SNIPPETZ: Thursday August 7, 2025

SNIPPETZ: Thursday August 7, 2025

This week’s Snippetz features: Kathleen Halloran, Maddison Kate, Oceano, Lachie Gill, Zetra, Les Thomas, Chloe Stroll, Selve, Peter Campbell, Tom Busby, Jamaica Moana, Salt Tree, Rainbow Kitten, Michael Schenker , Stella Donnelly, Cedarsmoke, Luca George, Convenience Store, Tropical Fu*k Storm, moonsea and much more

 

Kathleen Halloran Unveils Raw and Reflective New Single “Cost of Living” — Out August 13th

Kathleen Halloran returns with “Cost of Living”, a soaring and soul-baring new single that cuts to the heart of what it means to live a creative life on your own terms. It’s a song not just for musicians, but for anyone chasing down a dream in a world that doesn’t hand out roadmaps — artists, dreamers, anyone who’s risked stability for something less certain but more true. Known for her fiery guitar work and unflinching honesty, Halloran delivers a track that captures the emotional whiplash of being a creative — the ecstasy, the doubt, the magic, the mess.

Written from the eye of the storm, “Cost of Living” is Halloran’s most personal release to date. The youngest of nine siblings, she draws a vivid contrast between her unconventional path and the more traditional lives of her family — not with regret, but with reverence. “It’s a magical mystery ride — you are constantly transported to another time and planet. One night you’re unstoppable, like the world’s in the palm of your hand… then the next day…. how easily you can plummet back to the real world, wondering if it ever even happened. Sick of your own thoughts, exhausted by your own ambition,” she says. “But really, you wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s an all-in kinda thing… and that’s a beautiful thing”

The track features a sweeping string arrangement by Ross Irwin (The Cat Empire, The Bamboos), adding cinematic depth to Halloran’s lyrical honesty and emotive guitar work. Following the success of “Free With Me” (#4 AIR Charts, Artist of the Week) and “Find Me Again” (PBS Feature Track of the Week, with rotation on RRR and ABC), “Cost of Living” further cements Halloran’s reputation as one of the country’s most captivating new voices.

To celebrate the release, she’s hitting the road this August with a string of headline shows:
Wednesdays in August – Shotkickers Residency (Melbourne)

August 14 – Low 302 (Sydney)

August 31 – Tallagandra Hill Winery (Canberra)

“Cost of Living” releases August 13th.

Instragam https://www.instagram.com/kathleen.halloran.music/

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

Website https://www.kathleenhalloran.com/

 

 

Maddison Kate Shares Tender Debut EP ‘What I’d Say To You’ (Out Aug 8)

On Friday, August 8,  Meanjin-based indie-folk artist Maddison Kate releases her emotionally dense debut EP, ‘What I’d Say To You’.  With 4 songs that capture Maddison Kate’s poetic lyrics, folk melodies, and earthy tones, ‘What I’d Say To You’ is a mosaic glass window to her soul, with each song showing her experiences in a different shade. Each track gives voice to the things left unsaid — from fiery goodbyes and sleepless nights, to the quiet work of accepting yourself.

The EP opens with ‘A Truth’: thumping drums and weaving vocals guide the listener through the minefield of emotions that arise after a breakup. With almost orchestral arrangement of mandolin, piano, drums, and sweeping violin, this song conducts emotions to their peaks and lows as the song screams out everything Maddison Kate wishes she’d said to the one who left.

Following that is ‘More to Me’, a tune full of introspection and longing. Through complex guitar, melodic violin, and angelic vocals, this song manages to gently explore the overwhelming feelings that stem from being better off without someone, and hoping for them to change to spur a reunion.

It melts into the next song, ‘Alive’, a breathtakingly raw song that reflects on the feelings that bubble up when someone has a broken heart without something to pin it on. Through its stripped back vocals and guitar that builds to a crashing crescendo, it captures how those dark thoughts can snowball when someone’s alone.

The final song on the EP brings a glowing sense of hope to it. ‘Flowered Heart’ is a reminder that growth isn’t linear made up of ballroom-ready violin, 12-string guitar, and blooming piano that lends a romantic air to it. Maddison Kate’s vocals mingle throughout, perfectly capturing the feelings that come with healing.

Maddison Kate’s debut EP ‘What I’d Say To You’ is a beautiful introduction to contemplative and honest storytelling and complex melodies that she has to offer, and it’s ready to be shared with the world on Friday, August 8.

She launches the EP at Brisbane’s Junk Bar on Sunday, August 17 alongside special guests Josie Eather and Neish.

EP Launch: Sunday, August 17 – Junk Bar, Brisbane w/ Josie Eather & Neish | Tickets

Follow Maddison Kate Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram

 

 

 

ZETRA Release Dream Like Video For ‘The Spider’

Enigmatic synth rock duo, ZETRA, have released a dreamlike video for their crushingly beautiful single ‘The Spider’. Alongside other recent single ‘So’, ‘The Spider’ is taken from their forthcoming EP ‘Believe’, set to be released digitally on August 22nd via Nuclear Blast Records.

Watch the video for ‘The Spider’: https://youtu.be/01KlswoOUwg

On ‘The Spider’, ZETRA commented:
“The golden thread becomes a web.
The silken strands entice you, but do not linger.
Will you climb to brighter heights?
Or descend into madness.
And ever he waits.
And ever he watches.”

Listen to ‘The Spider’: https://zetra.bfan.link/the-spider
Pre-save the ‘Believe’ EP: https://zetra.bfan.link/believe

‘Believe’ tracklisting:
01. The Angel Cries
02. So
03. The Spider
04. Find Me
05. Charlotte (Kittie Cover) feat. Justine Jones from Employed To Serve
06. i Shards Of Power *
07. ii A Queen Ascends *
08. iii The Order’s Decree *
09. iv The Final Rest *

*Bandcamp edition exclusive tracks

Shrouded in mystery, the UK duo blend elements of shoegaze, synth, and post-punk into a sound that is other-worldly and spellbinding. Emerging from the underground with a haunting visual aesthetic of cloaked figures and vintage analog synths, ZETRA have already begun to carve a devoted cult following.
ZETRA were recently awarded The Great Escape’s Steve Strange Award for 2025, following their performance at the festival earlier this year. The award celebrates boundary-breaking new talent and the legacy of the iconic music agent Steve Strange.

Listen to recent single ‘So’: https://zetra.bfan.link/so

Watch the ‘So’ video: https://youtu.be/RfniMXz0IbU

ZETRA Online

 

 

OCEANO Announce ”Depths Down Under” October Australian Tour

Hardline Media are proud to announce, direct from the USA, one of the world’s leading Deathcore bands OCEANO on their “Depths Down Under” Tour. With a special Australian only farewell set exclusively performing songs from albums Depths + Contagion. Not only do you get to hear these albums, but the band lineup will also be featuring members from the Depths & Contagion Era. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this live across 4 shows, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne in October 2025.

OCEANO are an American Deathcore band from Cook County, Illinois. Formed in 2006, the band signed to legendary UK Death Metal label, Earache Records, home of such legendary bands as NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, CARCASS and many more. They released their debut album, Depths, on April 7, 2009. Their second album, Contagion, was released on November 9, 2010, with both these albums hitting the top 20 in the US Heatseeker charts, with Contagion reaching number 3. The band went on to have a very successful career in the Underground with albums like Incisions and Ascendants, with their final bow being 2024’s Living Chaos, it’s time for the band to move on with other projects, and say goodbye, and your last chance to see them live.

Watch Oceano – ‘A Mandatory Sacrifice – from the album Depths: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik3Qte0s5XU&list

 Watch Oceano – ‘Weaponized’ – from the album Contagion www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlsdx_IDhwQ

OCEANO will absolutely crush these Australian shows. These are likely to sell out fast as we say goodbye to the band, and what a way to go out, performing the albums that started it all, with lineups from that era as an added bonus. See you in the pit!!!

DO NOT MISS THESE SHOWS! EARLY BIRD TICKETS (Cheaper, Pre-Sale) On Sale Thursday 7th August @ 10:00am AEST These are strictly limited, and there is no booking fee or after charges… so save some bucks and get in early.

TICKETS & INFO: http://www.hardlinemedia.net

OCEANO Australian Tour Dates:

Wednesday 15 Oct – BRISBANE – BRIGHTSIDE

Thursday 16 Oct – SYDNEY – CROWBAR

Friday 17 Oct – ADELAIDE – LION ARTS

Saturday 18 Oct – MELBOURNE – THE CORNER

*LIMITED VIP MEET & GREET INCLUDES:
– Early access to the show and merch stand**
– Get a photo on your phone/device with OCEANO
– Australian tour poster to get signed
– Exclusive VIP lanyard/laminate
– Bring along 3 personal items to get signed

**VIP TICKET INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE SHOW

* PAYPAL PAY BY FOUR & AFTERPAY accepted

General Public Tickets On Sale: Tuesday 12th August @ 10:00am AEST

 

 

 

LACHIE GILL ‘Give Me A Little’ (SINGLE)

Australian singer-songwriter Lachie Gill is making up for a year and a half of musical silence with a powerful new single ‘Give Me A Little’ out now (Island Records Australia). To support the release, Lachie is heading on the road for his ‘Give Me A Little’ Regional Tour kicking off on September 18 in Bendigo.

With his trademark of raw emotional lyrics and catchy melodies Lachie reunites with powerhouse producer Andy Mak and acclaimed co-writer Thom Mak (Vera Blue) to create ‘Give Me A Little’. The song creeps up on you, but by the first chorus it has unfolded into a wildly-catchy pop song that just keeps on building, boasting some of Lachie’s most intense vocals to date.

Lachie shares, “it’s about my first real relationship and when it came to an end it shook me around. There’s that feeling of, I know it’s over and I shouldn’t go back but I just want that last little bit if I can get it. And vocally, in the bridge, I really got to completely let rip, it’s one of my favourite songs I’ve done.”

Lachie rose to prominence after winning Season 11 of The Voice Australia in 2022, captivating audiences with his soulful and powerful performances. It hasn’t been an easy road though. Lachie found himself subjected to online bullying and experienced imposter syndrome. He turned to heavy partying as a coping mechanism which resulted in a series of anxiety episodes and panic attacks. Taking a much-needed break to reset, reconnect and find his purpose again, Lachie reclaimed a new invigorated enthusiasm for music, igniting an artist now ready to be unapologetically true to himself.

Lachie has found comfort in writing sad songs to process and deal with the emotional rollercoaster of life, love  and loss. His experiences over the past few years has led him to get involved with the Speak and Share not-for-profit mental health charity that encourages open, honest conversations and challenges the stigma surrounding mental health, talking at schools, sporting clubs and workplaces as part of the workshops. “Especially for men, we don’t talk enough,” Lachie says. “People aren’t having these conversations with each other, they’re holding onto a lot of things. I am super-passionate about getting that message across to people.”

With over 16 million streams and a growing fanbase, Lachie is primed to hit the road again to bring these new ultra-personal songs to audiences and see how they connect. ‘My favourite thing to do is perform for people, let people into my life and my stories.  I’m really excited, we’re gonna go for it.”

‘GIVE ME A LITTLE’ REGIONAL TOUR

Thu 18 Sep – Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo, VIC
Fri 19 Sep – Pelly Bar, Frankston, VIC
Sat 20 Sep – Odessa, Creswick, VIC
Thu 02 Oct – Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba, QLD
Fri 03 Oct – The Presynct, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Sat 04 Oct – The Royal, Nundah, QLD
Thu 09 Oct – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra, ACT
Fri 10 Oct – The Vault, Port Kembla, NSW
Sat 11 Oct – Fun Haus, Central Coast, NSW
Sun 12 Oct – Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW

For all touring and ticket information HERE

FOLLOW LACHIE GILL HERE

 

 

 

DEAN BRADY RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘SNEAKERS’

Rising Australian R&B artist Dean Brady releases his new single ‘Sneakers’, an ode to those who have been with him through it all. ‘Sneakers’ is the fifth glimpse of Dean’s forthcoming Mixtape Dean’s Home out 31 October and follows previous Mixtape singles ‘Falling’, ‘Lost To The Moon’, ‘Brand New Smile’ and ‘Been Here Before’.

Reminiscent of Usher and Bow Wow, with hints of Masego, Dean Brady hits us once again with his signature 90s/00s R&B nostalgia. This track demonstrates the true breadth of Dean’s vocal prowess, effortlessly switching between falsetto runs and grounded spoken verses. Co-written with Jerome Farah, ‘Sneakers’ prompts us to consider what it truly means to walk a mile in someone’s shoes; can anyone really know what we have been through without walking through it with us? Written the same week as Dean’s breakthrough single ‘Falling’, the pair have managed to inject ‘Sneakers’ with a similar creative magic.

“I wrote this the same week as ‘Falling’ with Jerome Farah. It’s about all the trouble I’ve found myself in while wearing my sneakers – they’ve been with me through everything. Even when I was a kid, sneakers were part of my identity. No one knows me like my sneakers do.”

About Dean Brady: Dean Brady is First Nations Australian and African, descending from the Gugu Yalanji and Birrigubba peoples as well as the Matabele of Zimbabwe. Dean was born into a deeply musical household; his parents were members of the legendary “outback Motown” group Banawurun, and he grew up surrounded by sound — band rehearsals in the living room, his mother singing soul classics while cooking dinner.

As a child, Brady would perform Michael Jackson songs for friends and family, already drawn to the lineage of great soul and R&B artists. From Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye to Frank Sinatra and Usher, these influences would shape the distinctive voice and style he now brings to his own music.

Dean’s Home, Brady’s forthcoming mixtape out 31 October, is a warm, groove-soaked reflection on love, memory and identity, stitched together by the rising star’s unmistakable voice and soulful instincts. Across twelve tracks, Brady charts a coming-of-age journey, from the thrill of first love to the clarity of knowing when to let go. With a sound that nods to the Motown greats he grew up idolising, Dean Brady is carving out a fresh, forward-looking space in Australian R&B.

Dean’s Home mixtape is available to pre-save now. ‘Sneakers’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

MORE INFO:
Instagram
Spotify
Tik Tok

 

 

 

 

GIA DARCY returns with vulnerable new single ‘SUBTLE CHANGES’. Out August 19th

Following the release of her debut EP Crash Test and a headline East Coast tour in 2024, rising Australian pop artist Gia Darcy returns with a brand new standalone single, ‘Subtle Changes’,  a raw and reflective track that dives into the discomfort of growing apart from someone you love.

Best known for her heartfelt lyricism and glistening pop production, Gia once again proves her strength as a storyteller with this striking release. Teaming up with New York-based songwriter Ross Newhouse and producer Liam Quinn (Peach PRC, Ruel), ‘Subtle Changes’ shows a quieter, more vulnerable side of the artist.

“This song is about a falling out with my best friend. Neither of us are good at saying how we actually feel, but we can both tell something’s shifted. The crossed arms, the awkward silences, the slight change in tone… That’s where the heartbreak lives. It’s not loud, but it’s real.”  GIA DARCY

Anchored by Gia’s warm, emotive vocal and gentle production flourishes, ‘Subtle Changes’ captures the quiet devastation that comes with drifting apart, not with a fight, but with a thousand unspoken moments.

The track follows a string of critically praised releases that have seen Gia Darcy emerge as a pop artist to watch. With over 1.3 million Spotify streams, 2.7 million views on YouTube Shorts, and support fromtriple j, Rolling Stone AU/NZ, and major editorial playlists (including New Music Friday AU/NZ, Pop n’ Fresh, Fresh Finds Pop), Gia has quickly built a reputation for writing music that resonates.
“It doesn’t have to be pretty to be true”, a standout lyric from the song perfectly captures the emotional heart of ‘Subtle Changes’. Honest and unfiltered, it’s Gia Darcy at her most raw.

Gia will also be returning to the stage in September, supporting Joan & The Giants at Vic on The Park (Eora/Sydney) on Friday, September 27th, a chance to hear the new single live and connect with her ever-growing audience.

‘Subtle Changes’ is out Tuesday August 19th

Gia Darcy: Official Website | triple j Unearthed | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok

 

 

 

MIDNIGHT TIL MORNING ANNOUNCE EAST COAST AUSTRALIAN SHOWS

Launched from the global Netflix hit Building the Band, Midnight Til Morning are a breakout four-piece, blending powerhouse vocals and undeniable onstage chemistry. Frontier Touring and Chugg Music are thrilled to announce the East Coast Australian leg of their debut world tour.

From viral moments to streaming buzz, they’ve quickly captured a global audience drawn to their harmonies, heart, and charisma. Now, Midnight Til Morning are stepping off the screen and onto stages worldwide with a live show that promises raw energy, rich storytelling, and unforgettable moments.

The band will introduce their live show to Australian audiences at Liberty Hall in Sydney on Thursday 20 November, The Princess Theatre in Brisbane on Saturday 22 November and 170 Russell in Melbourne on Sunday 23 November. Tickets go on sale Friday 8 August (10am AEST) via www.frontiertouring.com/midnighttilmorning Sign up for early access to the Frontier Presale, which starts Wednesday 6 August (10am AEST).

The tour announcement comes on the eve of the release of their debut single ‘Bye’. Crafted alongside a world-class creative team, ‘Bye’ was co-written by superstar Benson Boone, Amy Allen (Harry Styles, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae), Scott Harris (Shawn Mendes, Dua Lipa), Elie Rizk (Benson Boone, Noah Cyrus), and the band members themselves. The track was produced by Rizk with Grammy-nominated JT Daly (K. Flay, PVRIS) whose cinematic, emotionally rich style sets the perfect tone for the band’s debut. Pre-save ‘Bye’ here.

Since their formation, the group has seen explosive growth across TikTok, Instagram, and streaming platforms, with fans around the world rallying to their sound, story, and brotherhood.

Australian fans, get ready for a live experience that goes far beyond the screen! Tickets for Midnight Til Morning’s first ever Australian shows go on sale this Friday.

MIDNIGHT TIL MORNING AUSTRALIAN TOUR
NOVEMBER 2025
Presented by Frontier Touring & Chugg Music

FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE
via frontiertouring.com/midnighttilmorning
Runs 36 hours from: Wednesday 6 August (10am AEST)
or until presale allocation exhausted

TICKETS ON SALE
Begins: Friday 8 August (10am AEST)

Thursday 20 November
Liberty Hall | Sydney, NSW
Lic. All Ages
moshtix.com.au

Saturday 22 November
The Princess Theatre | Brisbane, QLD
Lic. All Ages
ticketmaster.com.au

Sunday 23 November
170 Russell | Melbourne, VIC
18+
moshtix.com.au 

 

 

LES THOMAS SHARES THE FIRING LINE — A Song of Conscience for These Troubled Times

Singer-songwriter Les Thomas today releases The Firing Line, a song of grief, conscience and shared humanity in the face of war crimes and civilian suffering.

Written and produced by Thomas, the track features Jacinta Percy on harmony vocals, Trev Fernandez on piano, Jason Bunn on viola and string arrangement, and Justin Olsson on drums. With its stripped-back instrumentation and lyrical clarity, The Firing Line speaks to the urgency of the present moment.

“This is a song about our shared humanity and the futility of war,” says Thomas. “It’s about recognising how easily lives can be devalued when international law is ignored and dehumanisation takes hold.”

The Firing Line is the first single from Thomas’s forthcoming album. The lyrics are direct yet poetic, urging listeners not to look away but to reflect on their responsibility in the face of injustice.

About Les Thomas

Les Thomas is a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter and writer. Known for his thoughtful lyrics and grounded storytelling, he was recently awarded the Troubadour Foundation Award for keeping the spirit of protest alive in contemporary folk music. His work has appeared on national radio and at major folk festivals across the country.

LAUNCH DETAILS
Les Thomas to Launch Bold New Anti-Genocide Anthem ‘The Firing Line’ with Fundraising Concert at the Curtin Hotel.

Melbourne, VIC — Award-winning singer-songwriter Les Thomas will launch his powerful new single The Firing Line on Sunday August 31 at the Curtin Hotel, joined by ARIA Award–winning artist Kavisha Mazzella for an afternoon of moving music and heartfelt solidarity.

Responding to the escalating crisis in Gaza, The Firing Line is a searing anthem of protest, conscience and human connection. Featuring stirring performances from pianist Trev Fernandez and violist Jason Bunn, the track builds with emotional force and lyrical clarity to offer hope, urgency and resolve.

Thomas says: “This song was written in the face of silence, to call out genocide and show that art can still stand for something. It’s not about charity or guilt — it’s about shared humanity and moral courage.”

The launch concert will also raise funds for humanitarian and advocacy efforts in Palestine. Guest speaker Dr Jordy Silverstein from the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) will speak, with all proceeds beyond costs going to frontline causes.

TICKETS HEREwww.lesthomasmusic.com

 Spotify
Bandcamp
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

 

 

 

TRACEY BUNN- ANOTHER BROKEN JULIET (SINGLE)

James Bond meets Marty Robbins in a soundtrack for a Tarantino-esque Spaghetti Western with female leads. This describes the title track of Tracey Bunn’s first self-produced album Another Broken Juliet, a collaboration with lyricist Peter Hayes, 10 tales of broken hearts, murder and desolation.

Another Broken Juliet is a collection of songs originally created as a catalogue for pitching to music libraries for placement in film and TV. Tracey’s fanbase got wind of the new songs and convinced her to release them as an album. And we’re lucky they did!

It is a collaboration between lyricist Peter Hayes and Tracey as composer and producer, this being her first self-produced recording since her solo debut By the Wayside in 2011, produced by Anne McCue.

“I was very fortunate to have friend and fellow Aussie Anne McCue on board as mix engineer on this new album, to guide me through the production process as well as adding her distinctive guitar sound. Anne and I had worked together on my first solo album, By the Wayside in Nashville in 2011. Unfortunately, she had to renege on the mixing job after just two songs to go out on an extensive tour, as an unexpected health issue for me had put production on hold.”

Through a recommendation Tracey reached out to mix engineer Robyn Payne from AD Audio in Melbourne, and mastering engineer Martin Pullan from Edensounds Mastering.

“They were the dream team for me. They totally got what I was looking for from the start, had such a great sense of humour and were super fun to work with.”

Peter’s lyrics are a sharp detour from her usual uplifting stories, and it was a challenge for Tracey to bring to these dark characters and tales of murder and broken hearts some kind of hope through the music she composed. A lot of the songs are a step away from her usual country folk style, but some still have that cheeky accordion and fiddle that you would recognise from her work with Gleny Rae in Toe Sucking Cowgirls.

“The process involved Pete texting me some lyrics and then after reading the first line, I’d know whether I needed to pick up my guitar immediately to get a rough idea of the melody down. I have no idea how these fully formed tunes, complete with instrumentation and arrangements come to me but I’m super grateful that some musician soul with unfinished business is sending them down!”

During the production process, as the songs were finished, Tracey soft released the first 5 songs to her small fan base whose positive reactions gave her encouragement to keep going.

“There were a few times that I fell foul of the dreaded imposter syndrome and wondered what the hell I was doing! But after two and a half years it’s finally done, and I’m proud of what I’ve created.”

Another Broken Juliet is available August 4th on all platforms except for Spotify. Tracey has chosen to join the groundswell of musicians who are boycotting Spotify and not releasing music to the platform due to CEO Daniel Ek’s involvement with Military startup Helsing, and his history of paying artists poverty wages. Her music can be streamed through all other services including TIDAL, Apple Music and YouTube.

“I will not allow my songs to be turned into bombs. Profits made from music should be reinvested in creative arts. Music is not a commodity to make the rich richer. Artists deserve to be paid fairly.”

Links to stream Tracey Bunn’s music:

Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tracey-bunn/384108573

Tidal – https://tidal.com/artist/5669445

Bandcamp – https://traceybunn.bandcamp.com/

Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/traceybunn

 

 

 

MICHAEL SCHENKER To Release Brand New Album Don’t Sell Your Soul, On October 3 via EarMusic

What was already a standout moment of this year’s Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest metal festival, turned into something even bigger when Michael Schenker pulled a surprise no one saw coming. After delivering a fierce My Years With UFO set to tens of thousands of attendees on Thursday night, the architect of hard rock used the world’s loudest stage to announce a brand-new Michael Schenker Group studio album:

Don’t Sell Your Soul will be released on October 3rd via earMUSIC.

To mark the occasion, Schenker and his band closed the show with a world-exclusive live premiere of the new album’s title track – a powerful encore that took the

Wacken crowd by surprise and was met with instant enthusiasm on the muddy festival fields.

PRE-SAVE THE SINGLE HERE! https://schenker.lnk.to/DSYSNL

Earlier in the set, the Wacken faithful had already been treated to a once-in-a- lifetime moment: Slash walked on stage as a surprise guest, joining Schenker on the UFO classic “Mother Mary”. Two of rock’s most iconic guitarists side by side – a scene few will forget.

Don’t Sell Your Soul is the latest studio album by the Michael Schenker Group and the second part of an album trilogy that began with 2024’s My Years With UFO.

The album was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, and recorded with Schenker’s longtime allies: Bodo Schopf (drums), Barend Courbois (bass), and Steve Mann (guitar, keys). On vocals: the impeccable Erik Grönwall – undoubtedly one of the finest rock voices of his generation.

Guest appearances on vocals by Robin McAuley, Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, and Michael Voss round out the cast.

Don’t Sell Your Soul will be available on CD, LP, and limited transparent red vinyl.

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE! https://schenker.lnk.to/DSYSALBUMPR

 

 

 

 

Australian Rockers The Silent Deeds to Release New Single ‘Bird In The Sky’ (Sep 5)

Perth rock favourites The Silent Deeds are back with a brand-new single, ‘Bird in The Sky’, set for release on Friday, 5th September. Following the success of their 2024 hit ‘Lady’ – their most successful track to date – the four-piece band is ready to soar even higher with this dynamic new offering.

To celebrate the release, The Silent Deeds will host a free-entry single launch party at The Carine Glades on Saturday, 6th September. Located north of Perth, The Carine’s band room has recently played host to renowned acts including The Superjesus, Everclear, and Kingswood – making it the perfect stage for the band’s latest chapter.

With ‘Bird in The Sky’, The Silent Deeds continue to carve their place in the Australian rock landscape. Don’t miss your chance to experience the new single live and up close.

Bassist Matt De Barro said, “’Bird in The Sky’ is one of those tracks that came together fast but hit deep.  It’s raw, powerful and unapologetically us. We’re stoked to finally launch it on September 5th and live on September 6th. This one’s definitely one of our best and we can’t wait to celebrate it at the show.”

Lead singer Corey Ranger explained the story behind the striking cover art for the new single: “We’re thrilled to feature a handcrafted bluebird sculpture by Chris Wilson, the artist behind Wilson Wildlife Sculpture, on the cover of our latest single.

We first connected with Chris on Instagram and were instantly drawn to his incredible work and the passion behind it. As an avid birder and conservationist, Chris brings a deep love of nature into every piece he creates – from songbirds to owls and everything in between.

His bluebird felt like the perfect fit for this track, and we’re honoured to have his art help bring the song to life visually. Thanks again, Chris.”

Check out more of his work at Wilson Wildlife Sculpture across socials or visit his site: https://www.wilsonwildlifesculpture.com/

Bird in the Sky is out September 5.

Follow The Silent Deeds:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

 

 

 

Rising artist CHLOE STROLL releases new single ‘I STOOD MY GROUND’ + music video

Announces DEBUT ALBUM, BLOOM IN THE BREAK, out September 12th

Canadian singer-songwriter Chloe Stroll is set to release her highly anticipated debut album Bloom in the Break on 12 September, 2025. In the lead-up, she has just unveiled a powerful new single titled ‘I Stood My Ground.’ The song arrives accompanied by an evocative official video, now available to stream and watch across platforms.

Co-written with Grammy Award-winning producer Walter Afanasieff (renowned for work with Mariah Carey and Celine Dion), ‘I Stood My Ground’ is an anthem for anyone who’s had to hold fast in the face of doubt, grief, or heartbreak. “Walter and I were talking about moments when I’ve felt unheard or when my values felt compromised. We explored the idea of what it’s like to stand your ground while everything around you feels like it’s unraveling,” says Stroll.

The track follows recent single ‘You’re OK’, a poignant release praised by Building Your Own Nashville as “an acoustic gem that excels in its simplicity… a gentle melody that offers the same comfort as its lyrics.”

In the process of creating Bloom in the Break, Stroll wrote over 70 songs before narrowing them down to a deeply personal and reflective 12-track collection. Recorded across studios worldwide, she collaborated with the likes of Swagg R’Celious (H.E.R., Babyface) and Kevin Bard (Andy Grammer, Dan + Shay), alongside Afanasieff.

The album reflects a full spectrum portrait of Stroll’s past experiences and how it helped her to get where she is now. Stroll hopes listeners will find the same comfort and healing in the album as she did while creating it. “I wanted people to be able to relate to it in their own ways, and in their own struggles,” she details. “Your problem is your problem, but when you’re standing up against a wall, we’re all facing that same wall. That was my North Star.”

Of the album’s title, she describes, “I pictured something beautiful—literally the most beautiful flower blooming through breaking glass. Because life’s obstacles create who we are, which is where beauty lies—in all our imperfections. It’s how we grow to become the people we are.”

Originally from Montreal, Chloe Stroll began writing music at just seven years old. Since releasing her 2023 debut single ‘Run’, she has built a reputation for raw, relatable storytelling, with songs like ‘Thin Air’ and ‘Water Over Sand’ resonating with a growing global audience. Her musical inspirations range from Lana Del Rey and Adele to Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand, artists known for balancing vulnerability with undeniable power.

A deeply grounded writer, Stroll draws much of her emotional richness from the people closest to her, including her family and her husband, Australian Olympic snowboarder Scotty James. Their shared story is one of strength, love, and learning to navigate life’s peaks and valleys together.

‘I Stood My Ground’ is out now

Chloe Stroll: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Official Website | Facebook | X

 

 

The VANNS are back: New Album All That’s In My Head + Focus Track Millionaires

THE VANNS UNLEASH NEW ALBUM ALL THAT’S IN MY HEAD WITH STRIPPED-BACK FOCUS TRACK MILLIONAIRES

South Coast rock favourites The VANNS return with their brand new full-length album All That’s In My Head, a powerful and emotionally charged offering from one of Australia’s most loved live acts. Recorded across two intense two-week sessions between London and Wollongong, the album is a gritty, heart-on-sleeve exploration of the highs and lows of adulthood.

“‘All That’s In My Head’ was recorded over two two week sessions, one in London and one in Wollongong. It’s a record about living, loving, worrying and growing up and what you lose and gain in the process.”

Focus track Millionaires captures the band in their purest form, loud, raw and full of soul. Stripping back the production to let the performance speak, the song distills the band’s magic down to its core.

“We tried a few different approaches to recording this one but in the end we essentially just did a live take without getting too lost in the possibilities of where you could take it production wise.”

The VANNS are four mates who built their name the honest way, on stage. Since forming in 2015, they’ve toured relentlessly, clocking up sold-out shows in capital cities across the country and appearing at major festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival, The Great Escape UK, Yours & Owls, and most recently, SXSW in Austin for their debut US shows. Fronted by Jimmy Vann (vocals rhythm guitar) and Cameron Little (lead guitar vocals keys), the band’s signature sound is completed by longtime rhythm section Tom Switlek (bass backing vocals) and Andrew “Banjo” Banovich (drums vocals)  a tight unit forged through years of playing together and pushing each other creatively.

Having shared stages with acts like Ocean Alley, The Kooks, The Wombats, and Inhaler, The VANNS have since stepped into the spotlight as a commanding headline force in their own right. Their 2019 debut Through The Walls, produced by Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy), set the tone with massive tracks like Mother, Fake Friends, and Deranged, as well as fan favourite Chelsea, a slow-build heartbreaker that quickly earned cult status. Their take on Bon Iver’s Hey Ma for triple j’s Like A Version became a defining moment, now sitting at over 8 million streams and placing at number 32 on triple j’s Hottest 100 of Like A Version.

That legacy has only grown stronger. Their previous album Last Of Your Kind debuted at number 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart and became their second Feature Album on triple j, following Through The Walls. In 2023, The VANNS were named number 17 on triple j’s Most Played Artists, a testament to the constant momentum building around them.

Recent singles Up All Night, Feather, and Accomplice have further cemented the band’s reputation. Up All Night landed first play on triple j, full rotation on Triple M, and received 450 spins across 40 plus stations. Feather earned key placements across Spotify’s New Music Friday AU and NZ and Local Noise, Apple Music’s The New Rock and Good Times, and Amazon Music’s Down Under. Meanwhile Accomplice hit 370 thousand views on YouTube, featured on Vevo’s Frontline Indie, and clocked 150 thousand Spotify streams, supported by over 35 radio stations globally.

With their third studio album now out in the world, The VANNS are set to do what they do best and hit the road. The band will embark on a massive 20 show national tour, kicking off in Margaret River on October 24 and wrapping in Canberra on January 24. These shows follow a run of sold-out album release parties and a live reputation that continues to grow with each performance.

ALL THAT’S IN MY HEAD TOUR

OCT 24 Margaret River The River
OCT 25 Fremantle Freo Social
OCT 31 Adelaide The Gov

NOV 1 Melbourne The Forum

NOV 7 Brunswick Heads Hotel Brunswick
NOV 8 Brisbane Princess Theatre
NOV 13 Mackay McGuires
NOV 14 Townsville The Warehouse
NOV 15 Cairns Tanks Arts Centre
NOV 20 Hobart Wrest Point Casino
NOV 28 Sydney Metro Theatre
NOV 29 Newcastle King St Bandroom
DEC 13 Thirroul Anita’s Theatre
JAN 2 Port Macquarie Finnians
JAN 9 Central Coast Drifters Wharf
JAN 10 Dee Why Dee Why RSL
JAN 15 Torquay Torquay Hotel
JAN 16 Frankston Pilly Bar
JAN 17 San Remo Westernport Hotel
JAN 24 Canberra The Baso

 

 

 

SALT TREE ANNOUNCE NEW EP  ‘ADRIFT’ OUT OCTOBER 24 VIA NETTWERK . SHARE BLISSFUL NEW SINGLE “PARADISE”. UNVEIL AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR THIS OCTOBER

Salt Tree have never been known to stay still for long. Today, the Australian indie-folk duo announce their deeply personal new EP Adrift, due out October 24 via Nettwerk, alongside the release of blissful new single “Paradise”, and a string of long-awaited Australian headline tour dates. The announcement follows a whirlwind 18 months of sold-out shows across Europe and Australia, a dream-come-true tour with Jeremy Loops, and writing sessions born everywhere from soundchecks in Groningen to snowy rooftops in Stockholm.

Adrift is Salt Tree’s most expansive and emotionally resonant work to date — a collection of six songs exploring what it means to be caught in the in-between yet still move forward. Written across two continents and recorded entirely in vocalist and guitarist Tom Boerema’s makeshift home studio in the remote surf town of Margaret River, the EP captures the beauty in uncertainty.

Salt Tree share, “Adrift is a collection of songs about the moments in life when you feel unanchored; between places, between relationships, between versions of yourself. Each track explores a different kind of drifting – from the lows of mental struggle to the excitement of new love, from the sadness of letting go to the hope of being a better person. It’s about learning to trust that even when you’re unmoored, you’re still moving toward something real.”

Alongside recent singles “Cold Hard Ground” and “Answers”, Salt Tree share the third slice of the EP with new single “Paradise” – an intimate, slow-burning reflection on the dream of starting fresh in a place that feels like home. Co-written with Swedish producer Gustav Nyström during a snowy stay in Stockholm at the end of their first European headline tour, “Paradise” captures the magic of discovering a city that is so inspiring it makes you want to stay forever.

WATCH & SHARE: SALT TREE “PARADISE”

https://salttree.ffm.to/paradise

Salt Tree shares, “The song is about imagining a life you could build with someone in a new place. It’s about choosing to stay, to commit, and to create something real together. ‘Paradise’ is wherever you choose it to be, wherever you feel accepted, loved, have purpose, and feel at home.”

Salt Tree’s upcoming tour will see the duo return to stages across Australia this October, bringing their magnetic live show to fans nationwide. The tour kicks off October 3 in their hometown of Margaret River and wraps up October 26 in Brisbane, with stops in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and more along the way. Their Australian tour follows a huge European run kickstarted in July and wrapping up in September.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now at salttreemusic.com.

AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
October 3 – Margaret River, WA – The River Hotel
October 4 – Perth, WA – Rosemount Hotel
October 10 – Adelaide, SA – Jive
October 11 – Sydney, NSW – Fusebox @ Factory Theatre
October 17 – Geelong, VIC – Barwon Club Hotel
October 18 – Melbourne, VIC – Northcote Social Club
October 23 – Gold Coast, QLD – Miami Marketta
October 24 – Sunshine Coast, QLD – Solbar
October 26 – Brisbane, QLD – Crowbar

ABOUT SALT TREE
In the remote coastal town of Margaret River — where the forest meets the sea — Salt Tree was born. The indie-folk duo of Tom Boerema and Nathan Parsons craft music rooted in connection, introspection, and the beauty of the natural world. Their sound is unmistakably their own: soaring harmonies, acoustic warmth, and stories that feel like conversations around a campfire.

Entirely self-written, recorded, and produced from their bedroom studio, Salt Tree’s music has struck a chord around the world — amassing over 100 million global streams. Since releasing their debut EP Out of the Water in 2022, followed by Find Our Way (2023) and Swell (2024), the duo have toured sold-out venues across Europe and Australia, and supported artists like Jeremy Loops and Ziggy Alberts.

Their songs explore everything from mental health to new love, inner reflection to wide-eyed curiosity, grounded always in a deep sense of place and purpose. Whether playing in iconic European venues, on a gondola in the Swiss Alps, or in the stillness of their hometown, Salt Tree’s music reminds us that even when we feel adrift, we’re never truly lost.

SALT TREE ON SOCIALS: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

 

 

 

GEOWULF ANNOUNCES NEW EP ‘TWINKLY DEPRESSION’ OUT OCTOBER 24 VIA NETTWERK

SHARES BITTERSWEET NEW SINGLE “TOP DOWN”. ALSO ANNOUNCES UK & EUROPE LIVE DATES

Australian indie and dream pop artist Geowulf returns with the announcement of her new EP Twinkly Depression, due out October 24 via Nettwerk. Alongside the announcement she shares shimmering, bittersweet new single “Top Down”. Listen here.

The track is an upbeat cut with nods to shoegaze and classic dream pop and a typically stylish, gliding chorus contrasting the heavy emotions at its core.

“This song began as a bit of a devo (Australian for devastating) moment,” Kendrick explains. “Written mostly about my struggle to recover from postnatal anxiety, its lyrics reflect an unraveling and a quiet cry for help. But then my producer and friend, Duncan Mills, breathed new life into it, turning it into this unexpected upbeat banger. I love how it’s taken on a new energy – it’s a deeply sad song, but you wouldn’t know that unless you really dug into the lyrics.”

LISTEN + SHARE: GEOWULF “TOP DOWN” https://geowulf.ffm.to/topdown

Twinkly Depression is a collection of “happy-sad” songs that blend heartbreak with breezy, nostalgic sonics. “I originally created a mood board with this name while planning a shoot,” Kendrick shares. “It struck me that it captured the feeling of the EP perfectly – heartbreaking at its core, but still hopeful and nostalgic.

“When I began writing for this EP, I wasn’t in the best headspace, but I didn’t want the songs to reflect that. Instead, I wanted something that could lift me up and take me out of my own head,” she adds. “There’s a kind of happy melancholy woven through it. The songs explore both lighter moments, like falling in love, and heavier themes, such as postnatal anxiety and addiction.”

Produced by longtime collaborator Duncan Mills, with contributions from Charlie Sinclair and Elliot Heinrich, the EP leans into Geowulf’s shoegaze-inspired roots, drawing influence from The Marías, Fleetwood Mac, Cigarettes After Sex, and Mazzy Star.

PRESAVE: GEOWULF TWINKLY DEPRESSION

https://geowulf.ffm.to/twinklydepression

ABOUT GEOWULF: Over the course of three albums, Geowulf evolved from crafting dreamy indie-pop tales of modern love into something far more intimate and profound. On her most recent full-length album, “The Child”, Star Kendrick, who now steers the project solo, delivered a strikingly personal and emotionally resonant body of work. Written largely during her pregnancy in 2023, the album captured a moment of reflection and transformation, as Kendrick contemplated the tension between artistic ambition and impending motherhood. On the gentle, questioning track “Dreaming,” she wondered aloud, “If I could let myself dream, would anybody stop me?”—a lyric that crystallized the album’s overarching theme of confronting societal pressures and reclaiming personal agency. Rather than offering answers, “The Child” found strength in vulnerability and clarity in self-inquiry.

While Kendrick’s earlier work wrapped millennial heartbreak in shimmering dreampop, “The Child” signaled a bold, mature new phase for Geowulf. Influenced by a time of profound life change, including the amicable end of her creative partnership with Toma Banjanin, training to become a social worker, and becoming a parent. The album stood as both a departure and a homecoming. It was a confident, quietly powerful statement of identity from an artist newly in tune with herself. In the past, Kendrick was supported by respected tastemakers like The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Dork, The Fader, The Skinny, and performed a COLORS SHOW.

The new EP “Twinkly Depression” is further proof that Geowulf has well and truly entered a new era, continuing to move from strength to strength.

GEOWULF LIVE DATES:
22 Aug – Shenzhen, HOU Livehouse
23 Aug – Shanghai, VAS Ear
24 Aug – Beijing, OMNI Space
26 Sep – London, Oslo - Tickets
01 Oct – Paris, Supersonic - Free event

CONNECT WITH GEOWULF: Instagram | Tiktok | X | Facebook

 

 

FLUME AND EMMA LOUISE SHARE ‘SHINE, GLOW, GLISTEN’

Collaborative album DUMB out 22 August

Australian multi-hyphenate artist Emma Louise and Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Flume share a new song ‘Shine, Glow, Glisten’ today — listen here. The track is taken from the pair’s forthcoming 10-track collaborative album, DUMB, set for release on August 22 — pre-order/save the album here.

WATCH ‘SHINE, GLOW, GLISTEN’

‘Shine, Glow, Glisten’ follows the first offering from DUMB, ‘Easy Goodbye’, shared earlier this month to praise from PAPER, Billboard and more. Longtime friends and collaborators — most notably on ‘Hollow‘ from Flume’s 2022 album Palaces — the pair reunited in the studio last year for a session that quickly grew into an album. The mantra “Make it dumb” served as their North Star in the studio, challenging them to create a record that wasn’t limited by overthinking.

Fully co-written by Emma Louise and Flume, DUMB was built together from the ground up in regional northern New South Wales where they both live and create. Emma Louise finds new edges with this album, wrapping her intimate songwriting in Flume’s glitchy, wide-screen production.

Emma Louise is known for a career of continuous reinvention. The North Queensland-born artist has spent over a decade exploring the edges of songwriting and sound, shifting fluidly through phases of introspection, abstraction, and experimentation. From her debut album Vs Head Vs Heart, through the emotional directness of Supercry, to the radical shift of Lilac Everything — where she pitch-shifted her vocals down an octave and reimagined her identity as a singer entirely — Emma has always been an artist who follows instinct over expectation. She also paints, sculpts and creates across a myriad of mediums, and her music has always mirrored that same physical, handmade quality. With DUMB, she arrives somewhere new — not letting go of who she is but surrendering fully to Flume’s compositional world and following it as far as it would take her.

Flume is a Grammy-winning artist, producer and songwriter who exploded into global consciousness in 2011 when his early release ‘Sleepless’ captivated Australia and quickly spread around the world. Since then, he’s released three widely acclaimed studio albums, three cult favorite mixtapes and a handful of EPs, and won countless accolades including 13 Arias, two triple J Hottest 100 #1s and a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album. He is a global headliner who has played lineup-topping sets at festivals worldwide including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Osheaga, Outside Lands, Japan’s Summersonic, Italy’s C2C and many more. Flume is now busy working on his next project, a new studio album.

EMMA LOUISE AND FLUME—DUMB Tracklist
1. All Of The Worlds
2. Monsoon
3. Shine, Glow, Glisten
4. Feel Ur Love
5. Easy Goodbye
6. Stay
7. Whenever You Want
8. Homicide
9. Brand New
10. Truce

‘Shine, Glow, Glisten’ is available here now.

Emma Louise and Flume – DUMB

New album out 22 August (pre-order https://dumb.store/)

 

 

 

RISSA SHARES ELEGANT CUT ‘FOREVER’

Smooth, soulful, and full of yearning, Dharawal/Campbelltown R&B artist RISSA returns with her latest single ‘FOREVER’ – recorded at Offbeat Studios, Marrickville, and produced and mixed by Edy Liu. Leaning into her signature blend of silky vocals, skin-tingling harmonies and cosy bass lines, ‘FOREVER’ captures the emotional rush of falling for someone – and the quiet fear of not knowing if it’ll last. Drawing sonic comparisons to luminaires Cleo Sol, Mahalia, and Snoh Aalegra, RISSA exudes charm and vulnerability, narrating this ache of modern love.

“‘FOREVER’ encapsulates the moments and feelings in dating when you feel yourself falling for someone but are unsure if those feelings are just for now or forever,” shares RISSA. “Teaming up with New Zealand talents, Edy Liu and Sam V, we pieced together an R&B track full of soul. This one is for the yearners who want a forever kind of love!”

With a growing catalogue of heartfelt releases – from her 2023 debut EP ‘Made To Feel’ to recent singles ‘love me right’ and ‘Cinematic Feels’, RISSA continues to carve out a lane defined by emotional depth, vocal finesse, and undeniable soul. Her releases have garnered over 20 million Spotify streams and received extensive support from notable platforms, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, triple j, triple j Unearthed, Double J, ABC Pacific, The Music, Women In Pop, and more.

Inspired by the worlds of R&B and Gospel, Polynesian/Australian artist RISSA sings about her real-life experiences and translates them through lush blends of soulful melodies, gospel choir harmonies, and rhythmic grooves. Building up the community around her, RISSA is claiming her place as a leading emerging R&B/Soul artist, both nationally and internationally.

‘FOREVER’ is available worldwide now

Click to stream ‘FOREVER’

FOLLOW RISSA
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | UNEARTHED
SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | AMAZON MUSIC | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

 

 

 

HARRY HAYES RELEASES NEW EP ‘BEFORE IT GOES’

Today, rising Australian producer Harry Hayes unveils his most complete and compelling work to date. ‘Before It Goes’ is a six-track EP that captures an artist stepping fully into his identity. Leading record ‘Hol’ Up’ guided by instinct, emotional clarity, and a refusal to be boxed in by genre. The project weaves together elements of indie, jungle and classic club textures into one cohesive and high-impact journey.

Following singles ‘Forest’, ‘More Of You’, and the just-dropped ‘Get ‘Em Up’, the full EP has already made waves with global and local tastemakers; ‘More Of You’ landing multiple spins on BBC Radio 1 with Danny Howard, Pete Tong, and Jack Saunders. Caribou has championed the project on his world tour, spinning ‘Get Em Up’ at his New York roller rink pop-up, and inviting Harry to join him as the official support act on his January 2025 Australian tour.

The connection between the two artists also led to Harry remixing Caribou’s ‘Broke My Heart’ for a release on City Slang and Merge, reinforcing his rising reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting genre-melding producers.

“Being a young artist and finding my sound can feel pretty overwhelming,” Harry says. “This EP is about letting go of that pressure and just creating what feels right before it disappears. ‘Before It Goes’ is the first body of work that truly feels like me.”

Opening track ‘Mind, Body, Soul’ has already found early champions across global dance floors, with Joy Anonymous and Duskus playing the track at a recent show in London. With additional DJ support on the EP from heavyweights DJ Seinfeld, Higgo, Jasper Tygner, Tibasko, Bag Raiders and Young Franco, further underlining the project’s immediate impact within the club circuit.

Following a recent feature on triple j Mix Up Exclusive and previous support across Home & Hosed, Mornings, House Party, and around the globe on Rinse FM, KISS FM, and George FM; Harry Hayes continues to shape his own lane in Australia’s electronic landscape. With each release, Harry further blurring the lines between introspective songwriting and peak-time club energy.

Stay connected with Harry Hayes: INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | BANDCAMP

 

 

 

SHEA FISHER “OW IN COWBOY” (Single)

There’s an undeniable spark that follows Shea Fisher—equal parts grit, charm, and a deep connection to her roots. From her rodeo upbringing in Australia to her life now on a Texas ranch, Shea’s journey as a singer-songwriter has always been intertwined with real life: the highs, the heartbreaks, the hustle—and the joy. It’s that blend of authenticity and attitude that makes her newest single, “Ow in Cowboy”, the perfect next chapter in her story.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE

Co-written with her longtime friend and #1 country hitmaker Walker Hayes, “Ow in Cowboy” is a high-energy, boot-stomping track full of humor and heart.

“We finished it in under an hour,” says Shea. “It’s one of those feel-good songs that had us laughing the whole time. I kept the demo tucked away for a few years, but I always felt like it was something the world needed to hear. Because let’s be honest—we could all use a little more fun these days.”

The release follows the momentum of Shea’s comeback single, “Take Me Back to Texas,” a poignant ballad co-written with Grammy Award-winning Jessie Jo Dillion and Karyn Rochelle (Garth Brooks’ longtime harmony singer) that marked her return to music after several years focused on family and business. The track resonated widely, earning multiple media appearances and spotlighting Shea’s ability to blend deep emotion with strong storytelling. Its music video—filmed on her family ranch near Fort Worth—offered a glimpse into the life she’s built and the place she calls home. The success of the single sparked a major surge in online engagement (@sheafishermusic), with her social media following growing rapidly as fans reconnected with her story and sound.

Shea’s path to country music stardom has never followed a formula. Born in Australia to rodeo royalty—her father a champion bull rider, her mother a barrel racing champion—Shea spent her childhood on the rodeo circuit, competing from the age of five. A formative two-year move to the U.S. during her dad’s time on the PBR Bud Light Cup Tour took her to Nashville and Texas, planting the seeds for her future in country music.

At 19, Shea became one of Australia’s youngest country stars, earning #1 hits on the Country Charts with songs like “Just the Excuse” and “Everyday Girl.” That success brought her back to Nashville, where she signed with Stroudavarious Records and landed a Top 20 CMT video with “Don’t Chase Me,” followed by the release of “Suitcase” and “Don’t Chase Me,” both of which earned significant airplay on CMT and GAC. When the label unexpectedly closed, Shea chose to stay in the States, building her career—and life—on her own terms.

Today, Shea lives in Texas with her husband, World Champion Tie Down Roper Tyson Durfey, and their three children. She’s a successful entrepreneur, having built Shea Baby, a children’s fashion line now in over 2,500 stores nationwide, and Shea Michelle Buckles, a custom silversmith company creating one-of-a-kind rodeo buckles for clients across the country. Her wellness brand, Fit with Shea, empowers women through fitness, nutrition, and body confidence. While pursuing these ventures, Shea also returned to her rodeo roots, once again competing in barrel racing and winning several pro rodeos in recent years.

But music remains at the heart of it all.

Even with a full plate, music never left her heart. In 2024, Fisher made a conscious decision to return to the studio with a renewed sense of honesty, energy, and life experience, fueling her most authentic and dynamic music yet. Since then, she has steadily built momentum with numerous press appearances and standout performances, including singing the national anthem at the Texas Rangers game in June 2025 and captivating 20,000+ fans at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

“Ow in Cowboy” is just one of several new songs slated for release, including “The Truck,” a country-pop-rock anthem co-written with hit songwriter Jaron Boyer (Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley).

Shea’s return isn’t just about chasing chart positions—it’s about claiming her space.

“At first, I wondered if it was too late to come back,” she says. “But now I realise women like me—mums, entrepreneurs, dreamers—we have stories to tell. And people are listening.”

Stream the audio files for “Ow In Cowboy” here.

 

 

 

TOM BUSBY DROPS ANOTHER TASTE OF FORTHCOMING  DEBUT SOLO ALBUM WITH NEW SINGLE  ‘LOTTERY’

Beloved singer songwriter Tom Busby has today released his new single Lottery, (out now) offering his fans another slice of what’s to come from his much anticipated debut solo album, Rockhampton Hangover.

Lottery, produced by indie icon Ben Kweller and recorded in Texas, follows his previous tracks, Cyclone, Someone Strong and his debut solo single Waiting For Tomorrow, which achieved over 30K streams in the first weeks of release.

On discussing the new single Tom explains, “It’s all about finding joy in the little wins. For some people, that’s hitting the jackpot – for me, it’s moments with my family, music, freedom, and feeling alive. It’s easily the most thumping track on the album – loud, loose, and built for the stage… and who doesn’t love a whistle hook? This one’s a belter”.

With Tom’s raw, authoritative vocals and a gift for telling deeply human stories, anticipation is high for the new album which is certain to cement his place as a distinct and compelling voice in country music, owning his space with conviction and soul.

You can catch Tom performing live at the charity event Our Moon’s Mission on Saturday August 9 at Peregian Springs in Queensland and he will also be joining the lineup on Lighthouse Rock in Burnett Heads, the event taking place on October 18.

TOM BUSBY UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS

Saturday 9th August – Our Moon’s Mission Charity event –  Peregian Springs QLD Tickets here

Saturday 18th Oct – Lighthouse Rock – Burnett Heads, QLD Tickets here

ABOUT TOM BUSBY: Tom Busby is a cherished singer-songwriter from the Gold Coast, Australia.

As part of the celebrated folk duo Busby Marou, Tom and his bandmate Jeremy Marou have been playing sold-out venues, stacking up certified Gold and Platinum Records, and earning nods from APRA and ARIA including 4 x Song Of The Year Awards, an ARIA Number 1 Album with their 2017 release ‘Postcards From The Shell House’, and 3 x Top 5 ARIA charting albums

In February 2026 Tom is stepping into the solo spotlight and debuting his album ‘Rockhampton Hangover’, featuring the singles ‘Waiting For Tomorrow’, ‘Someone Strong’, ‘Cyclone’ and ‘Lottery’. Recorded in Texas and produced by Ben Kweller, Tom has created his most personal, unfiltered work to date and it is set to be one of the standout albums of the year.

Connect with Tom Busby: Website    Instagram   Facebook   YouTube   Tik Tok

 

 

 

WATTMORE ‘I DON’T MISS THAT WOMAN’ (Single)

Brisbane’s favourite brotherly troublemakers, Wattmore, are back — and they’ve brought a grudge, a guitar, and a full tank of diesel. Their new single “I Don’t Miss That Woman” hits on August 1st and it’s got everything a good breakup needs: the ex, the truck, and the full-throttle emotional chaos of watching it all disappear in your side mirror.

Co-written with Australian songwriting icon Allan Caswell, this track doesn’t just break up — it breaks down, burns rubber, and blows a gasket. It’s a farewell letter written in smoke and exhaust fumes, delivered with grit and a deadpan smirk.

What Does It Sound Like?
If your steering wheel had feelings. If sarcasm could play power chords.
If heartbreak showed up wearing steel-capped boots and didn’t knock.

Who Helped Put This Thing in Gear?
Legendary producer Lindsay Waddington pulled together a crew of Australia’s most dangerous pickers and players — the kind of musicians who don’t read charts, they read road signs.

Who Are Wattmore?
Wattmore are two brothers from a trucking family who communicate primarily through guitar solos and well-timed eye rolls. Their songs come fully loaded with grit, side-eye, and the occasional emotional ambush.

Expect dry humour, zero small talk, and the kind of honesty that makes PR departments uncomfortable.

Social Media & Website Links

https://www.facebook.com/wattmoreband

https://www.instagram.com/wattmoreband

https://x.com/wattmoreband

https://www.youtube.com/@wattmoreband

https://www.wattmore.band

 

 

 

JAMAICA MOANA Shares Debut EP BUD & DENI

Sydney-based queer rap sensation Jamaica Moana today releases her long-awaited debut EP, BUD & DENI, alongside the explosive new single ‘FINALE (feat. Kevin Jz Prodigy)’, out now via Pointer Recordings. A bold voice in music and fashion, Jamaica Moana fuses her vibrant Māori and Samoan heritage with an unapologetic queer identity, creating a sound and presence that defy convention. With this debut project, she marks a transformative new chapter, BUD & DENI is not only a sonic rebirth but a declaration of creative power. Jamaica’s EP launch will take place at The Red Rattler Theatre in Marrickville, Sydney, fittingly, the very venue where parts of the EP were born during a 2023 writing residency. Tickets are on sale now here.

Jamaica Moana’s new single ‘FINALE’ features Kevin Jz Prodigy, a celebrated ballroom commentator, music producer, and singer from Philadelphia. Kevin’s iconic voice was sampled on Madonna’s Celebration Tour during her performance of ‘Vogue’ in 2023. He gained widespread recognition through Beyoncé’s Renaissance album and world tour, where Beyoncé herself called him the “heartbeat of the Renaissance Tour,” with his voice featured prominently throughout the show and the concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.

Named after her parents, BUD & DENI is a deeply personal journey through ancestry, identity, and transformation. Each track is inspired by Māori deities (ĀTUA)—from earth and wind to ocean, sky, dance, and fire—tracing a powerful arc of self-discovery and creative awakening. The project boasts a stellar lineup of collaborators, including acclaimed producers and artists Milan Ring, Pookie, Jannah Beth, Maribelle (Vetta Bourne), and June Jones, with a show stopping feature from Philadelphia ballroom legend Kevin Jz Prodigy. Together, they help cement Jamaica Moana’s place as one of the most exciting and boundary-pushing voices in contemporary music.

BUD & DENI features previous singles, ‘GIVE INTO MY FEARS’, LIVIN’ OUT WEST‘, ‘KEEP IT REAL‘, and ‘TUGGAWAR‘. Speaking on the creation of EP, Jamaica shares;

“I knew this EP had to begin with loss and go from there. Bud & Deni are my parents. I grew up calling my father Bud (rhymes with good, short for buddha) and my mother Deni (short for Denise). They are the reason I was born, so my first-born EP is named after them.

This EP feels like the collection of my vast intersection of life through one formed story. I have many pieces of my life that individually are challenged by societal norms, but collectively accepted in the form of Jamaica Moana. For example, people still think living out west is a disadvantage but when it’s a part of my story, they like it. With this template, I’ve seen people who don’t understand QPOC, yet through my music – they somehow can understand me beyond our differences.

The EP tracks 6 different genres, but is a linear storyline, like 6 unique siblings that share the same blood.”

Fresh off a blistering triple j BARS appearance, standout headline sets at Sydney’s Phoenix Central Park and Sissy Ball, and a special guest spot at DEVAURA’s April launch show, Jamaica Moana has had a powerful start to the year. Add to that a recent appearance at Dark Mofo and upcoming performances at SXSW Sydney, a panel discussion at BIGSOUND and The Others Way Festival in Aotearoa / New Zealand, and it’s clear she’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Beyond her music, Jamaica Moana stands as a pivotal figure in Australia’s ballroom community. As the Co-founder and resident commentator of The West Ball, she has created vital spaces like upcoming West Ball 6 to champion and celebrate young queer talent. Her influence extends into fashion, where she’s modelled for visionary designers including Nicol & Ford, Jordan Gogos, and Erik Yvon, appearing in Australian Fashion Week and captivating audiences with her bold presence. A multidisciplinary artist living and working across Dharawal and Gadigal Country of the Eora Nation, Jamaica remains spiritually connected to her ancestral lands of Hokianga and Waikato in Aotearoa. She has lit up stages at FBi Radio SMAC Fest, Kooky, Kira Puru’s Club Crush, and shared lineups with artists such as Cakes Da Killa, Junglepussy, and Ngaiire. Whether through her commanding live performances, innovative artistic vision, or role as a muse, model, and cultural leader, Jamaica Moana continues to redefine creative expression and inspire a generation.

Stream / Purchase BUD & DENI: https://jamaicamoana.lnk.to/budanddeni
The Red Rattle Theatre Sydney EP Launch Ticket: https://events.humanitix.com/jamaica-moana-bud-and-deni-with-special-guests

2025 Live Dates:

Saturday 6 September – BUD & DENI EP Launch – The Red Rattler, Eora/Sydney Tickets on sale here

Jamaica Moana Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

 

 

 

Experience ‘Parasol’: Tim Hart’s Highly Anticipated EP has arrived.

Dive into a rich tapestry of sound from the Boy & Bear co-founder, exploring life’s beauty, adventure, and escapism. We’re excited to announce that Tim Hart, singer-songwriter and founding member of Boy & Bear, has just released his new EP, Parasol – out now!

A deeply personal and sonically rich offering, Parasol is a self-produced EP that invites listeners into a vivid and immersive musical landscape. With sweeping melodies and lyrical introspection, the record explores themes of love, loss, hope, and escapism, each track carrying a sense of quiet wonder and emotional depth.

The focus track, “Sapphire,” stands out as a glowing centrepiece, showcasing Tim’s ability to blend warmth and movement into layered arrangements that shimmer with feeling. Across the EP, lush instrumentation and carefully crafted textures create a sense of motion and atmosphere, as though each song is its own story unfolding in real time.

Recorded and mixed in his adopted hometown of Brisbane at Prawn Records and his own Terrace Tone studio, Parasol reflects the freedom and intimacy of Hart’s solo creative process. Of the recording experience, Tim shares: “I think that locking yourself away to record alone brings about a very different result to being in a room with a collection of artists. I love both processes, but working alone and letting your mind wander and explore for me , is such an exciting way of making music. I’ve always felt that songwriting and recording are ways to escape and explore within ourselves and much like reading, they can transport you to other worlds and paint pictures in the mind. This to me really does more often than not leave me with a feeling of great fulfilment and happiness. I hope people experience the same when listening to the EP.”

With Parasol, Tim Hart offers not only new music, but an invitation to pause, to reflect, and to drift a little further into the beauty of the unknown.

 

 

 

YOUTH GROUP RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE THE JOKE. ANNOUNCE ALBUM BIG WHOOP – RELEASED OCTOBER 10

20 years on from the recording of their ARIA number 1 single ‘Forever Young’, beloved Sydney band Youth Group drops a new single ‘The Joke’ and announce a new album ‘Big Whoop’, scheduled for release on October 10, along with a run of headline shows from October 31 to November 8.  Impressed Recordings is releasing the album in conjunction with Cassell Records.

‘The Joke’ is classic Youth Group: a deftly observed story of growing up in the Sydney suburbs set to a soaring melody and a jangly, driving sound.

The forthcoming record ‘Big Whoop’ combines this familiar Youth Group magic with some new explorations into a more dance-rock feel – as previewed on the 2024 single ‘Siberia’ – with journeys into a dark synth and beats world with long-time friend and producer Wayne Connolly. It’s a fresh approach for Youth Group and some say, their best record yet.

Impressed’s Luke Bevans expressed today, “Impressed Recordings in conjunction with Cassell Records is so proud to provide Youth Group with a home for their latest album Big Whoop. One of our favourite Australian bands with an incredible album brimming with Sydchester melody”.

2025 also marks the 20th anniversary of their recording of ‘Forever Young’, which went on to become Australia’s first number 1 single on the ARIA Digital Singles Chart. Before ‘Forever Young’, though, Youth Group were already a much-loved indie rock band on Australia’s underground touring circuit. With two albums under their belt, their debut ‘Urban & Eastern’ and 2004’s follow-up ‘Skeleton Jar’, the band had built a solid reputation for sharply observed lyrics and a wistful, chiming and effervescent sound.

Formed at the end of the twentieth century in Sydney’s inner-west, it was 2004’s ‘Skeleton Jar’ that really started to spread the word about Youth Group, and the skill and depth of the extraordinary songwriting on show turned listeners into true believers. Scoring four and five star reviews, it also made fans out of Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla (who invited Youth Group on tour with them in the US), the music director of then hit drama ‘The O.C.’ (who featured the band’s song ‘Shadowland’ and their version of ‘Forever Young’ in the TV show) and world-renowned LA label Epitaph, who signed the band to their roster for the US/Europe.

The band went on to release two more acclaimed albums, 2006’s ‘Casino Twilight Dogs’ which spawned crowd favourites ‘Start Today Tomorrow’ and ‘Daisychains’, and 2008’s ‘The Night Is Ours’, and toured the country supporting Coldplay on the UK rockers’ 2006 Australian arena tour.

After a decade long absence, Youth Group returned in 2019 with ‘Australian Halloween’, propelled by singles ‘Cusp’ and ‘Erskineville Nights’.  The album received glowing reviews and was anointed Album of the Week and one of the Top 50 Albums of 2019 by Double J, all proof that the band had lost none of their charm while they’d been gone.

Through the travails of covid and distance (drummer Danny lives in the US), the band carved out pockets of time to work on ‘Big Whoop’ with Connolly. The record is full of surprising delights – songs about new parental angst, memories of Canberra teenage years, meditations on middle-age – all set to a driving Sydchester sound.

YOUTH GROUP – 2025 TOUR DATES

Tickets on sale now

Ticket Price: $35 NET + BF pre / $40 NET door (+ BF if applicable)

Ticket + Digital Download Bundle: $36 NET + BF ($35 NET Ticket + $1 Digital Download + BF)

Ticket + Vinyl bundle: $99.99 NET + BF ($35 ticket + $64.99 vinyl + BF)

FRI 31 OCT – LANSDOWNE HOTEL, SYDNEY
Special Guests: The S-ft F-cus, 78 Saab, Lisa Caruso
Tickets here

SAT 01 NOV – VALLEY LOFT, BRISBANE
Special Guests: The S-ft F-cus, Greg Brady and The Anchors
Tickets here

FRI 07 NOV – MILK BAR, PERTH
Special Guests: The S-ft F-cus, Jae Laffer (The Panics)
Tickets here

SAT 08 NOV – NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB
Special Guests: The S-ft F-cus, Hannah Cameron
Tickets here

Connect with Youth Group: Facebook  |  Instagram

 

 

 

MOONSEA Finds Magic In Single ‘Power Cut’ and Music Video

moonsea invites you into a flickering world of feeling with her new single ‘Power Cut’ and accompanying music video.

Born in Manchester, UK, moonsea spent her school years in Auckland before moving to Melbourne in 2013 to study medicine, where she began to experiment with music production and released two EPs under her first artist project Sympholily: Lights (2017) and Baby Blue (2020). Since then, she’s blossomed into moonsea and found her signature sound: a blend of classical, electronic and pop rock sounds soaked in nostalgia.

Her newest single is a tender ballad with an old soul, pulling you into its universe with bird-like synths twittering over lilting keys and guitars. ‘Power Cut’ is easy to get lost in, with its ephemeral layering, vivid storytelling, and moonsea’s angelic vocals. This single feels like a slow dance, an intimate moment between two people who were meant to be.

A love song to the magic built into the mundane, ‘Power Cut’ pays homage to the romance that can be found in all parts of life with the right person, and makes a wish for it to never fade.

“As a child I always felt there was something a bit exciting about a power cut… in those hours of darkness, huddled on the living room floor with our half-burned candles, it felt like time had stopped and we’d entered an alternate reality. This was a universe for telling secrets and holding hands, and I had the distinct feeling that anything might happen. I imagined what it might be like to be in such a situation with someone you were secretly in love with… The rest of the song blossomed from there.”

Its music video shares this feeling of intimacy, with handycam shots from the studio spliced between close-ups that feel like a conversation between moonsea and the viewer, and a colour palette that’s warm in spite of the darkness.

Find magic in the darkness with moonsea’s single, ‘Power Cut’, out now.

Follow moonsea Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Triple J Unearthed Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok

 

 

 

 

Cedarsmoke Paints With Many Shades In Their Single ‘Picasso Blue’ And Announce Album Release Date Out Friday, August 1 | Album ‘Under The Rainbow’ Out October 31

Fall into the melancholic waves of ‘Picasso Blue’, the newest single from Cedarsmoke. The single comes with the announcement of their third full-length album, ‘Under The Rainbow’, out October 31.

Since their 2016 debut, Cedarsmoke has left their impact on the Brisbane/Meanjin folk scene, with radio plays the country and attention from iconic music platforms such as Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, Double J, MTV,  Pilerats, The Music, AU Review, AAA Backstage, Hysteria Mag, Scenestr and more. Most recently, Cedarsmoke had the pleasure of supporting Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey at the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts.

With storytelling front-and-centre in their songs and their genre-bending sound that drifts between folk, indie, and country, every single release is an evolution of their sound.

The second taste of their upcoming album is ‘Picasso Blue’. Inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period, it begins with the suicide of Picasso’s friend, Carles Casagemas, and then ripples out into other art forms like the works of James Joyce, Stanley Kubrick and Miles Davis.

The sombre nature of the blue period is reflected in the song, with its slow country guitar, hazy vocals, with a musical howling in the background that lends the song its lonely feel. This song marches on through the face of adversity, with its muted, slow drumbeat, taking on an almost dreamlike quality. Singer-songwriter Jon Cloumassis shares that,

“Musically, this song was a chance to experiment. As each verse was set in a different world lyrically, the aim was to pair the new setting with a new arrangement, dramatically shifting the sound from a gentle melancholy to an experimental psychosis. “

As they prepare to release their third full-length album, ‘Under The Rainbow’ (out October 31), ‘Picasso Blue’ is Cedarsmoke at their finest, as they draw on history, literature and pop culture to explore the complexity of the human condition.

Cedarsmoke’s ‘Picasso Blue’ is out now.

Follow Cedarsmoke Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud

 

 

 

 

LUCA GEORGE ‘CRYING IN THE BATHROOM’ (SINGLE)

Recently back from supporting Peach PRC in the UK, Luca George blends melancholy with an infectious melody for his new single ‘Crying In The Bathroom’.

With raw honesty, ‘Crying In The Bathroom’ was co-written with Eddie Serafica (James Bay, David Guetta, Tom Grennan) and Aaron Smith (Don Diablo, Jonas Blue). Blending emotive lyrics and an up-beat tempo, Luca shares, “it’s about a relationship that consistently let me down. The song captures the chaos of feeling everything all at once, It’s the kind of song you dance to while secretly holding back tears.”

Teaming up again with director Devan Narsai, who created the video for ‘Better Apart’ , the ‘Crying In The Bathroom’ clip was filmed in Auckland, New Zealand and cinematically strips things back, slowing the pace, and focuses on simplicity and beauty. It captures the chaos of feeling everything all at once while breaking down in a house party bathroom.

Devan Narsai shares, “we chose to express the intensity of the song through Luca’s incredible performance. It’s more subtle, more internal—you feel that the real chaos is happening inside his head. The track explores the pain of a relationship that keeps letting you down, so we wanted to capture a moment that reflects that. We open in a bathroom mid-party, just after an argument or something deeply upsetting. It’s a quiet, reflective space—one where you’re asking yourself if this is even a relationship worth staying in. I didn’t want to cut away to different shots, as that would break the emotional flow we were building. That’s why we committed to a one-shot for 90% of the video—to let the performance breathe and allow the emotion to unfold in real time without interruption.

Watch the official music video clip ‘Crying In The Bathroom’

ABOUT LUCA GEORGE
Luca George has accumulated over 6 million total artist streams, and is generating a social audience of over 70,000 followers with 1 million listeners, including 40k on TikTok. ‘Better Apart’ received support from BBC Radio 1 Future Pop, The Hot Hits AU and playlisting on Spotify and Apple Music. The debut ‘You’ll Never Know Me Sober’ has amassed millions of streams, with the single ‘Suit Of Blue’ receiving a nomination at the 2024 Silver Scroll Awards (NZ). Troye Sivan hand-picked Luca as the only New Zealand artist chosen to take part in the APRA song-writing camp that he personally curated last year and Rolling Stone magazine named Luca one of the Future25 this year. He’s recently supported Peach PRC, and supports slots for Callum Scott and Harper Finn.

FOLLOW LUCA GEORGE HERE 

 

 

 

Perth-born, Nashville based pop artist FELICITY unveils sophomore EP ‘4PM IN THE MORNING’

Fast-rising pop singer/songwriter Felicity has today released the 2nd EP in her discography titled ‘4PM In The Morning’ –  containing 5 genre-bending, dynamic and impeccably written tracks including singles ‘Half Sad’, ‘I’ll Have What He’s Having’ & Denver Airport’.

Born and bred in Perth WA, Felicity has travelled the world trying to find the best place to foster her career – eventually landing herself in Nashville. Since then, Felicity has put in the work on her craft; signing to East Music Row Records and collaborating with some of the industry’s best and brightest – building an arsenal of unreleased songs in the process.

‘4PM In The Morning’ was written by Felicity alongside esteemed songwriter Asia Whiteacre (Louis Tomlinson, Hailee Steinfeld); artist/songwriter Johnny Gates & producer Austin Luther (Winona Fighter); and the years of experience within the songwriting team is immediately apparent.  Effortlessly weaving between high energy, pop-rock ballads (‘Bad Waste Of Good Oxygen’); to the densely layered, impeccably produced pop tracks (i’ll Have What He’s Having’, ‘Denver Airport’); ‘4PM In The Morning’ showcases Felicity’s diverse and dynamic range, as well as her incredibly powerful vocals.

On the name and concept of the EP, Felicity comments that; “I called the EP “4PM in the Morning”, it’s a line from one of the singles on the record, “Half Sad”, and I think it really captures where I’m at in my head/ life right now as well as when I was creating the record. The world feels like it’s turned on its head at the moment, up is down, day is night and all I can do is write songs and watch the sun come up cause I haven’t gone to bed yet.”

Felicity has gone from strength to strength since the release of her debut single ‘Burnt Sugar’ back in 2018. She has since risen to 6 million total streams (including 1.8 million for ‘Poison’ & 2.8 million for ‘Pilot With A Fear Of Heights’) and an impressive 30,000 combined social following. Her debut EP ‘You Take Me To Dinner But You’ll Never Feed My Soul’ released July 2024 was met with praise from all corners of the industry, including editorial playlist support from Spotify and media praise from Atwood, Pleaser Mag, Mundane Mag and The Skadoosh.

EP singles ‘Half Sad’ & ‘I’ll Have What He’s Having’ have already had a big impact on DSPs with adds to Spotify editorial playlists (New Music Friday, Pop N’ Fresh, Equal AU & NZ) & Apple Music playlists (Jazz Soul Cafe, New In Alternative, New In Pop), with over 30k combined streams already.

FELICITY: Website | Instagram | Youtube | Tik Tok 

 

 

JASON RESCH RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE & VIDEO ‘TALK OF THE TOWN’

Golden Guitar winner, songwriter, producer, and former Darlinghurst co-founder Jason Resch steps into the spotlight as a solo artist with the release of his debut single, ‘Talk Of The Town’ – a fresh, hook-laden track that marks a bold new chapter in his musical evolution. As Darlinghurst’s principal songwriter and co-producer, he helped shape their distinct sound, leading to multiple charting Country singles, an #1 ARIA Country Album, and a Golden Guitar Award for New Talent of the Year.

‘Talk Of The Town’ draws its inspiration from the rhythm of everyday conversation – the stories we hear, the way rumours swirl, and how drama often circles back as karma. Reflecting on the song’s theme, Jason says:

“I’ve always been fascinated by the way words travel – how something small can transform into something completely different, whether good or bad, truth or fiction. Sometimes, the truth gets in the way of a good story… but life has a funny way of sorting it all out and telling it better than we ever could.”

ARIA Award and Golden Guitar winners MSquared produced and mixed ‘Talk of the Town’. Jason’s creative partnership with MSquared began with Darlinghurst’s 2023 Top 10 single, ‘Pretty Doesn’t Make You Good’. Jason shares “Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis are just phenomenal at what they do. I can’t speak highly enough about MSquared – it was an absolute pleasure to work with them again.”

The ‘Talk Of The Town’ music video directed by Ian Ritter unfolds like a dreamscape set against the backdrop of the iconic Stick Shed, the WWII-era grain store in the country town Murtoa Victoria. A solitary girl presses play on her cassette walkman and slips into a sonic world where memory and imagination intertwine.

Jason’s song writing success extends beyond his work with Darlinghurst. At just 18, he moved to the UK and joined Xenomania, a successful British music production team. He co-wrote ‘The Promise’ for Girls Aloud, which won Best British Single at the 2009 BRIT Awards and earned an Ivor Novello nomination. He co-wrote ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ for Alesha Dixon, a major hit across the UK, Europe, and Australia, and ‘All Fired Up’ for The Saturdays, a UK Top 5 hit.

Additionally, Jason has co-written for Kylie Minogue, played guitar on Gabriella Cilmi’s global hit single, ‘Sweet About Me’, and contributed to the Pet Shop Boys’ Grammy nominated album Yes, co-writing and providing keyboards, programming, and guitar.

During his time overseas, Jason spent two years in Nashville, immersing himself in the heart of the country music scene.

With the release of ‘Talk Of The Town’, it signals a fresh creative era – distinctive, authentic, and unmistakably Jason Resch.

CONNECT WITH JASON RESCH www.jasonreschmusic.com

 

 

 

NO CIGAR reveal anticipated third studio LP ‘UNDER THE SURFACE’. Touring AU/NZ October & November

Having spent the last two years touring consistently through Aotearoa and beyond with their unbeatable brand of dynamic indie-rock music, NO CIGAR now embrace the release of their much-anticipated new project – album number three, Under The Surface.

An album jampacked with songs that speak to the band’s elevated chemistry as songwriters and performers, Under The Surface plucks at fresh sonic influences while driving home NO CIGAR’s curiosity for pushing themselves into new creative directions.

Featuring popular tracks including ‘Clean’, ‘Chantilly’, and ‘Best Behaviour’, Under The Surface provides the listener with multiple moments to lose themselves in. For fans of NO CIGAR who have been lucky enough to see the five-piece perform across the last year and a half, the kinetic energy woven through their live performances will recognise that same energy within the DNA of this album. For newcomers, consider Under The Surface as the perfect jump off point in discovering more about one of Aotearoa’s most exciting exports.

“Music is our escapism, it’s where we squeeze the poison, sucked from the wounds of love, life and pain. As songwriters, and for me as a lyricist, getting to open up in a place that feels safe, with the boys, feels cathartic in a way nothing else can. Like many people, I struggle to speak candidly with anyone about what haunts me most. Letting it out can feel like pushing a mouthful of emotions through a pinhole; therefore, I choose my words carefully, so as to leave no venom on the tongue.” NO CIGAR

Created at Auckland’s renowned Roundhead Studios, Under The Surface shines in the way the music incorporates new flavours (‘Merci Merci’, ‘Cherry Blossom Girl’), while also letting the personality of the songwriting take prominence. NO CIGAR’s music to date has spoken to the band’s natural talents as artists – a savvy knack of knowing how to build a sonic space that the listener gravitates towards with ease.

Under The Surface takes the lessons and experiences from recent years, particularly since the release of their last album – 2023’s The Great Escape – and distills them here into twelve tracks of fun, thoughtful and engaging music.

“Just as we’ve grown as people in the last few years since our first album, so too has the music. We never set out to make music that is ‘heavier’ or ‘softer’; we just find the time to lock ourselves away from the world, get comfortable, and open the floodgates. The way the heavier tones in the album balance nicely with softer numbers make for our most dynamic album to date. NO CIGAR like you’ve never seen it before.” NO CIGAR

The release of Under The Surface comes off the back of sold out tours across the UK and Aotearoa, with NO CIGAR’s impressive back catalogue continuing to resonate with increasingly large audiences in global markets – Australasia, Europe, North America and the UK.

To celebrate the release of Under The Surface, NO CIGAR will be touring Australia and New Zealand this October and November.

“We’re coming home Aussie (it feels like it anyway – we know you’ll claim us as your own some day). It’s been a minute. We love you, and can’t wait to share our brand new album with you. Prove to us why Aussie crowds are the best in the world. We’ll bring the noise, you bring the energy. Vise versa.”

NO CIGAR AUSTRALIA / NZ TOUR DATES

TICKETS

Thursday 23 October Mo’s Desert Clubhouse Gold Coast
Friday 24 October The Brightside Brisbane
Saturday 25 October Lansdowne Hotel Sydney SOLD OUT
Sunday 26 October Stag & Hunter Newcastle
Wednesday 29 October Lansdowne Sydney NEW SHOW
Thursday 30 October Amplifier Perth
Friday 31 October Torquay Hotel Torquay NEW SHOW
Saturday 1 November Night Cat Melbourne

NO CIGAR: OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIK TOK 

 

 

 

PETER CAMPBELL’ A LITTLE GRACE’ (SINGLE)

She was born running… to catch a brother… then a sister, then a brother, then another sister then another brother and another… running to please, to serve… to surrender. But the child sees the way of it. The child grows. Then the woman sees the truth of it, the pain of it, the hope of it… and the risk… but takes it anyway. No easy path, but her path.

A Little Grace tells of a woman’s journey from a difficult childhood, through a challenging adolescence to a confused adulthood, and her tenacious efforts to make her way on her own terms.

ABOUT PETER CAMPBELL: In a world craving authenticity, Australian singer-songwriter Peter Campbell cuts through the noise. In the words of his own song Pete has willingly carried a Burden of Hope for just on 60 years. Poetic and powerful, this music has a timelessness to it – a rare blend of infectious alt-folk and contemporary relevance in a call to action, connection and healing. It is strong music with a beating heart.

Evocative lyrics, rich melodies and a magnetic stage presence make for a performance that is as entertaining as it is compelling. Pete invites an audience to find connection in human experiences that are universal, moving it from tears to laughter and back again. Expect raucous participation, striking finger-style 6 string, feisty 12 string, tender banjo and arresting a cappella – a powerful reminder of music’s ability to heal and inspire.

Raised through the 50s on a diet of classical and 30s/40s pop he played the violin and sang – choirs, school musicals, round the piano at home. Following an uncle who was a renowned magician he took to the stage at as a magician himself at the age of 9, moving on to television as a ventriloquist. The power of communicating to an audience was intoxicating, even at that tender age.

By 15 he was writing and performing his own music at school. At 18 he was studying architecture at the University of Sydney with Lloyd Rees, Guy Warren, Rod Millgate and Graham (Auntie Jack) Bond as his art/design tutors. At that time the student theatrical production the Architecture Review was legendary, and he was a serious player in the 1969 edition, The Great Wall of Porridge. All this led to the professional theatre when invited invited to join Graham and Rory O’Donoghue in the cast in the Philip Theatre production, A Candy Striped Balloon, and the ABC film, A Man on a Green Bike.

Purchasing his first ‘real’ guitar with the cash from these productions (a Maton Southern Star 12 String) and began performing at concerts and the many folk clubs around Sydney. His first album Of Time and Its Distance was recorded in Brisbane in the mid 1970s introducing him to folk legend Noel Paul Stookey (Paul of Peter, Paul & Mary fame). Stookey then produced his second album, Across the Border, at his Henhouse Studio in Blue Hill, Maine, USA. PP&M covered his song Wild Places on their album Such is Love and he toured with them.

In 2020 Pete wrote Waited Too Long which became the anthem for the United Nations International Summit on Domestic/Family Violence in the COVID-19 Era, a three-day online conference out of New York attended by leaders and experts from 47 countries and opened by Pope Francis. While some have called it the saddest song in the world, the intimate observation and cinematic detail in Waited Too Long are the hallmarks of his potency as a songwriter.

2025 sees the release of Peter Campbell’s startling fifth album, Burden of Hope, produced and engineered by Australian music legend Brendan Gallagher. With the world in turmoil the task of remaining hopeful is urgent and seriously hard work.

This collection speaks to the heart of our times without flinching. From the rollicking hilarity of the politically incisive Same Science (recorded live) to the wistful yearnings of Half the World Away and I’m Not Saying, the overtones of country in Waiting on the Weather and Brindabella Blue, the passionate Coat of Many Colours and the almost savage title track, Burden of Hope, these songs weave through the landscape of our shared humanity, keeping unerring focus on compassion and love.

In parallel to his music, Peter is an architectural graduate, graphic designer, photographer, glass artist, magician and ventriloquist. Music has always been the passion, but his creative life has expanded into many other areas.

He performed in professional theatre and film with Australian comic legend Grahame (Auntie Jack) Bond and created ‘The Mugic Man’ – an uproarious kids show combining magic, ventriloquism and wild banjo.

He has designed architectural glass environments for cathedrals, residences and institutions, created destination brands and wayfinding systems for cities, regions and towns, and undertaken large photographic projects exploring the social impact of industrial change. The Biscuit Factory, a photographic essay on the closure of the Westons Biscuit Factory in Sydney’s Camperdown, was celebrated in a major exhibition at the Museum of Sydney.

www.petercampbell.au
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/petercampbellsongs

 

 

 

SELVE RAVE-ROCK INTO THE SURREAL AND SURRENDER TO DANCE WITH ‘STRANGE ROMANCE’; ANNOUNCE BREAKING INTO HEAVEN ALBUM TOUR + World first Abbey Road-recorded LP by an Aboriginal artist out independently 12 Sep

Following the sold-out “standout” (Best of Brisbane) exclusive live debut of their forthcoming second album Breaking Into Heaven (12 Sep), the first full-length album by an Aboriginal artist ever recorded at Abbey Road, Gold Coast (Yugambeh/Kombumerri)-based six-piece SELVE – led by proud Jabirr Jabirr man Loki Liddle (he/him) – today share yet another side of the record in ‘Strange Romance’ and announce their impending Breaking Into Heaven album tour, with dates in so-called QLD, NSW & VIC across Sep-Nov and supports for Winston Surfshirt and Velvet Trip (all details below). Inspired by the band’s time in Berlin, ‘Strange Romance’ casts a moody, infectious dance spell; contrasting the hyper-camp ‘Loki Horror Picture Show‘ and the roaring rock of the album’s title track and lead single as the band intentionally “keep people guessing” – each single a refraction of the light, displaying a new hue in the many colours of the history-making record while maintaining a central dualism of subversion and love. ‘Strange Romance’ is out now – listen / watch HERE; Breaking Into Heaven is out 12 September – pre-order on vinyl / pre-save HERE.

Tickets for Selve’s official Breaking Into Heaven album tour are available with most dates boasting free entry – here – further details below – as they prepare to bring their “lively” (Rolling Stone) singular blend of “mystery, intrigue and damn good rock & roll” (Scenestr) with “levels of throwaway fun right on the money” (Paul McBride) to dates across so-called QLD, VIC and NSW spanning late September through mid November 2025 – plus supports for Velvet Trip this month and Winston Surfshirt in September, with plenty more surprises to come.

Strutting down a neon-lit runway with electrifying magnetism, ‘Strange Romance’ blends elements of electronica and rock in an undulating haze, driven by a filthy dance beat, deep synth bass and buzzy guitar, featuring lush duet vocals from Liddle and the band’s Creation Saffigna (she/they). Drawing from inspirations like zombie movies, post-2020 club classics, Depeche Mode, and LCD Soundsystem and deeply influenced by the band’s time in Berlin while travelling around the world writing Breaking Into Heaven, the release “celebrates the great legacy of First Nations dance” via a surreal global transformation compelling all humans on earth to surrender to instinct and move their bodies – with a sense of ecstasy and romance unfolding as Selve shed the skin of the old and rave-rock into the new: a sonic incarnation of the “electrifying experience” they were having while creating it.

It lands alongside a video co-directed by Liddle and collaborator Joshua Tate (they/them – Kate Miller-Heidke & Jaguar Jonze, Sycco, Mia Wray) shot on Bundjalung Country that further expands the band’s SCU (Selve Cinematic Universe) as an unanswered non-linear drama surrounding Liddle’s space-suited-up astronaut character introduced via videos for ‘Breaking Into Heaven‘ and ‘Loki Horror Picture Show‘ – drawn from his forthcoming poetry book Damn Good Television (due 2026) – continues to unfold, seeing him sprint through the green cane fields while reality bends and shifts into a realm where dance is everything. The clip is made “120% deadlier” by showcasing the power of First Nations dance via the work of Karul Projects – who also appeared in the ‘Breaking Into Heaven‘ clip and the immersive visuals at Selve’s exclusive live album preview last week, which featured the band playing the album in full alongside the 33-piece Australian Session Orchestra at BLEACH* Festival – and is stylistically inspired by 00s visuals from The Presets, The Prodigy & Chemical Brothers.

Loki Liddle explains: “Strange Romance is an interstellar voyage that takes the animal within on a trip to outer space. We wanted to showcase the depth and dimension that comes from the great legacy of First Nations dance. Inspired by our time flying around the world in the creation of this album, from Broome to France, London to Berlin and back, we strove to really just make a super badass EDM rock banger that communicated the electrifying experiencing that we were having, with the goal of spreading that feeling like wildfire.  Dance has been at the heart of our communities since time immemorial, so it seemed only natural to wed the song to it, and hand this one largely over to the incredible Karul Projects – who we were lucky enough to work with again – to conjure the spine tingling magic that the song called for, and take it 10 levels further. It’s of course tied to the SCU – with our astronaut character running through cane fields, cutting between a dark void and green fields to mirror the strange magic of the song. As to how exactly it all fits in, you’ll just have to wait to see the other videos! In the meantime, we hope you catch the Strange Romance bug.”

*FLASH WARNING*

 WATCH: Selve – ‘Strange Romance‘

Breaking Into Heaven, the first full-length album to ever be recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios by an Aboriginal artist, is anchored and inspired by Nina Simone’s words that “‘The people who built their heaven on your land, are telling you that yours is in the sky” – a powerful testament of First Nations stories, music and culture breaking into the spaces that have been stolen or denied to them and traditionally reserved for the select few. A rude interruption of regular programming and a bold declaration of love and resistance that is both unapologetically playful and grounded by a powerful message, Breaking Into Heaven is a high-theatre showcase of punk/post-punk and rock, indie-pop, new-wave, psych and beyond, self-produced by the band’s Scott French with trusted collaborator film & TV composer Simon Benesch (of French techno-rock band FAIRE) – who also produced Red Desert Dream – recorded with Abbey Road studio engineer Thomas Briggs (Little Simz, Sam Fender, Kojey Radical), and mastered by Matt Colton (Fontaines D.C., The Cure, Foals), tied together with rebellion and compassion – punctuating and refracting the listener’s consciousness like a glass brick through a window. With a variegated palette that values being radical and pushing boundaries as much as it does playfulness and love, inspired by the spirit of albums like Tyler the Creator’s Chromokopia, Fontaines D.C.’s Romance and Childish Gambino’s Bando Stone + The New World and the live performances of Massive Attack and LCD Soundsystem – Breaking Into Heaven continues Selve’s exploration of the characters and themes found across their past releases and Liddle’s own forthcoming poetry work Damn Good Television (to be released in 2026).

Penned over the course of a 3-stage residency between Broome, France and London, culminating in recording at Abbey Road’s most infamous studio in the world – studio 3, the same that birthed Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon utilising all manner of gear – including the same piano that was on ‘A Day In the Life‘, 200,000 pounds worth of microphones, a Fender Rhodes, Prophet synth and a “crazy” original Mellotron – the first demoes came from inspiration trips to Loki Liddle’s Jabirr Jabirr Country, who says this “gave the record its soul – taking the embers of songs sparked on my Jabirr Jabirr Country and recording that at Abbey Road, this amazing ideal and root of Rock N Roll mythology: a reclamation, reimaging and subversion of that ideal through an inspired First Nations lens has taken place” with the band breaking triumphantly “into a constructed ‘heaven’ to a platform a First Nations story” – stealing the pen back from the stealer and authoring a new fate across the sky above.

Across Breaking Into Heaven’s previously released singles, their Snake of Light EP (2019), debut album Red Desert Dream (2023) and last year’s World Wide Wave EP, Selve have attracted praise from ABC News Breakfast, triple j, SBS, Ones To Watch US, 7Weekender, NITV, The Music, National Indigenous Times, Rolling Stone with the band recently featured in their In My Room live session series, Koori Mail, Backseat Mafia UK, The AU Review, Atwood Magazine US, AIR, Happy Magazine, AAA Backstage, CheckCheck, Somersault Magazine, Reverie AU, Inside Gold Coast, Livewire AU, Charlie In The Rain, The Point Music News, The Underground Stage, Side Stage Music, Scenestr, podcasts Alt Down Under and 78 Amped and many more – with collective adds for Breaking Into Heaven album singles across rage (Feature Video), triple j Unearthed (featured as Spotlight Artist / Track of the Week), iHeart Local Sounds Radio, Edge Radio, Radio Adelaide, RTRFM Feature Sounds, Triple A 98.9, Koori Radio, RDU 98.5 FM (Aotearoa) and Radio ORF (Austria), strong airplay with community radio including Triple R, PBSFM, SYN FM, 2SER, 3CR, 3KND, Joy 94.9, CAAMA, 4ZZZ (both peaking at #1 most-played) and beyond like ABC Radio Gold Coast – plus DSP playlisting via Spotify’s cover of Fresh Finds AU & NZ, Fresh Finds US, Indie GO, Local Noise, Indie Arrivals, Blak Australia, The Streets of Your Town, New Music Friday AU & NZ, Turn Up Aus, The Office Stereo, Original Storytellers, Big Ancestor Energy, All New Rock FR, Indie Brandnue DE, Apple Music’s Breaking Rock, FIRST, New In Rock, New In Alternative, New Music Daily plus Amazon Music’s Blak Loud.

Selve – Jabirr Jabirr man Loki Liddle (Lead vocals/Guitar – he/him), Anaiwan man Reece Bowden (Lead Guitar – he/him), Creation Saffigna (Vocals – she/they), Michael Baldi (Drums – he/him), Scott French (Bass Guitar – he/him) and Liam Kirk (Keyboards – he/him) are close friends who have continued to assert themselves as a formidable force of easy creative chemistry, capable of brewing an inimitably tantalising musical soup of sounds, cinematic aesthetics, characters and themes thanks to a shared curiosity, disparate influences and the freedom to “paint however they like with their instrument”, each continually expanding their scope via outside projects across poetry, acting, visual arts, sound design and crafts. Completing tours around their debut album Red Desert Dream and the World Wide Wave EP last year – nationally and in the EU/UK – Selve recently cemented their immersive, spectacularly wild and engaging live reputation via their exclusive live pre-album release spectacular at HOTA which saw the band perform Breaking Into Heaven live in full for the first time ever, alongside the 33-piece Australian Session Orchestra, complete with lasers and fully immersive visuals featuring Karul Projects; previously playing at SXSW Sydney, BIGSOUND, Woodford Folk Festival, BLAK DAY OUT, Springtime Festival, Brisbane Festival, Horizon Festival, Valley Fiesta and beyond, performing on bills with the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, Matt Corby, Mo’Ju, Meg Washington, Electric Fields, Barkaa, Shakaya, The Cat Empire, Tia Gostelow, Mildlife, Alice Skye and more, claiming the Gold Coast Music Award in 2021 and a nomination for the QMusic Billy Thorpe Scholarship in the same year.

This project has been supported by the Queensland and Australian Government through Arts Queensland and Creative Australia.

WATCH: Selve x Rolling Stone – In My Room

Selve – Breaking Into Heaven out independently Fri 12 September Pre-save / pre-order

SELVE – BREAKING INTO HEAVEN ALBUM TOUR + LIVE DATES Tickets available here

*most album tour dates free entry

Thurs 14 Aug – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse – Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country QLD *^
Fri 26 Sep – Princess Theatre – Meanjin/Brisbane, Turrbal & Jagera Country QLD *^^
Sat 27 Sep – Gloucester Country Club – Gloucester, Guringai Watoo & Kabook Country NSW
Thu 2 Oct – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel – Mulubinba/Newcastle, Awabakal & Worimi Country NSW
Sat 4 Oct – Vic On The Park – Eora/Sydney, Gadigal Country NSW
Fri 10 Oct – Felons Barrel Hall – Meanjin/Brisbane, Turrbal & Jagera Country QLD ^^^
Sat 11 Oct – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse 6th Birthday – Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country QLD *
Fri 7 Nov – Lulie Tavern – Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country VIC
Fri 14 Nov – Elsewhere – Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country QLD

* non album tour date
^ with Velvet Trip
^^ with Winston Surfshirt
^^^ with J.B Paterson

CONNECT WITH SELVE selvemusic.com

 

 

 

RAINBOW KITTEN ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR FOR JAN/FEB 2026

Platinum-selling American four-piece Rainbow Kitten Surprise today announce their first long-awaited Australian headline run, with three dates locked in for January/February 2026 in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Re-emerging creatively invigorated after a transformative few years, the genre-defying group will arrive fueled by their upcoming album bones.

After a whirlwind year of sold-out amphitheatres across North America, the North Carolina outfit will bring their triumphant live show and deeply personal songwriting to Melbourne’s Forum on Friday 23 January, The Tivoli in Brisbane on Wednesday 28 January and finish the run at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Sunday 1 February.

Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets, with Mastercard Presale starting Friday, 8 August, 10:00am and ending Tuesday, 12 August, 10:00am local. Plus, Preferred ticket access to some of the best tickets are available from Tuesday, 12 August, 11:00am. Check out priceless.com/music for details.

Pre-Order bones before Friday, 8 August, 7:00am AEST to receive an exclusive code to access pre-sale tickets for the Australian headline tour. Presale codes and ticket links will be emailed to purchasers at Friday, 8 August, 8:00am AEST.

RKS fans can secure tickets via the Album Preorder Presale from Friday, 8 August, 10:00am until Tuesday, 12 August, 10:00am local, or via the Secret Sounds Presale which commences Monday, 11 August, 11:00am until Tuesday, 12 August, 10:00am local. Register for presale access at secretsounds.com.

Tickets will be available to the General Public to purchase from Tuesday, 12 August, 11:00am local.

Since stepping back into the spotlight with their critically acclaimed 2023 album LOVE HATE MUSIC BOX – their first in six years – Rainbow Kitten Surprise have continued to push sonic and emotional boundaries. Their live show has been praised as “a masterful display of live music — raw, unpredictable, and utterly unforgettable” (South Florida Insider), while new single “Dang” builds on that momentum, melding soaring guitar riffs with frontwoman Ela Melo’s undeniable vocal power.

With a global cult following built on magnetic, emotionally charged performances and deeply personal songwriting, Rainbow Kitten Surprise have spent the last year selling out over 100 headline dates – including three nights at Red Rocks and shows at Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood Palladium. Having captivated crowds at major festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands and Austin City Limits, Rainbow Kitten Surprise continue to cement their place as a fearless, visionary force in alternative music.

RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE
AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR 2026
Presented by Secret Sounds

Forum, Melbourne/Naarm
Friday 23 January

The Tivoli, Brisbane/Meanjin
Wednesday 28 January

Enmore Theatre, Sydney/Eora
Sunday 1 February

TICKETS ON SALE TUE 12 AUGUST, 11:00AM (LOCAL)

Mastercard Presale: Friday, 8 August, 10:00am – Tuesday, 12 August, 10:00am
Album Preorder Presale: Friday, 8 August, 10:00am – Tuesday, 12 August, 10:00am
Secret Sounds Presale: Monday 11 August, 11:00am > Tuesday 12 August, 10:00am
All times are local.

For complete tour, VIP & ticket information, visit: secretsounds.com

FOLLOW RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY

 

 

 

 

STELLA DONNELLY Shares Double A-Side Single  ‘Baths’ / ‘Standing Ovation’. Signs with Dot Dash Recordings

Beloved Naarm-based Australian artist, Stella Donnelly makes a powerful return today, unveiling her first new music since the release of her critically acclaimed 2022 album Flood. Marking an exciting new chapter in her career, Donnelly announces her signing to Dot Dash Recordings / Remote Control Records, and returns with new single and video, ‘Baths’, alongside double A-side sibling, ‘Standing Ovation’, which was given it’s global First Play on triple j Drive last night with Abby & Tyrone. The double A-side release signals a bold and confident reentry into the music world following a well-earned period of rest and reflection.

Speaking on the signing with Dot Dash Recordings, Stella shares,”It felt like the right time for a reset, creatively, personally, and professionally. I could think of no better home for these songs than Dot Dash. I’m so grateful to have found a team who genuinely believe in the music and have given me the space to explore what this next chapter looks like. I felt very much at home straight away!”.

Director of Labels, Sweetie Zamora adds, “We’ve been fans of Stella’s incredible songwriting since her debut EP Thrush Metal. These new songs hit us right in the heart and I’m deeply thankful that after a period of time away from making music, Stella has returned and trusted Dot Dash to join a new chapter with her.”

After stepping back from touring to re-evaluate her relationship with music, the release of ‘Baths’ / ‘Standing Ovation’ signal a powerful and personal new chapter for the Walyalup/Fremantle artist. Raw, honest, and deeply introspective, ‘Baths’ showcases Donnelly at her most authentic, reconnecting with the songwriting instincts that first captured audiences’ hearts.

Reflecting on the creation of ‘Baths’, Stella shares, “I came up with this melody while I was swimming laps at the Brunswick Baths, the pool filter was making a humming sound on one note which allowed me to sing a melody over the top. It then continued when I got home and had a shower with the bathroom fan on. Both activities made it difficult to write any lyrics down. I finally sat with a keyboard and held a note and it all just came together. A little timeline of my life so far.”

With these two tracks, Stella Donnelly reclaims her voice and creative space, offering listeners a glimpse into the journey she’s taken, and where she might be headed next.

Stream / Download ‘Baths’: https://stelladonnelly.lnk.to/baths

Stream / Download: https://stelladonnelly.lnk.to/baths

Stella Donnelly Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

 

 

 

THE LEMONHEADS  Reveal New Single and Video ‘The Key of Victory’. NEW ALBUM LOVE CHANT RELEASED 24th OCTOBER 2025 ON FIRE RECORDS

On the third single from upcoming album Love Chant, Evan Dando offers an introspective set of lyrics centring around the importance of honesty to oneself, and its taxing but necessary role in communication. Complementing the driving energy of previous singles ‘Deep End’ and ‘In The Margin,’  ‘The Key of Victory’ is all slow motion and soft shadows — a modal, meditative piece anchored by Apollo Nove’s winding guitar and Erin Rae’s spectral harmonies. Written with David Ashby (Rum Shebeen), its vocal was recorded at Abbey Road. Stamped with a profound lightness and beauty,  ‘The Key of Victory’ is indicative of the songwriting diversity at play on Love Chant. About the track Evan says, “It’s quiet, it’s bitchin’. It’s pretty and it’s modal. I was trying to do like a Street Hassle vibe, you know?”

LISTEN TO ‘THE KEY OF VICTORY’ HERE

After years of writing, wandering, and starting over, Evan Dando returns with Love Chant (out via Fire Records on October 24th) — the first  Lemonheads studio album in nearly two decades. Long in the works and shaped by shifting geographies and a cast of trusted collaborators, it’s a bold, melodic reaffirmation of one of alternative rock’s most distinctive voices.

Now based in Brazil, where much of the album was recorded, Dando’s relocation in recent years has offered a quiet shift in perspective — a chance to reset, reconnect, and finally bring these songs into focus. The result is a record that sounds both fresh and familiar: rooted in the hallmarks of The  Lemonheads’ best work yet expanded by years of lived experience and new surroundings.

Arriving this autumn alongside Dando’s memoir, Rumours Of My Demise (out via Allen & Unwin on October 28th, AU), Love Chant, produced by Brazilian multi instrumentalist Apollo Nove, draws together old friends and new allies. J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, and Tom Morgan (as co-writer for  ‘Deep End’) rejoin the fold, alongside producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Antony and the Johnsons), Nashville’s Erin Rae, John Strohm of the Blake  Babies co-wrote and played guitar on “Togetherness” and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond — a songwriter and performer on the swirling psych-folk  gem “Roky.” Adam Green of cult New York favourites The Moldy Peaches also contributes as co-writer on the loose-limbed country detour “Wild  Thing.”

WATCH The Official Music Video for ‘The Key of Victory’ by The Lemonheads on YouTube

“The Key Of Victory” is all slow motion and soft shadows — a modal, meditative piece anchored by Apollo Nove’s winding guitar and Erin  Rae’s spectral harmonies. Written with David Ashby (Rum Shebeen), its vocal was recorded at Abbey Road. Elsewhere on the album, “Cell  Phone Blues” jolts with jittery energy and a deadpan smile, full of jangling riffs and quiet fury, while “58 Second Song” delivers western swing and barstool melancholy with classic Dando flair. “Deep End” — co-written with Tom Morgan — is pure propulsion, lit up by an explosive J  Mascis solo. The title track “Love Chant” pulses with Modern Lovers-like insistence, and “Togetherness Is All I’m After” opens with a wallop  before dissolving into a final whispered plea: “Baby, don’t blow it.”

Over the past few years, The Lemonheads’ influence has only deepened. Artists like MJ Lenderman, Courtney Barnett and Waxahatchee have all covered Dando’s songs, praising the emotional clarity, melodic instinct, and wry intimacy that define his writing. That resonance across generations makes Love Chant feel like more than a return — it’s a reminder of what made this band matter in the first place.

The Lemonheads ‘Love Chant’ Album Cover Art

FOLLOW THE LEMONHEADS: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify

 

 

 

 

WILLIAM ALEXANDER ‘BOUNDARY RIDER BLUES’ (SINGLE)

We are pleased to announce the return of William Alexander with his latest single ‘Boundary Rider Blues’

Riding off the success of his previous album ‘The Singing Stockman’, which was nominated for 2 Golden Guitar Awards at this years Tamworth Country Music Festival, ‘Boundary Rider Blues’ gives us the first glimpse into this new chapter for one of the country music industry’s most exciting new talents.

Like most of his original work, this new song comes straight from the stories and experiences of Williams own life. Penned during his time as a station hand in the Riverina region of NSW. The picture painted is that of a young stockman dealing with the frustrating and oft times lonely experience of maintaining a property’s boundary, and keeping livestock secure.

The single marks Alexander’s first collaboration with multi award winning producer/musician Lindsay Waddington (LWM House). William was named as the 2025 Thornton Young Award winner earlier in the year. An initiative founded by Lindsay Waddington with support from the CMAA. The award gave Alexander the opportunity to record with Lindsay in his studio where a great musical partnership was formed.

Featuring incredible performances from some of the country’s finest musicians including Michel Rose (pedal steel), Gus Fenwick (bass), Doug Gallacher (drums), Brendan Radford (acoustic guitar), Hugh Curtis (fiddles) and Lawrie Minson (dobro). It’s the first taste of what’s sure to be an incredible record from William Alexander.

ABOUT WILLIAM ALEXANDER: William Alexander is a fresh talent in the world of traditional Australian country music. With a voice that commands attention and a passion for preserving the rich legacy of the music, weaving storytelling with soul into every performance. His music reflects the heart and soul of the Australian outback and those who live and work in it, capturing its rugged beauty and the real stories of everyday life.

A true lover of old songs, William channels the timeless sound of classic country, all while keeping it deeply rooted in his Australian identity, having spent a lot of his adult years living and working on farms and stations in NSW. Whether on stage or in the studio, his performances are filled with authenticity and raw emotion, making him a standout talent in the contemporary country music scene.

In 2024, Alexander started gaining attention for his long awaited album ‘The Singing Stockman’. With the record being nominated for 2 Golden Guitar awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. During the festival he was also officially named the winner of the 2025 Thornton Young Award, supported by LWM House and the CMAA.

With new music to come in the new year, William Alexander is a singer to keep your eye on.

GET SOCIAL WITH WILLIAM ALEXANDER:
www.facebook.com/williamalexandermusic.com
www.instagram.com/williamalexandermusic/
https://www.williamale

 

 

 

CONVENIENCE STORE ANNOUNCE ALBUM TOUR & SHARE SINGLE & VIDEO ‘LOST DOG’
FROM DEBUT ALBUM TABIS OUT SEPT 12TH

Naarm-based indie band Convenience Store unveil their latest single and video, ‘Lost Dog’, from their forthcoming debut album Tabis out September 12th. The release comes with the announcement of tour dates in September and October, including headline shows in Melbourne, Wollongong and Brisbane, and a show in Sydney supporting Safford.

‘Lost Dog‘ is a track that almost didn’t make it past the demo stage, but has grown to become one of the band’s most emotionally resonant and sonically ambitious songs. The band shares, “We made ‘Lost Dog’ over the Christmas period 2023, working on it even on Christmas Day. This song had the biggest transformation from the original demo to the final product. In fact, when we showed the demo to our band member Vincent, he thought we had lost it. By the time it was done, it was one of his favourites from the album.”

Blending chopped-up mellotron, contemplative lyricism and woozy, glitched-out textures, ‘Lost Dog’ has an uncanny after-dark feeling, like wandering familiar streets that suddenly feel unfamiliar. Think: Sparklehorse meets Radiohead via suburban insomnia.

Following previous singles ‘Tabis (Walk Me Through the Night)’ and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dancer’, which received praise from MILKY and Rolling Stone, ‘Lost Dog’ carries a familiar thread, balancing instinct with intention and drawing from a wide set of references that dissolve into something new. “The chorus vocal style is inspired by Ezra Koenig on ‘White Sky’. For the outro, we referenced early 70s Grateful Dead, but it ended up sounding nothing like that at all.”

On their debut album Tabis, Convenience Store push their signature tightrope between confession and cinema to its most ambitious and affecting extremes. It’s a record about illusions: the stories we tell ourselves to survive, the doublespeak of growing up, and the disorienting sense that nothing in life ever fully resolves. Named after the Japanese split-toe shoe that conceals five toes within the illusion of two, Tabis is steeped in multiplicity. Across eleven tracks written and recorded in the band’s basement studio, the album shapeshifts, with each song a different kind of disguise, walking the line between deception and truth, artifice and honesty.

Tickets for Convenience Store’s hometown headline show at Bergy Bandroom in Melbourne on September 19th are on sale now. The band will also play headline shows in Frankston, Wollongong and Brisbane in late September and October, and will support Safford at Lansdowne in Sydney on October 3rd.

CONVENIENCE STORE TOUR DATES

Friday, 19 September – Bergy Bandroom, Melbourne

Friday, 3 October – The Lansdowne, Sydney* supporting Safford

Saturday, 4 October – Dicey Rileys, Wollongong

Sunday, 12 October – Junk Bar, Brisbane

Tickets on sale now

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘LOST DOG’

Tabis – out September 12th.

CONNECT WITH CONVENIENCE STORE WEB | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | YOUTUBE

 

 

 

 

Tropical Fu*k Storm Additional Shows Added to Australian Tour With Special Guests Michael Beach and Lost Animal. New Album ‘Fairyland Codex’ is out now via Fire Records

Tix on sale now

linktr.ee/tropical_fuck_storm

Tropical Fu*k Storm have one more circle around the globe with shows in Europe, Canada and the USA before they land back home, fully match fit, to showcase their critically acclaimed fourth album ‘Fairyland Codex’ in all its cacotopian glory!

We promised shows in Brisbane, for 4ZZZ’s 50th Birthday celebration with Regurgitator, Full Moon Flower Band, Big Noter, Butterfingers, Screamfeeder and more on Sat Oct 25th.  And Melbourne, for The Croxton’s Block Party with Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Party Dozen, Grace Cummings, Exek, NPCEDE and Loose Lips on Sat Nov 1st, both are now announced and on sale. The Sydney show is SOLD OUT. Don’t fret, a second has been added, also on sale now.

Joining the band to open in Torquay, Castlemaine and Archie’s Creek with their noir-pop, experimental moods that are part inner-city poetry, part cinematic fever dream will be Melbourne cult heroes, headed up by Jarrod Quarrell, Lost Animal.

Coming along for the ride in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Newcastle will be Melbourne’s own heart-on-sleeve indie king, and TFS studio collaborator, Michael Beach, with his charged performances that leave you rattled in the best of ways playing songs from his new album Big Black Plume (featuring members of TFS, The Necks and Dirty Three).

TFS recently dropped by the RRR Studios in Melbourne for a live set, you can listen here.

And you can catch a live set from Le Guess Who? In Utrecht, Netherlands from last November here.

Tropical Fu*k Storm
Australian Tour 2025

Sat 25 Oct      Zed 50 Roma St Parklands                       Brisbane                       QLD
With Regurgitator, Full Moon Flower Band, Big Noter, Butterfingers, Screamfeeder and more.
Tix from Oztix

Sat 1 Nov       The Croxton Block Party                           Melbourne                     VIC
With Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Party Dozen, Grace Cummings, Exek, NPCEDE, Loose Lips.
Tix from Oztix 

Fri 7 Nov        Torquay Hotel                                             Torquay                           VIC
With special guests Lost Animal
Tix from Oztix

Sat 8 Nov       Archies Creek Tavern                                 Archies Creek                 VIC
With special guests Lost Animal
Tix from Trybooking

Sun 9 Nov      Theatre Royale                                            Castlemaine                   VIC
With special guests Lost Animal
Tix from Oztix

Thurs 13 Nov  The Gov                                                       Adelaide                         SA
With special Guest Michael Beach
Tix from Oztix

Fri 14 Nov      The Rechabite                                               Perth                              WA
With special Guest Michael Beach
Tix from Oztix

Fri 21 Nov      Marrickville Bowlo       SOLD OUT               Sydney                         NSW
With special Guest Michael Beach
Tix from Oztix 

Sat 22 Nov     Marrickville Bowlo      JUST ANNOUNCED     Sydney                     NSW
With special Guest Michael Beach
Tix from Oztix 

Sun 23 Nov     Hamilton Station                                            Newcastle                    NSW
With special Guest Michael Beach
Tix from Oztix