SNIPPETZ: THURSDAY July 2, 2026
This week’s Snippetz includes: Banks Arcade, blacktoothed, Ice Sealed Eyes, Prime Creation, High Ground, LA Priest, David Keenan, Victoria K, Jack Raymond, Blank Instrument, Tim Clark, Les Thomas, Riley!, Day Dreamers, Rockwiz, Bootleg Rascal, Tom Harrison, nabii, The Bures Band, Angela Rose, Del Webb Explosion, Mark Holden, Bella Backe, Don Morrison, Beans, Jarrad Wrigley, Snow Patrol and Kylie, Oscar Litchfield, Tove Lo and Stromae, PSYCROPTIC, Five Finger Death Punch, The Hu, Control The Sun, Bad Wolves and more.
BANKS ARCADE Turn Up The Pressure On Explosive New Single ‘Don’t Miss’
BANKS ARCADE return with their explosive new single “DON’T MISS”, a fearless collision of modern metalcore, nu-metal swagger and hip-hop-infused groove. Packed with earth-shaking low end, razor-sharp down-tuned riffs and an instantly memorable chorus, the track captures the band’s signature ability to blend crushing heaviness with undeniable hooks.
Fueled by reckless energy and late-night rebellion, “DON’T MISS” tells a story of chasing unforgettable moments despite the chaos surrounding you. Its lyrics paint vivid scenes of youthful defiance, blurred lines between friendship and rivalry, and the determination to leave a lasting impression no matter the consequences. Balancing raw aggression with infectious melody, the song channels the adrenaline rush of living in the moment while embracing every scar that comes with it.
Musically, “DON’T MISS” showcases everything that has made Banks Arcade one of the most exciting names in modern heavy music. Hip-hop-inspired rhythms collide with massive metalcore breakdowns, while dynamic vocal performances seamlessly move between soaring melodies, attitude-filled delivery and explosive intensity. The result is a track that feels equally at home in the pit, on festival stages and blasting through speakers at maximum volume.
Since emerging from Australia and New Zealand’s thriving heavy music scene, Banks Arcade have built a rapidly growing international audience through relentless touring and a genre-bending sound that fuses metalcore, alternative, electronic and hip-hop influences. The band has amassed millions of streams across digital platforms, toured internationally throughout Australia, North America, the UK and Europe, and shared stages with artists such as Northlane, ERRA, LANDMVRKS, Highly Suspect and The Plot In You. They have also appeared at renowned festivals including Download Festival and UNIFY, further cementing their reputation as one of heavy music’s most forward-thinking acts.
With its massive hooks, crushing grooves and undeniable replay value, “DON’T MISS” is Banks Arcade at their most confident and addictive—a modern heavy anthem built to be played loud and remembered long after the night is over.
Listen to Don’t Miss here https://arisingempire.com/banksarcade
Video for Don’t Miss https://youtu.be/LJqv0WQRvqw
blacktoothed Release Powerful New Single ‘Cyclone’
With their new single “CYCLONE”, Leipzig-based modern rock outfit blacktoothed deliver one of their most emotionally charged and captivating songs to date. Blending soaring melodies, massive hooks and cinematic production, the track dives headfirst into the overwhelming force of desire, vulnerability and the chaos of emotions left unspoken.
Driven by vivid imagery of raging storms, cracking facades and spiralling thoughts, “CYCLONE” captures the moment when carefully constructed defenses begin to crumble. The song explores the internal battle between restraint and emotional surrender, as suppressed feelings build into an unstoppable force. Lines like “I’m drowning in a raging cyclone that’s blasting through my chest” perfectly embody the track’s emotional intensity, while its towering chorus transforms personal turmoil into an unforgettable modern rock anthem.
Musically, blacktoothed balance raw emotion with precision songwriting. Frontman Hendrik Rathgeber’s dynamic vocal performance rises above shimmering guitars, driving rhythms and a sleek, contemporary production that amplifies every emotional peak. The result is a song that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable — a soundtrack for anyone who has ever struggled to express what they truly feel.
Over the past years, blacktoothed have established themselves as one of Germany’s most exciting modern rock acts. Since signing with Arising Empire, the Leipzig trio has steadily expanded its audience with its unique blend of alternative rock, modern metal influences and infectious pop sensibilities. The band has shared stages with renowned acts including Bad Omens, Polaris, Hands Like Houses, Annisokay, The Ghost Inside, Thundermother and The Amity Affliction, while also appearing at major events such as Impericon Festival. Their acclaimed album JULI generated more than 800,000 streams worldwide, helping cement their reputation as a rising force within the European rock scene.
With “CYCLONE”, blacktoothed continue to push their sound forward, combining vulnerability, power and arena-sized melodies into a song that is as emotionally devastating as it is irresistibly anthemic.
Listen to Cyclone here https://arisingempire.com/blacktoothed
Watch the video at https://youtu.be/JDihDRbCl10
ICE SEALED EYES Join Arising Empire Presenting ‘The Weight Of Loss’
Arising Empire is proud to welcome Ice Sealed Eyes to its growing roster of heavy music innovators, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Belgian metalcore outfit.
Accompanying the announcement is the band’s latest single, “The Weight Of Loss” — a powerful display of Ice Sealed Eyes’ signature blend of atmospheric soundscapes, crushing heaviness, and emotionally charged songwriting.
Exploring themes of betrayal, disillusionment, and the lasting impact of personal loss, “The Weight Of Loss” captures the struggle of letting go when memories refuse to fade. Balancing haunting melodies with explosive intensity, the track navigates the emotional fallout of broken trust, confronting the darkness hidden behind familiar faces and the painful realization that some wounds can never fully heal.
Driven by immersive production, dynamic instrumentation, and deeply personal lyricism, the song showcases the band’s ability to merge vulnerability with aggression, creating a listening experience that is both cathartic and unrelenting. Atmospheric passages collide with crushing riffs and soaring melodies, underlining the emotional weight carried throughout the track.
With their distinctive approach to modern metalcore, Ice Sealed Eyes have continued to carve out their place within the scene, earning recognition for their blend of cinematic atmospheres, contemporary heaviness, and emotionally resonant songwriting. Their ability to balance vulnerability and intensity has helped establish a growing presence within the modern metalcore landscape.
Now joining forces with Arising Empire, Ice Sealed Eyes are poised to enter a new era and continue pushing their sound to new heights.
Listen to The Weight Of Loss here https://arisingempire.com/icesealedeyes
PRIME CREATION Celebrate The Release Of New Studio Album SOULS OF THE FALLEN
Swedish melodic power metal act PRIME CREATION celebrate the release of their highly anticipated new studio album, Souls Of The Fallen, available now via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music.
Out Now Via ROAR! Order Souls Of The Fallen HERE!
Following a series of acclaimed singles and enthusiastic reviews from the international music press, the band’s fourth full-length album showcases PRIME CREATION at their most ambitious, combining powerful melodies, crushing riffs, and memorable choruses into their strongest work to date. Pre-order your album copy, one that belongs into every well-sorted power metal record collection, here: https://primecreation.rpm.link/soulsPR
Watch the lyric video for ‘Souls of the Fallen’’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpCHeAqjvjg
Formed in Sweden in 2015, PRIME CREATION quickly established themselves as a driving force in modern melodic heavy metal. Rising from the ashes of the power metal band Morifade, the group brought together skilled and experienced musicians with a clear vision: combine technical precision with powerful songwriting and a contemporary edge.
Following their self-titled debut in 2016 and the critically acclaimed Tears Of Rage (2019), the band continued to evolve, culminating in Tell Freedom I Said Hello (2023), which gained strong international attention. Known for their dynamic live presence, PRIME CREATION have toured across Europe and shared stages with acts like Masterplan and appeared at festivals alongside Europe and W.A.S.P.
With Souls Of The Fallen, produced by Niels Nielsen (Ghost, In Flames), the band take another decisive step forward, pushing their sound into darker, more progressive territory while staying true to their melodic roots.
PRIME CREATION is:
Esa Englund – Vocals
Robin Arnell – Lead Guitar
Rami Tainamo – Rhythm Guitar
Henrik Weimedal – Bass Guitar
Kim Arnell – Drums
More on PRIME CREATION:
Website | https://www.primecreationband.com/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/primecreationofficial/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/primecreationband/
X | https://x.com/Prime__Creation
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/Primecreationband
Find ROAR bands online @distortion.musicgroup Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
HIGH GROUND ANNOUNCE SECOND WAVE OF ARTISTS FOR THEIR INAUGURAL WINTER PROGRAM
INCLUDING COSMO’S MIDNIGHT, KOSMETIKA, KIRIN J CALLINAN, MOKTAR & MORE.
HIGH GROUND is a live music series, taking place across The Night Cat, The Evelyn and Punters Club, inspired by Fitzroy’s traditional name, Ngár-go – an area long synonymous with creative independence and resistance. Today they announce the second wave of artists performing across the inaugural winter festival, including Egyptian-Australian DJ and producer Moktar, making his live show debut, Sydney electronic duo Cosmo’s Midnight and multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, producer and rapper Winston Surfshirt.
Melbourne five-piece synth-pop band Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird and Kirin J Callinan join the bill alongside high-energy creative producer Kumi and the true ode to dancefloor salvation, Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir. On Saturday, 29 August, PUNT FEST II returns with a celebration of all things Punters Club featuring live music and DJs across three stages.
Also joining the program are Naarm’s eccentric art-pop band KOSMETIKA, Adelaide’s six-headed rock hydra West Thebarton, electronic funk, soul and nu-jazz outfit Tony Soprano Band, Blue Radio DJs and psychedelic three-piece Brown Spirits.
On Saturday, 11 July, High Ground teams up with The StandardX Melbourne for a special afternoon session in the heart of Fitzroy. Disco Mediterranea, who are set to headline the Evelyn on August 1st, will soundtrack the afternoon with a special two-hour rooftop set On Top from 4 pm–6 pm. To celebrate High Ground, The StandardX & Audio Technica have launched a competition giving away a stack of prizes to one lucky winner, details HERE.
At the centre of the program is HIGH GROUND: IN MOTION, a multi-venue event taking place Saturday, 18 July, across all three venues within the Fitzroy Triangle: The Night Cat, The Evelyn and Punters Club. The stacked IN MOTION lineup includes performances from Skeleten, Sleepazoid, XIAO XIAO, Orange Moon, No News, Rain Dogs, Horatio Luna, DJ LUV YOU, Public Figures, Setwun & The Soulstranauts and Miles Nautu.
Already completed shows within the festival include post-punk outfit Protomartyr, Senegalese rhythmic pioneers Mark Ernestus & Ndagga Rhythm Force, Japanese audiovisual collective Violent Magic Orchestra, Los Angeles R&B artist Jenevieve, and UK post-punk heavyweights Dry Cleaning, who played a packed free show at Punters Club.
Running until the end of August, HIGH GROUND’s program celebrates this rich musical legacy with a multi-genre collision of sound from the fringes to the forefront, bringing audiences back to Fitzroy’s beloved independent venues during the colder months. Dates and details can be found at highground3065.com
https://www.highground3065.com/
LA Priest announces new album Into The Sky Due Aug 28
Following the release of maximalist single ‘Into The Sky‘ earlier this month, LA Priest aka Sam Eastgate, today announces news of his fourth album Into The Sky – set for release on August 28th. Into The Sky was co-written, co-produced and mixed by Eastgate’s old friend Alex Ridha – aka Boys Noize – and together they have fashioned a set of laser-guided pop songs on which Eastgate sings of love and liberation, swathed in pulsing electronics.
Alongside the album announce, LA Priest has shared new song, the cyber ballad ‘Ever No‘ with its gentle synth undulations and Eastgate proclaiming: “Good God, I love you more than you could ever know / Good God it makes me high and shakes me to my core.“
The video for ‘Ever No’ was shot and directed by Joe Bird Jr in Joshua Tree and shows the creation of the synth rider who featured in the ‘Into The Sky’ video.
Watch the video for ‘Ever No’ here
“I’m not sure which way I’m going, but it’s exciting – that’s the spirit of this album,” says Sam Eastgate of his latest LA Priest record, Into The Sky. Followers of LA Priest over the past decade might say that this has also been the case with his first three albums, Inji, Gene and Fase Luna – an intrepid trilogy that cast Eastgate as a nomadic sorcerer whose homebrewed psychedelia and inventive songwriting led to a string of cult hits.
But Into The Sky does feel genuinely exciting, not least because it finds Eastgate trying a new approach and in the process making some of the most satisfying music of his career. “For a long time, I wanted to make stuff for your mind. This one is more for the mind and the body,” he says. “I made this record to dance to. I haven’t really done one that you could put on and dance all the way through before.” To that end, he worked closely with Ridha – the pair have known each other since his Late of the Pier days in the late 2000s, “back when we were all pretty much teenagers. The reason I thought of Alex is because he’s doing such an innovative job in electronic music and I’m revisiting a style I haven’t done for a long time.” Enhanced by Ridha’s dynamic production, Into The Sky possesses a verve and immediacy that seems to illuminate LA Priest’s trippier instincts.
The journey to Into The Sky began in lockdown when the desire to keep active inspired Eastgate to set about making a dance record entirely from samples. He ended up so deep into the concept, devising his own style of house music, that he had to take a step back and “leave it on the shelf”. After putting it on pause, he travelled with his young family to Mexico and Costa Rica, got his guitar out and wrote Fase Luna, a collection of vivid folk songs that revealed a deeper connection to the natural world and local mythology.
Into The Sky is a chance to properly realise that electronic project. “I’ve always liked the homemade feel of very early techno, that’s why all the songs have the same drum machine and the same synth. How much ground can you cover with just a few sounds? How many different kinds of emotions can you show with one or two machines? That’s what I find exciting.”
The recording of Into The Sky drew various LA Priest strands together, which helps its harmonious homemade quality. Eastgate used the first Gene drum machine that he built in 2016 and he also invested in a vintage Korg 800 DV synthesiser to compose most of the material. He had used that Korg on his first solo album, Inji, before selling it, to his regret. That Korg inspired the sound of the first polysynth he built, the Polygene, which he used to finish off the record, “sprinkling notes here and there”. The album artwork of the drum and the egg goes back even further, to when Eastgate was coming up with designs for the sleeve of Late of the Pier’s one and only album, Fantasy Black Channel. “A full-circle moment,” he says.
Into The Sky is available to pre-order on clear coloured vinyl, CD and digitally.
LA Priest Online Website | Gene Synths | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
DAVID KEENAN revives the Irish protest song tradition with blistering new single ‘Protest Song’ out now
At a time where Ireland is grappling with housing shortages, environmental concerns and growing political divisions, David Keenan has written ‘Protest Song’, a folk anthem that asks uncomfortable questions about the state of the nation.
Casting a poetic eye over contemporary Ireland, Keenan addresses layered political issues including the recent fuel protests, social housing, neutrality and river pollution in a three-minute ballad that holds up a mirror to some of the country’s most contentious debates.
“I ain’t no Bob Dylan but instead of doing nothing at all, I was bored so I wrote a protest song”
Following the critically acclaimed comeback album ‘Modern Mythologies’, an award-winning documentary about his life and process ‘Focla ar Chanbhás’ and his inclusion alongside the likes of U2, Bruce Springsteen & Hozier on the upcoming Shane MacGowan tribute album ‘20th Century Paddy’, David Keenan releases his most socially charged song to date ahead of a busy summer with performances at Bergen Fest and All Together Now planned.
“This song is a truthful take on warped aspects of modern Ireland. As an artist I am compelled to explore these uncomfortable topics and not wilfully ignore them. I want my lyrics to really mean something and to not just be a novelty”. – David Keenan
David Keenan https://davidkeenan.com/
VICTORIA K – New Single “Take It All” From Forthcoming Album “The Pleasure of Sorrow”
Australian gothic metal act Victoria K return with their new single “Take It All”, out June 26, 2026, taken from the band’s forthcoming third studio album, “The Pleasure of Sorrow”.
Following the release of “Oh So Weary”, the new track opens a darker and more vulnerable chapter in the world of “The Pleasure of Sorrow”. Seductively melancholic and deeply personal, “Take It All” moves through loss, memory, and the slow process of healing, shaping an emotional journey that feels intimate, atmospheric, and direct.
For fans of Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, and Spiritbox, Victoria K continues to evolve their gothic metal foundations through modern metalcore intensity, electronic textures, heavier dynamics, and layered sound design. The result is a sound that remains melodic and emotionally charged while pushing the band further into a darker, more contemporary space.
Speaking about the single, Victoria K explains: “The song discusses a moment in time when a piece of yourself is taken from you. It may have been a piece of your character, of your youth, but it was a moment in time where you lost something of yourself in a way that felt as though it was out of your control.”
Written as a form of catharsis, “Take It All” unfolds like a distant memory resurfacing through sound, capturing the aftermath of loss, the uncertainty that follows, and the emotional spiral of trying to make sense of something that cannot be undone. Rooted in Victoria K’s love for gothic metal, with Evanescence as a key reference point, the track lets its atmosphere, vocal melodies, and recurring main riff carry the emotional weight, turning restraint into one of its greatest strengths.
The single arrives as part of Victoria K’s upcoming third studio album, “The Pleasure Of Sorrow”, a new chapter that sees the band expanding their gothic metal roots with darker atmospheres, modern heaviness, and subtle electronic textures. Further details regarding the album, including the release date, will be revealed in the coming months. Stay tuned!
Listen to “Take It All” here: https://lnk.to/kSaVux
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWj5Sr_Wbko
For fans of: Spiritbox, Evanescence, Lacuna Coil
VICTORIA K lineup:
Victoria Knight: Vocals
Charlie Curnow: Extreme Vocals
James Davies: Drums
Ethan Collusi: Bass
BIOGRAPHY:
Emerging from the sepulchral mists and haunted landscapes of ancient myth, Victoria K cast a lengthening shadow over Australia and beyond. Leading the Australian Gothic Metal charge with soaring vocals, expansive melodies, and bombastic songwriting that draws on the resonance of the oldest tales and fresh emotion.
Victoria K first came to the notice of listeners with their single “Lacuna,” which was distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Warner Music Group (Australia) and was an early taste of things to come with their debut album, “Essentia”.
Soon after the release of the 2019 single “Lacuna” ahead of the band’s first album, Victoria K were invited to support Swiss Folk Metal legends Eluveitie at Melbourne’s Croxton Bandroom. Though this was Victoria K’s first live outing, they took the crowd by storm and left them chanting for more. This entry into the live scene set the stage for the release of “Essentia” perfectly.
The diversity of music across the “Essentia” album is showcased across the four single/video releases – “Essentia”, “Forsaken”, “The Haunting”, and “Matrix”. While “Forsaken” reaches into the darker corners of Victoria K’s musical palette, “Matrix,” by contrast, is a fast and uplifting song guaranteed to get the blood pumping.
Just as Victoria K was about to play their first headline show, however, the world was plunged into the throes of lockdowns and the now-infamous pandemic. Even in the face of such a challenging time for the music industry, the band remained undeterred and performed a live show streamed directly from the studio, which was later released as the DVD “Essentia – Live Isolation Concert”.
By the time the world opened up again, Victoria K were ravenous for touring and embarked upon an extensive trek across the Great Southern Land that took in capital cities and regional towns alike, from their hometown of Melbourne to Whyalla.
Even as they toured, Victoria K showed no sign of slowing down in their songwriting, and 2023 saw the release of their sophomore album “Kore”. For this release, Knight drew on her own Greek heritage to weave an enchanting interpretation of the story of Persephone, including lyrics and chants sung in Ancient Greek to truly capture the epic tale.
The lineage from such luminaries of Gothic Metal as Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, and Evanescence, as well as Prog/Power acts like Evergrey and Melbourne’s own Teramaze, to Victoria K is clear; however, with their latest release, Victoria K pays tribute to a more surprising inspiration, Madonna. In April 2024, Victoria K released their heavy rendition of the iconic 1998 ballad “Frozen”, running the gamut from heavy riffs to more dulcet moments, giving homage to the soulful and introspective nature of the song.
In addition to Knight’s majestic lead vocals, Victoria K’s current touring line-up includes Charlie Curnow tearing up the stage on harsh vocals, Ethan Colussi holding down the bottom end on bass, and the indomitable percussive machine of James Davies on drums.
Victoria K has amassed over 475,000 streams on Spotify and accumulated over 717,000 views on YouTube, averaging over 90 hours a month of watch time, with Matrix achieving over 150,000 views. They also boast over 6300 Facebook, 4000 Instagram, and 2700 TikTok followers, as well as over 6600 YouTube subscribers and 1000 monthly Spotify listeners primarily in Australia and the US.
With Victoria K leaning into epic and fantastical tales, it’s only fitting that they supported Blind Guardian at the Northcote Theatre on Friday, February 9, 2024, and Katatonia at The Croxton on Saturday, February 10, 2024.
Victoria K’s have recorded their 3rd studio album, “The Pleasure of Sorrow.” The details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
More info:
https://rockshots.eu/
https://www.instagram.com/victoria_k_official/
https://www.facebook.com/victoriakofficial/
JACK RAYMOND ‘SHIPS IN THE NIGHT’ (SINGLE)
“Ships in the Night” comes straight from my home life. My partner and I live on opposite schedules. She runs a café that demands everything she has, and I’m a touring musician chasing gigs, long drives, and late nights. We’re both building something we believe in, but often it feels like we’re living parallel lives,” says Jack Raymond
“We’re tired, we’re stretched thin, but we’re in this together.
Written during a season of early alarms, missed dinners and passing conversations in doorways, the song captures the reality of two people pursuing their dreams while trying to hold onto each other. It sits firmly within Raymond’s Mountain Roots sound, blending heartfelt storytelling with warm folk textures and a driving roots pulse that mirrors the constant movement of everyday life.
Independent artist Jack Raymond returns with “Ships in the Night”, the latest single from his forthcoming second studio album Mr. Know It All. A stirring folk roots anthem built around melody, rhythm and honest songwriting, “Ships in the Night” explores the tension between ambition and connection, and the sacrifices that often come with building a life together.
Raised in Victoria’s High Country, Raymond has built a reputation for grounded songwriting shaped by place, long roads and lived experience. “Ships in the Night” continues that tradition, pairing intimate lyrics with an uplifting chorus that transforms a deeply personal story into something universal.
It is a song about commitment, resilience and the belief that even when life pulls two people in different directions, they can still be heading toward the same future.”
Over the years, Jack’s carved his way onto festival stages across the country:
Gympie Muster 23 & 24, Woodford 24/25, Tamworth CMF 25, Wintermoon 25 & 26, Solar Folk 25, Get Folk’d 25 with supports such as Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, Kim Churchill, Riley Pearce
ACCLAIMED U.S SINGER-SONGWRITER ERIC HUTCHINSON TOURING AUSTRALIA THIS NOVEMBER
Returning to Australia for the first time in sixteen years, ERIC HUTCHINSON is planning on making up for lost time with his brand new show primed for Australian theatres this November. Across three unmissable shows along the East Coast, Hutchinson will be bringing choice cuts from a stacked catalogue of music to fans on this, his first-ever headline tour in this area of the world.
First introduced to Australian crowds on massive national tours supporting the likes of Jason Mraz and Kelly Clarkson in 2008 and 2009, Hutchinson went on to become one of North America’s most engaging songwriters and performers.
Growing his collection of music across seven studio albums, multiple tours and a listenership that has accrued over 105 million streams, Hutchinson has a cult following that only continues to grow with each release. In Australia, Hutchinson’s impact was made early, first with the inclusion of his song ‘Rock & Roll’ on the beloved Australian television drama, Packed To The Rafters. The hit went Platinum in Australia, while his debut album Sounds Like This also hit the ARIA Top 40 upon release.
Hutchinson’s latest album, 2026’s Repeating Myself, has seen the artist make a joyous return to the piano–driven pop and soul music that first won audiences over when he dropped Sounds Like This back in 2008. Full of energy and a rejuvenated approach to the craft, the record has seen Hutchinson create new music that adds perfectly to his body of work, while also taking him in some new creative directions as well.
Australian fans will experience some of this new music, along with a mix of jokes, storytelling and the classics from a career full of memorable hits including ‘Rock & Roll’, ‘Ok, It’s Alright With Me’ and ‘A Little More’.
“I honestly have no idea why I never came back to Australia, other than the fact that it’s super far away from New York City, where I live. I’ve had so many folks reach out over the years and ask me to come play, but the timing never worked out until now. I can’t wait to reconnect with all the listeners after so many years. It’s gonna be special.” ERIC HUTCHINSON
Hutchinson will be joined by special guest and recent Australian Idol winner, MARSHALL HAMBURGER.
Teamwrk Touring & MRG Live presents
ERIC HUTCHINSON AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Supported by MARSHALL HAMBURGER
THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER Lefty’s Music Hall BRISBANE
FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER Northcote Social Club MELBOURNE
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER The Lansdowne SYDNEY
ERIC HUTCHINSON: Official Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube
BLANK INSTRUMENT Shares First Single From Album Made Possible By Late Friend. Single Out Now
Boorloo/Perth artist Blank Instrument, the musical project of singer-songwriter Kim Franklin, unveils her new single ‘Brand New’, out now, the first taste of her forthcoming debut album ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, due later this year.
While the warm, country-tinged folk release explores the end of a relationship and the hope that follows, it also marks the beginning of an album made possible by Franklin’s late friend Julie, whose encouragement and generosity helped bring the long-held dream of recording a full-length record to life.
The album’s origins can be traced back to one of Franklin’s final conversations with Julie, a close friend she met years earlier while working together in the public service. Bonded by a shared love of music, storytelling and conversation, the pair remained close long after moving on to different careers.
Before her passing in 2023, Julie told Franklin she wanted to leave her some money to help “pursue her dreams”. That gift ultimately funded the recording of ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, allowing Franklin to enter Sundown Studios and realise a project that may otherwise have remained out of reach. More than a debut album, the record stands as a lasting tribute to friendship, generosity and the people who shape our lives.
Following a songwriting challenge through Perth’s I Heart Songwriting Club, Franklin experienced an unexpected creative surge, with weeks of lyric writing and composition eventually forming the foundations of ‘Jumping at Ghosts’. Recorded at Sundown Studios alongside producer Elliot Smith and a cast of accomplished local musicians, the album explores themes of mental health, ageing, love and grief.
Blending warming folk, country and folk-rock influences, ‘Brand New’ captures the uncertainty, frustration and eventual acceptance that can accompany knowing something has reached its end. Acoustic and electric guitars, piano, Wurlitzer, organ and layered backing vocals steadily build throughout the track, culminating in an uplifting chorus that reflects the song’s underlying sense of hope and renewal.
Reflecting on a period spent questioning her future while living in London, Franklin draws on deeply personal experiences, exploring the emotional weight of a relationship strained by differing ambitions and the hope that can emerge once difficult decisions are finally made. Speaking on the track, Franklin shares:
“The lack of direction in my relationship caused me a lot of angst. Towards the end, there were many arguments and I remember lying in bed in the mornings just wishing he’d get up so I could lie there and be alone. I wanted to capture a snapshot of how it felt to be in the final throes of a relationship.”
Out Friday, June 26, ‘Brand New’ marks the first chapter of ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, a collection shaped by years of songwriting, self-reflection and the support of those closest to Kim Franklin.
Follow Blank Instrument
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
TIM CLARK RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM GHOSTS OF THE D1 DRAIN
Melbourne singer-songwriter’s alt-country/folk debut — six years in the making — has arrived
Melbourne singer-songwriter Tim Clark announces the release of his debut album, Ghosts of the D1 Drain, available on Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms from Monday 29 June 2026.
Recorded over six years with some of Melbourne’s finest musicians, the album is a quietly remarkable debut from an artist who only started writing songs in his late thirties.
The album blends alt-country toe-tappers with lush chamber-folk, spanning themes of forgiveness, human connection, the will to live, and the eternal pull of the past — all filtered through the deeply personal lens of a former teacher, remedial massage therapist, and counsellor.
The album title references a landscape central to Clark’s teenage years in Melbourne’s west, setting the tone for an album preoccupied with how the past continues to inhabit the present.
An Accidental Artist
Clark came to songwriting almost by accident. During a dry spell of work, he wrote his first song, then another the following week, and kept going until he had a full album’s worth of material. With no industry connections, he emailed the first producer he found on Google — and got lucky. That producer turned out to be Myles Mumford, one of Melbourne’s most respected names in indie music.
Mumford says, “When Tim came to me, he had melodies and words but couldn’t play an instrument. It turned out to be one of the most inspiring projects I’ve ever been involved with.”
Recording took place in fits and starts over the following six years, dictated by studio budgets and life, with some of best local players lending their talents, including Louis King (Grace Cummings, Angus & Julia Stone), Patrick Wilson (Georgia State Line), Holly Thomas (Quivers), and John Bedggood (Bernard Fanning, Things of Stone & Wood).
Once the core tracks were laid down, Clark enlisted composer Ade Vincent (known for his work with Lior and The Tiger & Me) to add string parts, ultimately performed by musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Sarah Curro, Jenny Khafagi, Gabrielle Halloran and Michelle Wood.
The Music
The album ranges widely in texture and mood. Tracks like “Phantom Pain” and “Hip Hip Hooray” are flat-out hoe-downs, while “Daniel Before He Died” and “Brief Candle” inhabit a more delicate, chamber-folk space.
Clark cites female alt-country and folk-pop artists — Aimee Mann, Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams, Eliza Gilkyson and Kacey Musgraves — as primary influences, while listeners are likely to hear echoes of the male folk-pop singer-songwriters of the 1970s: Jim Croce, Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens and James Taylor.
CONNECT WITH TIM CLARK Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Bandcamp
LES THOMAS Releases Stirring Live Video for The Last of the Old Holdens
A powerful tribute to Australia’s car workers, manufacturing communities and the bonds forged across generations.
Melbourne/Naarm singer-songwriter Les Thomas has released a moving live performance video for The Last of the Old Holdens, a song that honours the workers, families and communities who built Australia’s automotive industry.
Filmed live at The Aviary Studios with his band The Living, the performance captures the emotional core of a song that has already resonated deeply with audiences across Australia and beyond.
Part elegy, part celebration, The Last of the Old Holdens reflects on the closure of Australia’s car manufacturing industry and the generations of Australians whose lives were shaped by the factories, workshops and iconic vehicles that once formed the backbone of working-class Australia.
“‘The Last of the Old Holdens’ is really a song about people,” says Thomas. “It’s about parents and children, work and dignity, and what happens to communities when an industry disappears. So many Australians have a Holden story. I wanted to honour those memories and the people behind them.”
Written in the tradition of Australian story songs, The Last of the Old Holdens speaks to anyone who ever clocked on at a factory, turned a spanner in the shed, rode up front with Mum or Dad, or watched the factory gates close for the final time.
Thomas, whose songs explore history, social change and ordinary lives with uncommon warmth and insight, has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most compelling contemporary folk voices. In 2025 he received the Troubadour Foundation’s Keeping the Flame Alive Award in recognition of his contribution to Australian songwriting.
The release comes as Thomas prepares to embark on his first UK tour throughout July and August, with performances in London, Oxford, Sheffield, Bristol and Brighton, as well as appearances at the historic Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and Mitcheldean Folk Festival.
Since its release earlier this year, the studio version of The Last of the Old Holdens has attracted airplay on ABC Country, ABC Adelaide, BBC Radio Lincolnshire and many other stations across Australia and the UK, resonating with listeners who recognise their own experiences in its themes of work, family, memory and change.
Recent praise for Thomas’s forthcoming third album, I Remember Everything, has included an 8.5/10 review from Liverpool Sound and Vision, which described the collection as “wonderfully adept” and praised its “honesty in a world that craves the lie”.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Kavisha Mazzella says simply: “His music moves people.”
Watch the live video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-02f2XQIqko
Performed by Les Thomas & The Living
Les Thomas – vocals, acoustic guitar
Joshua Jones – resonator guitar
Trev Fernandez – piano
Craig Kelly – bass
Justin Olsson – drums
Recorded live at The Aviary Studios
Recorded and mixed by Zac Camm
Cinematography by Joe Victory
Videography by Andy Dobrowolski
Directed and edited by Fraser Montgomery
About Les Thomas: Les Thomas is a Melbourne/Naarm-based singer-songwriter whose powerful songs weave together personal stories, social history and a deep sense of humanity. Winner of the Troubadour Foundation’s Keeping the Flame Alive Award, Thomas has earned a reputation for writing songs that speak to both the times and the soul.
His forthcoming third album, I Remember Everything, will be released on 18 September 2026
Les Thomas
Singer-songwriter | Storyteller | Troubadour Award recipient
E: lesunpaved@gmail.com
W: https://lesthomasmusic.com
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RILEY! ANNOUNCE EP TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH
TO BE RELEASED ON JULY 17 VIA PURE NOISE RECORDS
SINGLE TWO BUCKS (FT. ERIC EGAN OF HEART ATTACK MAN) OUT NOW
RILEY! recently announced their new EP To Live And Die In The American South which is set for release on 17th July 2026 via Pure Noise Records. Now the band have released their second single, Two Bucks ft. Eric Egan from Heart Attack Man.
“As a touring musician, you miss out on a lot of your home life, be it birthdays, anniversaries, or just hanging out with friends and loved ones- it sucks. But, you do it because, at the same time, it’s typically what gives a lot of us any real sense of purpose,” says Ryan Bluhm. “I sometimes feel like I don’t get any real world value out of touring all the time, but I’ve always had this deep-seated fear that when I die I’ll have not left any proof of life that’s at least meaningful in any way and when I get to travel all over the world and connect with thousands of people from all of these places through the music my friends and I write, I feel like this is the right thing to do. When we asked Eric to write a feature on this track, he expressed a lot of the same sentiments I had when we spoke about what this song was being written about. It’s nice to know I’m not crazy and it’s probably a pretty universal feeling in our little world!
Listen to Two Bucks ft. Eric Egan from Heart Attack Man here:
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! will be heading out on their headline run in North America starting this July 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 Track Listing:
01. Roll For Initiative
02. Another Round Of Radical ‘Ritas, Please (Ft Tades Sanville / Hot Mulligan)
03. Two Bucks (Ft Eric Egan)
04. Backseat Bartender (Ft Gabe Wood)
05. 73 Summers
TWO BUCKS FT. ERIC EGAN FROM HEART ATTACK MAN – OUT NOW https://purenoiserecs.lnk.to/Riley
TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH EP – OUT JULY 17 https://purenoiserecs.lnk.to/Riley_Stores
https://www.instagram.com/rileytheband/
DAY DREAMERS CHURN THROUGH CHAOTIC NEW ENERGY ON POWERFUL SELF-TITLED EP. BAG OF SAND VIDEO OUT NOW
Created as a way to navigate moments of personal and artistic uncertainty, growth and redefinition, Melbourne’s DAY DREAMERS stand strong with their new collection of work: their self-titled EP, DAY DREAMERS.
A furious blend of alternative, punk and indie influences form the bed of this new material from which their songwriting and storytelling has been able to flourish. The band recorded the EP between Melbourne’s Sing Sing Studios and the home setup of vocalist/guitarist Zakary Rakitic.
This time was a period of immense growth for the band, one they describe as a “rebirth”. Heard across empowered songs like ‘Earshot’ and ‘Human Spider’, the chemistry that Day Dreamers locked into when creating this EP was one wrapped up in sheer excitement for new inspiration and direction.
“Everyone was all hands on deck. With Ben [Erbacher] coming in as a new member, he contributed a whole lot to our new direction from a writing aspect and also a performance aspect, being able to play so technically proficiently created a massive new sound for us. We spent many nights after work writing, passing lyrics back and forth. When the four of us gathered together to demo new ideas it was so exciting seeing each new idea evolve off the backs of each other with our new found drive.” ZAKARY RAKITIC
“This EP is a turning point for us as a band. Themes of introspection and individual perspectives now evolve into themes of political crisis, anger, and systemic defiance. We aim to involve a sense of community and encourage collective resilience in our newer material, as if to say “We can all get through this, but only if we stand together.“” DANIEL LEE
Featuring singles ‘Bag Of Sand’ and ‘Wreckage’, the DAY DREAMERS EP rides waves of musical chaos – the riffs and rhythms are tied with the emotional drive that powers the lyrics.
Reflecting on themes of breaking patterns, mistakes, finding new love and environments that nurture instead of destruct, the record has been a way for Day Dreamers to make sense of the craziness happening in the world around them.
Says guitarist Daniel Lee, the experience has reinforced the band’s connection and for fans, this record provides a perfect insight into how much they have come since their debut in 2023. “We’ve worked closer together than we ever have, using much more of our instrumental and production abilities to really bring these new songs to life. This is to bring the colour and chaos that the new material requires, involving everyone’s say on what stays or goes.” DANIEL LEE
Released alongside the EP is Day Dreamers’ music video for the single ‘Bag Of Sand’. Filmed at Princes Park Scout Hall, captured by Chantal Kokke, the music video swung for the fences in terms of its concept. Working with the Kokke, Day Dreamers were able to create a final product that matches the energy of the song itself, while adding to its creative weight.
“We put out a little ad on Instagram and TikTok to see if we could get anybody to come be an extra in the video as the concept required an audience. We initially were planning on going grander with the concept and getting a proper ring, but Chantel stripped it to make it feel like an underground brawl with metal fences, where this group of people have set this up to force these two billionaire men to fight each other.
To our surprise, a bunch of people from our community including people from other bands decided to show up which was awesome and of course our family and friends. Mine and Jordi’s dad is one of the billionaires! Before we filmed, I distinctly remember Chantel sitting me on the couch and running through her entire concept and doing all the actions physically while she ran through it and I have to say that she executed her idea down to the last punch thrown. She ran around all over town, getting the fences, assembling the set, wardrobe and props, and directed the night like a true professional.” ZAK RAKITIC
Recent years have seen Day Dreamers’ profile solidify, with sold out shows in Melbourne and wider touring around the East Coast in 2025 bringing the band to more audiences. Their music has received consistent industry support across both triple j and Triple J Unearthed, while Australian community radio has also boosted Day Dreamers’ profile in an enthusiastic way.
EP LAUNCH
24th of July The Bergy Bandroom MELBOURNE
Tickets
Day Dreamers self titled EP is out now!
Day Dreamers: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | triple j Unearthed
ROCKWIZ RETURNS TO THE ESPY AFTER SELL-OUT SUCCESS!
Additional Shows Announced: 4, 5, 6 and 7 August
Due to overwhelming demand, and after four memorable sell-out shows at its original ‘intimate’ home in the Gershwin Room at The Espy, RocKwiz have cleared the diaries for four more spectacular shows.
Julia, Brian, the RocKwiz Orkestra and a new line-up of special guests will return to The Espy this August.
Old and new fans alike loved the first run of shows:
“I was so happy to finally see the show LIVE! The energy, music, humour and bonhomie were in delicious abundance. Thanks for a fantastic night!” – Dee Stein
“Superb show, I was privileged to be there for the big return. More Gershwin gigs please, it’s a five-minute tram ride from home. “I love Youse all!”’ – Kevin O’Rafferty
“Awesome night enjoyed every minute of it. Could you please make it an annual event. The Gershwin Room has never looked better.” – Mark Mansell
“Three nights in a row was not even enough for me! Such a dream come true!” – Eleanor Seymour
The first run featured an incredible line-up – Tex Perkins, Kate Miller-Heidke, Joe Camilleri, David Campbell, Adalita, Elana Stone, Emily Wurramara, Phil Jamieson, Josh Teskey and Mia Dyson – and audiences can expect lots more surprises guests in August.
Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis had a ball reigniting their love affair with The Gershwin Room. Julia said, “I walked through that curtain 20 years ago and my career changed forever.”
Brian added, “An incredible experience … and we are doing it again! It was like 10 years disappeared in a flash and we were back, raring to go, with a decade’s experience under our collective belts. The atmosphere in the room was electric and the shows were sensational. There’s nothing like RocKwiz at The Espy!”
Meanwhile, the expanded RocKwiz Orkestra loved cramming back onto the small stage, delivering musical brilliance, spontaneity and some joyful improvising during the shows before closing each night with a wild cover of The Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again.’
Kwizlist ticket pre-sale commences on Thursday 2 July at 9.00am. For the best and earliest access to tickets sign up to the Kwizlist here.
General public tickets on sale from The Espy at 12.00pm on Thursday, 2 July.
Don’t miss these shows when RocKwiz returns to The Espy … again!
The Gershwin Room, The Espy, St Kilda VIC
Tuesday, 4 August
Wednesday, 5 August
Thursday, 6 August
Friday, 7 August
For ticket information and updates visit The Espy
CONNECT WITH ROCKWIZ: https://rockwizlive.com.au/
BOOTLEG RASCAL ANNOUNCE ‘ASLEEP IN THE MACHINE’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR AND DELUXE ALBUM
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of their critically-praised and fan-adored debut album ‘Asleep In The Machine’, Yugambeh/Gold Coast-based duo Bootleg Rascal have just revealed a 13-date Australian tour taking place from September to November.
Stopping off in metropolitan and regional centres, the band will perform tracks from ‘Asleep In The Machine’, plus their most recent and fourth self-titled studio album, and all the classics from their extended discography.
The group have also announced a deluxe edition of the record (due August 12) that will feature renditions of album tracks ‘Drop The Gun’ and ‘Bones N Bricks’ in Spanish, an acoustic version of the title track, and ‘I’d Do Anything’ – previously only available on a vinyl compilation and never released digitally. Today, the band offers a glimpse via ‘Baja El Arma’ – the Español version of ‘Drop The Gun’.
Frontman Carlos Lara describes the motivation behind the rendition:
“‘Drop The Gun’ has been a staple in our live sets for a decade now, but singing it in Español completely changes the flavour. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do to bring a bit of my own heritage into the Bootleg Rascal repertoire.”
Alongside the track is the accompanying music video for ‘Baja El Arma’. Carlos continues, “The clip features footage from the original ‘Drop The Gun’ music video, which was famously shot in a hot-air balloon. Since I sing in Spanish for this new version, it made perfect sense to re-shoot my performance parts. Ultimately, we loved the idea of blending the old and new footage together to bridge the track’s past and present.”
‘Asleep In The Machine’ is one of Bootleg Rascal’s most career-defining moments. Performing the title track on triple j’s Like A Version, and amassing 35 million streams across Spotify and Apple Music, the record solidified the duo’s signature blend of indie-rock, hip-hop, electronica and dub, ultimately serving as the catalyst for a decade of relentless touring and a fiercely loyal global fanbase.
Since forming in late 2012, Bootleg Rascal (Carlos Lara and Jimmy Young) have carved out a global footprint with their genre-bending music, praised by the likes of Rolling Stone, NME, Spotify, Apple Music and triple j.
With four studio albums under their belt, including their recent 2025 self-titled record, the group has spent over a decade selling out headline shows across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the USA, cementing their reputation as one of the country’s most consistent and essential independent live acts.
Tickets on-sale now at www.bootlegrascal.com
BOOTLEG RASCAL
‘ASLEEP IN THE MACHINE’ TOUR DATES
Tickets on-sale at www.bootlegrascal.com
FRI 11 SEP | ARTS FACTORY, CAVANBAH/BYRON BAY NSW
FRI 25 SEP | FREO SOCIAL, BOORLOO/FREMANTLE WA
SAT 26 SEP | THE RIVER, WOODITCHUP/MARGARET RIVER WA
SUN 27 SEP | PRINCE OF WALES, GOOMBURRUP/BUNBURY WA
SAT 3 OCT | BURDEKIN BANDROOM, EORA/SYDNEY NSW
SUN 4 OCT | YOURS & OWLS, DHARAWAL/WOLLONGONG NSW
FRI 9 OCT | THE BRIGHTSIDE, MEANJIN/BRISBANE QLD
SAT 10 OCT | MAYBERRY, LARRAKIA/DARWIN NT
FRI 23 OCT | ALTAR, LUTRUWITA/HOBART TAS
SAT 24 OCT | LEADBEATER HOTEL, NAARM/MELBOURNE VIC
FRI 30 OCT | MIAMI MARKETTA, YUGAMBEH/GOLD COAST QLD
SAT 31 OCT | KINGS BEACH TAVERN, KABI KABI/SUNSHINE COAST QLD
SAT 7 NOV | ED CASTLE, TARNDANYA/ADELAIDE SA
Click to view ‘Baja El Arma’
Click to stream ‘Baja El Arma’
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TOM HARRISON ‘ST LOUIS BLUES’ (SINGLE)
Fresh off a nomination for Best Blues/Roots Artist at the Queensland Music Awards, Tom Harrison returns with his latest single, “St. Louis Blues” a high-octane country blues stomper that might just be the most country-fried tune he’s released yet.
Featuring Nashville lap steel, double bass and locomotive-sized drums, “St. Louis Blues” rolls into the station on July 1st with all the grit, swagger and momentum of a runaway train. Rooted in classic country blues traditions, the track combines driving rhythms, twanging lap steel and a deep-pocket groove that tips its hat to the greats while charging forward with modern energy.
With the soul of Johnny Cash and the energy of a freight train, Harrison’s signature raw vocals drive the song toward a massive, anthemic chorus that feels both timeless and fresh. Equal parts honky-tonk, blues and rock’n’roll, “St. Louis Blues” captures the sound of an artist confidently leaning into his country roots while bringing the fire and intensity that have become his trademark.
Arriving July 1st, “St. Louis Blues” is a foot-stomping, whiskey-soaked anthem built for open highways, late nights and turning the volume all the way up.
Recorded at Harrison’s home base, So-So Silver Studios, the track embraces a stripped-back yet confident production. Paul Bain’s driving drums anchor the song, while Harrison’s vocals deliver a nuanced, soul-drenched performance. Mixed by Levi Russell and mastering by Paul Blakey. It also features the mighty Sean Power on a guitar, Sonic Edwards on double bass and Jesse Cunningham on lap steel.
Tom Harrison Bio
Tom Harrison’s music is a rich tapestry woven from diverse roots influences. While blues sits at the heart of his sound, it’s just the beginning. His gravelly voice carries echoes of mountain blues, boot-stomping country, early rock ‘n’ roll, and heartfelt gospel. What sets Tom Harrison apart is his ability to blend these styles so naturally, creating something both familiar and fresh.
Tom Harrison has kicked off 2026 in a big way with a Queensland Music Awards (QMA) blues/roots nomination for his single ‘Peace With Me’. He’s also performed at Agnes Blues Roots & Rock festival, the Broadbeach Blues festival and will be playing his third festival spot for the year at the Gympie Muster in August.
Harrison’s debut solo EP, Old Growth, arrived in 2024 and quickly made waves. His bluesy single “Miles Away” surged past 100,000 streams, while “Start Again” earned heavy rotation on ABC Radio and was featured in Rhythm magazine’s prestigious Nashville sampler pack. The song’s music video also found success, frequently airing on CMT (Country Music Channel) in America and climbing to #53 in 4ZZZ’s Hot 100.
In 2023, Harrison’s songwriting talent was recognized with a nomination for Listen Up’s Songwriter of the Year award. With performances at numerous festivals like Byron Bay Blues Fest under his belt, Harrison continues to captivate audiences with his soulful, genre-blending sound. 2026 sees him releasing new music from his upcoming debut album ‘Blood On The Moon’ sponsored by Moreton Bay Council and performing at prestigious festivals like Blues on Broadbeach and Agnes Blues & Roots Rock Festival & Gympie Music Muster.
The first release ‘Peace With Me’ was a big shift from the tender folk sounds of ‘Old Growth’ and into a heavier blues rock sound, which Harrison has been planning for a long time.
‘I’ve always wanted to make a blues rock record. In past bands there’s always been a few blues songs but I had more than enough material this time to make an upbeat blues-rock record with a few folk songs to even things out”. The first single ‘Peace With Me’ is a blues rock confessional raw, emotional, and
steeped in soul. The work has paid off with his first nomination for a QMA award!
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NABII RETURNS WITH EUPHORIC NEW SINGLE ‘IF LOVE IS A DRUG THEN U ARE THE DANCEFLOOR’
BUY/STREAM: NABII – IF LOVE IS A DRUG THEN U ARE THE DANCEFLOOR
WATCH: IF LOVE IS A DRUG THEN U ARE THE DANCEFLOOR
“Australia is currently spoiled for choice when it comes to exciting electronic music talent, but nabii has the confidence and talent to carve out her own spot” – Rolling Stone Australia
“Every new nabii track is an invitation into this beautifully curated hyperpop dreamscape, and I’m obsessed. One of the most exciting producers in the Aussie electronic spare right now, so keep watching this space!” – Kailyn Crabbe
Korean-Australian producer, artist and DJ nabii today returns with her radiant new single ‘if love is a drug then u are the dancefloor’ – an intoxicating blend of hyperpop, club music and emotional release that captures the nervous excitement of following your dreams, learning to trust yourself, and taking a leap of faith even when the future feels uncertain.
Driven by pulsating rhythms, euphoric melodies and shimmering synths, the track sees nabii continue to carve out her own lane within Australia’s electronic landscape. It transforms self-doubt into expansive, cathartic club music, balancing vulnerability with release in a way that is designed to be felt as much as it is heard.
nabii shares, “I wrote this song at a time where I felt a bit lost, confused and had a lot of questions about my future. It explores the nervous excitement you feel when you follow your dreams. I realised the regret of not chasing a dream, would outweigh the fear of actually taking a chance on yourself. This track is your sign to take the leap of faith – chase the thing that lights you up and the feeling that fulfils you.”
Following the release of her acclaimed single ‘in my room!’ earlier this year, nabii has quickly emerged as one of Australia’s most exciting new electronic artists. The single received support from triple j, triple j Unearthed, Rolling Stone Australia, Acid Stag and more, further cementing her reputation for crafting emotionally resonant club music infused with joy, nostalgia and self-discovery.
As a producer, vocalist and DJ, nabii has forged a sound, style and aesthetic uniquely her own. Her layered productions sit at the intersection of hyperpop, club and introspective songwriting, creating immersive sonic worlds that feel both deeply personal and universally cathartic.
Known for her electrifying live performances, nabii has graced stages at iconic venues including Max Watts, Miscellania and The Howler, alongside appearances at leading festivals including Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts and For The Cause, sharing line-ups with acts such as DJ Heartstring and Memphis LK.
In 2025, nabii was named a recipient of The Blueprint Project, the national initiative spotlighting Australia’s next generation of electronic artists. Beyond her own creative practice, she is also the founder of AngelFM, a platform dedicated to amplifying BI-POC fems and underrepresented voices across music and culture.
With ‘If love is a drug then you are the dancefloor’, nabii continues to build a world where emotion and movement are inseparable – inviting listeners into joy, release and connection on the dancefloor.
‘if love is a drug then u are the dancefloor’ is out now via Ascent.
For more info on nabii, visit: INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
THE BURES BAND RELEASE NEW SINGLE “HIGH TIDE” AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING ALBUM
Fresh from a breakout international run that included performances at SXSW Austin and a celebrated live session for KEXP, Western Australia’s cosmic folk-rock outfit The Bures Band return with their latest single, “High Tide”, out July 1 through Love Police Records & Tapes.
The second taste of the band’s forthcoming album Ozonia, “High Tide” showcases The Bures Band’s signature blend of jangling guitars, rich harmonies and expansive songwriting, while delving into themes of reflection, longing and emotional duality.
Written by guitarist and vocalist Callum Anderson, the track explores the tension between outward composure and the inner currents that often remain hidden.
“High Tide is a song that reflects on feelings of missed opportunities and how composure on the outside can be a different story on the inside. ‘Behind one eye, it’s a high tide.'”
The single continues the sonic evolution hinted at on recent release “Avon Valley”, further revealing the breadth and ambition of Ozonia. Drawing from the golden age of folk-rock, psychedelic country and kraut-rock-inspired experimentation, The Bures Band have crafted a sound that feels both timeless and distinctly Australian.
Since forming in Perth in 2022, The Bures Band have become one of the country’s most exciting emerging acts. Their debut album Birds Nest established the foundations of their harmony-rich sound before gaining wider attention through a reissue with Love Police Records & Tapes. Follow-up album Fool Circle cemented the band’s reputation, earning praise for its lush songwriting and cohesive cosmic folk-rock vision.
Along the way, the five-piece have built a formidable live reputation through appearances at Panama Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Out On The Weekend, Dashville Skyline and Wave Rock Weekender, while sharing stages with Grace Cummings, Leah Senior and Thee Sacred Souls.
Now, following international showcases and growing attention abroad, The Bures Band are preparing to unveil their most expansive work yet with Ozonia, to be released by Love Police Records & Tapes in late 2026.
ANGELA ROSE RETURNS WITH RAW NEW SINGLE ‘DOWN TO THE BONE’
With a songwriting style that is strong in emotion and a performance charisma that has led her to become one of the East Coast’s most engaging artists, ANGELA ROSE has returned with the first taste of a brand new arc: her new single, ‘DOWN TO THE BONE’.
Built on a foundation of intimate folk and alternative influences, the single is a strong step forward from the Maitland artist, who co-wrote the track with WA’s Siobhan Cotchin – another trailblazing performer in her own right. The song, as Rose describes, is about “the grief of losing a friendship that was once such a significant part of your life.”
When these relationships break down, they can be as impactful (sometimes moreso) as romantic relationship break ups. As ‘Down To The Bone’ explores, navigating through complex feelings also means opening oneself up to some serious vulnerability.
“It’s about coming to terms with the fact that something that was once alive, growing, and full of love has now decomposed down to the bone. Friendship breakups aren’t talked about nearly as much as romantic ones, but they can hurt just as deeply.
I love how the production starts gently and gradually builds in intensity as the story unfolds, mirroring the emotional weight of the lyrics. It feels intimate and reflective at first, before growing into something much bigger and more cathartic by the end.” ANGELA ROSE
Produced by Pete Covington, the track gradually builds in intensity, matching the energy of the lyrics with ease. Catharsis the spotlight as the music swells and embraces some big moments of lyrical release.
“My favourite lyric is, “Does your dad still sing all my songs?”. I love it because it’s so specific and personal. It represents all the little things you lose when a friendship ends, not just the person themselves, but the people, memories, and connections attached to them.
Siobhan is such an incredibly talented songwriter, and I felt very lucky to collaborate with her on this track. She brought so much honesty, insight, and craft to the writing process, and together we were able to capture a type of heartbreak that isn’t often written about.” ANGELA ROSE
With more to come in 2026, Angela Rose continues to level up. Creating a soundscape that feels comfortable in the alt-country space as it does alongside indie-pop contemporaries, Rose’s music has found a strong fanbase around Australia.
Having shared stages with artists including King Stingray, Angus and Julia Stone (whom she also received mentorship from in 2024), Gretta Ray, Ball Park Music, Kasey Chambers and Greta Stanley, Rose has developed a live show that thrives on inviting an audience to immerse themselves in a warm and supported environment – guided by her voice and stories.
Releasing her debut EP, Late Bloomer, in 2023, the record received healthy support from the ABC across triple j, Triple J Unearthed, Double J and ABC Country. Since then, Rose has continued to flourish and with the release of a song like ‘Down To The Bone’ it is an exciting indication of what is still to come.
ANGELA ROSE: Facebook | Instagram | Triple J Unearthed | Youtube
DEL WEBB EXPLOSION ‘TOO MUCH HEARTACHE’ (SINGLE)
Del Webb Explosion deliver biting social commentary, on their release of “Too Much Heartache”. This brooding, mid-tempo track heavily features the horn section along with a dry, “desert rock” sound that’s highlighted by tremolo guitar and Hammond organ.
Expressive baritone vocals deliver compassionate lyrics that put a spotlight on the collateral damage of conflict by focusing on the plight of the innocent, particularly children. Indie and alternative rock audiences will enjoy the unique blend of mariachi-style brass, geometric guitars and radical humanitarian themes found in Del Webb Explosion’s “Too Much Heartache”.
Del Webb Explosion is an Adelaide-based, eight-piece rock’n’soul powerhouse delivering high-energy original music with a punchy three-piece brass section. Blending 80s British influences with a modern edge, the band is known for tight musicianship, big hooks, and a dynamic live show that gets audiences moving.
Regular performers on both local and international stages, Del Webb Explosion has toured extensively across Asia and the UK, bringing their unmistakable sound to diverse audiences. Professional, engaging, and built for the stage, they’re equally at home in intimate venues or on festival line-ups—guaranteeing a set that’s loud, lively, and unforgettable.
“Decades of international touring has left Del Webb Explosion a backstory as big as its sound.”
Formed in Adelaide in the early ’80s, the original lineup quickly earned a reputation as a class act—blending original songs with northern soul influences and clocking up an impressive 76 gigs in just 13 months before disbanding.
From the ashes came Plan B, carrying the torch through years of solid local and interstate touring. After a long hiatus, the band re-emerged in 2009 with three original members, embarking on an extensive international run that saw them release multiple studio recordings and take their music across Asia and the UK.
In late 2025, the circle closed—Plan B returned to its roots, reclaiming the name Del Webb Explosion and unveiling a revitalised lineup featuring vocalist Paul Matthews and guitarist Brett Sody.
Today, Del Webb Explosion is an eight (sometimes nine)-piece rock’n’soul powerhouse, driven by a dynamic three-piece brass section and a love of bold, 80s-influenced British rock. Known for delivering a complete creative package, the band produces original, engaging work both visually and aurally—from standout songs and tight arrangements to striking artwork and video.
Equally at home on stage, Del Webb Explosion brings a polished, high-energy live show that connects instantly with audiences—whether long-time followers or first-time listeners—proving themselves a band that doesn’t just play… they entertain.
For Del Webb Explosion, it’s all about the music—and the feeling it creates.
From Hard Rock Café stages in Mongolia and Cambodia to festival appearances in the United Kingdom and China, the band has taken its infectiously melodic original songs to far-reaching corners of the globe. A regular international touring schedule has seen Del Webb Explosion connect with increasingly diverse audiences—many hearing the band for the first time and leaving with melodies stuck in their heads and a genuine sense of joy.
2026 sees the band returning to the recording studio as well as returning to Cambodia for the eighth time in November as part of the band’s Fire Horse Tour.
With a passion for travel and connection, the band continues to seek out new destinations, taking their sound beyond the usual circuit and sharing their music wherever an audience is ready to listen.
Del Webb Explosion is:
Paul Matthews – lead vocals
Brett Sody – guitar, vocals
Peter Flierl – bass, vocals
Adrian Miller – keyboards
Patrick Stapleton – trombone
Robert Williams – trumpet
Phillip Allen – saxophone, yidaki
Gavin Atkinson – drums
Cameron McCracken Smith – flugelhorn
https://www.delwebbexplosion.com/
MARK HOLDEN – Every Little Thing – OUT JULY 3, 2026
‘Every Little Thing’ is uplifting and hopeful. It’s deeply personal. It’s the first single the much-lauded music legend has released in over a decade.
Mark says “As the first song from my forthcoming album this one is especially close to my heart. ‘Every Little Thing’ is a prayer song – a reminder that even through life’s toughest moments, there is always hope, and every little thing will be alright.”
It was written with Andy Martin, who also plays the piano on the recording, and the vocal arrangement is by Nilusha Dassenaike, who was also part of the vocal group with the Pinto family: Natasha, Gary and Brad Pinto. Gary said a prayer before the session, and it was one of the best recording experiences of Mark’s life.
The song has inspired the former multi-platinum, chart-topping selling artist. His fans are re-engaging on social media, and the media are honouring Mark’s stellar career with feature articles in publications including News.com.au and The Guardian. Mark will appear live on Channel 7’s The Morning Show to signal the launch of the track and news of his comeback on July 3.
As Mark laments to Kath McCabe in his Daily Telegraph piece;
‘Having done 13 years as a barrister in the court system and having that sliding doors moment, I love being back in the music business because the worst thing that’s going to happen is that no one’s going to listen to my song, whereas in the law, the worst thing that happens is someone goes to jail.”
News.com.au – Read: https://bit.ly/4eAPgol
Mark’s new single debuted on 2DayFM Breakfast with Nath and Emma on Friday 26th June during the ‘Do Over’ Segment, where Em relived her Australian Idol audition from an era ago. This time Mark gave it a ‘touchdown’!
‘Every Little Thing’ is the first release from Mark Holden’s forthcoming album ‘Now and Then and Shirley MacLaine’, out August 28. The album features original tracks including ‘Shirley MacLaine, Welcome Home’ (with Anthony Callea) and Tom Traubert’s Blues (Waltzing Matilda), an emotional tribute to the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
SWEDISH-BORN, SYDNEY-BASED RISING STAR BELLA BACKE DELIVERS FIRST HYPNOTIC SINGLE, ‘VOODOO JELLY’ + ANNOUNCES SIGNING TO CLUB SWEAT
BUY/STREAM: BELLA BACKE – VOODOO JELLY
Up-and-comer Bella Backe has officially signed with Sweat It Out imprint Club Sweat, marking the milestone with the release of her highly anticipated single, ‘Voodoo Jelly’. Now calling Sydney home, the DJ/producer steps into her biggest year yet, kicking off a strong pipeline of original music to come. Solidifying her transition from a top-tier performer to a formidable force in dance music production.
Known for her strong crowd connection, Backe has rapidly become a standout presence across leading night clubs and festivals. Earning coveted slots at Lost Paradise, Rabbits Eat Lettuce, Listen Out and Field Day Festival. As well as performing for internationally recognised brands ANTS and Defected Records, sharing stages with some of the industry’s most respected heavyweights, Carl Cox, Michael Bibi, Mochakk, Chris Lake, Franky Rizardo, Cloonee and more.
Backe’s signature sound is a direct reflection of her unique artistic background. With more than a decade of experience as a professional dancer and choreographer, rhythm runs through everything she does. Her transition into the DJ booth has been defined by an instinctive understanding of movement, allowing her to curate refined, high-energy sets that merge groovy rhythms with feel-good energy.
With ‘Voodoo Jelly’ she speaks to the single, “‘Voodoo Jelly’ is an epic combination of a chunky bassline, rap vocal, and the kind of energy that feels like something mad is about to happen. ‘Voodoo Jelly’ was built for something that felt fresh, peak-time, with a stank face moment added. The response on the dance floor has been crazy! Crowds have been going off and I hope it gets you groovin’ too!”
Club Sweat A&R Ben Miller speaks of Backe’s signing, “We are overjoyed to officially welcome Bella Backe to our Club Sweat family. An undeniable talent behind the decks and in the studio, she’s a natural fit for the label, and we’re so excited to have her.”
Set to take on European Summer with a string of dates across Sweden, the UK, Greece and unofficial dance music hub Ibiza; Bella Backe is firmly establishing herself as one of electronic music’s most exciting artists to watch.
Bella Backe Upcoming Tour Dates:
11/07 – Labyrinth Events w/ Gudfella & Yamagucci, London, UK
23/07 – Tutto Passa, Germany
27/07 – Guaba Beach Bar, Cyprus
02/08 – Scorpios w. ANOTR, Greece
27/08 – Ushuaia, Ibiza, Spain
Stay connected with Bella Backe:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | SOUNDCLOUD | FACEBOOK
DON MORRISON’S RAGING THIRST ‘WHERE ARE WE NOW’ (SINGLE)
WATCH VIDEO HERE
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, story teller and guitar maker Don Morrison has shared the stage with many of the biggest names in Australian music, like Midnight Oil, Hunters and Collectors, Billy Thorpe, Joe Camilleri, Men At Work and a hundred more in more than forty years in the music game.
He has worked with Bo Diddly, Joe Cocker, Rodriguez and even Billy Ray Cyrus, He was brave enough to stand next to Shakin’ Stephens in a urinal and nearly killed by Willie Nelson in Austin, Texas.
He’s done gigs from Melbourne to Margaret River, from Perth to Penrith and from Sydney to San Antonio. He’s been made an Honorary Citizen of Texas and released fifteen Albums and CDs of original songs under his own name and that of his many bands such as The Bodgies,The Ghetto Blasters, The Lonely Cosmonauts and now Don Morison’s Raging Thirst
He’s written all about in a rollicking autobiography “This Could be Big. Forty years at the dag end of the Australian music industry” .
Don is also a luthier who makes the world renown Donmo Resonator guitars. More that 500 of these hand made, metal bodied instruments are being played around the world and the two guitars that Don uses on stage are constructed from remnants of his family history. One guitar is made from material found in a pile of rubble that is all that is left of his fathers childhood home in the now abandoned semi-desert town of Perponda in the Murray Mallee. The other guitar is from the dusty remnants of his mothers now derelict tin and timber miners cottage in outback Broken Hill.
Don has a powerful and engaging stage presence and captivating narratives in his songs. Dubbed the Larrikin Troubadour Laureate of Adelaide, he is playing, singing and writing songs better than ever. His songs tell our story with humour, irony and compassion. He makes his own guitars, writes his own songs and sings them himself.
“One of the finest songwriters this country has produced” (Stuart Coupe)
BEANS ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE ‘MY ROOM’
NEW ALBUM ‘LESS LOUDER’ OUT SEP 11 ON FUZZ CLUB PRE-ORDER HERE
Geelong / Melbourne, Australia band Beans (fronted by The Murlocs drummer Matt Blach) release new single ‘My Room’ – the second taste of their incoming ‘Less Louder’ album out September 11th 2026 on Fuzz Club.
Written and recorded around the time as its predecessor, 2024’s ‘Boots N Cats’, ‘Less Louder’ is that album’s more mellow and laid-back counterpart. Where the first of the two records that Blach set to work on in his DIY garage studio over the pandemic was a drum-driven set of rhythmic garage-psych grooves, ‘Less Louder’ is a blissed-out, harmony-driven record firmly in the “Sunday Afternoon” category, as Blach puts it. Left undisturbed for a few years, the second and final set of Beans recordings from that era is finally seeing the light of day now, landing mixed by Jesse Williams and mastered by John Lee.
On new single ‘My Room’, which arrives off the back of lead single ‘Resister’ last month, Blach says: “My Room is a track broadly about feeling content. The canvas toward the entire thing is for someone (myself at the time) to feel at ease. To know or feel true comfort. Chase things to make you feel grounded. Knowing to be happy to spend time at home alone and enjoy all the simple beauty to life. Happy to not feel as if there is something missing. To be able to channel and manage their own thoughts without over thinking them, putting ones mind at ease with a ‘ciggie and a cup of tea’”
Drifting through psychedelic pop, surf and doo-wop influences, the incoming ‘Less Louder’ is all breezy, deeply-infectious melody and hazy jangle – foregrounding softer, more acoustic production, more piano and Rhodes, and dialling down the distortion and the wig-out lysergic grooves you might expect from a Beans record.
“We went a lot more folky and chill on ‘lockdown sessions 2’”, Blach recalls: “Although Less Louder was recorded around the same time as Boots N Cats, as the title intentionally describes, it’s a lot more laid-back in comparison. We’re pleased to share some different paths and a new intimacy so to speak. There’s a change in feel to these songs, with more mellow tones. Lyrically, the songs are based around the time they were written. Some about love, some about loneliness, some about memories, some about sleeping or hiding away.”
Like ‘Boots N Cats’, ‘Less Louder’ was written over that surreal extended limbo period and self-recorded at Blach’s home in back in 2021: “It kept me sane and feeling productive to still be writing/recording and achieving something, having that opportunity and time and space really got my tires turning.” However, where the first of the two found Blach playing all instruments himself, the full Beans line-up are back in tow here: Blach on songwriting and much of the vocals / guitar / drums duties, whilst backed up by bandmates Jack Kong on guitar, Mitch Rice on keys, Vincent Clementson on bass and Lachie McKiernan on drums.
‘LESS LOUDER’ OUT SEP 11 ON FUZZ CLUB
ALBUM PRE-ORDER HERE!
‘RESISTER‘ & ‘MY ROOM‘ OUT NOW
follow BEANS on: INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK + BANDCAMP
JARRAD WRIGLEY ‘BORDERLINE CRAZY’ (SINGLE)
Jarrad Wrigley releases Borderline Crazy, his first official Star Maker single – the song some might say won him the 46th Toyota Star Maker.
Borderline Crazy was written with fellow-emerging artist Bella Mackenzie (Tombstone Desperado, Grew Up Country, Cowboy) and recorded at the Barn Studio in Plainland Qld. It was produced and mixed by Simon Johnson and mastered by Will Bowden. Musicians on the recording were Steve Fearnley (drums), Luke Moller (acoustic guitar), Rusty Crook (electric guitar) and Ben Morine (steel guitar).
“The song is for anyone who’s ever been called a little different for simply being themselves,” Jarrad said.
“I’ve never been good at changing who I am to fit someone else’s expectations. Sometimes that costs you friendships, but I’d rather that than pretend to be someone I’m not.”
Jarrad also touches down in Australia today following a two-week trip, his first, to the United States, where he explored Texas and Nashville.
The Nashville leg of his journey formed part of his Star Maker prize, courtesy of Chris Watson Travel.
Thanks to CMA Nashville he played the CMA ‘Tractor Supply’ Spotlight Stage and was also gifted two tickets to the four-nightly concerts in Nissan Stadium.
While in Nashville, Jarrad joined fellow Australian artists including Austin Mackay, Brad Cox, Ethan Calway, Kingswood, Mack Geiger, Melanie Dyer, Rachael Fahim, Tori Darke and Tyla Rodrigues at official Sounds Australia events.
Since winning Star Maker in January, Jarrad has performed at the Berriwillock Rodeo, Roma’s Easter In The Country, and featured on the Qld Music Trails tour in Mt Isa as part of their Outback Sounds Festival.
Jarrad joined Lee Kernaghan on the Spirit of the Bush Party in Quilpie and has opened for Reece Mastin, The Wet Whistles and US artist Bryan Martin.
He’s currently planning a headline tour and will feature at the Stars of Charlotte Plans Festival, the EKKA Multi Cultural Stage, Gympie Muster, Deni Ute Muster, Savannah In The Round and Groundwater Festival.
ON THE ROAD
JUNE 2026
26 Stars of Charlotte Plains, Cunnamulla Qld
AUGUST 2026
11 EKKA After Dark with Casey Barnes, The Tivoli, Brisbane Qld 6pm
15 EKKA, Country Music Showdown Royal Qld Show, Brisbane Qld 8-11pm
27-30 Gympie Music Muster Qld
OCTOBER 2026
2-3 Deni Ute Muster NSW
8-11 Savannah In The Round Qld
16 Groundwater, Surf Parade Stage, Broadbeach Qld
17 PBR After Party, 5th Lane, Mackay Qld
JANUARY 2027
Friday 15 Tamworth Country Music Festival Opening Concert
Sunday 17 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final Guest Performance
Connect with Jarrad Wrigley at www.letsgetwrigley.com.au
Toyota Star Maker www.starmaker.com.au
SNOW PATROL & KYLIE ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION ON NEW SINGLE ‘THESE ALARMS’
Snow Patrol and Kylie have officially announced a new collaboration, with single ‘These Alarms’ released on July 1st via BMG.
Written by Snow Patrol with Kylie specifically in mind, the track is a yearning, bittersweet anthem driven by urgent, pulsating synths. At its core is the striking contrast of frontman Gary Lightbody and Kylie’s entwined voices, building toward an epic, sweeping chorus.
The track is available now HERE, alongside a limited-edition 7” vinyl physical release: pre-order HERE. The cover art features an original painting by Gary Lightbody.
The band initially recorded the track for their 2024 UK Number 1 album The Forest is the Path under the working title ‘KYLIE’. However, upon completion, the band decided to hold the track back until they could record it with Kylie.
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody explains, “As a huge Kylie fan I originally wrote These Alarms with her in mind. I played it to Johnny and Nathan and they loved it and we decided to record it for our (most recent) album The Forest Is The Path. All the way through the recording process the song was simply called ‘KYLIE’.
But when we finished the song we quickly realised something huge was missing from it. We all knew it was Kylie’s voice that was the missing piece. Nate suggested we send it to her to see if she would join us on it. So, in hope (and with many fingers and toes crossed) we sent it off, it reached Kylie and we heard back that she liked it.
Kylie recorded her wonderful voice on it and finally the song felt complete. From the minute she recorded her vocals we knew, to properly honour Kylie and the song, it needed to have a life on its own and not be buried somewhere on an album, but live in its own universe, because the song had its own very unique genesis, journey and destination. We could not be more delighted to be releasing a song with Kylie, the queen of pop herself, out into the world.”
Kylie says, “The story behind this song was irresistible… Hearing there was a demo called Kylie that had been living in the Snow Patrol archives was a complete surprise and, naturally, I was curious to hear it. Gary is such a brilliant songwriter, so to be invited into the band’s world is a total honour.”
The collaboration brings together two artists who have spent decades shaping the musical landscape.
Snow Patrol remain one of the definitive and most enduring forces in modern music. Over a three-decade career, they have amassed over 17 million global album sales and more than 4.5 billion streams, alongside a legacy of generation-defining hits. Testament to their evolving appeal, the band secured their second UK No. 1 album (debuting at number 1 on the ARIA Charts) with The Forest is the Path in 2024, driven by an audience that continues to grow.
The announcement comes during a landmark year for the band as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking album Eyes Open, which was the best-selling UK album of 2006 and remains the 15th best-selling album of the 2000s. Certified 8x Platinum in both the UK and Ireland and 4x Platinum in Australia, the record spawned the Grammy and Brit-nominated ‘Chasing Cars’ – the most played song of the 21st century on UK radio.
Kylie’s glittering career has seen her amass sales of over 80 million records worldwide, five billion streams, ten UK Number 1 albums and 9 number 1 albums in Australia (the most for any female Australian artist). Her multiple awards include 18 ARIA Awards, four BRIT awards, two GRAMMYs and two MTV awards. Kylie is the only female artist to score a Number 1 album and Top 10 singles in five consecutive decades in both the UK and Australia. She is the highest selling Australian-born female artist of all time
‘These Alarms’ will be available on all streaming platforms on July 1st. The limited-edition 7” physical vinyl is available to pre-order from today HERE, for shipping on August 21st.
Snow Patrol play a string of UK dates this summer, including a London show at Crystal Palace Park on July 3rd.
SNOW PATROL & KYLIE
‘These Alarms’ – OUT NOW
Limited-edition 7” vinyl physical release: pre-order HERE for 21st August shipping.
SNOW PATROL
Website | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music | Facebook | X | WhatsApp
OSCAR LITCHFIELD ‘KOOKABURRA’ (SINGLE)
Oscar’s 2026 is ready to channel the grit and determination he gained from his time mining into both his music and rural fencing contracting business in WA’s wheatbelt. Kookaburra, his first self recorded release from his 170 year old cottage on the Avon River, baptises a new chapter for the ambitious country singer/ songwriter.
The track was written while living in NSW on a property on his own, in the Snowy Mountains. The track captures the reality of betrayal, young love & the journey of growing from a boy into an independent young man.
After leaving his underground career as a shot firer, he’s committed to growing his music organically and authentically with a home studio he built himself. Oscar is set to record more tracks this way, blending the hard work from his past & present with his passion for music. This new chapter reflects his resilience and dedication to pursuing his dreams on his own terms.
Born & raised on a sheep & cattle farm in the NSW Snowy Mountains, Oscar always had an affinity for music, more specifically the craft of songwriting.
Moving to WA in late 2022 after a mining contract was offered to him promoted his eventual move to a small town in the Wheatbelt where he would put down roots to continue to chase his music his own way.
Since making the decision to leave behind a career in underground mining in May 2025, Oscar has built a small fencing contracting business to compliment his touring & recording career.
No stranger to playing live, clocking hundreds of thousands of kilometres across Australia chasing his passion for music playing live, Oscar brings authenticity & strives for longevity in his writing & live performances.
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TOVE LO AND STROMAE RELEASE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “des fleurs”
WATCH. DIRECTED BY MELCHIOR LEROUX
TOVE LO’S FORTHCOMING ALBUM ESTRUS, OUT 18 SEPTEMBER
[PRETTY SWEDE RECORDS / VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP]
DES FLEURS
ESTRUS (ALBUM)
NORTH AMERICAN ESTRUS TOUR STARTS 15 SEPTEMBER
Two of Europe’s most innovative and celebrated creative artists, Tove Lo and Stromae have shared their exquisite new music video for “des fleurs”. Watch HERE.
Directed by French creative Melchior Leroux, the mesmerising visual follows the announcement of Tove Lo’s forthcoming sixth studio album ESTRUS, out 18 September [PRE-SAVE HERE] and her North American ESTRUS TOUR, starting in September.
Few artists have redefined the emotional possibilities of modern pop as completely as Tove Lo. With a diaristic style and a defiant openness around sex, addiction and vulnerability, she has become both a pop outlier and a generational touchstone, earning global hits and a devoted audience drawn to her unfiltered perspective. After years of locating truth somewhere between hedonism and vulnerability, her sixth album ESTRUS (meaning female mammal in heat) dives into an even deeper, uncharted level of honesty. Inspired by The Knife, Robyn, and much of the Swedish indie dance music she grew up on, Tove Lo recorded the propulsive electro-pop of ESTRUS with her longtime collaborator Ludvig Söderberg, alongside Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser (Addison Rae), and includes a standout collaboration with internationally acclaimed Belgian-born artist, writer, producer and designer, Stromae. The album was recorded in LA, Stockholm, and in a small fishing village in Sweden where she spent summers as a child and where she also made parts of Dirt Femme. Returning there brought everything back: “growing up, being depressed, struggling with my eating disorder, going through breakups, family drama, loss, everything.” To get to the core of herself, she realised she had to return to where she was first formed. That messy younger self is still accessible to her, now refracted through time.
Speaking about the new album, Tove Lo reveals, “Estrus is an animal in heat. It’s primal. It’s my mind and my body wanting different things, wanting everything. There’s no good advice on this album… just a lot of feelings, no solutions.”
Starting in Nashville on 15 September, Tove Lo will play six special North America release shows, including Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn the day after ESTRUS drops. She will then head to UK and Europe to play her largest shows there to date with more touring to follow in 2027. Support on the North American dates will come from Mallrat, with Cobrah joining for the New York show, while Rose Gray will join across the UK and EU leg.
For more information go to tove-lo.com.
ESTRUS, the forthcoming album from Tove Lo is out 18 September.
Pre-Order/Save HERE.
“des fleurs x stromae” is available to stream worldwide.
About Tove Lo
Tove Lo first broke through with her platinum-certified 2014 debut Queen of the Clouds, powered by the triple-platinum “Habits (Stay High)” and double-platinum “Talking Body”, immediately establishing her raw edge on a global scale. She has since balanced chart success with cult credibility, collaborating across genres with artists like Nick Jonas on “Close”, Flume on “Say It” and Charli XCX, Alesso, Coldplay and Major Lazer, while also emerging as a sought-after songwriter for Lorde, Zara Larsson and co-writing Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do”. Her subsequent albums — Lady Wood (2016), Blue Lips (Lady Wood Phase II) (2017) and Sunshine Kitty (2019) — expanded her emotional and sonic palette, the latter earning year-end acclaim and a GRAMMY® nomination for “Glad He’s Gone”. More recently, she sharpened her perspective on femininity and independence with Dirt Femme, while continuing to explore club-driven intimacy on the collaborative HEAT EP with SG Lewis, reaffirming her place as a pop provocateur and restless creative force. ESTRUS, her sixth album and emo chic moment, pushes that emotional candor even further, leaning into the contradictions that have long defined her work — euphoria and melancholy, desire and doubt — without trying to resolve them. Balancing visceral, body-moving production with sharply observed writing, it captures the full spectrum of feeling in real time. Rather than offering answers, Lo stays inside the mess, continuing her core mission: making people feel everything all at once.
About Stromae
Stromae is an internationally acclaimed Belgian-born artist, writer, performer, producer, designer and director. Born Paul Van Haver in 1985 in Brussels, to a Belgian mother and a Rwandan father, he grew up navigating layered identities—experiences that would later inform his multidisciplinary and empathetic approach to creation. An innate alchemist of opposites, he found the magic formula for mixing rap, pop, afrobeat and francophone lyrics without distorting the essence of any. His debut album Cheese (2010), propelled by the global anthem Alors on danse, marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. That same year, he founded Mosaert—a creative house named after an anagram of Stromae — with Coralie Barbier and Luc Van Haver, establishing a home for artistic freedom across music, fashion, and audiovisuals. After the chart-topping success of Racine Carrée (2013) and over 6 million albums sold, Stromae stepped away from the spotlight to expand Mosaert’s universe—designing capsule collections and directing award-winning videos for artists like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish. He returned in 2022 with his third album Multitude—a musical atlas of empathy, weaving global instruments into portraits of everyday lives. With over 17.5 billion streams, 9 million albums sold, more than 2 billion views on Youtube and history-making shows at Madison Square Garden, Ma Meilleure Ennemie confirmed this global resonance—breaking Spotify’s all-time streaming record for a French-language song and reaching the top 3 of the most-streamed tracks worldwide. Stromae continues exploring the world while remaining deeply rooted in it.
PSYCROPTIC Presents “No Blade Of Grass” Single
New Album, The Pulse Of Annihilation, Out July 17 via Metal Blade
National Tour With Rivers Of Nihil This August
Technical death metal juggernauts PSYCROPTIC present their new single, “No Blade Of Grass.” The track comes off the band’s impending new full-length, and first for Metal Blade Records, The Pulse Of Annihilation, set for release on July 17.
“This one has a good blend of old-school PSYCROPTIC-style riffage and slightly sludge filled, loosey-goosey sections straight outta the classic death metal era,” remarks guitarist Joe Haley. “The whole thing is brought together with the choral/orchestral chorus. Something for everyone! Going to be a fun one to rip live!”
Bassist Todd Stern agrees, “It’s an unbelievably catchy tune! The main verse is one of my favourite bits on the whole record. Classic riffage, steam rolling the whole song forward with solid momentum all along. Badass.”
Adds vocalist Jason Peppiatt, “I had so much fun with this song as it was the first song that [vocalist Jason] Keyser had written for the band and it was awesome to have someone bring different ideas to the table than what I normally would. Vocally it’s nice and fast and has a real sick flow and groove to vocal parts.”
Watch PSYCROPTIC’s “No Blade Of Grass” video here
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxbRvMGmyRk
Watch the video for PSYCROPTIC’s first single, “Gathering A Venomous Herd,”HERE
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 technical death metal stalwarts, but as architects actively shaping its future, proving that mastery, sharpened by time, only grows more let
The Pulse Of Annihilation features cover art by Belial Necroarts (Gaerea, In Aeternum)
Find all preorders at
metalblade.com/psycroptic
The Pulse Of Annihilation Track Listing:
1. Ashes Of A New Dawn
2. Gathering A Venomous Herd
3. A Sword Of Me
4. No Time For The Weak
5. Our Pillars Fall
6. Annihilation Pulse
7. No Blade Of Grass
8. To Embrace This Curse
9. Forging The Crown
**********
This August, Psycroptic join like-minded-and-saxophone-wielding US progressive death wizards Rivers of Nihil for a co-headline tour of Australia that brings together two elite bands operating at the highest tier of modern death metal.
Joining them on all dates are Melbourne’s psychologically charged Growth who are on the eve of releasing part two of their highly anticipated album trilogy, Under The Under, and Sydney’s uncompromisingly brutal, Slaughtercult, rounding out a bill that is equal parts precision, atmosphere and outright savagery.
TOUR DATES
Thursday August 13: Magnet House, Perth
Friday August 14: Lion Arts, Adelaide
Saturday August 15: Max Watts, Melbourne
Friday August 21: Manning Bar, Sydney
Saturday August 22: Necrosonic Festival, Brisbane
Tickets On Sale Now at
https://daltours.cc/psycroptic-rivers
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Announce Highly Anticipated Tenth Album “Legacy” Out July 31 Via Better Noise Music
New Song “De Oppresso Liber” Out NOW
Multi-platinum hard rock powerhouse Five Finger Death Punch announce their highly anticipated tenth studio album, Legacy.
The digital version arrives July 31 pre-order now at
https://ffdp.lnk.to/Legacy
CD, vinyl, and cassette versions will land on September 18.
Pre-order here.
“Every album is a snapshot of who we were at that particular moment in time, and Legacy is exactly what the title suggests,” declares guitarist Zoltan Bathory. “It’s a reflection on the journey, the lessons, the victories, the struggles, and everything we’ve experienced over the last two decades.”
He furthers, “What makes that journey meaningful is that we didn’t make it alone. We traveled this road alongside millions of fans around the world and somehow became part of each other’s lives. That’s an incredible thing to reflect on twenty years later.”
Vocalist Ivan Moody continues, “At the same time, Legacy isn’t about looking backward. 20 years is a milestone, not a destination. We’re incredibly proud of this record because it captures everything people love about Five Finger Death Punch while also pointing toward where we’re headed next.”
He finishes, “Our philosophy has always been that this journey doesn’t come with a self-imposed ceiling. Every goal we’ve reached simply revealed another horizon beyond it. We never believed the sky was the limit; if anything, it’s where the true journey begins. Here’s to our shared legacy.”
The brand new song “De Oppresso Liber” is out now.
Listen to the song and watch the video at
https://ffdp.lnk.to/dol/youtube
“‘De Oppresso Liber’ is more than just a motto,” states Bathory. “It’s a calling. It’s a philosophy. It represents a willingness to stand between danger and those who cannot defend themselves. Throughout human history, there have always been people who were drawn to accept that responsibility. This song is our way of paying respect to that mindset.”
The first single from the album released just last month, “Eye Of The Storm,” and has already generated over 3.9 million Spotify streams and 1.6 million YouTube views on the official lyric video. Revolver hailed it as “Huge,” going on to praise how “it mixes a flurry of battering metal chugs with a sense of melody, plus Ivan Moody’s pensive-but-barked lyrics hinting at fears, regrets, burdens, blame, and the search for some kind of inner peace.” Loudwire raved: “The song is a driving, furious banger that kicks off what’s expected to be a new album cycle in grand fashion.”
LEGACY TRACK LISTING:
“Legacy”
“De Oppresso Liber”
“Eye Of The Storm”
“Nails In The Coffin”
“In Time”
“Unscathed”
“Joke’s On Me”
“Everybody Lies”
“Shelter”
“Scapegoat”
Physical offerings are available for pre-order in the following formats:
Standard CD
Standard Vinyl (Clear vinyl)
Indie Exclusive Vinyl (Amber Wave vinyl)
Indie Exclusive CD
Indie Exclusive Cassette
Band Webstore Vinyl (Metallic Silver vinyl)
Band Webstore Exclusive Picture Disc
Walmart Exclusive Vinyl (Blood Moon vinyl)
Walmart Exclusive CD
Amazon Exclusive Vinyl (Green Marble vinyl)
Amazon Exclusive CD
Revolver Exclusive (Orange vinyl)
EMP Exclusive Vinyl (Yellow Marble vinyl)
Sweden Rock Exclusive Vinyl (Cloud vinyl)
Napalm Exclusive (Smoke vinyl)
ABOUT FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH:
Five Finger Death Punch is a multi-platinum, chart-topping hard rock band from Las Vegas, NV known for their high-energy performances and impactful music. The band has accumulated more than 15 billion global streams and achieved 13 consecutive #1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Their catalog includes 30 Top 10 rock hits, 18 Active Rock #1 singles, and more than a dozen RIAA certifications, including seven Gold or Platinum albums and a 2x-Platinum single. Throughout their career, Five Finger Death Punch has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Brian May of Queen, Rob Halford, Rob Zombie, Steve Aoki, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jamey Jasta, and Brantley Gilbert. The band’s impact extends beyond music. Founding guitarist Zoltan Bathory was featured as a playable character in Call of Duty.
Five Finger Death Punch has also supported numerous charitable causes, donating more than $1 million to organizations focused on veterans’ and first responder issues, suicide prevention, youth homelessness, and more. The Association of the United States Army presented the band with its Soldier Appreciation Award, an honor only bestowed upon Elvis Presley before 5FDP. The City of Las Vegas proclaimed November 1 as “Five Finger Death Punch Day,” while frontman Ivan Moody received the Key to the City of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for his charitable work in the community. Following extensive global touring for two decades, including appearances on Metallica’s M72 World Tour, the band continues to expand its global reach. Their #1 collaboration with BABYMETAL, “The End,” became the first song featuring Japanese lyrics to chart at U.S. rock radio. In 2026, Five Finger Death Punch released “Eye Of The Storm,” the first single from their forthcoming tenth studio album, Legacy, which will be released on July 31.
CONNECT WITH 5FDP
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tik Tok | YouTube | Spotify
THE HU Share “Grey Hun” Official Video. New Album ‘Hun’ Out July 24 via Better Noise Music
Standing at the cusp of what promises to be a bold creative chapter, Hunnu Rock pioneers THE HU will unveil their forthcoming third full-length album, HUN, out July 24 via
BETTER NOISE MUSIC.
Pre-order/Pre-save HUN here
https://thehu.lnk.to/hun
Now, they share the official video for new song “Grey Hun.” The song’s percussive thrust propels it forward and as is always the case with The HU, worlds, cultures, and sounds collide to yield a fingerprint-distinct sound. The HU are not simply breaking down the barriers in rock music; they are reinventing them and seamlessly weaving an entirely new tapestry in the genre.
Listen to Grey Hun at
https://thehu.lnk.to/greyhun
Watch the video here
https://thehu.lnk.to/greyhun/youtube
“Grey Hun” is a song that encourages everyone to be comfortable with just being themselves. It started with composing the riff as I imagined a man riding his horse through a vast landscape,” states Enkush. “From there, it took a while for us to finish the song because we wanted to make sure to clearly communicate the positive message of the song.”
“Grey Hun” comes hot on the heels of hypnotic single “Lost Soul” (Feat. Jonny Hawkins of NOTHING MORE). It marks the first collaboration between the Gold-certified global phenomenon and NOTHING MORE. Listen to “Lost Soul” (Feat. Jonny Hawkins of NOTHING MORE) here and watch the video here.
HUN finds The HU, who were first tipped by NPR back in 2019, at the peak of their powers thus far. They expand the scope of their signature Hunnu Rock with 11 tracks steeped in the lore and legend of Mongolia, yet uplifted with universal ambition. It’s as epic, enthralling, and enigmatic and it opens the gateway into their world.
“We took our time to do this right, and we’re so glad that we’re almost ready to release what we have worked on these past few years,” the band says. “Now, we are also focusing on the performances and working out a brand-new setlist. We want to play bigger venues so we can do extensive production, and bring in some amazing elements of our culture, and play these ideas to our fans. And, as well as our third album, we have some amazing ideas for another album already!”
HUN TRACK LISTING:
“Warrior Chant”
“Lost Soul”*
“The Men”
“Echoes of My Father”
“Shadow”
“Horsemen”
“Greed”
“The Real You”
“Grey Hun”
“Universe”
“Second Face”
*Version of “Lost Soul” (Featuring Jonny Hawkins of NOTHING MORE) will only appear on the digital version of HUN
*********
Follow The Hu WEBSITE // FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // YOUTUBE
CONTROL THE SUN Adelaide Progressives Release Second Single, Pyre
Featuring veterans of the Adelaide heavy scene with members from Japam and Colibrium, Control The Sun kicked off the year with their first ever gig, opening Froth And Fury in Adelaide and dropping their epic debut single, Say It’s Over.
Several months have passed and they are back, shifting things up a gear with their second single “Pyre”.
Showing more of their teeth this time around, the song is centred around a crushing riff that reinforces their mission statement of bringing polish, detail and aggression to Australian heavy music.
‘Pyre’ talks to the ancient burning rituals of dead royalty as a means to send them to the afterlife, drawing a metaphor of new beginnings and the cleansing of spirits.
Listen to Pyre here
https://sptfy.com/Qg0N
Watch the video here
https://youtu.be/V-I44JBDG_4
Now working with industry heavyweight Forrester Savell, Control The Sun have established their unique sound – one that, blends complex musical arrangements with catchy, singable hooks and paints an exciting picture of how their future catalogue is going to keep delivering with every release.
With a self-produced music video in tow to support this song, Control The Sun are punching above their weight for such a new act on the scene.
Catch Control The Sun next at Downpour
Sat, Aug 8: Unibar, Adelaide
Tix from Moshtix
Follow Control The Sun
https://linktr.ee/controlthesun
BAD WOLVES Debut New Vocalist Sara “Killboy” Skinner . Share New Single “Paint It Red”
Multi-platinum and chart-topping hard rock outfit BAD WOLVES return with their new single and music video “Paint It Red,” out now via Better Noise Music. It serves as the band’s first release of 2026 and as the introduction to KILLBOY (Sara Skinner), who makes her fiery debut as the band’s new vocalist with the track.
Here, Bad Wolves begin to explore a broader sonic palette, unlocking subtleties in their sound that feel both fresh and fully realised.
The release date is no accident. The Strawberry Moon, the full moon that rises in late June, is steeped in mythology and primal energy, perfect for a new release from a band whose identity has always been intertwined with the power and imagery of wolves.
Listen to “Paint It Red’ here
http://badwolves.lnk.to/PaintItRed
Watch the video at
https://badwolves.lnk.to/PaintItRed/youtube
Regarding the onset of this chapter, BAD WOLVES founder, drummer, and songwriter John Boecklin commented, “When we started looking for the next voice of BAD WOLVES, we weren’t looking for someone to fill a spot; we were looking for someone who could help push this band into its next chapter. The first time I heard Sara sing, I knew she was different. She has an incredible voice, undeniable presence, and the kind of versatility that allows us to take our songwriting to places we’ve never gone before. Beyond the talent, she’s brought a renewed energy and excitement into this band. Sara isn’t here to recreate the past, she’s here to help us build the future. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the Bad Wolves family and for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on together.”
There’s no better way to start this chapter than “Paint It Red.” Propelled by pummelling drums and a head-nodding groove, the track fuses KILLBOY’s dynamic delivery to an airtight polyrhythmic riff. Once again, the track illustrates the group’s uncanny ability to marry skyscraper-size melodies and intricately crushing instrumentation. Baptized in crimson, the chorus culminates on an ominous, yet entrancing chant, “And watch the blood flow down like a river from my mouth…’Cause they won’t miss you when you’re dead, so paint it red.”
Regarding the song, KILLBOY states, “‘Paint It Red’ is about being unafraid to tear everything down and start over — again and again if that’s what it takes. With blood, sweat, and tears, every single time. To live authentically and follow your heart, you have to be willing to rebuild when something no longer serves who you are. You can’t be afraid of change, failure, or starting from scratch. Sometimes growth means letting go of what you’ve built so you can create something even better. ‘Paint It Red’ is about having the courage to burn away what’s holding you back and the strength to begin again.”
Boecklin elaborated, “‘Paint It Red’ is a metaphor for those moments in life when being polite, diplomatic, or even democratic, no longer works. Not all the time. Not often. But there comes a point when enough is enough. There are moments when it’s time to stop asking for permission and start making decisions for yourself. To do what you want to do, regardless of the consequences. Even if it’s the wrong decision, at least it’s yours. Then you live with it. Burn it down. Tear it apart. Cause some chaos if that’s what needs to happen. There’s something freeing about reaching that point — when you know it’s time to sound the alarm and let everyone know to back the fuck off. ‘Paint It Red’ is about taking control, owning your choices, and refusing to let anyone else dictate your path.”
Indeed, art is imitating life on “Paint It Red.”
Stay tuned for a whole lot more from Bad Wolves soon. This only the beginning of their next chapter.
BAD WOLVES ARE:
Derek Bolman — Bass
AJ Rebollo — Guitar
Sara “Killboy” Skinner — Vocals
John Boecklin — Drums
ABOUT BAD WOLVES:
BAD WOLVES continue to break all of the rules, merging mind-numbing riffs and rhythms with massive, stadium-size melodies. This uncanny fusion of finesse and fire has quietly cemented the Nashville-based band as a multi-platinum powerhouse. Founded by John Boecklin in 2018, the quartet show sno signs of stopping or slowing down, either. Thus far, they have garnered a 3x-Platinum single and two Gold singles in addition to scoring 6 No. 1 entries at radio and gathering billions of streams. Beyond acclaim from Billboard, Outburn, Loudwire, and more, the group has stood out as a presence versatile enough to collaborate with either Daughtry or Ice Nine Kills. Beyond touring with Papa Roach, Volbeat, Hollywood Undead, and more, they have sold out successive headline tours. Welcoming KILLBOY on the microphone in 2026, they blow the hinges off on their next era with the new single “Paint It Red” — with much more to come.
BAD WOLVES ONLINE:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY