GUITAR POWERHOUSE KATHLEEN HALLORAN LAUNCHES ‘WOLVES LIKE YOU’ SINGLE + VIDEO + ANNOUNCES ALBUM & TOUR

Report and Photos by Greg Phillips

Melbourne guitarist, singer and songwriter Kathleen Halloran steps forward with fierce new single ‘Wolves Like You’, a powerful rock statement that marks a defining moment in her evolution as a solo artist. The release arrives alongside the announcement of her long-awaited debut album Nobody’s Baby, set for release on Friday May 8, produced by Roscoe James Irwin (The Cat Empire, The Bamboos, Paul Kelly) and engineered/mixed by Ben Edgar (Gotye, Angus and Julia Stone) and there’s a string of tour dates supporting Pierce Brothers as well.

Last night, among a mix of friends family, media and punters, Kathleen Halloran launched her new single ‘Wolves Like You’ with a stunning performance on the rooftop of Morris House In Melbourne’s CBD. If you’re a follower of Australian Musician, you’ll know we are huge fans of Kathleen Halloran and as we told her last night, she never takes a backward step. Each performance is better than the last and that’s due to her single-minded determination and hard work to be the best musician she can possibly be.

THE LAUNCH
Most of the material played last night will appear on her debut album, to be released on May 8 this year. Kicking off with former single Free With Me, it was obvious from the get-go that the band was in top form and feeding off the communal joy in the audience. I Am Hunted followed, a pulsating rocker revealing an artist who has found great comfort in the spotlight since we first saw her as a nervous young teen at our Melbourne Guitar Show many years ago. The spellbinding vibe of Find Me Again demonstrated her ease in shifting styles and building the dynamics of a performance, aided by some tasteful vintage keyboard sounds courtesy of the talented Sam Cope. A powerful version of Fiona Apple’s Criminal, featuring some savage guitar licks was a welcome surprise and another example of an artist tweaking, improving and constantly thinking about the show as a whole.

Dusty Lee Stephensen, co-writer of Halloran’s new single ‘Wolves Like You’ joined the band for a vibrant rendition of the song, which had the crowd singing loudly and then cheering on one of Kathleen’s many scorching guitar solos for the night. All the while the formidable rhythm section of Jonathan Zion on bass and Darryn Farrugia on drums kept the engine chugging along, with second guitarist Rowan Pattison offering his thoughtful riffs to the mix too. Displaying her penchant for classic rock, Kathleen ripped into The Beatles’ frantic Helter Skelter, merging into Hendrix’s Foxy Lady. Dusty Lee then took to the keyboards to assist Kathleen in a stunning version of their tune Heal Me.

As tradition dictates at a Kathleen Halloran gig, she finished her amazing set with the rockin’ Showstopper, topped up with a little Rock ’n’ Roll, Zeppelin style. The development and upward trend of this amazing musician and her band continues to impress and inspire. The album is going to be the icing on the cake and the beginning of a long and successful music career both here and overseas, we promise!

MORE ABOUT THE SINGLE ‘WOLVES LIKE YOU’ AND VIDEO
After fifteen years performing on stages and in studios across Australia, Halloran channels her experience into a track that celebrates resilience, individuality and the quiet strength of women forging their own path in a traditionally male-dominated space. Co-written with Adelaide-based producer and musician Dusty Lee Stephensen, ‘Wolves Like You’ is ultimately about staying true to the music, and to yourself.

A passionate, rock-forward statement piece, ‘Wolves Like You’ stands as a fierce declaration of strength and self-belief. The track leans into Halloran’s signature duality, guitar firepower balanced with emotional depth. Gritty yet controlled, primal yet deliberate, the song captures an artist fully embracing her strengths.

Marking a significant moment in her career, Halloran reflects on a shifting perspective shaped by years in the industry: “Wolves Like You is about the resilience, defiance, and quiet power of women in the music industry. I’ve been playing guitar professionally for 15 years, and for most of that time I rejected the idea of being defined by gender or even allowing it into the conversation. Comments like ‘I’ve never heard a girl play like that’ were often well-meaning, but complicated. Something has shifted for me. I’ve realised people feel compelled to speak up because what they’re witnessing is powerful, and I’m really proud of that.”

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker WILK, known for his work with Sarah Blasko, Ella Hooper, Jack Ladder, Gotye and Spiderbait, the accompanying video marks a striking visual shift from Halloran’s previous releases. She explains: “The concept for the video came from director WILK, whose vision shaped the entire aesthetic and feel of the clip. Together, we wanted Wolves Like You to feel raw, smoky and unapologetically powerful, a simple, performance-led studio video with a darker edge. Rock-forward with a subtle psychedelic haze, muted primary colours, harsh lighting and layered multiple exposures give it a 70s-leaning, primal urgency. Visually, it’s a deliberate departure from my previous work.”

Set for release May 8, Nobody’s Baby marks the arrival of a fully realised artist stepping confidently into her solo era. The album features previous releases Find Me Again, Free With Me and Cost of Living, exploring themes of self-discovery, freedom and the emotional highs and lows of pursuing a creative life.

Kathleen Halloran effortlessly bridges the gap between her long-standing reputation as a sought-after ensemble guitarist and this exciting new chapter as a solo artist. The electrifying performer has established herself as one of Australia’s most compelling rising talents, known for her swaggering fretboard flair and magnetic stage presence.

Her playing is fearless and precise, fluent in both raw power and restraint. A true shredder, but never at the expense of feeling, Halloran channels the firepower of the guitar greats who came before her while remaining unmistakably her own. Presence, confidence and force define every performance.

To celebrate the release of Nobody’s Baby, Halloran will hit the road this May for a national tour, bringing the new material to stages across the country and giving audiences the chance to experience her powerful guitar work and commanding live show up close.

LISTEN TO ‘WOLVES LIKE YOU’ HERE

WATCH HERE