he growls on “Stones”). After all, this is the same man who won a GRAMMY with Santana and went on to redefine rap’s relationship with blues and rock. But here’s the thing: this too shall pass.

The wider world, with all its own hurt, looms throughout the record, as well. On the ghostly protest song “Rubber Bullets,”written as Everlast watched the fallout of George Floyd’s murder, he reminds listeners: “Rubber bullets kill exactly like the real ones.” And to close things down, the hopeful “Young Man” offers up the clearest of that aforementioned hard-earned wisdom, as Everlast assumes the role of elder, imparting what he’s learned during a life truly lived to those — like his two daughters — who are just setting out.

ABOUT EVERLAST: Everlast is familiar. It’s not just that he recorded one of the biggest breakout hip-hop hits in history — 1992’s “Jump Around” with his old group House of Pain. Or that he made the empathy anthem of the 20th century — 1998’s “What It’s Like,” from his triple-Platinum LP Whitey Ford Sings the Blues. It’s not the GRAMMYs he was nominated for, or the one he won with Santana. No, the reason we feel we know the artist born Erik Francis Schrody is twofold: It’s in the way he redefined rap’s relationship with blues and rock, and it’s in the humanity he’s always brought to that sound — a mix that rings across the airwaves today. For more than three decades, he has made it his work to document the whole picture as he sees it and as he’s lived it, from humbling highs to devastating lows. The latter defined the lead-up to Everlast’s eighth album, Embers to Ashes, his inaugural LP on Thirty Tigers / Regime Music Group, and first in eight years. Produced by Yelawolf and recorded in Nashville with input from kindred spirits like songwriter David Ray (Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims), the 2026 set is a collection of unflinching and moving music from a master of the medium — songs that tell tales of glory grasped and lost, sudden swerves that change a life’s trajectory, and hard-earned wisdom and warnings. Through his rap-honed pen and earthy baritone, he renders our universal experiences in a way that gets to the heart of it all. In short, we feel like we know Everlast, because Everlast knows us.

FOLLOW EVERLAST: Instagram | X | Facebook| YouTube| Website

 

 

RILEY! EP TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH OUT NOW VIA PURE NOISE RECORDS FEATURING SINGLE 73 SUMMERS

RILEY! have released their new EP To Live And Die In The American South out now, via Pure Noise Records.

The band have released the emotive 73 Summers – a tribute to the passing of a loved one.

“This is a tough one to talk about. I wrote this song around the 10-year mark of my grandfather’s passing,” says Ryan Bluhm. “Being young and starting college and just generally being busy all the time with real life starting, I didn’t notice anything wrong, and I guess I’m not sure if anyone really did. Depression is a quiet killer. When he took his own life, I had no understanding of how to process going forward. He helped raise me after all. Growing up with a single mom, he almost felt like my father, too. Most of this song surrounds all the questions I wish I could ask now, even if they’re not anything that can realistically be answered at all. Without going into more of a trauma dump than this already has been, this song just felt right as a closer on a record. A lot of the music was meticulously decided for that purpose: the soft, lulling beginning that builds up into a massive wall of sound that fades out into nonexistence. The piano note that repeats over and over at the end of the song was meant to almost emulate a heartbeat that just abruptly quits, which also signifies the record coming to an end.”

As an openly queer, progressive band in a deeply red state, Riley! have always built their own version of belonging. That spirit runs throughout To Live and Die in the American South, from its very title to the song themselves – deeply personal stories of isolation, connection and the eternal fight to feel seen. Outside the walls of their hometown, though, they’ve built connections that have made survival possible, growing alongside a fanbase that has found itself reflected in every sweat-soaked note as they’ve carved out their own communities.

Riley! are the kind of band that only could have come from somewhere far off the map – making music shaped by isolation, boredom, anxiety, friendship, and dreaming about what lies beyond the limits of their blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hometown. Their details may belong to the Rio Grande Valley deep in South Texas, but the feelings amplified through their hyper-modern spin on Midwest emo have carried them around the world, from self-booked headlining tours and bills with genre heavyweights.

Having formed with the current lineup in 2020, what’s followed on albums like 2021’s Already Fucked and 2024’s Keep Your Cool has been a steady transformation from scrappy cult favourite to one of modern emo’s most compelling young bands on the strength of twinkly textures from high-capoed guitars, raucous rhythm section energy and Bluhm’s highly personal storytelling.

Now, Riley! has levelled up on their Pure Noise Records debut, To Live And Die In The American South. Recorded in Austin, TX, alongside producer Phil Odom (Militarie Gun, Say Anything and a protegee of Grammy-winning producer Will Yip), the five-song EP finds Riley! embracing a more finely harnessed sound without losing any of their edge. “We were going for something a little bit more polished,” Bluhm explains. “Not everyone is necessarily into screaming emo music, so we wanted to make things a bit more digestible.”

That range comes into focus from the opening swell of Roll for Initiative, bursting in with off-kilter, syncopated energy and a thread of existential dread, while Another Round of Radical ‘Ritas, Please (ft. Tades Sanville of Hot Mulligan) zeroes in on the quiet spiral of feeling left out and left behind. Elsewhere, Two Bucks finds the band leaning into melody, its high, soaring harmonies bolstered by Eric Egan of Heart Attack Man; Backseat Bartender, featuring Gabe Wood of Saturdays at Your Place, taps into classic emo influences, and closer 73 Summers trades urgency for something more devastating and reflective as Bluhm wrestles with grief, loss and impermanence.

Riley! are about to head out on their North American headline run before UK shows supporting label mates Ben Quad.

Riley! are vocalist/guitarist Ryan Bluhm (they/them), bassist Kris Gallardo (he/him) and drummer Cesar “Izzy” Izaguirre (they/them)

TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH EP – OUT NOW

https://purenoiserecs.lnk.to/Riley_Stores

CONNECT WITH RILEY!: https://www.facebook.com/RILEYtherockband/

 

 

HOLLY THROSBY DELIVERS NEW SINGLE ‘TELL ME I’M DONE’

ANNOUNCES EAST COAST TOUR

NEW RECORD ‘NORMAL MAGIC’ OUT 4 SEPTEMBER

Following ‘Gallery’ and ‘Hold Please’ feat. Laura Jean,  Holly Throsby releases her newest single, ‘Tell Me I’m Done’. She also announces an East Coast tour for her sixth studio album, Normal Magic (due 4 September).

Of the single Holly says; “Sonically, this song feels like the heart of the album. Nylon string guitar, bass, programmed drums, synth, flutes – I love the marriage of sounds. And the sentiment is very true for this time in my life: that feeling of creative obsession that is exciting and utterly exhausting; wanting people to be kind; not knowing how to work anything, but trying anyway; wanting to take care of people, but also really just wanting someone to take care of me.”

Normal Magic marks a new direction for Throsby: a self-produced ten-song record, synth-heavy, with programmed beats, electric guitars, saxophone, and banjo. This is a far more electronic and mesmeric sound, but the songs remain finely crafted: lyrically ambitious; playful and hypnotic.

Throsby sought out a new group of collaborators for this album, including multi-instrumentalist Jordan Ireland (The Middle East), Helen Franzmann (Mess Esque, McKisko), Laura Jean, Oliver Mestitz (The Finks) and Jake Core (Soda Eaves). Recordings were made in various homes, with the bulk engineered at Stranded Studios in Bellambi (Babitha, Body Type). The record was mixed in Provence, France, by Burke Reid (Courtney Barnett, The Drones, Julia Jacklin).

Of Normal Magic, Holly says: “The concept for this record stemmed from a conversation about what is normal and what is magic. Art making, for example, is quite magical and quite normal at the same time, and the concept expanded as the songs were written to be a kind of a celebration of the magic of normal life – little moments of beauty and wonder which can be so sustaining. A sunbeam or a bird or a moment of synchrony.”

Nine years have passed since the release of Throsby’s last album After A Time. Since then, she has released two novels (Cedar Valley and Clarke) and spent many seasons on the South Coast, developing a new sonic palette for her upcoming album. Normal Magic is the result, coming on vinyl, CD and digital on 4 September via Hobbledehoy Records.

Holly Throsby is one of Australia’s most beloved and enduring songwriters. Her debut album arrived in the 2004, establishing her as a singular folk voice with a remarkable gift for lyrical detail. Four acclaimed solo albums followed, an album of original children’s songs, and her work as one third of the band, Seeker Lover Keeper. Together, Holly Throsby and Seeker Lover Keeper have amassed over 70 million combined streams. Holly has been nominated for five ARIAs – including two for Best Female Artist. She is also an acclaimed novelist, with three books published by Allen & Unwin selling over 40,000 copies, and a fourth expected in 2027.

Normal Magic album tour Tickets here

Sat 31 Oct – Brunswick Ballroom, Brunswick (afternoon show)

Thu 05 Nov – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Fri 06 Nov – Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads

Thu 12 Nov – The Vanguard, Sydney

Sun 15 Nov – Thirroul Railway Hall, Thirroul (afternoon show)

https://www.hollythrosby.com/

 

 

JETT BLYTON EMBRACES INDIE POP CATHARSIS ON NEW SINGLE ‘WHAT HAVE YOU DONE’

LISTEN HERE

Following the success of his recent first-ever headline tour and the viral fan favourite ‘Noise‘, Australian pop provocateur Jett Blyton returns with his explosive new single ‘What Have You Done’ – the sophomore release from his forthcoming long-form project, ‘The American Heartthrob’.

A loud, unapologetic anthem inspired by the swagger of 2000s indie rock, What Have You Done asks a simple yet confronting question: just how far would you go to chase the things you want?

Driven by big guitars, shimmering synths and Jett’s unmistakable knack for infectious pop songwriting, the track explores jealousy, obsession and denial through an exaggerated cinematic lens. Referencing Shakespearean tragedy with a distinctly modern twist, Jett delivers one of his most striking lyrical moments: “I know he’s pretty; I see him in my dreams, I’m staring at him with an AR17.” The result is a song that is as provocative as it is undeniably addictive.

Drawing inspiration from 2000s indie icons including The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem, What Have You Done further cements Jett’s evolving sonic identity, blending indie sleaze aesthetics with polished, hook-driven pop production.

“This might be my favourite track I’ve ever put out. This song feels like a real turning point in the project and pure pop catharsis to me. While the narrative is obviously heightened, pushing that level of antagonistic denial into something so fun just felt right. In my head, I was picturing a Tarantino-style ’90s film or the action-comedy energy of ‘Death Becomes Her’. We took a lot of inspiration from 2000s indie rock and early indie sleaze, reimagining the sounds of The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem into something tight, immediate and impossible to ignore. It’s one of those songs that grabs you from the very first listen”, says Jett.

The release arrives amid a breakout period for the Canberra-born artist. This September Jett will be a featured artist performing live at BIGSOUND in Brisbane. Earlier this year he was elected as one of NME’s 100 Essential Emerging Artists for 2026 quickly establishing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting new pop voices. His growing list of accolades includes consecutive appearances in the triple j Unearthed High Yearbook in both 2023 and 2024, a nomination at the MusicACT Music Awards (MAMAs), and praise from global pop stars Sabrina Carpenter and Audrey Hobert, who have publicly championed his writing.

Since emerging as a fearless songwriter with a gift for blending sharp storytelling, infectious melodies and larger-than-life pop production, Jett has built a devoted audience through his distinctive artistic vision. With What Have You Done, he continues to push creative boundaries while offering another glimpse into the world of The American Heartthrob – a project that is proving to be his most ambitious and defining work to date.

FOLLOW JETT BLYTON:

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Website

 

FENNE LILY   RELEASES NEW SINGLE  “THANK YOU SORRY”
LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE

OFF FORTHCOMING ALBUM  WIN WIN   OUT OCTOBER 23

Brooklyn-based English songwriter Fenne Lily returns with her devastatingly honest new single, “Thank You Sorry,” the latest offering from her highly anticipated fourth album, Win Win, due October 23 via Nettwerk Music Group.

Following the warm, clear-eyed optimism of previous single “Uh Huh”, “Thank You Sorry” dives straight into the emotional catalyst of the record. Written in the immediate aftermath of a sudden life shift, the track showcases Fenne’s signature ability to spin intense vulnerability into stunning, melodic art.

“Broken up with over the phone on Independence Day, I was told everything but the truth,” Fenne shares. “This song is the truth; that I became an unwanted guest in a relationship, that I was treated like I meant nothing. I made something out of being nothing to someone.”

WATCH & SHARE: FENNE LILY “THANK YOU SORRY”

https://fennelily.ffm.to/thankyousorry

Written during a period of upheaval after moving from England to New York, Win Win began in the aftermath of an unexpected breakup and a profound crisis of confidence. Feeling untethered in a city that at first felt too large and unforgiving, Fenne turned inward, writing obsessively as a way to process loss, loneliness, and the fear of losing herself. What emerged was a record rooted in self-preservation and rediscovery.

Across its 10 tracks, Win Win transforms the vacuum of heartbreak and self-doubt into a body of work that feels raw yet carefully built. Carrying the candor, dry humor, and emotional intelligence that have long defined her writing, the album embodies both the darkness of an ending and the light at the end of it.“I wanted to make music that sounded like the sun was out,” says Fenne. And that she did.

PRE-SAVE ALBUM: WIN WIN https://fennelily.ffm.to/winwin

Written and recorded over the course of 18 months, Win Win came together through heatwaves, snowstorms, apartment moves and late-night sessions with both longtime bandmates from England and New York collaborators. The core of the album was recorded live and partially to tape, resulting in a sound that is deeply intimate, and incredibly grounded

“Thank You Sorry” serves as a crucial pillar of this collection, an unflinching look at what it means to rebuild yourself from scratch. Heartbreaking yet resilient, Win Win is the definitive portrait of an artist stepping fully into her own light.

ABOUT FENNE LILY: Brooklyn-based English songwriter Fenne Lily crafts music defined by a rare blend of emotional intelligence, dry humor, and disarming candor. Over the course of her critically acclaimed career, she has amassed over 250 million global streams and earned widespread praise from outlets like The New York Times and Pitchfork for her warm, arpeggiated guitar work and deeply empathetic vocals. A sought-after collaborator and seasoned live performer, Lily has built a dedicated international following through her raw, intimate storytelling. Now partnered with Nettwerk Music Group, she enters her most fully realized era yet with her fourth studio album, Win Win. Written in the aftermath of a sudden life shift, Win Win transforms the vacuum of heartbreak into a sunlit, cohesive body of work—a grounded, country-tinged indie-folk record about reclaiming your integrity and coming back to yourself with the lights on.

CONNECT WITH FENNE LILY: Instagram | YouTube | Substack | TikTok

 

 

HOLLY HEBE Unveils Mood Ring, A Dreamlike EP Exploring Heartbreak, Memory And The Colours Of Growing Up

Holly Hebe enters a defining new chapter with the release of her highly anticipated third EP Mood Ring, a deeply intimate and sonically immersive body of work exploring heartbreak, superstition, nostalgia and the emotional chaos of growing up. No longer Melbourne’s “best kept secret”, Holly’s latest project marks the arrival of an artist stepping confidently into a new era.

Across Mood Ring, Holly transforms emotional uncertainty into a vivid sonic landscape, capturing the highs, lows and contradictions of navigating love, loss and self discovery. Inspired by colour, texture and memory, the EP blends layered vocals, shimmering production, inventive sampling and Holly’s signature piano driven songwriting to create a project that feels nostalgic, cinematic and entirely her own.

“Mood Ring is a collection of songs about clinging onto signs, being desperately hopeful and aimlessly sad, superstition and heartbreak. Whilst writing and producing this EP I spent a lot of time drawing and painting, thinking about colours and textures and then trying to emulate this in the sonic landscapes of the songs. Every song has a colour paired with it & eventually they all morphed into one giant emotional pinwheel for me that documents the last year of my life. I wanted to lean into the whimsy of sparkling reversed sounds, vivid lyricism and layered vocals, and incorporate more of the piano which is well and truly my musical home base. All the songs are so special to me.”

The EP’s focus track Nineteen captures the complicated aftermath of heartbreak and the desire to rewrite moments that changed you. Through nostalgic melodies and emotionally detailed songwriting, Holly explores the feeling of looking back on a relationship and wondering who you were before it began, while confronting the parts of yourself that may have been lost along the way.

“I wrote this song after one of those rites of passage, cataclysmic heartbreaks and at the time, my core coping mechanism was to try and pretend the relationship never even happened in the first place. This song is about the sliding doors of it all, the ‘what if this ended after the first date’ and the realisation that you had lost yourself a little along the way.”

Mood Ring arrives following a huge period of momentum for Holly, with the project accompanied by her biggest headline run to date, a national tour presented by triple j, including her first ever New Zealand headline show. Known for her emotionally charged live performances and genuine connection with audiences, Holly has sold out her previous headline shows across Sydney and Melbourne, drawing over 500 fans across the two cities, while performing on major stages including Beyond The Valley and the Australian Open. She has also toured alongside Holly Humberstone, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Aleksiah, Lyric, The Dreggs, The Rions and Eves Karydas, further cementing her reputation as one of Australia’s most compelling emerging live acts.

The release follows a breakthrough run of singles that have cemented Holly Hebe as one of Australia’s most exciting emerging indie pop artists across radio, DSPs and editorial. Recent single Crying Your Eyes Out earned a triple j Drive first play and full add, becoming the #1 most played track on triple j while landing on key playlists including Spotify’s New Music Friday AU & NZ, Pop N’ Fresh and Apple Music’s New Music Daily. Previous releases Birthmark and Swimsuit continued this momentum with triple j first plays, national radio support, major DSP editorial placements and coverage across The AU Review, The Music and Rolling Stone AU & NZ. Across her career, Holly has surpassed 5 million streams globally, secured 50+ DSP editorial playlist placements, including covers of Spotify’s Pop N’ Fresh and EQUAL AU/NZ, and earned ongoing support from triple j, including being named a triple j Unearthed 2025 Forecast artist and triple j Feature Artist.

Holly’s artistry has continued to gain recognition on both a national and international level, with official showcasing appearances at SXSW Austin and SXSW Sydney, selection for the prestigious APRA SongHubs writing camp alongside some of the world’s leading songwriters and producers.

With Mood Ring, Holly Hebe solidifies herself as one of Australia’s most distinctive voices, transforming heartbreak, nostalgia and emotional uncertainty into a world that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. A project built on colour, memory and vulnerability, Mood Ring marks the arrival of an artist stepping confidently into her next era.

CONNECT WITH HOLLY HEBE https://www.instagram.com/hollyhebe/

 

 

DAVID KUSHNER Returns With ‘Electrified’

New Single Arrives Alongside Lewis Cater-directed Music Video

Single out now via Miserable Music Group

Listen Now

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter David Kushner enters a new era with his new single, ‘Electrified’ out everywhere via Miserable Music Group / Virgin Music Group. The single is produced and co-written by Jacob Olofsson (Frank Ocean, Camila Cabello, Baby Keem), Scott Harris (Shawn Mendes, Niall Horan, Melanie Martinez) and Kushner himself.

‘Electrified’ arrives today alongside a companion music video. Directed by Lewis Cater (Kasey Musgraves, Teddy Swims, Laufey), the cinematic visual sees David entering a vehicle that takes on a life of its own, much like the ups and downs of a new relationship. His captivating baritone voice is matched with flashes of light and haunting cityscape.

“’Electrified’ is about the moment devotion first catches fire, when love feels overwhelming, untouchable, almost unreal. It’s the spark you surrender to before you know where it leads.” – David Kushner

‘Electrified’, the highly anticipated first single from Kushner’s forthcoming second studio album, captures the moment devotion first catches fire—when love feels overwhelming, untouchable, and almost unreal. It’s the spark you surrender to before you know where it will lead.

‘Electrified’ follows his RIAA Gold-certified debut album, The Dichotomy, which featured the 3x Platinum certified, #1 Spotify Global 50 hit, ‘Daylight’.

David Kushner – Electrified

Single out now via Miserable Music Group Listen Now

About David Kushner Few artists have connected with a global audience as quickly or as profoundly as David Kushner. With his unmistakable baritone, soul-baring songwriting, and ability to transform deeply personal questions into universally resonant anthems, the Chicago born, Nashville based singer-songwriter has emerged as one of the most compelling independent artist voices of his generation. In just a few years, Kushner has evolved from posting songs online to building a worldwide fanbase, amassing billions of streams and establishing himself as a singular presence in modern music.

His breakthrough hit, “Daylight,” became a global phenomenon, earning multi-platinum certifications around the world and surpassing 1.7 billion streams on Spotify alone. The song introduced listeners to Kushner’s signature artistic tension: the push and pull between darkness and light, faith and doubt, desire and redemption. Those themes would become the foundation of his acclaimed 2024 debut album, The Dichotomy, a sweeping and ambitious body of work that explored the complexities of human nature through cinematic production, towering vocals, and unflinchingly honest storytelling. The album cemented his reputation as an artist willing to wrestle with life’s biggest questions while creating music that feels both intimate and expansive. It also marked the arrival of a songwriter whose work transcends genre, drawing from folk, alternative, pop, gospel, and rock influences while remaining distinctly his own.

What has followed has been a period of extraordinary growth. Through sold-out headline shows, festival appearances, and an ever deepening connection with fans around the world, Kushner has continued to refine his artistic vision. While the themes of faith, longing, and self-discovery remain central to his work, his perspective has evolved. Now, as he writes and records his highly anticipated second album, Kushner finds himself entering a new creative chapter. More settled in his sound, more confident in his voice, and more certain of his purpose than ever before, he is embracing the freedom that comes with artistic clarity while continuing to push himself into unexplored territory. The result is music that feels both deeply rooted and forward-looking: emotionally fearless, sonically expansive, and driven by an unwavering commitment to truth.

At the heart of everything Kushner creates is a belief that music can serve as a bridge between the personal and the universal. His songs do not offer easy answers. Instead, they invite listeners into the tension, beauty, struggle, and wonder of being human. As he steps into the next era of his career, David Kushner is no longer simply documenting his search for meaning. He is creating from a place of conviction, crafting songs that resonate far beyond himself and continuing to establish a legacy as one of the most distinctive storytellers in contemporary music.

https://www.facebook.com/davidkushnermusic/

 

 

KEVIN SULLIVAN ‘OUR PIECE OF THE MAP’

If you love Australia and if you love where you live, or where you raised your kids, well you’ll love the latest single by Kevin Sullivan, “Our Piece of the Map”. There’s something uniquely special about the family home, or as Kevin Sullivan’s latest single says, “Our Piece of the Map”.

This song is a celebration of why our individual homes and locations are important to us. It might not even be where you currently live, but where you aspire to live, where you dream about one day ending up. “Our Piece of the Map” is about your little pot of gold, wherever that might be. It doesn’t even have to be the best house on the best street, but like the song says,

” You may have a house in the city, maybe it’s a farm full of stock, a caravan, apartment or houseboat, anywhere from here to Bangkok, and you’ll sing, “Our Piece of the Map”.

Kevin Sullivan has toured all over Australia with his children, “The Sulli-Vans” performing whilst they lived on the road. They stayed with friends in the city, on farms, in the outback and lived in their Caravan. “We love being on the road, but there’s something about coming home to your little piece of the map.”

Kevin Sullivan and his family live down the south coast of New South Wales, in a place called Gerringong and about a year ago, a street in the town, Tasman Drive became a world phenomenon when an influencer took a photograph of this street and asked, “Is this the best street in NSW?”.

What followed, were stories by Channel 9, Channel 7, the ABC and even the New York Times who called Tasman Drive, the Prettiest Street in Australia. This has turned Tasman Drive into a tiktok sensation with thousands of visitors from all over the world turning up each day to get their photograph taken where the road seems to fall away right in front of you into the ocean at Werri Beach.

Kevin filmed the music video for “Our Piece of the Map” on Tasman Drive, the now famous street in his town of Gerringong. Many of the visitors not only call it the best street in NSW, some say it’s the best street in Australia and others even rate it the best in the world. To Kevin Sullivan and his family, the town of Gerringong is simply “Our Piece of the Map”

This song is true blue and as Australian as it comes. Singer/songwriter, Kevin Sullivan has an amazing ability to blend Aussie humour and storytelling. When you listen to this song and you hear Kevin’s distinct rhythm guitar playing, you can’t help but feel connected, giving you the impression, you are sitting right next to him on his verandah, in a pub somewhere, by a fire, or even in your own, “Piece of the Map”.

The song has some heartfelt messages and then a touch of larrikinism as Kevin sings about building a granny flat in the garden where the mother in law lives and then finishes with a very Australian line that calls out to everyone, welcoming you, as he sings “If you’re comin this way, call in, say g’day, at, “Our Piece of the Map”.

“Our Piece of the Map” was recorded by ARIA award winning Producer Matt Fell in his Wilder Tasmania studios and is the third single to be released on what will be Kevin Sullivan’s much anticipated third original album, due out in September 2026.

Kevin Sullivan co-wrote this song with Peter Santella, a singer/songwriter from South Australia. Kevin previously collaborated with Peter on the song “Journey” from his second album “THREEWAYS” that hit Number 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Song Charts two weeks in a row in June 2024. When Peter told Kevin about the sign “Our Piece of the Map” that he’d seen, Kevin thought, “Now there’s a great name for a song”.

Find Kevin Sullivan on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinsullosullivan

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kevinsullosullivan Website: https://kevinsullivanmusic.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9EGWB5qYcA45to9pqP2GhA

 

 

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘A CERTAIN PANIC’
LISTEN HERE / WATCH HERE

TAKEN FROM THE FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘THE KISS AND THE ABYSS’
OUT AUGUST 14 – PRE-ORDER HERE NOW

TOURING NATIONALLY AUG-SEPT – TICKETS SELLING FAST
DATES & TICKETS HERE

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke shares her powerful new single ‘A Certain Panic’, the latest taste of her forthcoming album ‘The Kiss and The Abyss’, arriving August 14.

Written with long-time collaborator Keir Nuttall and recorded in England with producer Tom Iansek, The Kiss & The Abyss finds Miller-Heidke returning to the folk influences that first shaped her songwriting, while embracing darker textures, theatrical storytelling and richly layered arrangements.

Following the playful observations of first single ‘Holiday’, ‘A Certain Panic’ turns its gaze inward to explore the psychological toll of living in an age of constant performance. Written from the perspective of an influencer trapped inside a carefully curated identity, the song examines the quiet dissonance between public image and private reality, capturing the pressures of visibility, validation and modern digital life with Kate’s trademark wit, empathy and emotional precision.

“‘A Certain Panic’ is about inhabiting the inner life of someone whose identity has become a performance,” says Kate. “It’s about the strange loneliness that can exist beneath constant visibility, and the pressure to keep presenting a version of yourself that the world wants to see.”

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

Across eleven songs, The Kiss and The Abyss navigates beauty and darkness in equal measure, drawing on gothic folk traditions while remaining unmistakably Kate Miller-Heidke: fearless, emotionally raw and impossible to pin down.

At its core, the album is a meditation on the internet age, exploring the algorithms, tribalism and moral absolutism that increasingly shape our lives, while ultimately arguing for empathy, human connection and hope. Rich with mythological imagery, folk instrumentation and cinematic arrangements, it stands as Kate’s most adventurous and uncompromising body of work to date.

With 10 shows already sold out and additional dates added due to overwhelming demand, tickets are disappearing quickly for Kate Miller-Heidke’s national album launch tour. The intimate run of shows will see Miller-Heidke perform songs from The Kiss and The Abyss live for the very first time, alongside beloved favourites from her acclaimed catalogue. Dates & tickets here.

With The Kiss and The Abyss, Kate Miller-Heidke delivers one of the most compelling works of her career – a bold, deeply human record that confronts the anxieties of modern life while searching for beauty, connection and transformation.

ABOUT KATE MILLER-HEIDKE Kate Miller-Heidke is one of Australia’s most versatile and acclaimed artists – a singer-songwriter whose career seamlessly traverses contemporary pop, folk, musical theatre and opera. Across an extraordinary body of work spanning multiple studio albums, she has represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, and received critical acclaim both at home and abroad for her fearless songwriting and distinctive voice.

Classically trained at the Queensland Conservatorium, Kate has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the English National Opera, while also building a celebrated career as one of Australia’s most original contemporary songwriters. Alongside long-time creative partner Keir Nuttall, she co-wrote the hit musical Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical, which premiered in Sydney before transferring to the UK, earning multiple Helpmann Awards, including Best Original Score.

Beyond the stage and studio, Kate has become a familiar face on Australian television as a coach on The Voice Australia, where she has mentored emerging artists across multiple seasons, further cementing her reputation as one of the country’s most respected and influential musicians.

Bold, boundary-pushing and continually evolving, Kate Miller-Heidke remains a singular voice in Australian music. Her new album, The Kiss and The Abyss, marks another compelling chapter in a career defined by curiosity, reinvention and uncompromising artistry.

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE – NEW ALBUM ‘THE KISS AND THE ABYSS’
OUT AUGUST 14 – PRE-ORDER HERE NOW

NEW SINGLE ‘A CERTAIN PANIC’ – OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE

TOURING NATIONALLY AUG-SEPT – DATES & TICKETS HERE

 

 

LOATHE RELEASE LONG ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM,  A STRANGER TO YOU
OUT NOW ON SHARPTONE RECORDS. UK ALTERNATIVE GROUP’S FIRST ALBUM IN SIX YEARS

Today marks the release of one of contemporary heavy music’s most mythologised albums, Loathe’s A Stranger To You. Coming six years after their second album I Let It In And It Took Everything, A Stranger To You arrives in the wake of an album that influenced a wave of bands towards world domination. With today’s release, that influence will be redefined again – with A Stranger To You exhibiting six years of personal and collective growth both within the music and themselves within a magnum opus that spans a breadth of eclectic sounds and techniques.

Easily the most adventurous work of Loathe’s career, A Stranger To You finds the band telling the story of the last six years within 14 staggeringly complex but rewarding beyond all measure cuts of alternative music. Showcasing the full breadth of not only the band’s tastes, but their ever-increasing chemistry, A Stranger To You fuses disparate genres, often within the same track, pushing the boundaries of a style of music that can often feel formulaic. The ascendant soul of Fangs and the techno rhythms interspersed within the unforgiving metal of Gemini alongside the driving, jazz-infused atmospherics of Harder To Pretend and the balmy psychedelia of The Ladder may not feel like they have much in common at first glance, but the key through line is Loathe; a band who have taken the time to explore the outer reaches of their artistic ambition, and fully realised it with a fourteen track showcase of just how singular a unit they are. An album designed to ensure that each second without new music from the band has been worth the wait, Loathe has presented an attention to detail within A Stranger To You that will leave the listener uncovering layers of artistic brilliance long after the first play.

A Stranger To You is, in many ways, a rarity in today’s single-driven musical landscape, opting to return to the gold standard of a methodically laid out, interconnected track sequence that provides an experience best consumed from start to finish. That experience is finally open to all; a chance to delve headfirst into the artistic evolution and creative rebirth of Loathe on A Stranger To You, an album that is destined to take its place at the pinnacle of heavy music’s pantheon of generational works.

To celebrate the release of A Stranger To You, Loathe will today headline Liverpool’s Olympia venue alongside support in HERIOT. The band will head to North America, performing at Lollapalooza and Louder Than Life as well as shows with support from All Under Heaven, a pair of performances with Interpol, followed by an extended headline run with support from Fleshwater and Prostitute.

A STRANGER TO YOU – OUT NOW https://astrangertoyou.com/

 

 

ELIZA HULL TURNS RAGE INTO REVELATION WITH POWERFUL NEW SINGLE

Eliza Hull releases her powerful new single ‘What You Made Me Do’, an anthem of reckoning, resilience and self-reclamation that marks a bold new creative chapter for one of Australia’s most compelling songwriters.

‘What You Made Me Do’ is a song about the moment a relationship reaches its breaking point, when survival demands that you stop shrinking yourself, stop staying silent, and finally face what has been building beneath the surface. At its heart, it explores the complicated emotions of being a woman: the expectations to be accommodating, forgiving and composed, even when carrying hurt, disappointment and rage.

Written and produced by Eliza Hull and Pip Norman (Baker Boy, Missy Higgins, Mia Wray), ‘What You Made Me Do’ marks a bold new chapter for Eliza Hull. Blending cinematic production with raw emotional intensity, the track sits in the tension between grief and liberation, capturing the moment someone finally lets go of the version of themselves that has spent too long holding everything together.

Recorded in Castlemaine on Dja Dja Wurrung Country with engineer Jono Steer (Angie McMahon, Gretta Ray, Ainslie Wills) at Sound Recordings and mixed by Ali Chant (Aldous Harding, PJ Harvey), the song expands Hull’s sonic world into darker, more powerful territory. Driven by a commanding vocal performance and a sense of hard-won catharsis, ‘What You Made Me Do’ is an anthem of reckoning, resilience and self-reclamation.

“For a long time, I had suppressed my anger, seeing it as something uncomfortable or even shameful. But ‘What You Made Me Do’ gave me permission to access that feeling and understand its value. Beneath the anger was truth and a refusal to be diminished. For that, I am deeply grateful.” — Eliza Hull

Accompanying the single is a music video directed by Keiran Watson-Bonnice, Hull’s collaborator on previous videos for ‘Running Underwater’ and ‘Hotel Room’. Hull describes the visual world they created together.

“Working on the music video for ‘What You Made Me Do’ with Keiran Watson-Bonnice was so much fun. We’ve worked together before on ‘Running Underwater’ and ‘Hotel Room’. For this video, we wanted the visuals to sit inside the emotional world of the song rather than illustrate it directly, and what emerged is a symbolic, almost ritualistic unfolding of a breaking point. The video is a metaphor for disappointment and invisibility – offering something meaningful and it not being met. Destroying the cake and moving into chaos is the breaking point of the song. For me, that moment isn’t just destruction — it was a release.” — Eliza Hull

Eliza Hull returns to the stage this August for a series of intimate headline shows, performing brand new material with her full band. Following the release of her acclaimed single ‘Hotel Room’, these shows offer a rare opportunity to experience new music from an artist at the height of her creative powers.

Thursday 28 August | Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine | Tickets

Friday 29 August | Shotkickers, Melbourne |

Over the past few years, Eliza Hull has established herself as one of Australia’s most distinctive songwriters, crafting music that explores identity and desire with remarkable depth and vulnerability. Her 2023 EP Here They Come was praised by Double J as part of their Best New Music.

The last few years have marked a defining creative era for Hull. She has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally, including a celebrated run of shows with Sarah Blasko, further cementing her reputation as one of the country’s most captivating live performers. In 2025, her haunting reimagining of Tomorrow for television series Playing Gracie Darling earned widespread national acclaim and caught the attention of songwriter Daniel Johns himself. Hull has also recently signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony and supported artists like Dan Sultan, Maple Glider, Jen Cloher, Katy Steele and Gordi.

Alongside her music career, Hull is an acclaimed writer and disability advocate. Earlier this year she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contribution to music and disability advocacy.

W: www.prettygoodthanks.com.au

 

 

PSYCROPTIC – release new single + video ‘Ashes Of A New Dawn’ New album out now!

‘Ashes Of A New Dawn’ video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MamKCyTy9z8

Stream: https://psycroptic.bandcamp.com/music

Order: https://direct-merch.com/collections/psycroptic

‘The Pulse Of Annihilation’ album released in Australia via Direct Merch

Rest of the world via Metal Blade Records

For over two decades, PSYCROPTIC has operated at the vanguard of innovative death metal, defined by instrumental precision, structural intelligence and an uncompromising creative ethic. ‘Ashes Of A New Dawn’ is their latest single with the track, and accompanying video, coming from the band’s new full-length, The Pulse Of Annihilation, which is out now!

Comments bassist Todd Stern, “Loooooove this song. It’s the type of song that gives you imagery as you listen. Slow, melty intro… next thing you know you have to run for your life. Great moments of intensity, all in good fun. It’s aggressive as fuck but it’s also like a party song! Highly recommended.”

Adds vocalist Jason Peppiatt, “Lyrically, this song is kind of a sequel to ‘Ashes Of Our Empire’ off the Divine Council album but musically it’s a total Joe Haley riff fest!”

Across ‘The Pulse Of Annihilation’, PSYCROPTIC sounds focused, disciplined, and fully aware of their trajectory. Complexity remains foundational, but it is now guided by compositional restraint and veteran confidence. With this release, the band reaffirm their status not merely as innovative death metal stalwarts, but as architects actively shaping its future, proving that mastery, sharpened by time, only grows more lethal.

PSYCROPTIC AUSTRALIAN TOUR this August

Aug 6 – Pub Rock Diner – Devonport

Aug 7 – Royal Oak Hotel – Launceston

Aug 8 – Altar – Hobart

with Rivers Of Nihil

Aug 13 – Magnet House – Perth

Aug 14 – Lion Arts – Adelaide

Aug 15 – Max Watts – Melbourne

Aug 21 – Manning Bar – Sydney

Aug 22 – Necrosonic Festival – Brisbane

Socials

www.psycroptic.com
www.facebook.com/psycroptic
Instagram: @psycroptic_official

 

 

THE DATSUNS Announce New Album ‘Moonstruck Man’

Out November 13, 2026 via Hellsquad Records

+ Release Lead Single ‘Moonstruck Man’

The DATSUNS – one of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s most celebrated rock bands, the first band out of the Southern Hemisphere to make waves on the early 2000s rock explosion (they toured with the White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, Metallica and others) and the only band of the era who have undeniably kept getting better – have announced a forthcoming new album Moonstruck Man, out through Hellsquad Records
on November 13.

The first taste off the album, which was stitched together in Swedish recording joints & haunts, is out today. The single, also titled “Moonstruck Man”, is a gloriously rambling slice of classic 1970s-inspired rock. Wah pedals wail and guitars scorch, perhaps with nods to Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore and Mountain’s Leslie West.  The high tenored vox & busy rhythms hark back to classic Rush. There’s glam weird & whimsy a la Sparks & Marc Bolan. Tis a tune bedazzled & besotted; moonstruck, indeed.

Before the new album’s release and following a run of New Zealand and Australian dates earlier in the year, the DATSUNS are currently on an extensive run of headline club shows and festival appearances in Europe.  Europe – well Sweden to be exact – being the current home of front Datsun Dolf, who for a good while now has simultaneously managed his Datsun duties with those of being The Hellacopters’ bass man (and before that, with playing bass in head Hellacopter Nicke Andersson’s other high energy band, the hard rock power-popping Imperial State Electric.)

(And yes, that means we’ll see Dolf down under again next year, when The Hellacopters return to Australia for the first time in 2003.)

Time stumbles on. So does the clan DATSUN. Change the inevitable. Despite the ever warping landscape, the DATSUNS find those paths of least resistance up the mountain, and take their lifetime’s accumulated lessons & mastery of rock, up the proverbial giant rock, to dispel their latest riffage & learnings, from the highest point, upon the masses, with joyous savagery.

The workings towards an eighth volume of Datsun sonics have been marinated upon, wrangled thru, laid down & paid out. It will see the light of day in this year 2026. Though the clan have lost another drummer, Scandinavian thumper Adam Lindmark of Dead Lord fills the drum throne. A host of Swedish drumming familiars also litter recordings, to deliver the Stoogeoid evil, the powerpop crunch or the classic proto rawk assault & battery.

Lead string wrangler Christian comes to grips with the literal new hand he’s been dealt, after a literal handicapped year, whereupon next level surgical intervention was required to save a paw ravaged.

Entrenched in the semi-rural NZ paradise, Phil has wracked mind & mitts to conjure up new weaving guitaring rhythms to dispense to his comrades across the seas.

In the lands of ice & snow Dolf has sound boarded hooks & crunch w/his likeminded Scandinavian pals & also shot back many a reshaped idea & burst of rok energy to his Datsun brothers.

The end result, a new & eighth album. The promise delivered of more running, riffing, dancing rock, in the Western calendar year of 2026, both studio wrecked & wrangled.

Thus finally begins the reveal of these doings & dealings from Datsun times tethered & spent cajoling new searing & soaring tunes…

LISTEN: https://music.drm.co.nz/moonstruck-man

the DATSUNS New Album Moonstruck Man Out November 13, 2026 on Hellsquad Records

The DATSUNS were always more over-the-top than their new millennium rock contemporaries. And less gimmicky. They came from a heavier place; heavy in the early ‘70s use of the term, but with a garage-rock rawness and a punk-inspired energy and pace. Heavy music of course has never stayed fashionable for lengthy periods, and the DATSUNS paid the price; after smashing it with their self-titled first album, the fickle tastemakers of the time decided that their second album – produced by Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones no less, and in many ways anticipating Jones’ return to rock alongside Josh Homme and Dave Grohl in Them Crooked Vultures – was on a par with what many critics in the early ’70s thought of Zeppelin. They duly retreated from the limelight as new trends emerged, but they never gave it up. More albums followed, and more tours. Tours of New Zealand. Tours of Japan. Tours of Europe. All managed despite being spread across hemispheres, with front man Dolf de Borst an honorary Swede (and also a member of both the legendary action rock trailblazers The Hellacopters and The Hellacopters’ power pop rock spin-off Imperial State Electric), and guitarist Christian Livingstone living in London and making guitar FX pedals.

Having stuck it out through the lean times, the DATSUNS returned to the fray in 2021 with their first new album in 7-8 years, the much-acclaimed Eye to Eye, as new variations on their preferred themes of heavy music – new forms of garage, psych and metal, and cross-pollinations of the lot – were establishing new audiences.

And now, having toured Australia for the first time since 2014 earlier in the year, the DATSUNS are back with new music once again. And what new mind-blowing new music it is; a singular hard rock sound entrenched in the past but remodeled for the future, one unknown & now more uncertain than ever.

FOLLOW the DATSUNS ONLINE: WEBSITE  / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP

 

 

MARK LANG releases third single ‘Wetlands’ from forthcoming album Wild Swan

 Stream Wetlands 

Wild Swan Album launch on sale

Melbourne Recital Centre Salon
Saturday 24th October
Get tickets here 

Wetlands is the third single from Mark Lang’s forthcoming solo album Wild Swan.

Surrounded by water, it was written in the treasured landscape of the small coastal village of Point Lonsdale.

Wetlands is a love song exploring the hazy space of memories. It mourns the passing of time, and it celebrates the love of those we hold close. It is a song Mark has been trying to write for years, and in various forms it emerged slowly out of the fog, but when the song finally arrived in the middle of a studio improvisation, it arrived quickly and fully formed.

“Sometimes you start writing a song and it’s two versions later that you start getting to the conclusion of what that idea is. It’s a tender hearted love song, and it documents this period of my life, to remember the precious moments with family.”

Mark sings ‘come get lost in the wetlands’  as the song invites the listener to come back into the natural world and experience it ‘as a friend’. It’s a space to answer questions and repair from the friction of the modern world.

‘I watched storm boy a lot as a kid, it became a dream for my own life to be by the ocean, even though modern life is more complicated. There’s a sadness about how hard it is to maintain the simplicity we are yearning for.  Finding our way back to a time before the technology took over. This song is a reminder to treasure the embrace of your lovely dreamers”.

A renowned lyricist and storyteller, Mark Lang has written three critically acclaimed albums making many album of the year lists as the singer-songwriter of Australian indie band Skipping Girl Vinegar. Thrilling audiences from the main stages at Australia’s premier festivals including solo shows at Bluesfest, Cambridge Folk Festival (UK) Port Fairy Folk Festival, Splendour In The Grass, Woodford Folk, Falls Festival and many more. Mark’s work has received extensive airplay on major national broadcasters Triple J, ABC, Double J and community radio, as well as US college radio play with 7 weeks in the Top 100 CMJ charts, and numerous #1 & #2 positions across the US.

Mark toured his debut solo E.P extensively across Europe and North America including a sold out Australian tour. This single Wetlands will be released globally on Tuesday 7th July  through MGM and comes from his forthcoming album Wild Swan.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

 

GROOM EPOCH ‘MANISFESTATION’ SINGLE (Release Date: Friday, 31 July 2026)

Australian rock outfit Groom Epoch returns with their compelling new single, ‘Manifestation,’ arriving on July 31. The track is the latest taste of the band’s forthcoming album, Shadow Kaleidoscope, and showcases the group’s signature blend of thoughtful songwriting, infectious hooks, and driving rock energy.

Featuring Richard Ploog, former drummer of the acclaimed Australian band The Church, Groom Epoch continues to carve out its own distinctive sound while drawing on decades of musical experience. ‘Manifestation’ delivers an irresistible groove from the opening bars, propelled by an upbeat tempo, memorable melodies, and a chorus that lingers long after the song ends.

Lyrically, the track explores themes of purpose, resilience, and self-belief. Profound yet accessible, ‘Manifestation’ offers a positive and engaging message without sacrificing the emotional depth that has become a defining characteristic of Groom Epoch’s songwriting.

As anticipation builds for Shadow Kaleidoscope, ‘Manifestation’ provides another exciting glimpse into an album that promises rich musical textures, meaningful storytelling, and powerful performances. Combining classic rock sensibilities with a fresh, contemporary edge, Groom Epoch continues to demonstrate why they are a band to watch.

‘Manifestation’ will be available on all major streaming platforms from July 31, and is available to pre-save now.

Pre-save ‘Manifestation’ HERE

 

 

KWASI Makes A Ruckus On Defiant Single ‘Troublemaker’ And Announces Debut Album

Single Out NOW | ‘Outstanding MISFIT’ Debut Album Out Friday, October 16

There are artists who colour inside the lines, and then there’s Kwasi. A proud misfit, he thrives on pushing against expectations and bending the rules. Armed with distorted hip-hop grit with his ego-tripping stridency, the Naarm/Melbourne artist makes a ruckus with his new single, ‘Troublemaker’, out NOW

Nationally and internationally acclaimed with a stack of singles and EP releases under his belt, Kwasi announces his debut album, ‘Outstanding MISFIT’, set for release on Friday, October 16.

With a career marked by widespread industry recognition, he has also supported notable artists such as Genesis Owusu, Illy, and 360, secured various synchronisation deals, and formed brand partnerships with companies including 1800 Tequila, Converse, and G-SHOCK.

Laced with ego and intensity, ‘Troublemaker’ drops the mask of expectation, finding confidence within distortion and heavy bass, but the track’s lure extends further than its sonic intrigue.

Having grown up in rural Australia, Kwasi finds himself drawing inspiration from counterculture and defying expectations of his surroundings. Skillfully incorporating his love for skateboarding, film, music and street culture – these outward forces push Kwasi’s expert storytelling ability and raw rebellious energy further than ever before in ‘Troublemaker’.

Produced by formidable beatmaker Paco Laprod, ‘Troublemaker’ is a pure shot of adrenaline, driven by gritted teeth, sirens, flashing lights and relentless momentum. With a perpetual sense of urgency, the track’s enveloping syncopation and hypnotic rhythm exude a cool, calm aggression.

These elements fuel the song’s misfit spirit as it explores saying ‘f*** it’ and embraces the title of ‘Troublemaker’ as both an accusation and a badge of honour. The track blurs the lines between disillusionment and self-acceptance, suggesting that sometimes one must lose themselves to find themselves, with Kwasi stating:

“I often feel like I’m looking in from the outside. That feeling of alienation became the foundation of my upcoming album, Outstanding MISFIT. ‘Troublemaker’ takes a darker turn. Instead of searching for acceptance, it’s about the decision to embrace being misunderstood, blurring the line between artist and alter-ego.”

Fierce, honest, reckless and hypnotic, ‘Troublemaker’ pushes the boundaries of hip-hop and alternative music to the brink. Get out there and cause a ruckus with Kwasi’s ‘Troublemaker’, ahead of his debut album ‘Outstanding MISFIT’, due October 16.

Follow Kwasi

Official Website | https://linktr.ee/soundslikekwasi

Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

 

 

POLLY RELEASE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EP MAYBE

SHARE FOCUS TRACK ‘SHUT UP’

KICKS OFF NATIONAL HEADLINE TOUR

After months of building momentum with a string of standout singles Boorloo/Perth indie alt-rock trio Polly today arrive at their defining moment with the release of their highly anticipated EP Maybe. Led by the cathartic focus track ‘Shut Up’, the EP brings together previously released singles ‘Forget You’, ‘Tell Your Friends’, and’Doubt’, capturing the band’s knack for pairing soaring indie hooks with raw emotional honesty.

Coinciding with the release, Polly kick off their biggest headline tour to date, beginning in their hometown before taking Maybe to Sydney, Brisbane, Wollongong and Melbourne. Along the way, the trio will also make appearances at BIGSOUND and Rolling Sets, capping off what is quickly becoming a breakout year for the band.

Say the band of the EP/track;“This EP feels like the start of a new chapter for us. Every song changed so much throughout the recording process, and we never really forced anything, we just kind of followed whatever felt right. We came away with five songs that feel bigger, more confident and a lot more representative of where and who we are as a band. We’re so proud of the EP and can’t wait for people to hear it and experience these songs live on tour!”

Polly have been steadily building momentum off the back of a string of releases that have garnered national attention, including support from triple j and triple j Unearthed. Known for their energetic live shows and honest, guitar-driven songwriting, the three-piece have quickly earned a reputation as one of the most compelling emerging acts in Australia’s indie scene.

Their ascent has been further cemented through headline shows and support slots alongside some of the country’s most beloved indie acts, including Spacey Jane, The Belair Lip Bombs, Hockey Dad, The Grogans, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.

MAYBE AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

Tickets here

Saturday 18 July – Indi Bar, Perth – 18+ *supports from CNTR, lefty, CURL

Saturday 25 July – The Y HQ, Perth – AA *supports CNTR, lefty, zoevi

Thursday 6 August – The Old Bar, Melbourne – 18+

Thursday 27 August – Low 302, Sydney – 18+ *supports The Pulse, Gena Stone

Friday 28 August – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong – 18+ *supports Lazy Haze, Electric X

Saturday 29 August – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads – AA

1-3 September – Bigsound, Brisbane – 18+

Friday 4 September – The Old Bar, Melbourne – 18+ *supports The Halves, Violet

Friday 11 September – Six Degrees, Albany – 18+

Saturday 12 September – 33 Degrees, Esperance – 18+

Friday 25 September – Froth Craft, Bunbury – 18+

Saturday 26 September – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River – 18+

Saturday 28 November – Rolling Sets, Tweed Heads – 18+

https://www.instagram.com/pollyband_/

 

 

CHIODOS KICK OFF A NEW ERA WITH SHARPTONE RECORDS SIGNING AND FIRST NEW SINGLE IN OVER A DECADE, TAPDAT
LISTEN | WATCH

Post-hardcore trailblazers Chiodos officially usher in a bold new chapter today, announcing their signing to SharpTone Records and sharing their first new music in more than a decade with the explosive new single, TAPDAT,”accompanied by an equally gripping official music video.

Produced by Keith Sorrells (Demi Lovato, Jutes, Kami Kehoe), TAPDAT is an ambitious and unpredictable return that captures everything fans have long loved about Chiodos while pushing the band’s sound into thrilling new territory. The track erupts from its opening moments with frantic guitars, relentless percussion, and Craig Owens’ unmistakable screams before expanding into soaring melodies, cinematic dynamics, and an emotionally charged chorus as Owens asks, “Can you pull me into focus in your absence of emotion? Can you pull me into focus? And it’s bittersweet as a symphony.” Constantly shifting and evolving, the song twists through moments of tension and release before culminating in a towering, cinematic breakdown that signals the beginning of Chiodos’ next evolution.

“There is still so much work to be done to build out the world of Chiodos. TAPDAT is the first step in that direction,” shares frontman Craig Owens. “Its return to our ethos is what drew me back to creating with this band, and you can feel it throughout every minute of the song. An unapologetic, experimental ride that pulls you in every step of the way. As for the future of Chiodos, I’m surrounded by incredible talent. We are stronger, more focused than ever and eager to continue the story I’ve been waiting 12 years to tell.”

TAPDAT arrives following a landmark resurgence for the band that kicked off in 2024. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal debut album All’s Well That Ends Well, Chiodos returned to stages across North America for an extensive sold-out headline tour while delivering standout festival performances at Warped Tour, Louder Than Life, and When We Were Young. The momentum continued this year as their beloved breakthrough single, Baby, You Wouldn’t Last a Minute on the Creek, was officially certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), cementing the band’s lasting influence on a new generation of heavy music fans.

Now, with a new label home at SharpTone Records and the release of TAPDAT, Chiodos are proving that this isn’t simply a reunion, it’s the beginning of an entirely new era.

Chiodos will continue that momentum as they return to the road for a headline run across North America. Joined by Second Harbour, Sace6, and 156/Silence, the tour marks the next chapter in the band’s evolution, bringing both longtime favorites and the first glimpse of what’s still to come to audiences across the continent.

TAPDAT – OUT NOW

https://bfan.link/tapdat

About Chiodos: Chiodos was always more than a single moment or scene. At its center is frontman Craig Owens, whose singular voice and confessional fire turn chaos into catharsis. Owens cofounded Chiodos in 2001 — naming it after the Chiodo Brothers, the cult minds behind Killer Klowns from Outer Space — and built a movement defined by an adventurous, rule-breaking spirit.

The band’s 2005 debut All’s Well That Ends Well captured lightning in a bottle, and 2007’s Bone Palace Ballet debuted at No. 1 on the Rock chart and No. 5 on the Billboard 200. After a 2015 hiatus, an invitation to play When We Were Young 2024 reignited everything — sold-out tours, a packed Hollywood Palladium, and a surge of intergenerational fans singing every word. In 2025, Owens re-recorded All’s Well That Ends Well in full for its 20th Anniversary.

Now Chiodos turns the page.TAPDAT, produced by Keith Sorrells and released via SharpTone Records, is the band’s first new original music in over a decade — proof that, nearly 25 years in, Chiodos is bigger than it’s ever been.

 

 

SIAMAURA Presents  Sweet Words

SIAMAURA is the inspired collaboration between Thai traditional musician Peranya Visitchantaragoon and Brisbane-based violinist Gareth Mewes, who first connected through Australia’s vibrant multicultural music scene.

Sweet Words is a traditional Thai composition with origins tracing back to the Ayutthaya period. Reimagined through electronic textures, Saw U and Violin bring their delicate, expressive phrasing into a refined contemporary soundscape.

Violin, Keys, Production – Gareth Mewes
Saw U – Peranya Visitchantaragoon

Gareth Mewes is a Brisbane-based violinist and composer whose career spans Jazz, Folk, Rock, World and Electronic music. The lead violinist for the critically acclaimed Manouche/folk band Cigàny Weaver.

Peranya Visitchantaragoon is a Thai classical musician, educator, and cultural ambassador dedicated to sharing the beauty of Thai music with the world. A master of the Saw U (Thai alto fiddle) and Khim (Thai hammered dulcimer), she blends tradition with contemporary expression.

Her work has reached international audiences, including the feature of her Saw U in HBO’s The White Lotus.

To both artists, SIAMAURA represents the harmony between cultures—a space where ancient Thai elegance meets modern expression, reminding the world that music can unite hearts beyond borders.

ARTIST: SIAMAURA
RELEASE: Sweet Words
ISRC: AUB3G2100751
LENGTH: 3:48
LABEL: issamin records (Obelisk Music Group)

SIAMAURA
Latest releases Songbird & Siam Beats

SIAMAURA Siam BeatsSTREAM +

SIAMAURA Songbird STREAM +

 

 

FAST RISING AUSTRALIAN ROCK BAND LARGE MIRAGE Announce new single ‘WILDFIRE’

To be released 23rd July 2026

Some bands borrow from rock history, LARGE MIRAGE are writing its next chapter.

Following a breakthru 6 months that saw LARGE MIRAGE open two sold-out shows for AC/DC at Accor Stadium, headline their own sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, appear at Australia’s leading festivals and build one of the country’s most talked-about live reputations,

LARGE MIRAGE return with their biggest statement yet.

‘WILDFIRE’, to be released 23 July, is an exhilarating collision of guitar riffs, soaring melodies, infectious hooks and fearless musicianship, capturing everything that makes this band

impossible to ignore.

Recorded by Melbourne’s acclaimed Michael Badger (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Amyl & The Sniffers, You Am I, Full Flower Moon Band), the single combines the swagger of classic rock with contemporary songwriting and modern production.

It’s loud.

It’s melodic.

It’s emotional.

And above all – it moves.

While many bands chase trends, LARGE MIRAGE have doubled down on musicianship

writing songs built around memorable choruses, intricate bass work, explosive guitar playing

and vocals delivered without filters or compromise.

Frontman Kolya Chan has become one of Australia’s most compelling young guitarists and performers, combining understated confidence with moments of breathtaking virtuosity that have quickly become the band’s trademark.

The accompanying ‘WILDFIRE’ SINGLE TOUR 2026 begins immediately after the release and continues the band’s relentless rise through Australia’s live circuit.

At a time when guitar music is once again finding a younger audience, LARGE MIRAGE stand at the front of a new generation, honouring rock’s golden age without ever sounding trapped by it.

This isn’t nostalgia.

LARGE MIRAGE are one of the very few rock bands drawing Gen Z audiences back to guitar music while earning respect from veteran rock audiences and industry alike.

‘WILDFIRE SINGLE TOUR 2026’

Fri 24 Jul 26 – Pleasure Club, Newtown NSW

Sat 25 Jul 26 – The Baroque Room, Katoomba NSW

Wed 29 Jul 26 – Metro Social, Sydney NSW

Sat 01 Aug 26 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne VIC

Sun 02 Aug 26 – The Espy Basement, St Kilda VIC

Sat 15 Aug 26 – 7th Day Brewery, Brookvale NSW

Thu 03 Sep 26 – Oztix BIGSOUND Party, Brisbane QLD

Fri 04 Sep 26 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Southport QLD

Fri 18 Sep 26 – The Whalers Mosman Club NSW

Sat 19 Sep 26 – Ocean View, Wamberal NSW

Fri 25 Sep 26 – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla NSW

Sat 26 Sep 26 – Dicey Riley’s Hotel, Wollongong NSW

Sun 25 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 26 – ROCK THE BOAT CRUISE, Sydney > Noumea

Sat 07 Nov 26 – Crafted Festival, Foreshore Park Newcastle NSW

Fri 30 Apr 27 – BONFEST, KIRRIEMUIR, SCOTLAND

RSVP to Show + Date

 

 

BIG DELICIOUS ‘I LIKE TO DRINK’ SINGLE

About the Song
Drinking gets a bad rap. Is it good for your health? No. What about your mental wellbeing? Also no. Does it lead to well considered decisions? I fail to see how this is a fruitful line of inquiry.

This song suggests the real question is whether it’s really that much worse than the many other pastimes and obsessions into which men channel their energy. Perhaps we’d all be better off if Elon Musk or Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin were more interested in a nice cold VB than they were in making the rest of the world pay for their gaping sense of their own inadequacy.

“I Like To Drink” is a three-day bender of a song that is the sixth single from Big Delicious’s upcoming debut album “Here’s Trouble”. It may appeal to fans of Whiskeytown, the Replacements, Uncle Tupelo and aligning one’s ambitions with one’s God-given talents.

ABOUT BIG DELICIOUS
Big Delicious is yet another band of aging Melbourne indie musicians who have rediscovered their love of roots and country as the tinnitus has started to kick in and their knees have put their foot down about moving Marshall stacks up narrow staircases.

What makes them different? Scale, for one: a rotating cast of guest vocalists including Georgia Fields, Sophie Koh, Katie Jacobs, Ben Birchall and Pat Devery enables them to attack a range of subgenres from old time mountain music to outlaw county to honky tonk.

There’s also an unfashionable approach to songwriting that, as Loretta Lynn reputedly urged, “takes the poetry out of it”:  they’re here to entertain, not to craft dense webs of opaque literary allusion. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It just sounds like a lot of work is all.

Connect with Big Delicious

www.instagram.com/bigdeliciousmusic/

https://www.facebook.com/BigDeliciousMusic/

 

 

STEFAN ROSE Continues His Rise With New Single ‘Closing In’ On Music is 4 Lovers

American-born, Europe-raised artist Stefan Rose continues his rise within electronic music with his latest single ‘Closing In’, released via the U.S. -based label Music is 4 Lovers. Following a series of standout releases, label signings, and growing international recognition, ‘Closing In’ marks another milestone in Stefan’s evolution as an artist, showcasing his approach to melodic and club-focused electronic music.

Stefan Rose has developed a distinctive sound that merges warm organic elements with darker synthetic textures. His productions combine the intensity of dance floor percussion with elegant melodic composition, creating a unique style that glides between Melodic Techno, Indie Dance, and House music influences.

His journey into electronic music commenced at a young age when he started DJing in clubs while growing up in Europe, developing an early fascination with House and Techno. In recent years, he channeled a period of personal loss into a creative catalyst, expanding his focus towards music production to pursue a lifelong dream.

To date, Stefan’s accolades and milestones include his 2025 debut EP ‘Abyss’ via Dear Deer, which reached number three on the overall Beatport chart, establishing him as an emerging force within the Melodic House & Techno and Indie Dance scenes. Swiftly following up the release with another EP ‘This Feeling’ via Nihil Young’s Frequenza imprint, which featured a collaboration with vocalist Sophie Joe, he then signed with Tube & Berger’s ZEHN Records to unveil ‘Not Right’, further cementing his growing reputation among artists and labels within the global electronic community. More recently, he also remixed the Timo Maas track ‘Macumba’ for Selador, the imprint co-founded by Dave Seaman and Steve Parry, and released ‘Sardegna’ with UGENIUS, the Australian label run by The Journey.

Stefan Rose comments: “My latest release ‘Closing In’ represents another step forward in my artistic journey, perfectly capturing the melodic atmospheres, powerful vocals and fulsome percussion that comprise my current sound. It’s a hypnotic single that will rock a dancefloor in the moment but also stay with you long after the night is over.”

Beyond his own original productions, Stefan has also built momentum through a series of notable edits, including his rework of Swedish House Mafia’s ‘Leave The World Behind’ and his acclaimed reinterpretation of David Guetta’s ‘The World Is Mine’. These edits have further highlighted his ability to bring a distinctive melodic and dance floor-driven perspective to recognisable records, and have been getting strong support across the electronic industry.

Now splitting his time between New York and London, Stefan continues to expand his international profile, supported by a strong presence in both cities. His latest single ‘Closing In’ arrives via Music is 4 Lovers, adding to a rapidly developing catalogue that reflects his continued growth as an artist and his dedication to pushing forward his signature sound.

Stefan Rose’s ‘Closing In’ arrives via Music is 4 Lovers on July 31st, adding another standout release to his growing repertoire and further demonstrating the unique blend of melodic depth and club energy that defines his artistic story.

Stefan Rose – Closing In. Official Release: July 31st, 2026

Label: Music is 4 Lovers

Purchase Beatport | Pre-Save Spotify

Find Out More & Follow:
Stefan Rose: Website | Instagram | Spotify | Beatport | Traxsource

Music is 4 Lovers: Website | Instagram | Beatport | Traxsource

 

 

JONAH MARAIS And His Fellow ‘WHY DON’T WE’ Superstars, JACK AVERY and ZACH HERRON
Announce Australian Tour For November

Multi-talented singer, songwriter, and musician Jonah Marais, a founding member of Platinum-selling global pop sensations, Why Don’t We is bringing his aptly named The Dreamer Tour to Australia. It promises to be a dream come true for fans of Why Don’t We, as Jonah will be accompanied by WDW co-founding members Jack Avery and Zach Herron. The tour marks the first time the trio are returning to Australia since 2019 and the first time reuniting on stage since the band’s 2022 performance in New York City.

Jonah rose to international fame as a member of Why Don’t We, selling millions of records,  amassing 3.1 billion streams worldwide and over 870M YouTube views, and several global tours. As a solo artist, Jonah has continued to evolve with vulnerable, genre-blending music that showcases his distinctive voice and songwriting depth. With a dedicated global fan base, Jonah has continued to tour and release new music.

Expect an unforgettable evening as Jonah, Jack, and Zach bring their signature blend of catchy hooks, heartfelt lyrics, high-energy performances, and tight harmonies to the stage, bringing beloved Why Don’t We hits like 8 Letters, What Am I, Fallin’, Don’t Wake Me Up, Trust Fund Baby, Hooked and more back to life for the first time in years. The show will also feature Jonah’s acclaimed and evolving solo material, along with special surprises from Jack and Zach.

Come for the infectious energy, undeniable chemistry and joyful camaraderie; stay for a night full of singing, dancing, surprises and memories that will last a lifetime.

The Dreamer Tour will make its way across Australia this November with five unforgettable performances:

TOUR DATES
Wed, Nov 11: Forum, Melbourne – 18+
Thurs Nov 12: Enmore Theatre, Sydney – All Ages
Fri, Nov 13: The Tivoli, Brisbane – All Ages
Sun, Nov 15: The Gov, Adelaide – All Ages
Mon, Nov 16: Astor Theatre, Perth – All Ages

Dream Ticket VIP inclusions: GA ticket, Early Entry, Early Access To Merch, VIP Laminate,
One item signed by Jonah, Jack & Zach. Photo Op with Jonah, Jack & Zach

Pre Sale: Fri, July 24 @ 9.00am

On Sale: Mon, July 27 @ 9.00am

Tickets from thephoenix.au

 

 

LONDON POP ARTIST CHINCHILLA DEBUTS FIRED UP NEW SINGLE ‘DOG EAT DOG’ FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM

VISUALIZER

With each new music drop, London artist and producer CHINCHILLA redefines her vision and status as a talent stepping fully into her power. Embracing newfound artistic independence, CHINCHILLA previews an exciting new chapter, her long awaited debut album, with a vibrant new single: ‘DOG EAT DOG’.

The track marks a powerful return for CHINCHILLA, her first taste of new music since 2025’s impressive string of releases that included ‘Avoidance’, ‘Ok As I Am’ and ‘To Have & Hold’. With ‘Dog Eat Dog’, the listener gets to witness CHINCHILLA flourish further as a multi-talented artist and songwriter; a fearless voice that is unafraid to play with light and dark textures, both emotional and musical.

The song itself is about “feeling discontent and unsatisfied in happiness and sadness”, and is a project CHINCHILLA worked on in Los Angeles with James Mellor on mixing, and Katie Tavini on mastering. Reflecting on creating ‘Dog Eat Dog’ while experiencing some emotional turmoil, CHINCHILLA says connecting with collaborators, Mike Wise (Chappell Roan)  and Sara Boe (Flo, Anyma) , was key to breaking through writer’s block.

“The day I wrote ‘Dog Eat Dog’ I walked into the studio feeling so rough, I’d been having these meltdowns before writing sessions that had been building up and getting worse and worse every day. I couldn’t really think of anything to write about, I wasn’t heartbroken or livid, my soul wasn’t destroyed, I hadn’t just been deeply betrayed or wronged… and I felt like I didn’t know what to say anymore and it was blocking me. I walked into the studio with Mike Wise and Sara Boe, who I’d never met. They asked me how I was and I immediately welled up, and then we just talked for three hours. Mike played this old school rock and roll country banjo idea  and I swear it was like an explosion of ideas.” CHINCHILLA

‘Dog Eat Dog’ is a burst of emotion from CHINCHILLA, as well as being a statement of intent from the artist moving forward in this new era. In 2023, the release of her song ‘Little Girl Gone’ catapulted the singer onto radars, earning her a RIAA certified Gold record, and global recognition.

In the years that have followed, CHINCHILLA has performed on festival stages at Reading Festival, Lollapalooza, Primavera, Pinkpop and Mad Cool; while solidifying her fan base through stellar headline spots and support runs for artists including G Flip and Justin Timberlake. Her catalogue boasts over 400 million global streams, with multiple #1 charting positions on the iTunes charts in the UK, US, Canada, NZ and other global markets.

Still, retaining the same level of integrity in her work that has been with her since the beginning, CHINCHILLA has poured life experience – good and bad – into her new music.

‘Dog Eat Dog’ is a perfect example of how a clashing of sounds and emotions can come together in a beautiful, strong way.

“‘Dog Eat Dog’ is about feeling discontent and unsatisfied in happiness and in sadness; when you’re happy there’s nothing to be dramatic / artistic / deep about and when you’re sad it’s depressing lol. ‘I’m pushing daisies on the brightest of days, summer don’t come round keep making it rain, why’d the big bad world go and make me this way’ …It’s about feeling existential and a gentle self pity & loathing for feeling uncomfortable in a healthy stability, basically.

‘My love don’t feed me, but won’t cut me loose… it’s dog eat dog’. ‘My love’ is kind of a metaphor for my mental state. The modern world is rough! I love how the song is so upbeat, but underneath it all pretty depressing, it’s kind of a metaphor for life – like oh well, we carry on. ‘I keep projecting the anger, I keep rejecting the anchor’ is my favourite line.” CHINCHILLA

CHINCHILLA 2026 TOUR DATES
Tickets via Chinchilla.tix.to/TOUR2026

NORTH AMERICA / CANADA

October 19 Pacific Electric LOS ANGELES CA
October 21 Lincoln Hall CHICAGO IL
October 23 Baby’s All Right BROOKLYN NY
October 26 The Drake Underground TORONTO ON

EUROPE

November 15 La Maroquinerie PARIS FR
November 17 Bitterzoet AMSTERDAM NL
November 19 Frannz BERLIN DE
November 20 Kent Club HAMBURG DE
November 21 Kavka Zappa ANTWERP BE
November 23 Zoom Kantine FRANKFURT DE
November 24 Strom MUNICH DE
November 26 Flex VIENNA AT
November 27 Fuchs2 PRAGUE CZ
November 28 Analog Music Hall BUDAPEST HU

‘Dog Eat Dog’ is out July 23rd
CHINCHILLA: Official Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

 

CREATURE FEAR embark on a ‘Mission To Love You’ with brand new single out NOW

Announce first headline show of 2026

STREAM HERE

Naarm’s widely adored retro-pop rockers Creature Fear today invite listeners on a ‘Mission To Love You’ with their first new music of 2026. Stream ‘Mission To Love You’ HERE. The band will bring their dynamic live show to Melbourne’s The Catfish on Saturday 12th September in support of the new release.

A longtime setlist staple in the band’s live show, ‘Mission to Love You’ is an atmospheric and high-energy story of sliding doors, embodied by the dual vocals of Cameron Graham and Louise Gaul. “The track is a dialogue between the two singers as they desperately change each other through the night,” says Cameron. “Due to misfortune and bad timing, they never quite make it eye to eye as the other always slips away. They reflect on their on again off again love that has never quite aligned as they plead aloud that they don’t fall into the trap of being star-crossed lovers.”

Produced and recorded with Julian Cue (Gut Health, Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice), the bass-driven new single feels right at home in the Creature Fear discography, combining their signature witty and playful approach to performance with deeper, introspective themes. Inspired by Talking Heads, it follows singles ‘My Girl’s A Dream But She Only Loves Jesus’, ‘Sorbet’, and fan-favourite ‘Adulthood’, which introduced co-vocalist Louise Gaul and bassist Liam Brennan to the lineup, rounded out by core songwriter and vocalist Cameron Graham, drummer Larni Pearce, and guitarist Jason Mercieca.

Creature Fear’s theatrical live show and infectious spirit has earned the band a loyal following throughout their career, and an undeniably strong reputation on the Melbourne live circuit. In addition to selling out multiple headline shows and embarking on a national tour, Creature Fear have made appearances at festivals including Beyond The Valley, Grapevine, and New Years On The Hill, and performed alongside the likes of Ball Park Music, Boo Seeka, Killing Heidi, The Delta Riggs, Tired Lion, and Kingswood.

Keep an eye out on socials over the coming weeks for tickets to Creature Fear’s first headline show of the year.

‘Mission To Love You’ Single Launch

Saturday 12th September – The Catfish – Melbourne, VIC

Connect with Creature Fear Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Unearthed | Apple Music

 

 

ERNIE GARLAND Jr ’CLOSE TO THE FIRE’ SINGLE

BUY VINYL VIA BANDCAMP HERE

In a world desperate for a moment to do nothing but catch a groove, Ernie Garland Jr is here slinging for the soul of Sydney, Australia. Formerly of the Sydney-based nine-piece roots-reggae band Kinsky, the man is a master at recreating his inspired life at the oceanside in your mind and heart.

Even as Garland’s What Can I Do – single – continues to receive spins on 2SER, FBi and Triple R, some of Australia’s most prominent radio stations for discovering new music, Garland is now ready to drop his debut album – Dealin’ Out The Healin’ .

“The world was upside down, and I was on the most beautiful sabbatical an artist could wish for.”

Garland’s creative process on Dealin’ Out The Healin’ is full of firsts. “I’ve always collaborated with band members on the songs,” he explains. This time – for the first time – Garland composed on the piano and accomplished the songwriting on his own because he had no other choice.

During Australia’s second pandemic lockdown from June to September 2021, Garland relocated from his spot on the hill above the world-class surf breaks and typically vibrant culture of Bondi Beach to his family home in the suburbs, replete with a granny flat containing nothing but a bed, a piano, and Garland’s small studio setup.

“I spent four months away from the woman who is now my wife and the ocean I love,” Garland recalls. “I lived like a monk, rising every morning to play piano before working on the tunes.” The timing was fortuitous, and the result represents the discipline and focus of Garland’s self-imposed solitude.

 “It’s all my stuff,” he says, sounding satisfied.

For the massive beat building on Dealin’ Out The Healin’, Garland turned to his Onehunga, New Zealand-based friend Kakhand as his primary source.

“He gave me the foundation to jam out what became the final versions of the songs,” Garland says. The other producer Garland brought on board is Darren Seltmann, co-founder of the globally recognized Australian electronic act The Avalanches. “He took the album track ‘What Can I Do’ from almost being a discard to one of the album’s standouts,” Garland exclaims.

In addition to Seltmann, Simon Kay of New Zealand-based dub reggae band Salmonella Dub, and Spain’s Joan Reggae Drummer, known for his collaborations with Eli Paperboy Reed, make appearances on Dealin’ Out The Healin’.

The solitary environment in which Garland composed his lyrics, combined with the collaborative nature of the productions, makes Dealin’ Out The Healin’ feel incredibly connected to humanity, which is a clue to Garland’s response regarding the rise of generative music.

Garland lays out his take on the state of the current creative landscape with candor: “We are our memory. We are our lived experience. Our minds are not a fucking hard drive!”

“AI couldn’t write these lyrics in a million years,” Garland elaborates, not speaking of himself, but dropping admiration for another artist who might seem unexpected, until you plug in to the joyful complexity on Dealin’ Out The Healin’.

“This was my only thought – apart from it being a masterpiece – when I listened to Father John Misty’s first album again recently,” he says.

Some additional influences that significantly contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the Ernie Garland Jr. sound include soul singer Georgia Ann Muldrow, the late jazz pianist Horace Silver, and iconic yet iconoclastic hip-hop legends OutKast.

Garland adds that he has seen Steely Dan live every time they have visited Australia. Sure, it’s only been twice, but it only took once to matter.

“Steely Dan has been in my life since I was a child,” Garland shares. “It was an emotional experience.”

Just as the perimeter of Garland’s sound wouldn’t necessarily lead one to immediately think of Father John Misty as part of Garland’s creative consciousness, neither would Garland’s wholly holistic way of looking at and living his life lead one to immediately think of President Barack Obama’s marriage as a part of Garland’s creative consciousness either.

As it turns out, the reasoning behind the lyrics of his previous single “Baby Mama Drama (Obama)” is so simple, it feels silly to have contemplated otherwise.

Garland just liked the rhyme.

 “I had no idea there was even speculation about their marriage when I wrote it,” he says, referring to an oft-repeated conspiracy theory that Garland is lucky to have not been privy to until after he composed the song. He is smart to use it to his advantage now that he is.

“I just used it because his name rhymed, and the fact that, despite being a politician, he carries himself really well to the point where you think he’s almost perfect and never has to deal with the life issues us mere mortals have to deal with,” Garland explains, before adding, “…and it’s funny.”

It’s groovy, too.

 It is not hard to imagine Barack and Michelle digging the holy hell out of “Baby Mama Drama (Obama),” and getting a laugh out of it at the same time. The story of Garland being alerted late in the game about how his fun songwriting experience touched on the cringiest fringes of American right-wing political discourse is now its own unexpected tale to tell, too.

The song features a vamp on its outro that must be heard.

“It’s a thing of beauty,” Garland enthuses about singer Arica Jackson’s contribution to the track. Garland booked Jackson and fellow singer Terrie Lynne into Brooklyn’s Bunker Studios on a short break from their professional vocal work on Broadway.

It was a massive score for Garland to get A-list talent like Jackson and Lynne on Dealin’ Out The Healin’, especially with no time to spare.

“We only had a couple of hours to work with them,” he remembers. “We had a live audio-video feed, and just got as much done as possible. Even at three AM my time, it was a very cool experience.”

One look at Garland’s deep bench of jazz, reggae, and hip-hop influences should flesh out his point of view for anyone hesitating to press play at this point: Miles Davis, Action Bronson, MF Doom, John Coltrane, Madlib, Bill Evans, Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Fela Kuti, and Chronixx close the deal.

Garland’s patience is a virtue that has enabled Dealin’ Out The Healin’ to fulfill its potential as the superior-sounding product it is. “This is the first studio project I undertook without any need to rush,” Garland says. “I got exactly what I wanted without compromising.”

Garland understands the stakes. Like, what if Barack and Michelle really do hear Dealin’ Out The Healin’?

He’s ready.

“Once it’s out, it’s out forever,” Garland concludes.

LINKS

BANDCAMP HERE

FACEBOOK HERE

LINKTR.EE HERE

 

 

EDIE Blurs Gothic Horror and Period Drama in  ‘Burning’ Music Video

‘Garden of Edie’ EP Out Now

Watch ‘Burning’ Music Video

Stream ‘Garden of Edie’ EP

Following the release of her sophomore EP ‘Garden of Edie’, Boorloo/Perth artist EDIE unveils the official music video for ‘Burning’.

One of the EP’s most emotionally charged moments, ‘Burning’ pairs warm, guitar-led production with the painful realisation that a relationship has become toxic, finding hope in the decision to finally walk away.

Directed by Stephanie Senior, the cinematic clip unfolds inside a candlelit mansion on a storm-ridden night, where EDIE wanders dimly lit corridors in search of something just out of reach. Dressed in Renaissance-inspired costume and surrounded by looming shadows, she moves through the house while avoiding a tense, controlling presence.

In the closing moments, EDIE discovers another version of herself hidden away inside a wardrobe, a symbolic representation of the part of herself lost within the relationship. Together, they escape as the house is left to burn behind them.

Blending gothic horror with period drama, the accompanying music video transforms ‘Burning’ into a psychological tale of survival and self-reclamation. Rather than dwelling on loss, the film centres on rediscovering the parts of ourselves that can become hidden through fear, grief and emotional hardship.

The release of ‘Burning’ continues the visual world established across EDIE’s world, bringing another chapter of the EP to life through cinematic storytelling. The EP is available now on all streaming platforms, with the official music video out today.

Follow EDIE

Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

 

 

LILIANA DE LA ROSA Embraces the Siren on New Single BLOOD RED PEARL

LISTEN LINK |

INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

Liliana de la Rosa returns with BLOOD RED PEARL, her most captivating and cinematic release to date. Expanding the immersive world she has carefully built across her previous releases, BLOOD RED PEARL draws on mythology, fantasy, and dark alternative pop to explore the seductive power of the siren through haunting storytelling and striking cinematic production.

Created from an unexpected moment of inspiration during the closing moments of a studio session with ARIA Award-winning producer Jamie Muscat (Chunkyluv), the song was born from what began as the outro of Glass Skin, naturally evolving into the introduction of BLOOD RED PEARL. That spontaneous creative spark became the foundation for a sonically rich track layered with brooding bass, sweeping violin arrangements, ethereal vocal textures, and a spoken passage inspired by William Blake’s A Poison Tree, resulting in Liliana’s most ambitious and immersive work yet.

Inspired by Greek mythology and the legendary siren, BLOOD RED PEARL explores the irresistible pull of beauty, seduction, and dangerous feminine power. Wrapped in cinematic production, hypnotic vocal textures, and rich atmospheric soundscapes, the single fully embraces the dark feminine energy that defines Liliana’s evolving artistic world.

“BLOOD RED PEARL explores the allure and danger of dark feminine energy through the lens of sirens and the mythological world. I’ve always admired how a feminine creature can be so alluring, beautiful and lethal at the same time. That’s exactly how dark feminine energy feels to me, and it’s a quality I love seeing tapped into by others. This song is my interpretation of that duality, embracing both the seductive and powerful sides of femininity.”

Building momentum with every release, Liliana de la Rosa has quickly established herself as one of Australia’s most exciting emerging alternative pop artists. Her recent singles have received editorial support from Backseat Mafia, The Note, A&R Factory, Clout, Australian Musician, Purple Melon, Le Futurewave, Aus Music Scene, and Bong Mines Entertainment, alongside radio support from SYN Radio, 4ZZZ Radio, and New Grooves 96.5 Inner FM, while also securing inclusion in the ARIA New Music roundup.

With a background as a professional actress in film and theatre, Liliana de la Rosa independently crafts every aspect of her visual and sonic identity, creating immersive worlds where music, cinema, and storytelling become inseparable. Drawing comparisons to Lana Del Rey, BANKS, and Melanie Martinez, she continues to blur the lines between alternative pop and visual art through emotionally charged songwriting, cinematic production, and a distinctive creative vision.

With BLOOD RED PEARL, Liliana de la Rosa continues to build an unmistakable artistic universe where mythology, cinematic storytelling, and dark alternative pop collide. Confident, seductive, and visually immersive, the single further establishes her as one of Australia’s most exciting emerging voices, bringing her signature exploration of beauty, mystery, and dark feminine energy to the forefront.

 

 

FROM ASHES TO NEW AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2026

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS BANKS ARCADE

This October, American rock chameleons FROM ASHES TO NEW will take Australian audiences by storm for their first ever headline tour, joined by special guests BANKS ARCADE.

Returning down under following their acclaimed performances at Good Things Festival in 2024, FROM ASHES TO NEW will kick off their headline run on Friday 9 October in Sydney, before heading to Melbourne and Adelaide, and closing out on Thursday 15 October in Brisbane.

A band who have captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe since first forming back in 2013, FROM ASHES TO NEW have carved out a staggering trajectory over the years, generating billions of streams, sold out tours and performing alongside some of the biggest names in rock. Hailing from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the five-piece have relentlessly pursued their own path, with their distinctive sound spanning hard rock, hip hop, electronic and alternative; music to inspire you to get up, get moving and to inspire you to make a change.

Most recently releasing a new album Reflections earlier this year, FROM ASHES TO NEW were not content to rest in familiarity on album #5, instead seeking to make music that would stretch beyond their established radio rock appeal, branching deeper into alt-metal sonic terrain and emerging with a record unlike anything in their catalogue. Spawning new fan-favourites including Drag Me, which earned the group their first Billboard #1 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, Reflections has continued FATN’s rise to the top of the 21st century rock vanguard; a trajectory that has also seen them share stages with Shinedown, Motionless In White, Bad Wolves, Asking Alexandria and Ice Nine Kills.

Ticking off their debut Australian performances in 2024, appearing at Good Things Festival and two intimate shows in Melbourne and Sydney, FROM ASHES TO NEW’s renowned live performance was on full display, with Good Call Live noting of the Brisbane event: “From Ashes To New were a standout for many on the day and left fans hoping for more to come now that their Aussie cherry has finally been popped.”

New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based heavies BANKS ARCADE have spent their career dismantling genre confines and captivating globally via their signature modern sound. Merging the raw, physical violence of metal with the maximalist energy of alternative electronic music and hip hop, BANKS ARCADE most recently flexed their heavy metal boy band flair on 2026 singles DON’T MISS, ROCKSTAR and SEVERANCE, expanding their creative journey yet again that has already seen them sell out headline shows across the Southern Hemisphere, dominate international stages, and support heavyweights including The Plot In You, Northlane and Thornhill in the process.

Don’t miss FROM ASHES TO NEW’s triumphant Australian return in 2026. Through it all you’ll be changed forever, don’t delay, tickets won’t last long!

Early bird pre-sale tickets on sale: Friday 24 July @ 9:00am local time
To Gain Early Ticket Access Register Here -> https://daltours.cc/FromAshesToNew

General tickets on sale: Tuesday 28 July @ 11:00am local time
Tickets from destroyalllines.com

Destroy All Lines Presents

FROM ASHES TO NEW
AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
BANKS ARCADE
TOUR DATES:

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER – FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY
SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER – 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER – LION ARTS FACTORY, ADELAIDE
THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER – THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE

General tickets on sale: Tuesday 28 July @ 11:00am local time
Tickets from destroyalllines.com

 

 

BEYOND THE VALLEY RETURNS FOR 11TH YEAR AFTER SELL OUT 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Australia’s largest multi-day festival, Beyond The Valley, is officially back for its 11th year, returning to the stunning Barunah Plains from 28th December to 1st January.

After selling out last year’s landmark 10th anniversary edition in under an hour, Beyond The Valley is kicking off a whole new decade in style.

Presented by Untitled Group and triple j, BTV enters its second decade as one of Australia’s most iconic summer traditions, drawing tens of thousands of music lovers from across the country and around the world for music, community and experiences unlike any other.

Having released a short teaser on socials on Tuesday (21st July), the festival officially launches its Fortune Favours The Curious campaign, placing BTV inside a fictional television universe: the B. TV Network. The video drops viewers headfirst into that world, with Beyond The Briefcase at its core, a game show drawing inspiration from Deal or No Deal and Family Feud where two teams compete for the coveted BTV briefcase. A snippet of Dutch powerhouse KI/KI’s track “What’s a Girl to Do in ’25” rings through the final frames as the first artist tease. Once again building a world that could only exist at BTV, the campaign is a playful reminder that the best experiences come from saying yes to the unexpected.

Fans can now step inside that world themselves by signing up for presale access to play Beyond The Briefcase, an online game show packed with clues, festival news and the chance to win one of five unique BTV experiences.

The festival’s iconic three main stages are returning in full force for this year. The Valley Stage makes its biggest appearance in festival history, hosting some of the world’s most sought-after names, from top-tier headliners to breakthrough acts. The Dance Dome returns as a cultural staple of BTV and a rite of passage for festival-goers, while the beloved Dr Dan’s brings together headliners, homegrown talent and sets you won’t see coming.

“Starting the next decade of Beyond The Valley is something our whole team is incredibly excited about. Selling out our 10th anniversary edition in under an hour was a milestone moment we won’t forget, and a true reflection of the incredible community that has grown with us over the past decade. We genuinely cannot wait to share what we have in store.” – Untitled Group Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Filippo Palermo.

Beyond The Valley’s experiential lineup evolves again this year, with the arrival of The Woods, a brand new hidden paradise for campers to discover. Bunnings are set to return bigger and better than ever, while Salomon takes last year’s popular Run Club further with the introduction of Base Camp, the ultimate Main Street destination for energy restoration.

Festival favourites return in full force, led by The Lounge Room, bringing a packed schedule of workshops, conversations and surprises to Main Street alongside The Daily Aus’ beloved podcast programming. POOF DOOF returns to Downtown BTV with Cirque Du Slay, serving nightly DJ sets, drag icons and the legendary Yummy crew. The Palms Pool House returns with a splashier, sunnier escape to the plains, while The Sanctuary will provide activities to help festival-goers replenish and find balance.

Jack Daniel’s House Party is back too with some extra surprises, Red Bull Unforeseen promises a hidden party that’s sure to be epic, and Smirnoff Schmall Klub returns for its third year running with a brand-new twist.

The Valley Club returns as BTV’s members-only private playground, sitting between the Valley Stage and the Dance Dome in the heart of the festival arena. Members can expect a beauty bar, al fresco umbrella area, cabanas, sun lounges, badminton, a private bar with exclusive cocktails and VIP DJ sets.

This year’s accommodation options span General and Premium camping, Pre-Pitched tents, plus Lux Camp packages across Classic, DeLux, Ultra DeLux and the returning Signature Package for those wanting to take their experience to the next level.

New this year, ARRIVAL offers an all-in-one travel package starting in Melbourne, complete with a pre-party night, return transport, DeLux camping and Valley Club access. For those staying off-site, hotel packages in Geelong and Ballarat are available through My Way Travel & Events, with daily transfers to and from the festival.

Festival Entry Tickets are again available in 4-day, 3-day, 2-day, NYE-only and Single Day options, giving fans more ways than ever to shape their own BTV experience. Tickets can also be secured now and paid later via Afterpay, Zip Pay or Laybuy.

Ticket + Car Pass bundles will also return, offering a streamlined purchase process for groups.

Set on the lands of the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Peoples, Beyond The Valley will once again deliver an unmatched lineup across world-class stages, with site-wide installations, immersive moments and pop-ups throughout. Having hosted artists like Tyler, The Creator, Peggy Gou, Central Cee, RÜFÜS DU SOL, FISHER, Nelly Furtado, Dom Dolla, Ice Spice, KAYTRANADA, Turnstile, Kid Cudi, Addison Rae and more, BTV’s 11th year is shaping up to be its most ambitious yet.

For the first time, The Daily Aus joins Beyond The Valley as official presale partner, connecting the festival with their community of young Australians ahead of one of the most anticipated on-sale periods of the summer.

Sign up for presale ticket access HERE for the best chance at securing tickets and to play Beyond The Briefcase, the online game show packed with clues, festival news and the chance to win prizes.

Stay tuned for presale information, ticket timings, lineup announcements and more surprises to come.

Beyond The Valley is supported by an Australian Government initiative, Revive Live.

BEYOND THE VALLEY

28 DECEMBER, 2026 – 1 JANUARY, 2027

BARUNAH PLAINS, WADAWURRUNG AND EASTERN MAAR COUNTRY, VIC

WATCH CAMPAIGN VIDEO / REGISTER FOR PRESALE

GET CONNECTED: IG / WEBSITE / TT / FB

 

 

LEONARD COHEN LIVES ON IN COHEN NOIR
Celebrating the music, words and wisdom of Leonard Cohen
Sat 26 September 7.30pm – Melbourne Recital Centre
Sat 10 October 7.30pm – Astor Theatre, Mt Lawley, Perth

“An experience like no other… an utterly extraordinary and uplifting night of music!” – Glenn A. Baker

Rediscover Leonard Cohen
To mark ten years since the passing of Leonard Cohen, Australia’s triple ARIA Award-winning Monsieur Camembert brings their acclaimed production
COHEN NOIR to Melbourne and Perth, honouring one of the world’s greatest songwriters through a richly textured evening of music, poetry and storytelling.

Some songs become part of who we are. They accompany us through life’s different seasons, revealing new meanings as we change.
Leonard Cohen’s songs are among those rare companions, filled with beauty, longing, tenderness and extraordinary insight into what it means to be human.

Created and performed by Australia’s triple ARIA Award-winning Monsieur Camembert, COHEN NOIR is a rare invitation into that remarkable world.

Over the past 20 years, COHEN NOIR has evolved into one of Australia’s most acclaimed live music experiences, earning standing ovations and sold out performances at the Sydney Opera House, State Theatre, City Recital Hall and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Audiences return not simply to hear these timeless songs again, but to discover something new within them.

“Cohen Noir is brilliant… a confronting, mortifying, exultant celebration of the business of being human.” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

An exceptional ensemble of musicians and guest artists explores Cohen’s songs, poetry and prose with imagination, sensitivity and masterful musicianship.
Drawing on jazz, tango, Latin, folk, klezmer and cinematic orchestration, the music reveals new colours and perspectives while remaining faithful to the emotional heart of the songs.

Cohen’s own recorded voice, poetry and humour weave gently through the performance, drawing audiences into the world behind the songs and revealing the wisdom, humanity and quiet grace that resonate so deeply.

For these exclusive Melbourne and Perth performances, Monsieur Camembert is joined by iOTA (Perth), Diana Rouvas, Lyn Bowtell, Susie Bishop, Timothy James Bowen (Melbourne), Daniel Weltlinger and the remarkable Bukhu, whose haunting Mongolian throat singing and horse-hair fiddle add another unforgettable voice to this rich musical landscape.

“Spirited, musically assured, eclectic and downright fun.” – Doug Spencer, ABC Radio National

More than a tribute concert, COHEN NOIR invites audiences to encounter Leonard Cohen’s work anew, discovering fresh colours, deeper meanings and the timeless humanity that continues to resonate a decade after his passing.

“Monsieur Camembert does justice to the emotional, lyrical and melodic intent of the songs while adding a new dimension.” – Tony Hillier, The Weekend Australian

Tickets and information: www.cohen-noir.com

 

 

ASHLEY NAYLOR (The Church, Paul Kelly, Even etc) launches new video for “Racing Time” ahead of rare Melbourne and Sydney Ashley Naylor Spacehip shows in Melbourne and Sydney this week

Ashley Naylor – Lead Guitarist for The Church and Paul Kelly and longtime leader of Melbourne pop’n’rollers Even – has just launched a fantastic new video for his epic single “Racing Time”. The launch of the video follows Ashley’s latest US tour with The Church and comes on the eve of rare Melbourne and Sydney shows for his band ASHLEY NAYLOR SPACEHIP.

ASHLEY NAYLOR SPACESHIP
LIVE at NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE
w/ guests Buried Feather
Thursday July 23 – tix

LIVE at FACTORY FLOOR, SYDNEY
w/ special guests
Saturday July 25 – tix

Exclusive translucent green vinyl copies of the “Racing Time” 7″ will be given away to attendees of the Ashley Naylor Spaceship’s Sydney show at the Factory Floor on July 25.  (Melbourne fans had the opportunity to score a copy at Spaceship’s Memo show in March.)

***

“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 as explained above.

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

A limited number of translucent red copies is also 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

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

 

 

LOTTIE MCLEOD GETS TRIVIAL ON ‘WEDNESDAYS AT THE WATERLOO’;
ANNOUNCES EAST COAST TOUR IN SUPPORT OF THE BOATHOUSE EP (FRI 25 SEP / ABC MUSIC)

Stream ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’ | Watch video

Pre-save The Boathouse EP

SUPPORT FOR LOTTIE MCLEOD
Queensland Music Awards – Emerging Artist of the Year (Winner, 2025)
Queensland Music Awards – Folk Award (Nominee, 2025)
Queensland Music Awards – Billy Thorpe Scholarship (Recipient, 2024)
International Songwriting Competition (Finalist, 2024)
Needle in the Hay Songwriting Competition (Finalist, 2024)

Magan-djin/Brisbane-based singer-songwriter Lottie McLeod (she/her) shows off her wry, lighter and more playful side on new single + video ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo‘ – a song that sprung up organically about losing at pub trivia due to a wordless crush on your teammate, taking the warm, indie-pop/alt-country sounds of previous single ‘Sunburnt’ to starry-eyed heights. The new music comes as McLeod is set to embark on tour in October across so-called VIC, NSW and QLD in support of her forthcoming The Boathouse EP; also recently announced as local support for Harlan Goode. The Boathouse EP – which will include previous singles ‘Important To You’ and ‘Sunburnt’ – is out Friday 25 September – pre-save HERE; ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’ is out now via ABC Music – stream/purchase HERE. The Boathouse EP tour is on sale now – all live dates and EP tour tickets below.

“You’re so cute, I made us lose

Please forgive me, but can you blame me?

The game is over now

We’ll get ’em next week baby”

With its light-hearted indie-pop/alt-folk bounce and Lottie McLeod’s wry-yet-rose-tinted breathless vocals & lyricism – almost following the circular rhythms of what it’s like to have a crush’s name going round your head – ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’ and its tongue-in-cheek clip paint the picture of a ultra-specific situation: doggedly losing each week at pub trivia just to spend time with an unknowing crush. Thanks to Lottie McLeod’s “reputation for turning hyper-personal moments into something painfully recognisable” (Backseat Mafia UK), her sharp-yet-warm pen renders ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’, at its core, into a song about being left wordless by someone, wanting to tell them how you feel but it never seems like the right time, and choosing – with a self-aware smile – to keep quiet about it, knowing that can’t last but getting a little lost in it all anyway. Pouring out unexpectedly during a session with producer Josh Beattie (Dami Im, Serendipiti – also on acoustic guitar, synth, banjo, piano, bass guitar & double bass) at 4000 Studios on Turrbal/Jagera Country in Magan-djin/Brisbane, ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’ continues both the poppier and subtle alt-country elements found in McLeod’s previous single ‘Sunburnt’ via its lilting, sugary punch and softly intermingling instrumentation, with crisp drums (Cody Costa) alongside banjo, flute (Gabrielle Emery) and subtle pedal steel (Ben Mereki). The track’s hyper-literal, break-the-fourth-wall music video shot on Jagera & Turrbal land – co-written by Lottie McLeod and director Adam Potts (FELONY., Emeree) – sees McLeod dip into her self-described “wannabe comedian” aspirations, flanked by friends like Lyric and Meiia with actor Jarrod Gildea (Elvis, Thor: Ragnarok) co-starring as her oblivious teammate and crush.

Lottie McLeod says of the song and video, “‘I want people to listen to this song and feel joyful – it’s so nice to do something light. ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’ was written about the very serious topic of doing terribly at trivia because you’re too busy crushing on someone in your group. Look, I have a lot of crushes and it’s all very harmless and this person is actually my friend, so I’m sure he will find it amusing when he hears it!  The production elements have really brought the vibe of it to life, the video is equally as fun.  We shot it at my local bowls club, Camp Hill. The staff are very supportive, and it worked really well with Adam’s set design and the thrifted costuming. I got my friends to play other trivia teams – they are all artists, and it shows! I have honestly laughed every time I watch it, just watching their expressions – I feel like we have an excellent concept for a new TV series with the characters in this video. Adam Potts, who brought it to life has done such a beautiful job. My crush in the video, played by Jarrod Gildea, has just nailed the brief. ‘Wednesdays at the Waterloo’ is a very unserious song and I hope people feel like they can listen to it, sing along and just feel good. I can’t wait to play it live!”

WATCH: Lottie McLeod – Wednesdays At The Waterloo (Video)

Lottie McLeod’s forthcoming The Boathouse EP is an intimate coming-of-age “for people who love to feel deeply” drawing from alternative sounds, indie-pop, folk, alt-country and beyond – signalling a young artist coming out of her shell, stepping into the confidence to follow her own path and express herself openly, making McLeod’s much-praised ability to make the personal feel universal stronger than ever. Titled after the Manly Boathouse on Quandamooka Country where Lottie McLeod has shared deep, important conversations with the people in her life, The Boathouse EP sees McLeod thrust off her role of “peace-keeper by nature” and begin to follow her own path, “use my voice and be less afraid of conflict”. With 7 tracks – each inspired by a relationship from the past 2 years of Lottie McLeod’s life – written diaristically (mostly on the floor) with thoughtful, emotive lyricsm, The Boat House EP feels like listening in on and sharing in those serious, intimate conversations across Lottie McLeod’s experiences of being a self-described recovering people-pleaser, modern dating and ill-fated romance, and bodily autonomy – not without its lighter-hearted and wittier moments. Produced across two studios in so-called Australia and Turtle Island/USA: North Carolina’s Stadium Heights Sound on the land of the Catawba, Cheraw, Eno, Occaneechi, Shakori, Tuscarora and Lumbee peoples with Caleb Wright (Samia, Charly Bliss, Hippo Campus – who reached out to Lottie as a fan of her 2025 single ‘The Line‘), and 4000 Studios in Magand-jin/so-called Brisbane on Turrbal/Jagera Country with Josh Beattie, The Boathouse EP will resonate with those who never fail to play close attention to lyrics, and fans of Samia’s 2025 Bloodless album, Phoebe Bridgers, Sydney Ross Mitchell or Charlie Hickey. In a sweet nod to the family ties that keep her safely moored, mother Carrie McLeod lovingly documents her daughter across many of the project’s official photoshoots.

The Boathouse tour, new music and video continue a year that’s seen Lottie McLeod – thanks to her ability to tackle light and heavy topics with a grounded approach that leaves space for her quirky levity, captivating stage presence and prolific nature – soar since her signing to ABC Music joining labelmates Emily Wurramara, Playlunch and more, with strong support for EP singles ‘Sunburnt’ and ‘Important To You’, both receiving full adds to triple j & triple j Unearthed; collective praise via ABC News Breakfast, RUSSH Magazine, The Weekend Edition, Rolling Stone, frankie magazine, Richard Kingsmill, Junkee, The Music Network, Ones To Watch US, Ramona Magazine, Q Magazine, Band Banta, Charlie in the Rain, Reverie AU, Livewire AU, Happy Magazine, Tsk Tsk Magazine and many more including widespread community radio love from Edge Radio (who also added both singles), fbi radio, Triple R, 2SER, SYN, RTRFM, Joy 94.9, 4ZZZ, TerritoryFM, Capital Country Radio, plus airplay with ABC Country and ABC Local Radio stations nationally, with key DSP playlists across her career including Spotify’s Open Skies, Turn Up Aus, EQUAL AU & NZ, *hits different *, Fresh Finds, Tapestry, Fresh Finds Folk, Indie Arrivals, Next-Gen Songwriters, New Music Friday AU & NZ – all off the back of a huge 2025 for the young artist with the release of her critically beloved debut EP Bug and a widely-adored live televised performance for triple j’s 50th birthday.

Lottie McLeod is a lover of getting off the bus/train three stops too early just because she can, stained glass, soft blankets, lamps and crosswords. Hers is thoughtful music inspired by the transportive, raw and occasionally uncomfortable emotional universes of Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers and Ethel Cain – with a talent for capturing common human experiences in heart-achingly personal ways that still sound unique to her. Tapped to perform at triple j’s 50th birthday show on the so-called Gold Coast/Yugambeh Country alongside Mallrat, Jem Cassar-Daley, Darcie Haven and more, since her debut in 2023 McLeod has developed an already-formidable live resume that includes a co-headline national tour with Lovelovelove, festivals and events like BIGSOUND, Spring Rain and supports like suzi, Telenova, Mia Wray, Chris Lanzon, Annie Hamilton, Peach Fuzz, Asha Jeffries, Matthew Ifield and many others. Immersed in the arts since childhood, McLeod’s solid creative foundation shines through more strongly with every release and development, winning her multiple awards, praise and accolades. She was spot-lit as triple j Unearthed Feature Artist last year thanks to her Bug EP, 2025 also saw McLeod named Emerging Artist of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards – where she was a finalist for the Folk Award and recipient of their Billy Thorpe Scholarship in 2024 – and named a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and Happy Magazine’s Needle In The Hay with support via triple j, Rolling Stone and beyond. McLeod is already a songwriter for artists like Mathilde Ann, Dizzy Dayz and more, showcasing a skill beyond her years. In 2026 with The Boat House EP, Lottie McLeod truly steps into herself, as she continues to generously share the lessons she’s learning in life with a stamp of vulnerability that can only come with her own combination of hindsight and mindfulness.

Lottie McLeod – Wednesdays at the Waterloo (Single)

Out now via ABC Music

 Stream / purchase | Watch video

Lottie McLeod – The Boathouse EP

Out 25 Sep via ABC Music

Pre-save

LIVE DATES

Sat 1 Aug – Soundlounge, Yugambeh/Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast QLD****

Sat 29 Aug – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh/Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast QLD**

Sun 30 Aug – The Triffid (beer garden), Turrbal/Jagera Country, Magan-djin/Brisbane QLD**

Tues 11 Aug – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane Winter Sessions Raise The Roof Vol. 3, Turrbal/Jagera Country, Magan-djin/Brisbane QLD***

Thurs 8 Oct – Hibernian House – Gadigal Country, Eora/Sydney NSW^

Fri 9 Oct – Nighthawkes – Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, Naarm/Melbourne VIC*

Sat 10 Oct – Season Three Space @ Echo & Bounce – Jagera & Turrbal Country, Meanjin/Brisbane^

Tickets for The Boathouse EP tour here

^ AA – The Boathouse tour

* 18+ – The Boathouse tour

**supporting Pierce Brothers – not part of tour

***fundraiser for Brisbane Youth Service – not part of tour

****supporting Harlan Goode – not part of tour

CONNECT WITH LOTTIE MCLEOD https://linktr.ee/lottiemcleod

 

 

BLACK SPIKES Lithuanian Avant-gardists Release Explosive Fourth Single, “ZELVAR”

Modern Progressive Album, Ydos, Will Be Released August 28

Lithuanian progressive metal band BLACK SPIKES follows a dark path with the latest single from their upcoming album, Ydos (out August 28, 2026 via Napalm Records). “ZELVAR” portrays greed and thereby expands the record’s concept—an exploration of humanity’s vices. Featuring the only English lyrics on Ydos, the new song adds a special kind of accessibility to what is otherwise a heavy-hitting track, contrasting fiercely explosive energy with a gentle chorus. Raw rage and a haunting atmosphere fittingly show: Never close your eyes on BLACK SPIKES!

BLACK SPIKES about “ZELVAR”:

“This song tells the story of Zelvar, the demon of greed, as he steps into the human world. Within a magnificent palace, those consumed by endless ambition gather, chasing ever greater wealth, power, and status. Yet the more they gain, the deeper they fall into his trap—thirsty, and forever unsatisfied. Greed is a vice that leaves the soul imprisoned and alone the moment you ‘close your eyes’ and surrender to its temptation. No matter how much you possess, it will never be enough.”

Watch the Official Music Video for “ZELVAR”

https://youtu.be/1Z7zseSRZPY

Emerging from the shadows are BLACK SPIKES, bringing the darkness right along with them on their new album, Ydos, out August 28, 2026. The Lithuanian breakout band’s first release with Napalm Records, coming shortly after their nomination at their home country’s Grammy-comparable M.A.M.A. Music Awards, deals with the eponymous flaws of humanity, conceptually interwoven with modern progressive metal, serving as a complex mirror for us all.

The depth of its concept is reflected in every note of Ydos, from every heavy riff to every proggy twist. Leaning into electronic music while holding on firmly to their metal roots, the Lithuanian band creates a distinctive sound, alluringly dark and captivatingly heavy. BLACK SPIKES venture into gloominess, filling the void with spine-tingling philosophical thoughts and posing as Janus-faced companions on a fateful journey into the self in which every step should be taken with caution because a trap just might snap …

BLACK SPIKES about Ydos:

“Ydos is a conceptual album—a dark fairytale about human vices. The idea was there from the very beginning and guided the entire songwriting process. Each vice has its own name and story, and many songs will be brought to life through music videos where these vices take shape. It was our first time creating a conceptual album, and we really enjoyed starting with an idea and expressing it through music.”

Get Your Copy Of Ydos

lnk.to/BlackSpikes-Ydos/napalmrecords

Initiating the story of Ydos is the eerie “PASAKA” (engl. fairy tale), an intro setting the mood with menacing ticking sounds growing into orchestrals and singer Agni’s high vocals layered with screams. A calming lullaby exploding into growls, thunderous blast beats, and elaborate guitar riffs, “MOTINA” (engl. mother) describes the birth of humankind’s vices and therefore serves as an exposition for the storytelling aspect. Throughout the ten songs of their second album, BLACK SPIKES explore the relationships with flaws we all carry within, devoting a song to each of them. “MELAS” (engl. lie) introduces trap beats and rap to the mix, all with an approach clearly rooted in modern metal with sophisticated progressive elements. “MARA”, investigating excessive curiosity, beautifully contrasts calmness and calamity, with the quintet allowing their different elements to breathe while still entwisting them persuasively. Following, “ZELVAR”, which features the album’s only English lyrics, and “REVANA” add endearing, highly recognizable riffs to Ydos, further opening the gates to the hauntingly beautiful realms BLACK SPIKES are unfolding as they delve into greed and revenge, respectively, the concepts personified in the form of demons. The raw rage evolves into carefully structured “APATIJA” (engl. apathy), whose futuristic intermezzi make for especially interesting headbanging rhythms throughout which Agni’s voice acts as a gentle guide. “AUREA” continues BLACK SPIKES’ cinematic approach in its depiction of pride, unleashing a storm of rapacious riffs and galloping drums, frequently broken up by halcyon parts, their cleverly placed tranquility conveying comfort in seemingly hopeless hazes. With pressing “SENAS DEMONAS” (engl. old demon), BLACK SPIKES free yet another hellish entity, before “DULKĖS” (engl. dust) picks up on the melodized cinematography, wrapping up this bleak exploration of what it means to be human.

 

 

WEDNESDAY 13 Drops Second Live-Single “I Want You Dead”

Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025 Out September 25, 2026 via Napalm Records

“Goddamn here we go!”

Dread rock superstar WEDNESDAY 13 gives us the second sampling from his forthcoming triumphant live album, Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025 out September 25, 2026 via Napalm Records. Recorded in front of over 700,000 adoring festival goers, this rendition of the Transylvania 90210 classic “I Want You Dead” captures all the piss and vinegar Mr. Motherfucker has built his legacy on. Exhilarating, incendiary, and catchy as all hell, the hooks are undeniable, taking hold of the entire audience. We may not have been there to experience the dark excellence of Weds and co, but we can live vicariously through this record!

WEDNESDAY comments:

“‘I Want You Dead’ is another classic track and fan favorite from the debut album. This song has remained a staple in our live show and always gets the audience screaming. Over the years many WEDNESDAY 13 song titles have been influenced by movies, bands, and pop culture and this song is no different. The title was a play on Cheap Trick’s ‘I want you to want me’, as if it were written about a graveyard romance. Listen to it now Loud, and Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock!!”

Check out the official live video for “I Want You Dead”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbSmUCCR9Es

A career spanning set of both WEDNESDAY 13 and Murderdolls hits, the band journeys through Mr. Motherfucker’s extensive catalogue on Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025. With Murderdolls classics like “Summertime Suicide” and “197666”, Weds takes us from the beginning through his solo catalog, featuring Transylvania 90210 hits “Look What The Bats Dragged In” and “Bad Things”, The Dixie Dead’s “Too Fast For Blood”, Horrifier’s “Good Day To Be A Bad Guy”, and a plethora of bangers from Mid Death Crisis including “In Misery”, “When The Devil Commands”, and “Rotting Away”. A bloody good time from beginning to end, this album is meant to be heard with the windows down, your accelerator through the floor, and bats on the moonlit horizon.

Pre-order your copy of Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025

https://lnk.to/W13-Un-AlivefromPolandRock2025/napalmrecords

Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025 Tracklisting:

1 Blood Fades To Black (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

2 Look What The Bats Dragged In (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

3 Too Fast For Blood (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

4 Rotting Away (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

5 I Want You Dead (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

6 When The Devil Commands (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

7 Summertime Suicide (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

8 197666 (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

9 There’s No Such Thing As Monsters (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

10 In Misery (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

11 Good Day To Be A Bad Guy (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

12 Nowhere (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

13 I Walked With A Zombie (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

14 Bad Things (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

15 I Love To Say Fuck (Un-Alive from Pol’and’Rock 2025)

 

 

FUTURE SHADE RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE ‘SKYLINE’

Following the release of their debut single ‘Payphones’, Future Shade return with their second single, ‘Skyline’.

A widescreen electronic meditation on love, loss, and the spaces between worlds, ‘Skyline’ carries one of Future Shade’s clearest emotional statements yet: love does not disappear, it changes shape. Built around the lyric “there’s no such thing as goodbye”, the song looks toward the sky as both a horizon and a meeting place — somewhere to hold the people we fear losing, and somewhere to find them again.

Where ‘Payphones’ circled absence, distance, and the quiet ache of trying to stay connected, ‘Skyline’ reaches upward. It is tender and expansive, moving between vulnerability and release as it reflects on borrowed time, changing skies, and the promise to keep looking for each other beyond the visible world.

The release follows a huge first chapter for the duo, including a capacity show at SXSW London, where their showcase was hosted by BBC Radio 1’s CassKidd. Introducing the band’s cinematic live world, CassKidd described Future Shade as “main character music”, saying he could see “so many scenes of a movie from track to track.” The duo also made their debut Sydney performance at The Vanguard and have just returned from a UK/EU writing trip, deepening the creative world around the project and continuing to plant seeds for what comes next.

Formed by Jannah Beth and Andrew Meyer, Future Shade is an electronic duo working between Australia and Aotearoa, creating soulful electronic music that lives in the space between euphoria and nostalgia. Their sound blends organic and electronic textures, balancing melancholy and release — music designed for sunset festival stages as much as intimate listening.

They explore themes of love, transience, cosmic connection, and shared humanity, drawing influence from artists such as RÜFÜS DU SOL and Little Dragon. Their songs are shaped by long conversations, shared histories, and an instinctive trust in process, often emerging through freestyles, repetition, and subtle evolution rather than forced outcomes.

The name Future Shade is inspired by Future Shade, the album by The Herd — a philosophy of planting seeds for futures beyond ourselves. It reflects a long-term commitment to lineage, care, and intentional creation: honouring the shade inherited from those before, while creating spaces of rest, connection, and meaning that may never fully be experienced by the creators themselves, for those who come after.

https://www.futureshade.world/

 

 

WILDLANDS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS RETURN TO BRISBANE AND PERTH

THE ONLY PLACE TO SEE WORSHIP IN AUSTRALIA THIS SUMMER

Brisbane returns to New Year’s Eve | Perth, Saturday January 2nd

Brisbane – December 31st (New Year’s Eve), 2026 – Brisbane Showgrounds

Perth – January 2nd (Saturday), 2027 – Arena Joondalup

Wildlands Festival has officially announced its return for Summer 2026/27, presented by Untitled Group, Beyond The Valley and triple j.

The signature single-day event will once again bring its palpable energy to Brisbane and Perth, with Brisbane returning to New Year’s Eve on Thursday, December 31st and Perth following on Saturday, January 2nd, 2027.

This marks a homecoming for Wildlands, as Brisbane returns to its New Year’s Eve slot, putting the festival at the heart of the biggest night of the year. Attendees will ring in 2027 at Brisbane Showgrounds, while the festival’s west coast edition returns stronger than ever, bringing the Wildlands experience back to Arena Joondalup in full force.

The campaign kicked off on July 15th with a short teaser released across socials, urging fans to dial 1800 WILDLANDS. Callers were greeted by a sultry monster on the other end of the line and prompted to press 1, at which point all four members of WORSHIP answered the call, confirming their exclusive Australian debut at Wildlands this summer.

Following the initial teaser, Wildlands released its official campaign launch video today. The clip introduces Edgar, one of this year’s Wildlands monster characters, in a late-night bedroom scene loaded with lineup easter eggs and hints, teasing a track from Dutch powerhouse KI/KI (Getting Ready For The Party) before closing on the 1800 WILDLANDS hotline and encouraging fans to keep calling for ever-evolving clues. The video introduces this year’s campaign narrative: New Year, No Resolutions.

WORSHIP brings together Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock and 1991 – a powerhouse collective of world-class drum and bass artists, producers and DJs. With a catalogue spanning multiple gold and platinum records and sold out shows at Red Rocks, Ultra Miami, Alexandra Palace and Coachella’s Sahara Stage, they are among the most celebrated names in electronic music globally.

The group’s Australian debut at Wildlands marks one of the most significant electronic music announcements the country has seen, and will be exclusive to both the Brisbane and Perth instalments of the festival.

Both Wildlands events will feature reimagined stage designs and updated site layouts across both cities. The Sahara Stage returns open air with production and a DJ setup that hits different under the summer sky. The Summit Stage is back and better than ever, a tent stage with live elements woven throughout. New for this year, The Wilds Stage gives fans on-stage access alongside the DJ lineup for an up-close experience unlike anywhere else on the site.

Attendees will also have the option to elevate their day with the Casamigos Tequila ‘House of Friends’ VIP Pass, offering a complimentary Casamigos drink on arrival, dedicated express entry lanes, access to Casamigos VIP bar and viewing areas, private VIP amenities, phone charging, a photo booth and FastPass lanes across the site.

Fans can expect Wildlands to once again deliver a stacked lineup of global icons and rising talent set to define the sonic year ahead. Previous editions have featured the likes of Tyler, The Creator, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Peggy Gou, Central Cee, Kid Cudi, Dom Dolla, FISHER, Addison Rae, Diplo, BICEP, A$AP Ferg, G Flip, Becky Hill, Chase & Status, Lola Young and more.

For the first time, The Daily Aus joins Wildlands as official presale partner, giving their community of young Australians first access to tickets.

Flexible Payment plans will be available via Afterpay, allowing fans to lock in their Wildlands ticket now and pay later.

Wildlands Festival is proudly brought to you by Untitled Group, the team behind some of Australia’s most celebrated events including Beyond The Valley and Pitch Music & Arts.

The countdown to Wildlands is on.

Wildlands is supported by an Australian Government initiative, Revive Live.

Sign up for presale access HERE

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