SNIPPETZ: THURSDAY JUNE 5, 2025
This week’s Snippetz features: David Cosma, Domini Forster, Shame, Annie & The Caldwells, Ocean Alley, Gordi, Panda Bear, Wunderhorse, Newport, Mugshot, Vixens of Fall, The Inspector Cluzo, Helen Ryder, Melt Festival, Winter Blues Festival , Vader, Blues Roulette, Fanny Lumsden, Lily Grace, Mabel, The Tullamarines, Freya Josephine Hollick, Alice Cooper, Battle Beast, Opeth and more.
David Cosma Turns Festival Spotlight into Full Live Album – “Live at the Empire”
David Cosma, headline act for the 2025 Chillin In Banyule Festival opening night, made the most of his moment—capturing the performance and turning it into a 10-track live album. He asked Empire Music Studios to record the show and thanks to a studio voucher awarded by Banyule Council and local sponsors, he was able to expand the recording by mixing and mastering a full album release.
“David saw the opportunity and ran with it,” said Paul Higgins, Director of Empire Music Studios. “Turning a festival set into a live album takes vision and a lot of positive energy—he’s a great example of what’s possible when artists make the most of what’s in front of them.”
It’s a powerful outcome for David and a reminder of how local initiatives like Chillin In Banyule continue to inspire and support real creative momentum in our community.
Checkout David’s brand new album on Spotify and other links below: https://open.spotify.com/album/1s2ltWhFzUebvGMa8TNnge
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1s2ltWhFzUebvGMa8TNnge
Bandcamp: https://davidcosma.bandcamp.com/album/david-cosma-live-at-the-empire
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nUXUgym3fDUOeHxoqwBU7OabMXzYnLP_c&si=MvPex9aOR5I9kZuh
Live at the Empire have 3 great new upcoming shows, book for any of these shows now at TRYBOOKING.com or Call 0412686252 to book at Empire direct.
Book now for Linda Ronstadt Show https://www.trybooking.com/DANQO
Book now for AJA Steeley Dan Show https://www.trybooking.com/DAOXX
Book now for Piano Men Show https://www.trybooking.com/DAOZJ
DOMINI FORSTER SHARES LUSH NEW SINGLE MAGNOLIA. NEW ALBUM THE LONELY SET FOR RELEASE JUNE 20
Awash with raw rumination and an expansive cinematic aesthetic, today Naarm-based singer-songwriter Domini Forster unveils a brand new single Magnolia; a lush, melancholic folk dream that also accompanies the announcement of Forster’s sophomore studio album, The Lonely, officially set for release on Friday June 20.
Opening in a dreamlike state before swelling with instrumentals and Forster’s luminous vocals, Magnolia features elegant percussion and a soaring chorus that opens up like a darkly shimmering folk kaleidoscope, reflecting the endlessly fluctuating nature of life. The track nods to English multi-instrumentalist Marika Hackman alongside Forster’s signature style. “Early Marika Hackman circa ‘We Slept At Last’ was an influence for Magnolia,” shares Forster. “I love combining warm, woody acoustic instruments with ethereal synthesised elements and textural sounds. Marika does this beautifully, and that album was definitely on high rotation for a while.”
“Magnolia is about trying to make sense of the constancy of change,” Forster continues, “and the endless cycle of ups and downs that make up life. My sister had a Magnolia tree outside her house, and every spring it was completely laden with these huge luscious flowers. Then all of a sudden I’d visit and they’d be on the ground – just a thick carpet of rotting petals. The tree would spend months completely bare after that, and then it would bud again. It felt like such a strong reflection of the seasonality of life, and the inevitability of change. And I found a strange sort of comfort in it – confirmation that loss was inevitable but so was renewal.”
Joining forces with Lachlan Carrick (Gotye, Lior, Emma Donovan) on producing, recording, mixing and mastering, along with co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Barber (Gretta Ray, Gotye) for both her latest single Magnolia and its broader album, Domini Forster spent days with both Carrick and Barber in Barber’s converted 1860s chapel studio in Victoria’s Goldfields region, transforming a creative retreat into what would ultimately become The Lonely.
The album has already turned heads, with the second single Hard Love earning a place on the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition shortlist and playlisting by Australian taste-maker and music video institution RAGE, and ABC’s David Astle describing Hard Love as “a mesmerising, ethereal piece of music”.
Opening in sublime fashion with its title track, The Lonely coats its listener with a warm and assured knowing, reflecting the full spectrum of life – the shadows and the light – in a cohesive pastiche that is equal parts intricate and lush. The album’s beginning is achingly resonant and relatable, tracing the patterns of modern life that see us living so close, yet lonelier than ever. Fluctuating between glistening acoustic grooves (Unconditional Love), brooding, open-vein folk (Hard Love and Magnolia), shimmering simplicity (Hunger), stripped-back storytelling (The Last Real Moment), smoky melodies delivered alongside hypnotic arrangements (Unravelling), and songs that place you between the clouds and the heavens via melancholic piano and sweeping strings (Gravity), The Lonely ultimately comes to its stunning conclusion with Breathing Out; a wistful yet cathartic folk gem that burrows the weight of the world into a sonic place of serenity and acceptance. And while constantly exploring, observing and unravelling notions of connection and disconnection, The Lonely ultimately serves as a powerful collection of songs that remind us all that we are not alone, expertly channelled through Forster’s personal lens.
“The through-line of the album is connection and disconnection – loneliness in all its many shades and patterns, and the centrality of belonging to human happiness,” explains Forster. “When I first floated the name of the album to a few people, one friend told me it was too much of a downer, but that only made me more convinced of it. Loneliness feels like such an urgent social challenge right now. I spent several years working in a community music organisation, mentoring songwriters living with mental health challenges, and it really reinforced the link between loneliness and unwellness. I was supporting people to share their stories of struggle with the human condition, and the more I heard, the more it struck me that loneliness was so often at the core of them. It was often a big part of why people became unwell in the first place, and then their isolation was exacerbated by their declining mental health. It creates this self-perpetuating cycle that’s really hard to break out of.”
“That work also reinforced the cathartic power of songwriting for me,” Forster adds. “Vulnerability in art can be like mutual therapy of a kind, creating this connection where both the storyteller and the audience feel more seen and understood. Less uniquely broken, and less alone in their struggle. I’m hoping this album does that for people in the same way that some of my favourite albums have for me.”
Born in Nimbin in New South Wales and growing up in the idyllic setting of Byron Bay, Domini Forster first picked up the violin in third grade and never looked back, soon adding guitar to her collection and beginning to write songs. An engaging and multi-faceted creative, Forster’s distinctive vocals can flit from whisper-close to bell-like and commanding effortlessly, drawing comparisons over the years to the likes of Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell. From her early career beginnings as a finalist in triple j Unearthed High, Forster released her debut EP Little Dreamer in 2013, following on in 2017 with her debut full-length album, Raven, with the latter earning her the coveted Darebin Songwriter’s Award. An avid lover of making art in all mediums, including an embroidery phase that morphed into a lino-cut obsession (the results of which can be witnessed via some DIY merch at her upcoming shows later this year), Forster also turned heads in 2021 collaborating with ARIA Award-winning artist Lior, releasing their critically-acclaimed duo EP Animal In Hiding. The collaboration saw Forster and Lior present a huge tour across the country in 2022 and 2023, including performances at MONA, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Woodford Folk Festival.
Now poised on the release of her second studio album in 2025, Forster will also perform her new album on stages throughout June to September; including Tasmania, a special hometown show in Melbourne at the iconic Northcote Social Club, before heading to Canberra, and then diving into a short string of shows in NSW, including two with Emily Lubitz.
“I’m playing a full band hometown show in Melbourne on 10 July, so I’m really excited to have the chance to play the album in its full cinematic glory” enthuses Forster. “At my core though, I’m a songwriter, so the songs were all originally written solo for guitar and voice. I’m taking them on the road that way, doing a run of intimate solo shows, with a few guest musicians along the way.”
Magnolia is out now. The Lonely is due out Friday June 20.
DOMINI FORSTER – 2025 TOUR DATES:
SAT 14 JUN | Dreamfarm House Concert, HUON VALLEY/JUDBURY TAS | ALL AGES
Tickets available from trybooking.com
SUN 15 JUN | Hobert House Concert Collective HHCC X TREETOP, HOBART | ALL AGES
Tickets available from humanitix.com
THURS 10 JUL | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from northcotesocialclub.com
SAT 19 JUL | SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA ACT | UNDER 18s MUST BE SUPERVISED
Tickets available from smithsalternative.com
THURS 28 AUG | THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH NSW | SUPPORTING EMILY LUBITZ | ALL AGES
Tickets available from humanitix.com
FRI 29 AUG | BRUNSWICK PICTURE HOUSE, BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW | SUPPORTING EMILY LUBITZ | ALL AGES
Tickets available from brunswickpicturehouse.com
SAT 6 SEP | SECRET HOUSE CONCERT, BYRON BAY NSW | ALL AGES
Tickets available from humanitix.com
SACHÉM ‘don’t wait around’ (Single) + DEBUT ALBUM easier said than done OUT 7 AUGUST
Out now is ‘don’t wait around‘ – the heartbreaking new single from Brisbane-based hip-hop artist and storyteller Sachém. It’s the first taste of his confessional debut album, easier said than done, set for release 7 August.
The album was written in the transformative bubble of becoming a father – a time of reckoning, reflection, and spiritual growth. From confronting the echoes of his own father in himself to honouring the resilience of his ancestors, the album is as bold as it is personal. With features from Tasman Keith, LaRussell, Kobie Dee, Kaye, and executive production by WYES, it’s a body of work that is as introspective as it is commanding.
While ‘don’t wait around’ may be easier said than done’s only love song, it’s far from sentimental. Instead, it’s an honest, bittersweet truth; it’s a reflection on the cost of survival for someone carrying generations of trauma. “Freedom still feels so far off for me,” says Sachem on the track. “I don’t want my lover to have to wait for me.” Blending hip-hop with aching lyricism and spoken word delivery, it’s a track all about loss, stubbornness, and the slow reality of healing. This is the second single to be released from the album, following on from ‘shakin &’ bakin’
easier said than done is more than a simple debut – it’s a powerful testament to identity, resilience, and the healing force of honest storytelling.
Raised between Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Adelaide, Sachem draws from his Noonuccal roots and Black American heritage to create music that’s both grounded and global. His sound blends spoken word, hip-hop, and gospel, weaving in themes of faith, legacy, and resilience. A 2024 Queensland Music Award nominee and 2023 triple j Unearthed Artist of the Month, Sachem has performed at the likes of BIGSOUND, QPAC, and Jungle Love Festival.
‘don’t wait around’ – OUT NOW VIA OFFBEAT COLLECTIVE BUY/STREAM HERE
easier said than done out 7 August PRE ORDER/SAVE HERE
MORE INFO:
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ELLY McK & THE UNBELIEVERS ‘Too Early’ (Single)
The song might be called Too Early but it’s totally time to dig this fabulous new musical offering from ELLY McK & THE UNBELIEVERS. It’s Americana, it’s alt-country, it’s rootsy, and it’s marvellous. Check it! Cheers – Stuart
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
This punchy track comes from their upcoming EP and continues to showcase the diversity of the band’s sound. Starting out as a southern fried rocker, “Too Early” tells the story of a protagonist discovering and questioning the precarious nature of romantic chemistry. What begins as a hopeful tale of initial spark, turns to the age-old question of “Is it too good to be true?” Needless to say, nothing quite ends as expected, including the song itself.
Elly McK delivers a vocal performance that is both understated and expressively soulful in what is the band’s first release as a songwriting team. Drummer Sam Price says “Too Early represents where we are a band, jamming on ideas in real time and getting the vibe in the room…that’s how it was recorded too.” Once again, The Unbelievers have weaved a musical tapestry that wonderfully locks down the honesty of the song’s narrative.
In a deliberate change from previous releases, the band ventured beyond their own studio space to Lily Studios in Melbourne’s outer north. Both recording and mixing with sound engineer Casey Rice, renowned for their expertise in capturing performance-based recordings, “Too Early” was brought to life.
The track follows the success of 3 singles, “Down On Your Luck“, “Bones,” and “The Wind Up” and is taken from the bands upcoming EP (due for released August 2025). Too Early further secures Elly McK & The Unbelievers as a powerhouse in the Americana/Alt Country scene.
Fans can experience “Too Early” live at the band’s upcoming single launch on 31st May at Union Hotel, Brunswick VIC followed by a tour of regional Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.
The single will be available for streaming and download on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music from 19th May.
More about Elly McK & The Unbelievers
Elly McK (pronounced “Mack”) & The Unbelievers have been carving up the Americana/Alt-country scene, following the success of their first three singles, each showcasing the diversity of their sound. “Down On Your Luck”, “Bones”, “The Wind Up” and now “Too Early” explore the Americana genre in vastly different ways while displaying outstanding musicianship.
Frontwoman Elly McKinnon leads the charge with her soulful voice, backed by the formidable talents of The Unbelievers – Sam Price on drums, Jordy Hickey on double bass, and Monty Price on guitar. Known for their raw storytelling, rich harmonies, and a sound that blends rootsy twang with modern grit, the band has quickly gained a reputation for captivating live performances and evocative songwriting.
As they continue to carve their path, Elly McK & The Unbelievers are proving to be an undeniable force in the Australian music landscape.
Regional Victoria dates:
13th June 2025 – 7pm – The Exchange Hotel, Kerang VIC
South Australia dates:
14th June 2025 – 7pm – Dirty Devils Car Club, Mawson Lakes SA
15th June 2025 – 4pm – The Anchorage Hotel, Victor Harbour SA
Web: www.ellymckandtheunbelievers.com
NIGHT MOVES ‘Ring My Bell’(Single)
Minneapolis-based Night Moves release ‘Ring My Bell’, the second single from their forthcoming album Double Life, due out July 25th via Domino.
Following the “colorful” (Stereogum) and “gorgeous” (Guardian) lead single ‘Hold On To Tonight‘, ‘Ring My Bell’ is its musical and emotional counterpart, with lead singer John Pelant extending an invitation to be asked for help whenever times get inevitably tough, all above the spring-loaded rhythm of drummer Mark Hanson, bassist Micky Alfano and guitarist Charles Murlowski. The single is released alongside a new video by longtime collaborator Shawn Brackbill.
Watch the video for ‘Ring My Bell’ Here
Pelant says of the track, “”Ring My Bell” has been a song I’ve kicked around for the past 10 years and never really figured out until the summer of ’23. I always knew it would arrive, but it would arrive on its own time. I never forced this song. What’s most magical is it all came together when I discovered a bell key patch on a 90’s Roland through an echo pedal. It was at this point I knew I couldn’t change the lyrics and this song’s fate was sealed.”
Double Life is a cozy and cool LP built largely from a string of very rough breaks that frontman John Pelant and Night Moves have navigated in recent years. Alongside the ever-vexing question for artists about when they’re supposed to step into the responsibilities of adulthood and maybe away from the lifelong compulsion to create, especially as Pelant started thinking seriously about marriage for the first time in his life. Pelant is the sort of songwriter who starts with the music—inspired of late by Glen Campbell and Bobby Caldwell, Cleaners from Venus and early ’90s country, and (as ever) Gram Parsons—and then writes lyrics only after he’s sat with the tune a spell. But this time, these songs are direct documents of Pelant’s life as he searches for silver linings or at least valuable meanings during a moment when very little seemed golden. Double Life is about moving through, not moving on.
Pelant started writing Double Life in the Minneapolis duplex he shares with his fiancée, Tasha. But those early and sometimes-forlorn drafts rightfully bummed her out, especially since some of it spoke of her own woes. So Pelant started treating Night Moves’ little rehearsal room—stuck in a grim industrial zone of the city, surrounded by garbage dumps and foundry fumes—as an office, showing up with workmanlike diligence to keep crafting demos.
That proved to be a tough hang, too: separated by paper-thin walls, Pelant soon figured out his drug-addled neighbor not only lived there but would also erupt into near-daily shouting matches with his partner. He’d spill Big Gulp cups of piss in their shared hallway. It was worrying, but Pelant kept at it anyway. He’d drive around, delivering hard liquor and wine at his new day job, where Def Leppard’s ‘Photograph’ seemed to play always, the hit hammering through his hangovers. He pondered cycles of addiction and thought a lot about death, apt since that gig was next to another warehouse that sold funeral supplies. He listened to works in progress as he jockeyed the booze, working until he and the band felt they had the core of a record ready.
Again, not as easy as it sounds: Night Moves cycled through two producers who had first sounded like dream collaborators but just didn’t fit their vibe. Once again, Night Moves opted to return to their own practice space, recording the bulk of the album there after capturing basic tracks at Minnesota’s legendary Pachyderm Studios. The decision afforded the band, for the first time, the challenge and luxury of producing themselves, of making every decision about tone and arrangement and timing before passing the songs to Woods sonic mastermind Jarvis Taveniere for mixing and co-production.
Double Life is available to pre-order on limited edition Curacao Blue vinyl, standard Black vinyl, CD and digitally.
Pre-order here: Dom Mart| Digital
Night Moves Online Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
SHAME ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM CUTTHROAT (OUT 5TH SEPTEMBER). SHARE TITLE TRACK + MUSIC VIDEO ‘CUTTHROAT’
Following a triumphant return to Australian shores earlier this year as support for Fontaines D.C., Shame are back with a bang—today announcing their new album Cutthroat, set for release on Friday 5 September 2025 via Dead Oceans. To mark the occasion, they’ve unveiled a thrilling video for the album’s title track, directed by Ja Humby, which features the band performing inside a motorcycle wall of death. Press shots for the release were captured around Luna Park in St Kilda, adding a distinctly local flavour to their bold return.
Also announced are the band’s all new tour dates, including a number of UK and Ireland dates later this year, after an intimate, sold-out performance at Brixton Jamm tomorrow night, 4th June, where they will perform the new album in full (full dates below).
Shame – ‘Cutthroat’ (Official Video)
Cutthroat is shame at their blistering best; an unapologetic new album made with Grammy winning producer John Congleton at the helm. ‘It’s about the cowards, the cunts, the hypocrites,’ says vocalist Charlie Steen. ‘Let’s face it, there’s a lot of them around right now.’
Still in their twenties and having proved themselves several times over via legendary live shows and three critically-acclaimed albums, the five childhood friends – Charlie Steen, guitarists Sean Coyle-Smith and Eddie Green, bassist Josh Finerty and drummer Charlie Forbes – went into Cutthroat ready to create a new Ground Zero.
This is about who we are,’ says Steen. ‘Our live shows aren’t performance art – they’re direct, confrontational and raw. That’s always been the root of us. We live in crazy times. But it’s not about ‘Poor me.’ It’s about ‘Fuck you’.’
Crucial to this incendiary new outlook was producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen). From their initial meeting, Congleton’s no-bullshit approach became a guiding force to streamline the band’s ideas.
Stamped throughout with Shame’s trademark sense of humour, the album takes on the big issues of today and gleefully toys with them. With Trump in the Whitehouse and Shame holed up in Salvation Studios in Brighton, they cast a merciless eye on themes of conflict and corruption; hunger and desire; lust, envy and the omnipresent shadow of cowardice.
Musically, too, the record plays with visceral new ideas. Making electronic music on tour for fun, Coyle-Smith had previously seen the loops he was crafting as a separate entity to the things he wrote for Shame. Then, he realised, maybe they didn’t have to be. ‘This time, anything could go if it sounded good and you got it right,’ he says.
Cutthroat’s first single and title track takes this idea and runs with it into, quite possibly, the best song Shame have ever laid to tape. It’s a ball of barely-contained attitude packed into three minutes of indie dancefloor hedonism. It also masterfully introduces the lyrical outlook of the record: one where cocksure arrogance and deep insecurity are two sides of the same coin.
‘Cutthroat’ Out now via Dead Oceans. Listen/buy here
Cutthroat LP Out Friday Friday 5th September 2025. Pre-save/pre-order here
ANNIE & THE CALDWELLS. NEW SINGLE “CAN’T LOSE MY SOUL (LIVE AT CHURCH OF SOUND)”
Annie & The Caldwells – the gospel disco soul family band from West Point, Mississippi share their new single “Can’t Lose My Soul (Live at Church of Sound)”, captured during their sold-out debut London performance at Church of Sound, and announce a string of August live dates across Europe.
The single follows the show-stopping collaboration with David Byrne in New York last week, where their powerful harmonies breathed new life into his Talking Heads classic “Slippery People”. It also comes after the release of last month’s I Was Living In a World of Sin (Mixes – Part I) – a collection that features house music heavyweights musclecars, Justin Strauss, Nicky Siano, and Kornel Korvacs who each took the ecstatic spiritual jubilation of the original and spun it into pure house dancefloor gold.
Recorded on Valentine’s Day – February 14th, 2025, the single captures the ecstatic finale of a night steeped in love: love of music, family, spirit, and one another. Five minutes into the set, the audience was already fully immersed and on their feet— and by the time they reached “Can’t Lose My Soul,” the energy in the room was unmistakable. You can hear it on the recording: voices shouting back, hands clapping in time, joyful disbelief echoing through the vaulted space. Set within Church of Sound—a monthly East London series that transforms a historic church into a vital, feverish live venue—it was a setting that matched the band’s emotional depth and spiritual fire. “Arguably their most suitable booking ever,” the organisers said—and it’s easy to hear why.
Annie & The Caldwells’ debut album, Can’t Lose My (Soul), released in March, has earned glowing praise: in a 5-star review, The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis called it “a gospel masterpiece” and “a life-affirming album,” while Sir Elton John declared, “You must get that album. A great, great record that I insist you go out and buy.” The album delivers a striking disco soul sound that moves both church congregations and dance club revellers alike.
The songs on Can’t Lose My (Soul), while propelled by vibrant, body-moving music, deal with heavy themes of spirituality, struggle, and redemption, all informed by their real troubles and experiences as an intergenerational family run by women. In these passionate performances, their personal stories transcend to a state of universal parable and salvation-driven ecstasy, resulting in the kind of communal uplift any preacher or DJ could envy.
The Caldwells are headed by their mother Annie, a member of the Staples Jr. Singers and owner and proprietor of Caldwell’s Fashions, a beloved staple for women’s clothing and church outfits since the ’80s.
Annie & The Caldwells was founded when Annie and Joe — her guitar-player husband of fifty years — went to watch their eldest daughter perform a school talent show. To The Caldwells dismay, their daughter was singing the blues — secular music that did not speak the gospel. “We thought, if we don’t do something, the devil’s going to get her,” Annie said.
So Annie and Joe started their own group to keep their kids on the straight and narrow, incorporating music their kids loved — The Gap Band, Chaka Kahn, Bootsy Collins — into a fresh sound that infuses gospel with grit and street savvy. Two decades later, the constellation of family members in The Caldwells is more or less the same: Annie is backed by their daughters Deborah Caldwell Moore and Anjessica Caldwell and goddaughter Toni Rivers; Joe on guitar, their eldest son Willie Jr. on bass and youngest son Abel Aquirius on drums.
They generally play on weekends, so for their day jobs Willie Jr. drives a forklift, Abel Aquirius drives hospital patients, Anjessica works in customer care for an insurance company, Toni is an elementary school teacher, and Deborah does hair.
However, late in 2024, Annie & The Caldwells turned heads with a lightning bolt of a performance at Le Guess Who? festival in The Netherlands, one of their first performances outside the southern United States. MOJO deemed them “the most exciting, most dynamic family of faith imaginable,” elaborating that “their rhythm section (dad and two sons) would give the Family Stone a run for its money; the front line (mum and daughters) have unquenchable sass and spirituality.”
In their annual 2025 music preview, The Guardian’s head rock and pop critic, Alexis Petridis, wrote: “It is a fantastic album – funky, gritty and powerful, packed with incredible singing and potent songs that cast a stark eye over life’s hardships.” Furthermore, Petridis described their Le Le Guess Who? performance as “extraordinary: a mother and her three middle-aged daughters, clad in matching multicoloured harlequin-print dresses, belting out raw, disco-tinged soul gospel in the midst of a delirious stage invasion by ecstatic, dancing punters.”
Can’t Lose My (Soul) was produced by Ahmed Gallab, known as the artist Sinkane; the cover art was contributed by Raven Jackson from her Mississippi-based film All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt; and the liner notes were written by Danielle Amir Jackson, formerly of Oxford American.
Follow Annie & The Caldwells Instagram // YouTube // Website
OCEAN ALLEY ANNOUNCE FIFTH ALBUM LOVE BALLOON AND RELEASE INFECTIOUS TITLE TRACK
Globally renowned Australian rockers Ocean Alley are thrilled to announce their fifth studio album, Love Balloon, set for release on September 19 via Community Music. Alongside the news, the six-piece have dropped the record’s infectious title track.
Joyful and uplifting, “Love Balloon” offers a blissful glimpse into the band’s creative direction on their upcoming album – confident, exploratory and full of character. Anchored by an irresistible groove and a shimmering Nile Rodgers-inspired guitar riff, the track threads an unexpected touch of disco flair along its pulsating bassline, marking playful new territory for the band. It feels effortlessly spontaneous, echoing the carefree energy of previous singles “Tangerine” and “Left Of The Dealer”. It’s charming, lighthearted, and above all, fun.
Working with legendary producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Powderfinger, Rage Against The Machine) for the first time, the band embraced a stripped-back, more emotionally resonant approach to Love Balloon. Across 10 tracks, they take listeners on a journey through life and love in all its complexity, underscored by moments of light, vulnerability and connection. There are moments that feel expansive and hopeful, and others that are more introspective and raw. It’s not ignorant of our inner worlds or the world outside – it offers an escape from it.
On the record, keyboardist and vocalist Lach Galbraith explained, “The album explores the many layered dimensions of love – not just the cinematic kind where you’re falling head over heels, but the full spectrum: joy, hurt, discomfort and disappointment. Let’s call it the river of love – whether it’s with a partner, a friend, or family, you never know when it’ll get deep, go shallow, or suddenly change course. It’s such a force that you have to just surrender to its current.”
With a reputation for their magnetic live performances, and a catalogue that’s now surpassed 1 billion streams, Ocean Alley have a huge run of international dates to come throughout 2025. They are making appearances at iconic festivals including Lollapalooza, Sziget and Austin City Limits, alongside shows at LA’s Hollywood Palladium and Brooklyn Paramount in New York. The group will make their first trip to Latin America with shows in Mexico, Brasil and Chile, before taking on their largest headline show to date, anywhere in the world – at London’s iconic 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace in September.
Ocean Alley have truly emerged as one of Australia’s most successful musical exports. Across four albums, including 2022’s critically acclaimed Low Altitude Living, the six-piece – Baden Donegal (vocals), Angus Goodwin (guitar), Lach Galbraith (keys/vocals), Mitch Galbraith (guitar), Tom O’Brien (drums) and Nic Blom (bass) – have inspired audiences around the world with their unmistakable sound. With chart success across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and USA, and nine accredited singles of Gold or higher, Ocean Alley are entering a bold new chapter – and with stadium-sized ambition in sight, they’re poised to leave an enduring mark on the music landscape for many years to come.
OCEAN ALLEY – LOVE BALLOON [LP]
Out 19 September via Community Music
Artwork by Nick Curl
STREAM “LOVE BALLOON” HERE
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM
Follow Ocean Alley: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube
GORDi SHARES NEW SONG ‘PVC DIVIDE’ (FEAT. ANAIS MITCHELL) FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM LIKE PLASTICINE
Gordi – the much-loved, Australian indie-pop singer, songwriter and producer aka Sophie Payten – shares another new cut from her forthcoming album Like Plasticine, in ‘PVC Divide’ (feat. Anaïs Mitchell).
Written, recorded and produced by Gordi, and featuring the beautiful, ethereal vocals of Anaïs Mitchell, ‘PVC Divide’ offers a sonic snapshot of Gordi’s experiences working in hospitals during the COVID pandemic. It was mixed by Kayla Reagan who has worked with Eartheater, 100Gecs, Role Model and more.
WATCH: Gordi – ‘PVC Divide’ (feat. Anaïs Mitchell)
Gordi first met Anaïs Mitchell – the Vermont-based, Tony and Grammy award-winning creator of Broadway musical, Hadestown – a few years ago, while singing backing vocals together for Bon Iver on a Jimmy Fallon performance. Since, their friendship has blossomed, now manifesting in the emotional, devastating ballad that is ‘PVC Divide’. Fittingly, Gordi will be joining Anaïs in New York as support for her show at Racket in Manhattan next week.
The track comes as Gordi wraps up her spring tour of the UK, which saw her play to full rooms at Dot To Dot Festival in Bristol and Nottingham, a variety of buzzy sets at The Great Escape in Brighton and a sold-out London show at Soho’s The Lower Third. She has announced her return to Europe later this month, supporting Foster The People on their arena tour. Autumn dates in the UK and Europe will see her return for the Bryce Dessner curated Sounds From A Safe Harbour Festival and Residency in Cork Ireland, alongside Reeperbahn Festival in Germany and a run of headline dates in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and UK.
Next week, she kicks off her east coast US dates. Alongside her show with Anais Mitchell, she will also play SummerStage in Central Park and headline shows in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC.
Debuting ‘PVC Divide’ next week on stage with Anaïs has led Payten to reflect on the song’s origins. She says: “I spent the pandemic working as a doctor. These tiny planes at empty airports would take us to remote towns, to restaff hospitals that had been hit by covid. From the airport to a serviced apartment to the emergency room and so on and so forth. Rinse and repeat. I observed the grief of others until eventually it felt like my own. The lyrics are made up of stories I read, conversations I had, and feelings I tried to contain. They finally spilled over the day I wrote this – I was in the middle of a room called Phoenix Central Park in Sydney and I started playing this guitar line and the words came quickly. I made a drum loop and let it echo around the space, then I started recording and sat down at the piano and just played. It was all captured that day. This song is hard for me to listen to sometimes, but it holds a special place.” – Gordi
‘PVC Divide’ was specifically inspired by one of the patients Payten cared for whilst working on the frontline. While in rehab following the removal of a brain tumour, he had a new scan that revealed an aggressive return. “He’d been getting better, and the plan for him was to go home and move on with his life. And then it turned out he had five new tumours in his brain. That was the end for him. And I had to tell him that without his family there.”
Because of the pandemic, the usual process – “You go in and you’re the bearer of the most horrific news they’ve ever heard, but then you walk out and you leave the next job to their loved ones.” – was impossible. They were on speakerphone and Payten was there, absorbing all the grief in the room. She’d developed a sweet bond with her patient, who received the news simply: “It was written for me.”
‘PVC Divide’ touches on one of the central themes of Like Plasticine – the fragility of the human existence – and highlights the duality of Payten’s own life, with her two professions split in an almost perverse way, between a healthcare professional who needs to shut off the emotional valve and the songwriter whose job it is to flood the room.
Gordi’s beautiful, emotive new album includes the songs ‘Peripheral Lover’, ‘Cutting Room Floor’ and ‘Lunch At Dune’ – the star of last year’s Lunch At Dune EP – which have received press love from the likes of Grammy.com, NPR, Stereogum, Earmilk, Rolling Stone, DORK and The Line of Best Fit, amongst others. Gordi’s music has also received global airplay from BBC 1, BBC 6 and Radio X in the UK and Sirius XM, KEXP, KCRW, KCMP The Current (and many more) in the US.
Like Plasticine will be released on August 8 via Mushroom Music.
MORE ABOUT GORDI
An award-winning and beloved Aussie export with tens of millions of streams to her name across DSPs, Gordi has an impressive catalogue and history behind her, including two full-length album releases and collaborations with Troye Sivan, Bon Iver, Ben Bohmer, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and more. The documentation of her journey through self-discovery, sexuality and identity shines through on albums Reservoir and Our Two Skins, the latter of which was recognised with an AIR Award and nominated for an ARIA and two J Awards. Gordi has completed extensive tours of Australia, the US and Europe, solo and also with artists such as Bon Iver, The Tallest Man On Earth and Gang of Youths.
Gordi – ‘PVC Divide (feat. Anaïs Mitchell)’ Out now via Mushroom Music LISTEN / WATCH
Gordi – Like Plasticine Out Friday 8 August via Mushroom Music PRE-ORDER
NEWPORT RELEASES NEW EP’ SELDOM’
Perth-based, multi-talented all-rounder Newport shares his awaited new EP SELDOM on the eve of two sold-out shows in his hometown of Perth.
“The title ‘SELDOM’ was given to me by my Nonno. One of the last things he told me was that he had a great idea for an album title: “I’m Seldom Right, But I’m Never Wrong”. At the time, I laughed it off, but the word ‘seldom’ stuck with me. I had never heard it before, and for some reason, it resonated deeply. Since then, I’ve thought about it almost every day, even wearing a ring with ‘seldom’ engraved on it. I don’t know exactly why I’m drawn to the word, but it feels like a final parting gift, and I’m grateful for it.” – Dylon Newport
SELDOM carries on from where Newport’s last body of work, love, Dylon. left off – an outlet for the raw emotions he faced as he grappled with the reality of an entirely new future, post a relationship breakdown. It includes the singles ‘INTERSTATE’, ‘HONEST’, ‘OBSESSED’ and today’s focus, ‘FAKE!’ Released in March, ‘INTERSTATE’ has resonated with fans, appearing in Spotify’s Viral 50 Chart for Australia and notching up close to 1.5 million streams globally – mostly from fans discovering Newport’s music via his rapidly growing TikTok and Instagram accounts.
“I created this entire EP by myself, in my bedroom. It wasn’t necessarily planned that way, but I’m glad it happened. It gave me the freedom to make whatever creative choices I wanted – this project is 100% authentic to me. It allowed me to express whatever I was feeling, no matter how vulnerable or embarrassing. The sound is shaped by the artists who influenced me growing up (John Butler, Black Eyed Peas, Daniel Caesar, and so much more). When I first shared an early version of this project with my mum, she said it felt like I was finally making music that reflected my roots.
“Although the songs are based on my own romantic experiences, I’ve had so many people resonate with them in different ways. The feelings of loss and uncertainty aren’t limited to breakups, they can come from friendships ending, people moving on, or even the loss of childhood innocence. Through these songs, I’ve found a sense of peace with what I went through, and I hope they can do the same for anyone else who might be struggling.”
With an EP and mixtape already to his name, Newport has more than 7 million streams at DSPs. His effortlessly cool bedroom-pop is influenced by a broad spectrum of genres, from modern-alternative indie and pop to soul and hip-hop. Earlier this month, Newport took the crown of triple j Unearthed’s weekly feature artist and was also showcased on Apple Music with an Up Next feature. He has graced the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds in Australia and YouTube Music’s Alt-Pop and recently won an Unearthed competition to open for Thelma Plum in Margaret River.
Still buzzing from a packed-out show at The Prince of Wales in Bunbury, Newport will take his SELDOM tour to Perth, then across the border to the east coast, where he will play a series of long-awaited, sold-out shows to dedicated fans in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne later this month.
Newport – SELDOM EP
Out now via Mushroom Music LISTEN / PURCHASE
MUGSHOT RELEASES NEW SINGLE I WILL BE HERE FOREVER
Less than a month remains before San Jose metalcore/hardcore band MUGSHOT unleashes their long-awaited sophomore album, All The Devils Are Here. Now, the rising four-piece have revealed the impending record’s massively heavy third single, I Will Be Here Forever, and accompanying music video.
Commenting on the new single, the band says: “This was one of the most difficult to finish lyrically, but came together better because of that. We all felt a sense of isolation while writing and recording this album so thematically, this song is centered around sacrificing whatever you feel is necessary to accomplish one’s goals, even if that means ultimately harming yourself or those around you.”
Produced by Randy Leboeuf (Kublai Kahn, The Acacia Strain, Gideon, Bad Omens), MUGSHOT’s massive 12 track record, All The Devils Are Here, marks a new beginning for the incendiary band, following their 2023 EP, Cold Will, and nearly a decade after their riveting full-length Dull Boy.
With a lineup consisting of Ringo Waterman (vocals), Michael Demko (guitar), Connor Haines (drums) and Ciro Abraham (bass), MUGSHOT have found a brutal groove, melding influences of metal and hardcore in a violent storm of unrelenting chaos. Featuring the previously released singles Vale of Tears, Die In Fear and Afore A Waking Nightmare, their long anticipated album ushers in a thrilling new wave of rage for metalcore fans.
Commenting on the record, the band states: “This album is the most collaborative we have ever been as a band, every person had a major hand in creating whether that be musically, lyrically or both. It’s also the first album we haven’t self produced and having Randy Leboeuf on board was so invaluable, he really felt like a 5th member. Lyrically this is the most personal and pissed off we have ever been and we think everyone will be able to connect with many tracks on this record.”
MUGSHOT will tour in support of All The Devils Are Here starting this month, with upcoming performances at Welcome To Rockville and Louder Than Life.
I WILL BE HERE FOREVER – OUT NOW https://lnk.to/MugshotStreams
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE – OUT JUNE 20 https://purenoiserecs.lnk.to/MugshotStores
ABOUT MUGSHOT: While most heavy bands mellow out—even if just a little—as they move through their life and career, Mugshot are not most heavy bands. Just under a decade on from the release of their acclaimed 2016 debut, Dull Boy, the San Jose, CA four-piece are back with All The Devils Are Here. The metalcore/hardcore outfit’s second studio full-length (and first for Pure Noise), from the moment it kicks off with opener Die In Fear, it’s clear that this is Mugshot at their most extreme and brutal, both musically and thematically.
That shouldn’t really be a surprise. At least not to anyone who heard their 2023 EP, and debut Pure Noise release, Cold Will. The perfect re-introduction to the band—vocalist Ringo Waterman, guitarist Michael Demko, drummer Connor Haines and bassist Ciro Abraham—it was the perfect appetizer for the 12 intense and blisteringly violent songs that make up this record.
While Cold Will was a set of songs centered around the abuse of power and authority from a more political point of view, those on All The Devils Are Here appeal more to personal human emotions. So rather than a call to arms, these songs deal with the consequences and impact external forces have on everyday people’s lives.
Recorded in New Jersey with producer/engineer Randy Leboeuf (Kublai Kahn, The Acacia Strain, Gideon, Bad Omens – and not one of the people making the band pull their hair out), it’s the first Mugshot record not produced entirely by Haines. That led to a renewed energy in the studio that’s almost tangible when you hear these songs. It also sees Waterman fully settle into his role as vocalist, after joining the band in 2023. And while All The Devils Are Here doesn’t entirely represent a new era for the band, it does still signify and continue what Haines refers to as the “new vibe, new energy and new presence” surrounding and propelling the band since Waterman joined.
MO LOWDA & THE HUMBLE GIVE UP ON A CAT-AND-MOUSE LOVE AFFAIR ON DARK & STORMY
“NORTHSIDE VIOLET” OUT NOW–LISTEN
The band’s spirited, texturally rich fifth studio album Tailing The Ghost is due out June 20 and available for pre-save now. Recorded entirely on the road across America’s most scenic settings, the spellbinding LP promises to be the band’s most commanding, cohesive body of work yet.
Plus, the group will embark on a lengthy North American tour this summer and fall, with support from French Cassettes and Illiterate Light and a slew of festival appearances, fresh off an exhilarating Boston Calling appearance. See a full list of dates below, including three sold out Philadelphia-based vinyl listening parties, and grab tickets now via molowda.com/motour.
Jordan Caiola (lead vocals, guitar, bass) says “This is the single with the most attitude. It’s about a cat and mouse love affair, with the narrator having seemingly finally given up on constantly trying to ignite or reignite that spark.” Sonically, Jeff Lucci (bass, guitar, baritone guitar, keyboards, vocals) adds, “To me, it reminds me of some dark New York alleys, but yet, the alley itself is actually a desert. Urban desert. This track is interesting for me because I did not use a bass guitar to get the mean subby tones.”
Listeners are early anticipating the full project as the quartet’s recent singles have garnered over 2M+ streams across platforms. Last month, the group shared their confidence-boosting shuffling groove “The Painter” which earned praised from Vanyaland, who wrote the track has, “casual swagger disguised as a smooth groove, an intrepid mix of ’70s AM gold with the crystalline echo of 2010’s indie.”
The double single “7.31/Sara’s Got Big Plans” finds the band coming to terms with change and wishing the best to a past love with their signature warmth, gang vocals and rhythm guitar. Earlier this year came the lush, guitar-driven track “Canary” and its splashy animated music video sinks into the nerves of a budding new romance. RIFF Magazine praised its free-flowing, airy spirit, writing, “[‘Canary’] has a carefree yet grounded energy. Surf-pop-inspired riffs give it a familiar but fresh feel, perfect for fans of alt-folk with a summery edge.”
Listen: “7.31” & “Sara’s Got Big Plans”
Watch “Canary” (Official Music Video) | Listen
The highly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album, Tailing The Ghost, was written fully on the road with four members setting up their instrument stations in a circle, facing each other and working through the arrangements in real time between home-cooked meals, poker games, and movie viewings. Breathtaking views in Joshua Tree, Lake Travis, TX, Colorado and Tennessee inspired its magnetic sound–the arrangements vary from sparse and spacious like the California desert, glistening like various lakes to lush and sweeping like the Rocky Mountains–taking on the energy of the environments in which they were created.
Lucci explains, “More spontaneity, gut and sense of self assurance was embodied in my approach to writing and recording this record than any other.” The album captures who they each were in the moment, fleeting and on the move, which pushed them to record tightly and quickly. Lucci continues, “It inspired confidence–the cocktail of quickly writing something and recording it rid the band of self-doubt.” The warmth of their true camaraderie is heard in the gang vocals throughout, and each melody lingers long after each track ends.
The highly energetic, unmatched live show will grace stages across the U.S. and Canada as they move through Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles, Nashville, and conclude in their home city of Philadelphia in November. With new dates across California, Texas and North Carolina added, tickets are on sale now here.
Born out of the house show scene in Philadelphia, Mo Lowda & the Humble shared their first album, Curse The Weather in 2013, and have been non-stop ever since–vigorously playing over 90 shows a year. Remaining fully independent, the group have garnered millions of streams across platforms and boasts over 575K listeners on Spotify alone. The quartet has captivated audiences nationally and internationally and have solidified veteran festival status regularly playing Firefly, Peach Fest, Mountain Jam and more. Now, the band is ready to ascend to the next level with an assertive album that showcases their singular chemistry, masterful instrumentation and unparalleled blend of precision and spontaneity.
“Northside Violet,” out now, brings a defiant, stormy edge to the dynamic sound of Mo Lowda & the Humble. Tailing The Ghost, their glowing, propulsive fifth studio album is due out June 20 and available for pre-save now. Don’t miss the lively quartet live this summer and fall across North America with tickets on sale now via molowda.com/motour. Keep up with all things Mo Lowda & the Humble on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube and stay tuned for much more to come from the bonafide rockers.
CONNECT WITH MO LOWDA & THE HUMBLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud | TikTok | Bandcamp
THE INSPECTOR CLUZO “We Win Together I’m Losing Alone” (Single)
The Inspector Cluzo, the organic farming rock-blues duo from Gascony, France, release first single “We Win Together I’m Losing Alone” from their forthcoming album Less Is More. The June 6 release of Less Is More will be followed by extensive US-Can tour with Clutch and massive European run.
New album follows TIC’s March/April 2024 Australian tour with Infectious Grooves
The Inspector Cluzo, the rock-blues duo comprising two organic farmers from the Gascony region of France, today release the first single from their forthcoming tenth album Less Is More which is due on the 6th June 2025
The single, “We Win Together I’m Losing Alone” features a video by Chilean director Lorenzo de la Maza which was shot on the band’s Gascon farm Lou Casse. The band will follow up their album’s release with a run of shows in North America with their friends Clutch, as well as extensive European dates. An Australian tour is in the wind – they most recently toured Australia in support of Infectious Grooves a year ago, having first ventured down here in 2004, when they played Bluesfest and the Falls Festival.
You can watch the “We Win Together I’m Losing Alone” video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXOl7lM3uZA
On the message of the new single, The Inspector Cluzo says, “We are all been raised with a team mentality. Every single culture in the world highlights the fact that we’re better being together – building skills and assets with our collective qualities and faults for good and bad.
“But, it seems the team mentality is now being ruined by some very individualistic behaviours. After the worldwide Covid crisis this ‘individually successful mentality’ is everywhere. But thinking that getting more than someone else will take you away from societal problems is a false narrative. We handle everything better when we stick together!”
100% self-financed and with very real concerns about post-growth which the new album explores, The Inspector Cluzo mirror their organic farming principles in their dealings with the music business.
The new album was once again recorded with Vance Powell (The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Seasick Steve) in Nashville. The album was recorded completely live in four days and mixed in three. Powell succeeded in catching the trackless, no-playback organic live energy which has made TIC such a live tour de force. Echoing their work as organic farmers the band intend to show that all The Inspector Cluzo performances are played live, with no backing tracks, by using the stamp below – a stamp they hope to be adopted by musicians and bands worldwide. The Inspector Cluzo really is a truly organic live beast.
The concept of Less Is More and all the album’s lyrics were inspired by Henry David Thoreau and Guy Debord.
Henry David Thoreau, was a 19th century American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher – a leading transcendentalist known for his book Walden (which made him the first ever ecologist and post-growth theorist, writing about his own experience about living alone in a cabin in a forest for 2 years) and the writer of Civil Disobedience, an argument in favor of citizen disobedience against an unjust state, and a book which guided Martin Luther King & Gandhi.
Guy Debord was the most famous 20th century French philosopher who best-known for his 1967 essay “The Society of the Spectacle”. Debord was deeply distressed by the hegemony of governments and media over everyday life through mass production and marketing which led to the world we’re living in nowadays: “In a world which really is topsy-turvy, the true is a moment of the false.”
The Inspector Cluzo’s tenth album Less Is More is out June 6 2025 on F. The Bass Player Records via Virgin UK International.
https://theinspectorcluzo.com/en/
THE PEEP TEMPEL ANNOUNCE FINAL ‘TALES’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY SHOWS . LAST CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE ‘TALES’ ANNIVERARY CELEBRATIONS LIVE!
Melbourne’s acclaimed The Peep Tempel are set to deliver a final, exclusive series of electrifying live performances this October, marking the 10th anniversary of their celebrated second album, Tales. These will be the final anniversary shows for this album.
Following highly anticipated and energetic shows earlier this year – including appearances in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, a headline slot at Gum Ball music festival, and next weekend’s performance at Dark Mofo – the band will bring their raw, unforgettable sound to Adelaide, Brisbane, and back to their hometown of Melbourne.
Given the band’s extremely rare live appearances, these performances are not to be missed.
“We weren’t sure how this was going to go, but we are playing better than we ever have. Seven years’ rest was just what we needed.” says vocalist Blake Scott, “So many friendly faces still to see, old friends, new friends. Can’t wait to eat in Adelaide, morning Yum Cha, Yiros, late night pie floaters and the Mcleod, Matera debate. To breathe the air of a Dutton free Brisbane for the first time.It will be a time.”
Don’t miss this rare chance to catch one of the country’s best live bands. You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss these shows.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via the venue’s website or wingsing.co/tour
THE PEEP TEMPEL
‘TALES’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY
FINAL SHOWS
Wednesday 3 October
Lions Art Factory, Adelaide Tickets
Saturday 4 October
Crowbar Brisbane, Brisbane Tickets
Thursday 9 October
Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Tickets
PANDA BEAR Releases Sinister Grift bonus track ‘Virginia Tech‘
Panda Bear shares ‘Virginia Tech’, a track previously only released on the B-side of the 7-inch of Sinister Grift’s lead single ‘Defense’. The song features Noah Lennox’s Animal Collective bandmate and Sinister Grift co-producer Josh “Deakin” Dibb on synthesizer and percussion as well as additional production by Daniel Lopatin.
Sinister Grift is out now on Domino and has been hailed by critics across the board as “his most straightforwardly beautiful record—and also his most emotionally complex” (Pitchfork Best New Music), “powerful and adventurous” (Guardian Album of the Week),“woozy, cosmic city-pop…perfectly sequenced” (MOJO), and “the most pellucid and poignant album of Lennox’s career” (GQ).
Off the back of a fantastic show in Glasgow last night, Panda Bear continues his UK tour this week with a show at the renowned Brudenell Social Club in Leeds tonight as well as a performance at Lido Festival in Victoria Park this Saturday. Today Panda Bear also announces a run of European dates for later in the year.
Panda Bear
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram
HELEN RYDER ‘Magnetic Field’ (Single)
Australian singer-songwriter Helen Ryder returns today with three pieces of very welcome news for music lovers. Firstly, the gifted vocalist and natural storyteller has announced that her much hoped for second studio album, Love Over Hate, will be released later in 2025, after a decade-long wait.
The second piece of good news is the release of the album’s sparkling first single Magnetic Field is out today, June 3. A luminous outing weaving pop hues and gossamer melodies, Magnetic Field dons some sonic rose-coloured glasses as Helen effortlessly charms and beguiles while capturing the warmth and joy of new beginnings.
“Magnetic Field is the first track and first single from Love Over Hate,” shares Helen. “It captures a brand-new love and how it radiates out into the world to create positivity for all. I wrote this on piano playing a lot of Major Seventh chords, for their dreamy quality, and used my higher, breathier voice. I wanted to introduce the album with this uplifting feeling.”
And the third piece of welcome news? Helen today also unveils a very special single launch show for those in Melbourne – complete with a line-up featuring some of Australia’s finest musicians, most of whom feature on Love Over Hate; Bruce Haymes (Paul Kelly, Renee Geyer) on keys, Shane Reilly (Lost Ragas, Emma Donovan) on pedal steel and guitar, Stephen Hadley (Tex Perkins) on bass, and Tony Floyd (The Black Sorrows) on drums.
Special guest Brooke Taylor will open the show with her own set of beautifully crafted songs. The launch will be at St Kilda’s George Lane on Friday July 11. 7pm- 10.30pm
Tickets available HERE
ABOUT HELEN RYDER
Helen has performed at the ARIA Awards with The Whitlams, the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival with Tina Harrod, and with her Ode To Bobbie Gentry show; the Americana festival Out on the Weekend, Caravan Music Club, and George Lane. She has also opened for Vika & Linda Bull, Russell Morris and The Badloves, and currently plays locally at venues in her hometown of Melbourne.
Helen released her debut album, Someday Love, receiving acclaim from music industry tastemakers such as Brian Wise and Jeff Jenkins, alongside strong airplay support from the likes of ABC Radio National, RRR FM, PBS FM and 2SER FM. The album featured guest vocalists Spencer P Jones on the track ‘Lady Bird’, and Kevin Bennett on ‘True Love Travels On A Gravel Road.’ The album was followed by a standalone single released in 2017, covering Neil Young’s 1970 track ‘Birds.’
With her early memories soundtracked by the likes of Dusty Springfield, Bob Dylan and The Beatles, Helen would spend her teens immersed in music spanning pop, folk, country, soul and jazz. Her early experiences performing live reflected her love of experimentation and the aim to become a versatile singer, weaving effortlessly between genres, which has culminated in her new 2025 album Love Over Hate.
SIENNA THORNTON announces new album ‘Birding Out’ (Album out Friday, July 25)
First single + video ‘After Harvest’ out NOW Stream the single Pre-order vinyl
After a long silence since the release of 2018’s ‘Cyanide Thornton’ album, Narrm-based songwriter Sienna Thornton returns with a new full-length album, ‘Birding Out’. This week, we saw the release of ‘After Harvest’, the first single from the forthcoming album. Says songwriter Sienna about the track
“As with a lot of this album I let this song come intuitively, starting with the chord structure which reminded me of patterns in a maze.
Within this I remembered the story of the minotaur from Greek mythology – greed, suffering, nature and nurture, intergenerational threads and the line of twine. This led to linear and non-linear time perception, life-line, body and mind, cycles and spirals, ecosystems and resources – what happens when the extraction of the final harvest has fed our unending hunger.
I found myself trying to find a balance between a desire for certainty, concreteness, and what it feels like to embrace a less tangible, intuitive experience. I tried to imagine where each source of knowing comes from.”
The song features Sienna on most instruments, with a range of guest performers including Shaun Fogarty (tenor sax), Emma Stuart (voice), Georgia Knight (voice), Mei Craken (voice) and Luke Brennan (acoustic guitar). It is accompanied by a music video filmed by Sienna and Jasper Lopez on Yuin Country.
“We filmed the video at Hyman’s Beach just above Booderee National Park on Yuin Country. We were told by a friend to go and see the sand there as we were on a drive down from up north. Finding so much beautiful red seaweed in the water was inspiring visually and texturally, it felt like the interior of a body. We acknowledge and pay deep respect to the custodians of this land who have been caring for Country for so many thousands of years.”
After Harvest is available to listen on all platforms from Wednesday, June 4th.
The full album, Birding Out, is out everywhere Friday, July 25th.
You can pre-order limited edition vinyl copies of the album here.
All titles at Bedroom Suck Records are manufactured using 100% recycled vinyl. Sleeves are made using recycled 350gsm cardstock, and records are protected with recycled polybag sleeves, thanks to Program Records.
MELT 2025 FIRST PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED!
22 OCT – 9 NOV
ON SALE
Following a record-breaking, traffic-stopping, absolutely joyous festival in 2024, Melt Festival returns in 2025 to crank the fabulous factor up to eleven.
From Swarovski-studded cabaret icons to river flotillas, sweaty dance floors and hilariously gay PowerPoint nights, Brisbane’s annual festival of Queer arts and culture promises to be a city-wide celebration of internationally acclaimed artists, homegrown icons, sexy premieres and boundary-pushing brilliance. Here’s just a taste of what’s in store for Melt’s 2025 edition!
Get ready for the cultural climax of the year as fearless, sharp-witted and fabulous cabaret superstar, Reuben Kaye, unleashes the Queensland premiere of enGORGEd for Melt Festival 2025 at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Featuring Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and musical direction by Shanon D Whitelock, this is Kaye’s most lavish, loud and liberated show yet.
Making its Melt debut, Ben Graetz’s (aka Miss Ellaneous) Miss First Nation drag pageant will catwalk into Brisbane, celebrating Blak excellence, creativity and culture with the most glamourous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander queens in the country. After state heats around the country, the grand finale will take centre stage at Melt, where the nation’s fiercest will battle it out for the crown. Expect jaw-dropping performances, powerful storytelling and cultural pride.
What does it mean to be “Australian” in 2025? New musical The Lucky Country tackles that question with wit, warmth and a touch of musical rebellion. Directed by Sonya Suares with music and lyrics by Vidya Makan, this genre-defying work confronts Australia’s cultural contradictions with honesty, heart and a rocking score. Get ready for a sharply observed, joyously unapologetic production that leaves no myth unexamined.
River Pride Parade returns, bringing a flotilla of fabulousness down the Brisbane River/Maiwar, from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse. Got a boat? Register your interest to join the fleet HERE. No boat? Get ready to SPLASH OUT as Harry K launches a fabulously Queer boat party on Brisbane’s newest entertainment venue OASIS.
Queer PowerPoint is back and it’s gayer, geekier and more gloriously unhinged than ever. Watch a rotating cast of Queer creatives turn boring boardroom tools into high-concept hilarity and unexpectedly wild theories. The only rule…they must use the most mundane medium, Microsoft PPT. Topic? Niche. Delivery? Unfiltered. Results? Hysterical. Think you’ve got something to share? Apply to present HERE.
Iconic star of stage and screen Bernadette Peters returns for her first Australian performance in over a decade and a major cultural moment for theatre and music lovers alike! An Evening with Bernadette Peters will hit the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 24 October. Expect a glorious night of songs and stories from Peters’ incredible career, accompanied by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Get your tickets HERE.
Melt 2025 First Announce Video
Last year Melt called on Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community and allies to get nude and 5500 people answered that call for Spencer Tunick’s monumental installation on the Story Bridge. This year Melt is asking you to get vocal! Round out your Melt experience with 1000 Voices, a major choral event uniting queer and ally choirs and solo singers in one monumental moment of song, spirit and solidarity – a love letter to community, courage and collective harmony. Goosebumps guaranteed.
Melt 2025 continues to push the envelope, bringing together explosive nightlife, emotionally resonant theatre and thought-provoking visual art. Hole-Mania 2.0 promises an unhinged, high-energy Queer wrestle-party at The Tivoli, hosted by Queer dance party icon Shandy and drag menace Gogo Bumhole. Meanwhile, horror meets high drag in Scream Queen at the Princess Theatre, a blood-curdling drag spectacular starring a killer lineup of global drag royalty including Naomi Smalls, Yvie Oddly, and Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax.
In theatre, the program cuts deep with works that reckon with identity, belonging and colonisation. Jordan Shea’s award-winning Malacañang Made Us at Queensland Theatre explores the Filipino-Australian diaspora with epic scale and emotional grit. Whitefella Yella Tree at La Boite Theatre is a luminous love story between two Aboriginal boys on the brink of invasion, a poetic and heartbreaking reflection on land and first love, while Gerwyn Davies new work Shimmer brings stunning, identity-focused photographic portraits to the Museum of Brisbane, made in collaboration with trans and gender-diverse young people at Open Doors Youth Service.
Other program highlights include the return of Micah Rustichelli’s Demon Rhythm, which challenges the value of image consumption through a massive work of painting and repurposed Instagram imagery from the app’s explore page, SEXY GAY ART at VENTspace, a saucy, subversive showcase of Queer desire in all its forms and Femme Follies Burlesque, a sapphic spin on classic cabaret that brings fierce femme energy and glamorous grit to The Wickham. Rounding out Melt’s first program announcement for 2025 is Still Lives: Brisbane by Luke George and Daniel Kok, a roped-up homage to the city’s punk past, suspending instruments (and performers) in a haunting reanimation of Brisbane’s radical roots.
And honey, this is just the beginning! Full program coming soon…
MELT 2025
Brisbane/Magandjin: 22 October – 9 November
For more information, please visit: melt.org.au
VIXENS OF FALL UNVEIL HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO MOTHERHOOD WITH THEIR NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘MAKE MY MAMA PROUD’
After bringing the party with their last hit ‘Sinkin’ Spirits’ which climbed to #7 on the Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay Chart and earned a wave of editorial love from Apple Music, Vixens of Fall return with something a little deeper and a whole lot more personal.
Their new single ‘Make My Mama Proud’ isn’t just a song, it’s a vow, and a deeply feminine love letter wrapped in the magic of motherhood.
Produced by country legend Rod McCormack at The Music Cellar, ‘Make My Mama Proud’ is a shimmering slow burn. Clad with country music’s usual suspects – acoustic guitars, fiddle, mandolin – the track is brought to life by Nina, Wren, and Lulu united in enchanting harmony. From the first breath to the final note, it glows with the warmth of old soul country, as the sisters pay tribute to the kind of bond that can never be broken.
“There isn’t anything like a mother’s love, and we couldn’t think of a better way than to immortalise our favourite woman than with a ballad reminiscent of our youth,” they say. “When you’re younger, you think your parents don’t understand you… and then as you grow into adults, you realise your mum is your best friend and you couldn’t do life without her.”
‘Make My Mama Proud’ had been quietly tucked away for five years, the only secret the sisters say they’ve ever kept from their mother. Penned alongside Lucy Parle and Gina Jeffreys, the song’s emotional weight proved almost too much to bear at times during recording. “It took us all a while to be able to record certain lines, because of the tears that welled in our eyes… We gifted the song to her for Mother’s Day, and her reaction was everything. This song is more than a song, it’s our story.”
With over 1.7 million artist streams and a run of beloved releases behind them including ‘Mugshot’ which hit #1 on Country Radio Charts and ‘Break It Easy’, peaking at #3 on CountryTown Hot 50 chart, Vixens of Fall are no strangers to the spotlight, but this time, they’re letting their mum share it too.
“Sharing life with our mum has been one of the biggest honours of our life… but sharing the screen with her in our music video? That’s next level.”
When videographer Jake Davey arrived at Nina’s family home to be greeted by three generations of Vixens, they all knew they were about to create something special.
“Our video celebrates 3 generations of strong women. Watching her interact with Scout (Nina’s daughter) reminded us of the times she would do those things with us as kids. It was powerful, emotional and it strengthened our bond even more.” WATCH VIDEO HERE
With a songbook full of everything from heartfelt ballads to raucous party anthems, Vixens of Fall deliver a mesmerising live show. Festival slots locked in at Gympie Music Muster, Urban CMF and Savannah in the Round, plus headline dates across the East Coast, will have the trio lighting up stages for the rest of year.
Soaked in sentiment, ‘Make My Mama Proud’ speaks to anyone who’s ever been guided by the fierce, quiet power of a mother’s love. As the sisters put it: “This ballad is our love letter to her and to every mum who’s been a guiding light… our Mama is the thread that holds us together — strong, steady and full of love.”
SHOW DATES:
Saturday 6th June – Music in the Mulga – Thargomindah, QLD
Wednesday 18th June – Making Music Month – North Lakes Library – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 20th June – Honky Tonks – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 11th July – Honky Tonks – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 2nd August – Prosperine Entertainment Centre – Proserpine, QLD
Friday 8th August – Honky Tonks – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 15th August – Somerset Civic Theatre – Esk, QLD
Thursday 28th August – Gympie Music Muster – Gympie, QLD
Friday 19th September – Honky Tonks – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 4th – Urban CMF – Caboolture, QLD
Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th – Savannah in the Round – Mareeba, QLD
CONNECT WITH VIXENS OF FALL www.vixensoffall.com
WUNDERHORSE share new single The Rope
Wunderhorse are proud to share new single ‘The Rope’ following a sold-out UK tour which culminated in a triumphant stop at Alexandra Palace and the band’s debut appearance on Jools Holland, televised yesterday (1st June).
‘The Rope’ came together weeks before Wunderhorse embarked on their biggest headline shows to date last month. Conceived and recorded in a flash at London’s RAK Studios with producer Loren Humphrey, the track mirrors the ethos of spontaneity and urgency present throughout recent album Midas.
Midas was recorded at Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studio (birthplace of Nirvana’s In Utero & PJ Harvey’s Rid Of Me) with producer Craig Silvey (The Rolling Stones, The National, Florence + the Machine), and follows the band’s acclaimed 2022 debut, Cub. Released in August last year, the record saw the band striding confidently into their role as one of British guitar music’s most exciting outfits.
Adopting an organic, unpolished recording process, Midas is a collection which captures the visceral atmosphere of Wunderhorse’s lauded live performances. “When we first went into the studio to make this record, the only thing we were sure about is how we wanted it to sound: very imperfect, very live, very raw,” frontman Jacob Slater explains. “We wanted it to sound like your face is pressed up against the amplifiers, like you’ve been locked inside the bass drum.”
Midas is available to order here
Wunderhorse’s debut Australian tour, presented via Handsome Tours, will kick off this coming September. On the tour; “We’ve wanted to head over to AUS and NZ for a while but it never quite materialised for one reason or another. To be heading out there for the first time to some upgraded and sold out venues is surreal to say the least. We’re looking forward to delivering something special for the fans on the other side of the globe.” Wunderhorse
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Tickets via Handsome Tours
Sat 20 September Enmore Theatre Sydney VENUE UPGRADE
Tues 23 September Forum Melbourne SOLD OUT
Wed 24 September Princess Theatre Brisbane
Fri 26 September Freo.Social Perth SOLD OUT
Sat 27 September Freo.Social Perth NEW SHOW ADDED
WUNDERHORSE: Official Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Café del Mar Launches First Artist Album With Legendary Electronic Duo Pig&Dan
Marking a bold new chapter in their enduring legacy, Café del Mar sets to release its first-ever artist-led album ‘Journey Within’ crafted by electronic heavyweights Pig&Dan. Released on June 13th, 2025, the album represents an exciting genre shift for both artist and label, fusing Pig&Dan’s signature techno-edged soundtrack with the icon, laid-back, immersive ethos of Café del Mar’s chillout heritage.
Globally recognised for defining the chillout and Balearic sound, Café del Mar is renowned for curating captivating sunset experiences and compilations, shaping decades of musical culture far beyond the Balearics where it was born. Now celebrating their 45th anniversary, the revered Ibiza brand embraces a forward-thinking persona, expanding on their formative roots. This new format sets out to elevate their legacy through a collaborative vision, starting with Pig&Dan’s‘ Journey Within’. This milestone sets a precedent for artist-led projects under Café del Mar Music, pushing boundaries whilst still honouring its sunset heritage.
Café del Mar’s resident DJ & Music Curator, Ken Fan, echoes the release’s sentiment: “Pig&Dan sent me this unsigned album last year, and after testing the tracks in my daily sets, the crowd’s reaction said it all. Every time I included them in a mix, people were asking what they were, and Shazaming with no results. It’s a brilliant start to our first artist release at Café del Mar, with more to come. Watch this space.”
For Pig&Dan, Journey Within marks an artistic evolution. Broadly known for their high-energy Techno sets on worldwide stages that include Tomorrowland and Awakenings, the creative duo pivots into a more reflective side of their identity with this compilation. The album roots itself into earthy dub textures, featuring warm psychedelia and downtempo soundscapes that create an expansive reimagining of chillout music, anchored with raw depth and emotion.
Pig&Dan share their insights and inspiration “We wanted to explore the deeper, more emotive side of our musical identity, stepping away from the club energy to create something that reaches a bit deeper. This album is a journey into our minds, reflecting the influences and organic sounds that have always been part of our creative DNA.”
The album is both evolutionary and explorative in equal measure. With a well-curated mix of tracks and emotions, listeners will be drawn into a journey that amplifies the Ibiza vibe. The first track is a prime example, ‘Can’t Do It On My Own’ instantly sets the album’s soul-searching tone. Built upon rich, layered instrumentation, the track weaves emotive strings and atmospheric synths before breaking into an expressive vocal, elevating the track’s introspective feel. It’s a standout production that bridges Pig&Dan’s underground credibility with Café del Mar’s resilient and emotive storytelling.
This milestone release not only honours Café del Mar’s Balearic heritage, synonymous with chillout and Ibiza’s golden-hour spirit, but also signals a visionary future for the label. With stunning cover art by David Robles, Journey Within captures a deeply personal and forward-thinking sound, setting the tone for a new era of artist-led storytelling under Café del Mar Music.
Journey Within will be available June 13th, 2025, on all major streaming platforms.
Presave: https://li.sten.to/journeywithin
Find Out More & Follow Café del Mar Instagram | Website | YouTube
Pig&Dan Instagram | Bio | Spotify
BLUES ROULETTE NEWS
Melbourne based Blues legends Blues roulette are i fulls wing this winter. He’s what they have to say about activity this week.
“Hello! May was a chill one — we had some amazing Thursday nights at Beneath Driver Lane and dropped some incredible new merch! I got out to see some great shows and support the community, I much prefer being on the playing side of the stage, but it’s a privilege to get amongst it and see folks play. What did you see this month that you enjoyed?
We have some exciting stuff coming in June, the launch of a new band under the Blues Roulette umbrella! Paul Slattery’s Unfortunate Sons.
What’s coming up?
The incredibly special Iseula Hingano & Andy Mc
Sunday, 8th June, from 4:00pm
The Woodlands Hotel, Coburg
Pete Cornelius (from Tasmania) with Blues Roulette
Thursday 12th June from 9pm
Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne CBD
Paul Slattery’s Unfortunate Sons opening for Ruff Raff
Melbourne’s down and dirty ACCA DACCA cover band
taking you back to 1976 Bon Scott era with loud, raw, rock n roll bliss.
Friday 13th June, from 7pm
Memo Music Hall, St Kilda
Get your tickets from TryBooking.com
SLATZAPOLOOZA
Sunday, 15th June, from 4:00pm
The Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy
John-Luke Shelly with Blues Roulette
Thursday 19th June from 9pm
Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne CBD
Prahran Market SINNERS ROAST!
Jimi Hocking, Phil Ceberano, Benny Peters, Kathleen Halloran, Iseula Hingano and MORE!!
Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June
This is an all ages, FREE EVENT, supported by the City of Stonnington to celebrate the Winter Solstice
Elizabeth Street (off Chapel) will be closed all weekend for festivities. Come and enjoy food and fun.
Jimi Hocking with Blues Roulette
Thursday 26th June from 9pm
Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne CBD
Keep your eyes on our facebook page for more gigs and updates.
VADER New EP HUMANIHILITY Is Out Now + Release Can Be Streamed In Full On YouTube
Humanihility, the brand new EP by Polish death metal veterans VADER has been unleashed upon the world. Please scroll down to purchase your physical copy or to stream the release in full!
Five years after the much-lauded 12th studio album Solitude In Madness, VADER return with 3 brand-new tracks once again produced by Scott Atkins at Grindstone Studio, UK. Featuring excellent artwork by Marcelo Vasco (Slayer, Testament, Dark Funeral), this EP marks the first recording as a quintet with guitarist Mauser returning to the group and new drummer Michael alongside vocalist/guitarist Peter, bassist Hal and and another long-time member of the band – guitarist Spider.
Humanihility offers scorching new songs that prove to be vicious, thrash-laden anthems perfectly blending old-school thrash with VADER’s unique straight-forward fury and neckbreaking tempos. Each of the songs was created by a different band member, giving them a more personal style.
The only physical edition will be a limited 12” (red vinyl, 700 copies).
VADER formed back in 1983 and besides releasing classics such as The Ultimate Incantation, De Profundis, Litany (which has its 25th anniversary in 2025) and many more, are the longest active extreme metal band to ever emerge from Europe!
PURCHASE OR STREAM HUMANIHILITY: https://vader.bfan.link/humanihility
HUMANIHILITY – FULL RELEASE STREAM ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE82TUsAKLI
VADER – Humanihility Release Date: 30/05/2025
12” LP, Digital Album
1. Genocide Designed
2. Rampage
3. Unbending (Mystic Festival Anthem 2025)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vader
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vader_band_official/
X: https://x.com/vaderband
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panzervader
THE GO TWOS. ‘KURRAWARRA’ (Single)
You might know all of them as fabulous musicians but possibly not under the one banner. Here’s the first song from their forthcoming album. STREAM HERE
“Tough you got to be tough”, so begins Kurrawarra, a story too often told, as generational farming families sell up or lose their land to the banks. The story of John, with a deep and enduring connection to the land, forever hopeful to get back to the farm.
Drawing from the rich traditions of original material, folk, blues, bluegrass and Celtic music, The Go Twos create a captivating musical blend merging their diverse backgrounds and passion for folk traditions into a unique and enchanting sound.
Rosie McDonald – vocals, acoustic guitar, Irish bouzouki, bodhran
Nigel Lever – vocals, mandolin, flat pick acoustic guitar, octave mandolin
Quentin Fraser – dobro resonator guitar, double bass
Rosie McDonald is a singer/guitarist with a strong, driving rhythmic playing style, often in alternate tuning as well as finger picking style guitar along with Irish bouzouki and bodhran.
Rosie’s rich alto voice, leads the listener into the stories from her own writing while honouring the folk & roots tradition honed over the past 25 years. Rosie has played numerous gigs and festivals with Mothers of Intention, RAPT, Folklore, Seanchas, McMolly ,The Prankqueans & the Trippy hippy band.
Nigel Lever is a renowned bluegrass and folk mandolinist / guitarist and singer. Founding member of iconic bluegrass band ‘Acoustic Shock’ and later with the Karen Lynne band, The Willing Ponies, 3 Jimmies, The 3 Marketeers, Trippy Hippy Band, The Faraway eyes, Gleny Rae Virus & the Grass Brazoos. Nigel has toured extensively in Australia and overseas, as well as frequently travelling to the American Bluegrass heartland to immerse himself in the music at festivals such as Rockygrass, Grey Fox, Preddyfest, IBMA and Galax festivals.
Quentin Fraser -.multi instrumentalist whose playing styles include country swing, jazz, folk, blues and bluegrass has been performing in multiple line ups and has collaborated with Nigel for many years
The GoTwos have recorded their debut album Kurrawarra with Bowen Shakallis at Stranded recording studio, Bellambi in the Illawarra, and mixed by multi talented musician Ben Thomas in Tamworth. The tracks were mastered by PAX at Altasona Studio, Sydney.
Website The Go Twos website
You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@rosienigelduo1436
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheGoTwos/
Band camp https://thegotwos.bandcamp.com
Winter Blues Festival Reveals Second Wave of Artists for 25th Edition
The Winter Blues Festival is thrilled to announce the second wave of artists set to join the massive 25th anniversary celebrations in Echuca-Moama VIC from 24–27 July 2025.
Adding even more firepower to an already stellar lineup, this new collection of acts showcases the diversity and strength of Australia’s blues and roots scene – from swampy slide guitar and gritty vocals to soulful ballads and driving rock ‘n’ roll.
Second Artist Announcement (in alphabetical order)
Bek Jensen
Claude Hay & The Kung Fu Mustard
Eddy & the Exciters
FOOLS
George Macfloyd Blues Band
Glenn Skuthorpe
Louise MacGregor
Luke Harrington
Mike Elrington
Nathan Cavaleri
Oscar LaDell
Paul Buchanan’s Blues Xpress
Pete Cornelius
Phil Para
Salt & Steel
Smoke Stack Rhino
Sweet Talk
The Rory Phillips Trio
The Windsavers
These artists join the first round of talent already announced – including 8 Ball Aitken, Checkerboard Lounge, 19 Twenty, and Sweet Felicia & The Honeytones – for what promises to be one of the most dynamic and unforgettable festivals yet.
Festival Chair Laurelin Berick says the response to this year’s announcements has been overwhelming. “It’s our 25th event, and we want it to be a true celebration of community, creativity and connection. This latest lineup proves that the blues in Australia is not only alive — it’s thriving.”
Renowned for its free-entry format, the Winter Blues Festival takes place in over 20 local venues, drawing more than 20,000 music fans to the region annually. What began as a local initiative has grown into a nationally loved destination event, delivering a major economic and cultural boost for Echuca-Moama.
The festival is proudly supported by community partners, local business, and national initiatives such as Revive Live — an Australian Government program supporting the return of live music.
For updates and information, visit winterblues.com.au.
SOPHIA WARREN SINKS INTO THE MESSY BEAUTY OF BECOMING ON SOPHOMORE EP ‘ADESSO’
OUT NOW VIA TIGRIS 33/UMG–LISTEN
PRODUCED BY CHRIS COADY (BEACH HOUSE, YEAH YEAH YEAHS, SLOWDIVE) & MOVES THROUGH AN ANXIOUS FOG ON “PURPLE” WITH VISUALIZER–WATCH
This week, Austin, TX-based alt-pop singer-songwriter Sophia Warren shares her resilient, raw sophomore EP, Adesso, the second in a series of three EPs, out now via Tigris 33/UMG. Along with the full project, Warren moves through her anxious fog as she attempts to quiet her mind on “Purple” and its matching visualizer, out now.
Cinematic and atmospheric, Adesso, meaning “now” in Italian, is a defiant declaration of independence–meeting Warren where she is today, unbound to anything or anyone. Produced by Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Slowdive), each track is its own intimate sonic portrait of Warren’s inner-most struggles, fears and hopes as she sets off on a path towards healing and deeper self-discovery. Looking for peace within this present moment, Warren says the project allows her to finally be herself, not defined by love or loss, sharing, “The EP asks, who am I without them? What do I truly want? These songs are about me peeling back the layers of uncertainty and learning to trust my own voice. It’s scary, it’s raw, but it’s real.” Adesso serves as the second installment in a three part series of EPs that trace Warren’s experiences of growing up.
The steady, rolling groove, “Purple,” also out today, sees Warren confront a bout of anxiety as she learns to live alongside it rather than control it. Warren shares the track is, “the sound of me facing my anxiety, of standing still in the chaos of my own mind and choosing to embrace every part of myself even when it wasn’t easy, even when I wanted to run from it.” Its title comes from the concoction of emotions blended throughout–red being fiery anger and self-destruction, blue being the quiet sadness and weight of the past and purple is where they meet as Warren learns to sit with each without shame.
Watch “Purple” (Official Visualizer)
Sophia Warren was raised between Austin and Asheville, and officially burst onto the scene with her debut EP Bloodstone in 2024. Always immersed in both music and activism, Warren dedicates time to animal welfare as she aims to build a more compassionate world. Tastemaker Melodic Magazine praised Warren’s artistry, writing, “bold, resonant vocals..unveiling the raw truth with sounds similar to the Cocteau Twins and Slowdive, and lyricism that boldly yet delicately discusses life and love..” Now, with her emotionally cutting, evocative sophomore EP officially out, Warren aims to continue her artistic evolution and step into her own strength one day at a time.
On the vulnerable, resonant EP Adesso, out now, Sophia Warren embraces past hardship and self-compassion to discover her own power and wholeness. Connect with Sophia Warren via Instagram, TikTok and YouTube and stay tuned for more from the rising alt-pop artist.
ABOUT SOPHIA WARREN
Sophia Warren is a singer-songwriter and advocate whose music blends emotional pop with cinematic, atmospheric textures. Raised in Asheville and Austin, she grew up immersed in music and purpose, two forces that continue to shape her sound and vision. Her lyrics explore themes like identity, mental health, and healing with raw honesty, while her advocacy focuses on animal welfare and building a more compassionate world.
After releasing her debut EP Bloodstone, Sophia quickly garnered attention for her evocative storytelling and genre-blurring style. Her latest project, Adesso, marks a deeper evolution both sonically and personally diving into topics like imposter syndrome, anxiety, and learning to stand in your truth. She’s performed in intimate listening rooms and emerging showcases, steadily building a loyal fanbase drawn to her authenticity and emotional depth.
Currently signed to Universal Music Group Mexico, Sophia is expanding her reach across international markets while continuing to blend music and advocacy through campaigns, storytelling, and live performance. With new releases on the horizon and ongoing work in the animal welfare space, Sophia Warren is crafting not just a career, but a movement rooted in empathy, impact, and the power of art to connect us all.
CONNECT WITH SOPHIA WARREN Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
LILY GRACE Celebrates Summer with “Me, Myself & Wine” (Single)
No. 1 country artist, Lily Grace kickstarts her ‘glow up summer’ with a glass of Chardonnay and her new single, “Me, Myself and Wine” – available everywhere now. Hailing from Gold Coast, Australia and residing in Nashville, Tennessee, Lily Grace is celebrating her move to the USA this year with “Me, Myself & Wine.”
Listen to Lily Grace’s “Me, Myself & Wine” HERE: https://vyd.co/MeMyselfAndWine
“Me, Myself & Wine” is a post-breakup anthem, illustrating the empowerment that comes from “winding it down,” protecting your peace and sipping your ex goodbye. “I didn’t want to write another song about heartbreak – I wanted to write one about the freedom that comes after,” states Lily Grace. “Sometimes the biggest glow-up is just choosing peace, pajamas, and a pour of wine.”
“Me, Myself and Wine” is Grace’s first release of the year and a highly anticipated followup to her No. 1 ARIA Country Album, Old Enough To Know Better, which became the 5th highest selling country album in Australia last year.
A successful debut album is always wonderful, but it’s what comes next that shows the true trajectory of an artist – and Lily Grace is soaring. In 2025 alone, Lily Grace provided direct support for both Orianthi and Robben Ford, performed several shows in Las Vegas and Nashville, and headlined her own Australian tour. “Me, Myself & Wine” will be supported by several shows, including Stoney’s Rockin Country in Las Vegas, NV on the release date, May 30.
“Me, Myself, and Wine” is available now on all streaming platforms, in addition to Dolby Atmos compatible devices. “Lily Grace is one of the most hard working artists and has an incredible career ahead,” states Dawn DeJongh, owner of Burning Ground Entertainment. Lily Grace and her future endeavors can be kept up with online at www.lilygracelive.com and on all social media @lilygracelive.
About Lily Grace
Lily Grace may be young but with millions of streams, an ARIA No. 1 debut album, Australian music awards and a plethora of high profile performances, she radiates from Gold Coast, Australia to Nashville, Tennessee.
She not only possesses the No. 5 highest selling country album in Australia in 2024 with her debut album Old Enough To Know Better, but is up for numerous awards and, already in 2025 alone, has hit the road opening for Orianthi and Robben Ford, as well as her own headlining ‘Give Me That’ Tour. Through effortless vocal abilities, prolific songwriting and a warm disposition, her vibrance is undeniable and her talent is unparalleled. Already turning industry heads, the Aussie is collaborating with iconic artists and honing her craft in the US.
LILY GRACE LINKS
Instagram.com/lilygracelive
TikTok.com/@lilygracelive
Facebook.com/lilygracelive
YouTube.com/@lilygracelive
Lily Grace Live: View all tour dates at www.lilygracelive.com
SUSANNAH JOFFE “Horses Can’t Outrun Me” (Single)
NYC-via-Austin indie dream-pop artist Susannah Joffe is sharing “Horses Can’t Outrun Me”, the latest single off of her upcoming EP, Cult Leader (due July 27th). The track chases after Susannah as she jumps the gun and runs away from a once intoxicating, toxic love. Melding ethereal southern twang with campy pop synth, the track feels like the lovechild of Angel Olsen and Chappell Roan, an alluring encapsulation of a runner’s high. With mesmerizing distorted guitars, vintage omnichord, and a galloping bassline, Susannah Joffe’s latest offering evokes the heart-pounding feeling of a neon pink horse running in slow motion across a desolate desert.
Susannah describes the track in her own words: “Horses Can’t Outrun Me” is a cinematic dream-pop track that blends nostalgic 80s pop with shoegaze textures, telling a story of emotional escape through Americana-laced imagery and vivid, surreal longing.”
After recently crossing 1M monthly listeners on Spotify, it is clear that the universe of Susannah Joffe is ever-expanding and irresistibly infatuating. “Horses Can’t Outrun Me” showcases Susannah’s ability to paint evocative lyrical landscapes driven by heart-wrenching narratives that toe the lines between heated desire, biting regret, and careful rumination. With a cynical eagerness leaking out of the cracks of her broken heart and vocals as soft as gossamer, she sings, “Regret isn’t a race / But I’ll take a ribbon for first place / I’m taking my heart off my sleeve / Cause love’s a dangerous thing”. All in all, “Horses Can’t Outrun Me” adds another darkly luscious layer to the rich, masterfully crafted Americana-pop world of Susannah Joffe.
“Horses Can’t Outrun Me” ride in on the heels of Susannah Joffe’s breakout singles “Call Me Pretty”, “Shit Out Of Luck” and “Sofia Coppola” have garnered praise from the likes of GLAAD, PAPER, FLOOD, and Ones To Watch. Her 2024 single “Die Your Daughter” is currently going viral on TikTok with 175.6M video views and 99K creations, and has garnered over 17 million streams on Spotify.
Susannah also boasts an extensive touring history, previously opening for artists such as Mt. Joy, NIKI, Harry Styles, Sun Room, Arcy Drive, Adam Melchor, and most recently Indigo De Souza. She’s toured with The Brazen Youth, The Moss, and Kristiane, and has been featured in publications including The Luna Collective, The C Word, and Five Cent Sound. Susannah also hit the road opening for Alix Page on a string of North American dates earlier this month.
FREE TO SHARE:
Susannah Joffe – Horses Can’t Outrun Me
Susannah Joffe – Call Me Pretty
Susannah Joffe – Shit Out Of Luck
Susannah Joffe – Sofia Coppola
Susannah Joffe – Sofia Coppola (Lyric Video)
SUSANNAH JOFFE SOCIALS: Spotify / TikTok / Instagram / Facebook / Website / YouTube / X
HANNAH STOW ‘I Never Changed’ (Single)
Perth pop artist Hannah Stow has released a stirring new single titled ‘I Never Changed’— an expression of grief and frustration at the experience of having a significant other changing up their personality, to the detriment of the relationship. A lament aimed towards this sense of insincerity from the opposing side, ‘I Never Changed’ is a heartbreaking declaration of truth and authenticity;
“This track is about giving someone everything and them being fake and switching up who they are whilst you stay consistent. Being so bound by the bare minimum and lowering your expectations when you date someone. Forgetting your worth and begging them to stay and hear you out. Trying to be what they need when you don’t even believe in yourself enough to stand by what you need.” HANNAH STOW
Written and produced with Benjamin Siva (Khaled, Chris Lanzon, Loretta, SADBOii), the process of creating ‘I Never Changed’ was one of fluid and natural collaboration. Before being mastered by Blake Malone (Amy Shark, Budjerah, Client Liaison, Tia Gostelow Peach Fur), the track came together in a frenzy of sensational teamwork, which saw Hannah and Ben entirely wrapped up in a creative world of their own. Much to the dismay of the local city council – and Hannah’s wallet – they might’ve even had their heads a little too in the game, by the tail end of it…
“I copped a $120 parking fine in Surry Hills because we were so engrossed in the making of this track I didn’t want to leave the studio to update my parking ticket because I was too scared to lose the vibe. Ben’s a gun on guitar and I’d hum a tune and he would just play it no questions asked. I came to him with bare lyrics and not even a melody then once he played guitar everything started to flow.” HANNAH STOW
Once the bones of the track had been laid out with Ben’s help, Hannah drew in the final wisps of magic upon her return home to Perth, consolidating ‘I Never Changed’ as one of her favourite and most personal releases to date;
“I then went back to Perth and recorded this in my home studio and sent it back to him, and to date it’s a song of mine that makes me feel the most. I want confetti cannons to go off at my show when I play this.” HANNAH STOW
A rising star with sold out headline shows under her belt, as well as previous support slots for the likes of rapper 360, Hannah Stow is a powerful presence on stage. Demonstrating to live audiences just why she has amassed over 3 million streams, and maintains nearly 70K followers on Tiktok and over 16K on Instagram, Hannah will be returning to the stage later this year in celebration of her new and upcoming releases. With a headline show at Perth’s Milk Bar this August, followed by a set supporting Aviva in early October, Hannah Stow is ready to kick things up a notch.
HANNAH STOW LIVE SHOWS
HEADLINE: Friday August 8th Milk Bar Perth TICKETS
SUPPORTING AVIVA: Thursday October 2nd Amplifier Perth TICKETS
‘I Never Changed’ is out now
Hannah Stow: Official Website | triple j Unearthed | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
GARBAGE RELEASE THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM ‘Let All That We Imagine Be The Light’
Let All That We Imagine Be The Light is the follow-up to 2021’s critically acclaimed No Gods No Masters, which charted at Number 5 on the UK album charts and led to some of the best reviews of Garbage’s career. Let All That We Imagine Be The Light was recorded at Red Razor Sounds in Los Angeles, Butch Vig’s studio Grunge Is Dead, and Shirley Manson’s bedroom. The record was produced by the band and longtime engineer Billy Bush.
The album is unmistakably Garbage and all the hallmarks and signatures for which they are known are present. Big angular guitars, precise, propulsive beats and cinematic soundscapes all lurk beneath Shirley Manson’s unmistakable voice, her lyrics bristling with attitude. This is the sound of a group at the peak of their creative powers – characteristically harnessing sonic juxtapositions and moods to create an album that thrums equally with both light and shade.
Garbage consists of all four original band members, Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. Over the 30 years since their inception in 1995 they have sold over 20 million albums. Their unique sound, songwriting and electric live performances have inspired worldwide adoration, chart success and critical acclaim. They are considered one of the most influential bands of their generation.
Garbage’s new album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light is out now digitally, on pearl sunrise vinyl, neon orange vinyl and CD. Stream / purchase the album HERE.
MABEL ANNOUNCES SELF-TITLED MIXTAPE OUT 25 JULY + SHARES NEW TRACK ‘JANUARY 19’
Mabel announces her self-titled mixtape Mabel, out 25 July via Polydor Records. The announcement also arrives with a brand-new track ‘January 19‘, out now.
Fresh off the release of her new single ‘Benz’ with UK rapper Clavish, Mabel has announced her highly anticipated self-titled mixtape. The mixtape marks a bold reintroduction to the BRIT award-winning artist, offering a raw and unfiltered statement of who Mabel is today. Recorded over the past few months, largely at her home studio, the 9-track mixtape features a number of close collaborators, including a verse from Clavish and production by Oscar Scheller (PinkPantheress, Shygirl), Arthur Bean (Central Cee) and more. Blending multiple genres and reconnecting with her acclaimed earlier sound, the project captures the full spectrum of Mabel’s artistry and identity.
Speaking about the mixtape, Mabel said: “The tape is all new music made in the last few months with some of my nearest and dearest. It’s really important to me with this project that people know that this is where I’m at now and I wanted it to come out without too much overthinking. It’s a blend of all the genres and cultures that make me who I am and I would say it’s beautiful organised chaos. It doesn’t have to make sense to everyone and I think it’s the first time in a long time I’ve been this unfiltered. There’s both a simplicity and a depth to the music that I love, in a way I just wrote it without too much thought but afterwards I realised it’s kind of a toxic love letter to my 10 years in the industry.”
The album announcement arrives with the reflective new single, ‘January 19’. Produced by Oscar Scheller, the track takes its name from the day it was written, exactly one month before Mabel’s birthday. On the track, Mabel reflects on her career so far and candidly explores the pressures of navigating the music industry. As the opening track on the mixtape, it sets the tone for a project that is raw, honest and fluid in its creation. This is Mabel at her most authentic.
Speaking about the new track, Mabel added: “I wrote this exactly one month before my 29th birthday and I was reflecting on another year around the sun. The process of writing this was a brain dump about the pressure that I’ve felt throughout my career. The need for approval is something that has eaten me up at times but now I’m in a place where I’m so comfortable just doing things for me!”
Mabel’s self-titled mixtape marks her first project since 2022’s studio album About Last Night… and follows a string of critically acclaimed singles over the last year including, ‘All Over You’ ft. King Promise, ‘Vitamins’, ‘Stupid Dumb’ ft. Ty Dolla Sign and ‘Chat’. Next week Mabel will headline the NOTION stage at the very first SXSW London as a part of the House of R&B stage. Kicking off a week of electrifying performances, Mabel will grace the stage on June 2nd in Shoreditch.
ABOUT MABEL
Mabel, born Mabel Alabama-Pearl McVey, is one of the UK’s brightest popstars. She has amassed twelve top 20 singles with hits like ‘Don’t Call Me Up’, ‘My Lover’ and ‘Fine Line’, two UK top 3 albums and won Best Female Solo at the BRITs. Mabel released her platinum-selling debut album High Expectations in 2019 – the biggest-selling debut by a British woman that year. Released in 2022, Mabel’s sophomore album About Last Night became her highest charting release to date, debuting at number two on the Official Charts and received critical acclaim from the likes of NME, The Observer and DIY. Mabel has now surpassed over 4.5 billion streams, and 8 million singles sold worldwide. She has also graced the cover of numerous publications including British GQ, Glamour, ES Mag and more.
‘January 19’ – OUT NOW VIA POLYDOR RECORDS BUY/STREAM HERE
MABEL Mixtape out 25 July PRE ORDER/SAVE HERE
MORE INFO: INSTAGRAM TIKTOK WEBSITE X YOUTUBE FACEBOOK
FANNY LUMSDEN RELEASES NEW SINGLE, A STUNNING COVER OF GOTYE’S SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW
Fanny Lumsden returns today with her first new music since 2023’s ARIA, AIR and Golden Guitar Award-winning album, Hey Dawn, unveiling an unexpected and totally glorious new single courtesy of her version of Gotye’s global hit, Somebody That I Used To Know, featuring Kimbra.
The recording features Fanny’s live band, The Prawn Stars and was produced by Matt Fell, Dan Freeman and Fanny, mixed by Matt Fell and mastered by William Bowden (who mastered the original Gotye version). Download / stream here
Fanny explains the inspiration behind the single, saying, “After doing our own version of Somebody That I Used To Know on ABC’s Spicks and Specks last year, we started adding it to our live show, and have loved playing around with it so much that we thought it about time we recorded it! It’s the first song that has my whole live touring band on it, and it makes me so happy that each of these people I spend so much time with on the road, brought a little of themselves to the song. We also wanted to feature the harmonies, which are a big thing for us live.”
The accompanying video has premiered here, featuring Fanny and her band The Prawn Stars. It was shot in the Upper Murray region and directed and produced by Fanny and Dan Stanley Freeman. Fanny says, “We got the band up early when they were down to play the Man From Snowy River Festival and went up on top on the hill and shot it in 1.5 hours!
Fanny is set to embark on another huge run of touring, playing Queensland festival, Music in the Mulga on June 7 before heading back to the UK and Ireland for 21 shows – her fourth time in 2 years following a triumphant Glastonbury debut in 2023. After selling out her Country Halls Tour in Scotland in 2024, Fanny and band The Prawn Stars will take the intimate series of shows back there again this year. She will then return at the end of August to hit the road with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams.
In the midst of all of this, Fanny and band are currently working on new music, set for release later this year.
FANNY LUMSDEN – 2025 TOUR DATES
Sat June 7 Music in the Mulga Festival, Thargomindah QLD
Fri July 25 TOGETHER AGAIN Festival, Bolesworth, England
Sat July 26 Brudanell Club, Leeds, England
Sun July 27 Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, Scotland
Thurs July 31 Belladrum Festival, Inverness, Scotland
Fri Aug 1 Arisaig Hall – Country Halls Tour, Arisaig, Scotland
Sat Aug 2 Balquhidder Hall – Country Halls Tour, Balquhidder, Scotland
Sun Aug 3 Three Villages Hall – Country Halls Tour, Arrochar, Scotland
Fri Aug 8 Galway, Ireland
Sat Aug 9 De Barras, Clonakilty, Ireland
Sun Aug 10 Whelans, Dublin, Ireland
Tues Aug 12 YES (PINK ROOM), Manchester, England
Wed Aug 13 Oslo, London, England
Thurs Aug 14 The Exchange, Bristol, England
Fri Aug 15 Beautiful Days Festival, Devon, England
Sat Aug 16 Country Calling Festival, Essex, England
Sun Aug 17 Komedia Studio, Brighton, England
Wed Aug 20 Vinyl Café, York, England (acoustic show)
Thurs Aug 21 Solfest, Cumbria, England
Fri Aug 22 Greenbelt Festival, Kettering, England
Sat Aug 23 The Long Road Festival, Lutterworth, England
****
Tues Aug 26 Perth – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Fri Aug 29 Brisbane – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Sat Aug 30 Sydney – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Sun Aug 31 Gympie – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Tues Sept 2 Hobart – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Thurs Sept 4 Adelaide – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Sat Sept 6 Melbourne – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Sun Sept 7 Melbourne – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams
Sat Oct 10 Savannah in the Round Festival, Mareeba, QLD
CONNECT WITH FANNY LUMSDEN Website. Insta. Facebook. YouTube.
PATTY GRIFFIN UNVEILS CROWN OF ROSES ALBUM
“There’s secrets I don’t tell ever to myself/I just keep moving.” So begins “Back At The Start,” the first song released from 2x GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Patty Griffin’s new full-length opus, Crown Of Roses, her 11th studio album and first in over six years. Crown Of Roses will be out on Friday, July 25, via her own PGM Recordings label via Thirty Tigers. Pre-orders/pre-saves are available now.
With its purposeful position as song one on side one, “Back At The Start” sets the rich tone for the album, embodying a rhythmic and soulful shadowy shuffle written during the pandemic, junked, and then reclaimed. The murky yet pulsating track sees Griffin probing the idea of letting go of the stories we tell ourselves.
“I came back to the song because I like that first line,” Patty Griffin says. “Part of it is about getting on with it, but part is also about staying stuck and going through the motions. It’s really a constant thing to try to be alive while you’re alive.”
PATTY GRIFFIN CROWN OF ROSES (PGM Recordings Label/Thirty Tigers) Release Date: July 25, 2025
PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE ALBUM
Crown Of Roses sees Patty Griffin once again forming a poetic tapestry woven from the threads of love, loss, grief, disillusionment, resilience, and hope, shifting fluidly between intimate confessions, philosophical musings, and symbolic storytelling – all grounded in intensely human feelings and emotion. Burrowing into the stories she had long been telling herself, the award-winning songwriter ruminates on a vast array of themes and deeply personal topics, spanning the trajectory of women in the 20thand 21st centuries and communion with nature to the sound of her voice after cancer treatment made its mark to the relationship with her late mother, whose wedding day photo graces the album’s cover, set into artwork by Mishka Westell that captures many of her greatest loves, including the Maine woods of her – and Patty’s – childhood.
Produced by longtime collaborator Craig Ross and featuring musical contributions from her trusted band members David Pulkingham (guitar) and Michael Longoria (drums), the album drifts from spare folk to gauzy Americana to sly gospel blues over the course of eight moody new songs that evoke the scrubby west of Griffin’s adopted Texas and the calming verdancy of her home state of Maine. From the atmospheric “Born In A Cage” and the spectral “Long Time” (which includes a backing vocal cameo from Robert Plant) to the sparse, emotional authenticity of “Way Up To The Sky,” Crown of Roses is among Patty Griffin’s most profound works to date, continuing her exceptional talent for translating thorny concepts and finely wrought character studies into songs that speak as much to her own experience as they do to the lives of those who have loved her music now for more than three decades.
“If I try to hit things on the nose, they don’t feel authentic to me,” Griffin says. “If I can emotionally dance around things, it feels like I can be more honest singing it.”
Griffin will celebrate Crown of Roses by joining forces with legendary 2x GRAMMY® Award-winner Rickie Lee Jones for a very special tour. Dates begin October 10 at Philadelphia, MS’s Ellis Theater and then continue through a November 1 finale at Dallas, TX’s historic Longhorn Ballroom. Tickets for all newly announced dates go on sale this Friday, June 6, at 10:00 am (local). For complete details and ticket information, please visit pattygriffin.com/tour.
“Rickie Lee has been a North Star for me,” says Griffin. “Knowing how undeniably sublime she is as a songwriter and performer has kept me more grounded. I mean, with songs like hers, I’ve reminded myself over and over, women have voices that need to be heard and that have great value.”
In addition, Griffin has slated a number of headline shows over the coming months. Highlights include a special record release show at New York City’s Sony Hall (July 29) and a home state headline performance at Houston, TX’s Heights Theater (October 8).
FOLLOW PATTY GRIFFIN: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Twitter | YouTube
THE TULLAMARINES RELEASE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED NEW SINGLE LYING
OUT 6 JUNE | LISTEN HERE
Adelaide’s most lovable overthinkers, The Tullamarines, return with their most emotionally raw and melodically addictive single yet, Lying. Drenched in sunny, 90s pop-inspired instrumentation and layered with lyrical vulnerability, Lying explores the quiet battles with self-worth, performance anxiety, and the masks we wear to get through it all. Underneath jangly guitars and shimmering choruses lies a song that cuts deep tapping into the insecurities that so often accompany the creative process, while still finding light in the chaos. It’s a track that walks the line between melancholy and euphoria, offering catharsis for anyone who’s ever felt not quite good enough, and comfort in knowing they’re not alone.
Following the success of Running On Empty, which earned full triple j rotation and became the station’s most-played song earlier this year, Lying continues the band’s signature approach of tackling internal chaos with warmth, energy, and vulnerability.
Cram four perennial over-thinkers into a Tarntanya/Adelaide jam room, sprinkle in some love, care, anxiety, and affection, and you get The Tullamarines. Josh, Angus, Benny, and Lucinda first connected on the local gig circuit and bonded over their shared love of songwriting. Now a bunch of inseparable nervous wrecks, they bring high-energy catharsis to every live show and track, capturing a unique blend of earnest emotion and fizzy indie-pop optimism.
“‘Lying’ is about insecurity, imposter syndrome, self-loathing, and the effort to do better. That feeling of people leaving before we perform is a running joke, but it comes from real doubt. We struggle with confidence in our music, image-everything. So we said exactly how we felt, but wrapped it in sunny, 90s pop-inspired sounds. It’s sad-happy. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend you’re okay than to be vulnerable. We hope this song helps people feel seen and encourages real conversations.”
Their distinctive sound has seen them grace festival stages and tour nationally with the likes of TOWNS, Stumps, Dear Seattle, and Polish Club, and share the stage with icons like Alex Lahey, The Buoys, and Teenage Joans.
2025 has been their biggest year yet. Running On Empty not only landed them #1 most-played on triple j, but also full rotation on the station, and editorial support across Spotify (New Music Friday AU & NZ, Indie Arrivals, Local Noise, Fresh Finds AU & NZ), Apple Music (Good Times, New Music Daily) and TikTok’s viral playlist. The single garnered press love from Good Call Live, Hi Fi Way, Aus Music Scene, The Note, and The Happy Mag.
The momentum continues with upcoming national support for Dice, Old Mervs, The Preatures, and Ball Park Music, and a stacked release calendar that positions Lying as just the next exciting chapter in their breakout year.
SILVER FLEET SHIPS announce debut album and share first single – ‘Surprised’
The newest signing to forward-thinking and conscientious Meanjin-based label False Peak Records, lutruwita/Tasmania experimental indie-rock quartet Silver Fleet Ships have released their song ‘Surprised’, the first music from the band since their 2021 EP ‘Relevator’, and the lead single from their much anticipated debut album.
Premiered by Backseat Mafia, ‘Surprised’ broods and gallops, building towards a feverish peak, accompanied by a pulsating music video shot and edited by Rohan Sharma, that skilfully captures the band’s cryptic nature.
‘Surprised’ arrives alongside the long-awaited announcement of Silver Fleet Ships’ debut full length album ‘Before Never, After Forever’, slated for release in October of this year. Recorded entirely by the band themselves, combining an atmosphere of exploration with a deep DIY ethos, the result is an intricate and intensely personal body of work underpinned by palpable emotion.
Silver Fleet Ships will celebrate the release of ‘Surprised’ with a free show at Hobart Brewing Co on Saturday June 14, joined by HOWK and Strictland, as part of the PARK LIFE series running concurrently to Dark Mofo festivities.
About Silver Fleet Ships
Formed in 2019, Silver Fleet Ships is an indie rock band from Hobart, Tasmania. Drawing inspiration from the textured sounds of Spoon, the atmospheric tones of Low, the post-punk echoes of The Cure, and the dynamic intensity of Queens of the Stone Age, their music carries the introspective lyricism of Death Cab for Cutie and the raw energy of Unwound, creating a unique blend of melody and grit.
Led by Spiro Noutsatos (also in follow, previously a member of Teens/Slaughterhäus Surf Cult), Silver Fleet Ships have a strong DIY recording ethos, an extension of Spiro’s work as a recording & mixing engineer for other Tasmanian bands (Dvrkworld, Slaughterhäus Surf Cult, Nice House, Legal Noise). This hands-on approach allowed the band to craft every sound on their forthcoming debut album with care and intention. The result is a deeply personal record created by an atmosphere of experimentation, capturing the raw, unpolished emotion that defines the band’s music.
Live, Silver Fleet Ships are Spiro Noutsatos, Mathew Olivier, Ryan Lynch and Jason Graham.
Silver Fleet Ships’ debut album Before Never, After Forever will be released in October 2025 through False Peak Records.
Silver Fleet Ships: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Links
RISING SINGER-SONGWRITER ELENI DRAKE RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘DOLORES’ + ANNOUNCES SYDNEY & MELBOURNE TOUR DATES FOR DECEMBER 2025
British/Greek singer, songwriter and producer Eleni Drake today unveils her poignant new single ‘Dolores’, out now via MNRK. Following her previous track, the acclaimed ‘A Wonder Day’, Eleni continues to prove herself as one of the brightest talents in UK music.
Alongside the new track, Eleni also confirms five live dates this winter, playing London, Manchester and Glasgow in November, before travelling to Australia in December for shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Tickets go on sale at 10am local time on Friday 6th June HERE.
‘Dolores’ finds Eleni softly musing on transformation, autonomy, and accountability. Her gentle, stripped-back guitar playing matches the vulnerable lyrics, firmly rooted in truth and honesty with oneself.
Speaking on the single, Eleni explains, “Dolores actually means sorrow/pain – I wanted to name the song after the character from Westworld; Dolores begins as an innocent creation, but awakens to the harrowing truth of her existence. In her transformation, she becomes both the question and the answer, a symbol of the struggle for autonomy and the fragility of reality itself. It’s really about questioning if someone is how they present themselves, and realising they are not, and it is also about taking accountability in the demise of a relationship. I too make mistakes, often find myself at a crossroad, and trying to find the ‘right way’, but get it wrong.”
‘Dolores’ follows the recently released single ‘A Wonder Day’, which is a continuation of Eleni’s journey from her celebrated 2024 EP, Above Deep Water; her first release on the new label MNRK. Having self-released her previous projects, Eleni continues to find a devoted following for her undeniable talent. She has earned fans along the way from tastemakers including The Line Of Best Fit, Consequence, The Independent, The Arts Desk, CLASH, La Blogotheque, and Wonderland, and last year took her intimate live set to The Great Escape and SXSW festivals.
Eleni’s hauntingly beautiful sound is at once refreshing and timeless, uplifting and introspective, inspired by a deep love of music that spans from Mazzy Star and Adrienne Lenker to Mac Miller and Cleo Sol. With over 40 million streams to date and still only just getting going, 2025 promises to be Eleni’s biggest year yet, with her most personal and profound music on the way.
Eleni Drake Australian Tour Dates:
Tickets on sale 6 June, 10 am local time here
Dec 12 – The Curtin Hotel – Melbourne
Dec 13 – The Trocadero Room – Sydney
‘DELORES’ OUT NOW BUY/STREAM HERE
MORE INFORMATION: INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
JET CITY SPORTS CLUB release new single ‘IN MORPHINE’
With the release of their new single ‘In Morphine’, Eora/Sydney trio Jet City Sports Club have fully engaged in an exciting new chapter. Before the indie group hits the road for their first headline tour of the East Coast this month, they revel in the rush of releasing new music – ‘In Morphine’ providing additional weight to the band’s set and overall body of work.
What started as a simple direction to “create a song that had more space and emotional weight than we usually lean into”, ‘In Morphine’ wound up leading Jet City Sports Club down a special creative path that unlocked new layers of chemistry within the band as a result.
“We had the full song written early on, but the verse never quite sat right. The chorus had impact, but the verse needed more. A few months later, we came back to it with fresh ears and dug deeper into the meaning.
We talked a lot about distance, and the ache of missing someone you can’t reach. The lyric “hate that you’re lonely” became a turning point. It felt honest and powerful, like it held everything we were trying to say. The whole process was deeply collaborative. It was one of those songs that revealed itself slowly, through trial and reflection, and those rare moments where everything clicks and you find the exact words to match a feeling.” JET CITY SPORTS CLUB
As the band’s first release for 2025, ‘In Morphine’ is a strong addition to a roll out of game-changing changes for Jet City Sports Club; namely, their recent signing to Select Music for bookings, and Base Level One for management. With their team bolstered, the band is looking ahead to a busy and fruitful year of new music and shows for audiences around the country.
“At the heart of it, our music is about connection. About the quiet things we feel but don’t always say out loud. If even one person hears a song and feels a little more seen, a little less alone, that’s everything to us. That’s why we do this.” JET CITY SPORTS CLUB
JET CITY SPORTS CLUB TOUR DATES
TICKETS
Friday June 27th Merri Creek Tavern Melbourne
Saturday July 5th Catalog Music Brisbane
Friday July 11th Buddy’s Bar Sydney
‘In Morphine’ is out Thursday June 5th
JET CITY SPORTS CLUB: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Triple J Unearthed | YouTube
TIM MINCHIN RELEASES NEW SINGLE “I WOULDN’T LIKE YOU”
Following the release of singles “Ruby” and “The Song of The Masochist”, award-winning musician, writer and performer Tim Minchin today releases his latest track “I Wouldn’t Like You”, the third single from his forthcoming album TimMinchinTimeMachine, arriving 25 July via BMG.
“I Wouldn’t Like You” begins as a tender piano ballad, gently unfolding with Minchin’s signature lyrical wit and emotional nuance, before gradually building into a more guitar-driven, alt-rock finish. At its heart, the track is a wry and quietly romantic ode to loving someone exactly as they are, quirks, contradictions and all. With lines like “I wouldn’t like you if you weren’t like you,” Minchin delivers a love song that’s both offbeat and sincere, playfully rejecting perfection in favour of authenticity. It’s equal parts dry humour and heartfelt truth, wrapped in a deceptively simple melody that swells with feeling as the track evolves. Listen and watch the official music video HERE.
Tim Minchin said: “Of all the tunes on this record that have been reinvented, this one has had the most successful vibe update. I always thought this was a keeper, but now with Evan’s loping groove, and the pure undeniable jank of Jak’s guitar in the chorus… I love it.”
The track adds a new layer to the growing portrait painted by TimMinchinTimeMachine, a curated anthology of previously unreleased material. This collection of 11 songs offers a glimpse into the mind of the songwriter Tim was before global acclaim, showcasing a raw, witty, and deeply human side of his artistry.
The album follows Minchin’s critically acclaimed 2020 studio debut Apart Together, which earned four stars from The Independent, hailed as “a tenderly considered pop album that subverts expectations.” Pre-order TimMinchinTimeMachine HERE.
In parallel with the album rollout, Minchin kicked off his brand-new live tour, Songs The World Will Never Hear, last night at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. The UK run continues through over 20 cities, including a trio of sold-out shows at London’s Eventim Apollo from 4–6 July, before heading home to Australia where Minchin will perform shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Newcastle, Sydney, Gold Coast and Toowoomba throughout October, November and December 2025. Remaining tickets are on sale now at TimMinchin.com.
Audiences can expect an evening packed with unforgettable songs and stories, as Minchin looks back on how a Perth cabaret pianist ended up building one of the most eclectic and extraordinary careers in entertainment. Delivered with signature blend of razor-sharp wit, musical virtuosity, and disarming honesty, the set list will draw from three decades of unique songwriting.
Following the success of Apart Together and his acclaimed live performances across the UK and Australia, TimMinchinTimeMachine signals a new chapter in Minchin’s musical journey, one that looks both backwards and forwards, capturing the beauty, complexity and absurdity of life through song.
“I Wouldn’t Like You” by Tim Minchin is out now.
TimMinchinTimeMachine will arrive Friday 25 July 2025 via BMG. Pre-order / save the album HERE.
Tim Minchin – Songs The World Will Never Hear AUS Tour Dates
31 October 2025 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
1 November 2025 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
2 November 2025 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne – NEW SHOW
6 November 2025 – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane – NEW SHOW
7 November 2025 – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane – SOLD OUT
8 November 2025 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
13 November 2025 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2025 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
15 November 2025 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
16 November 2025 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra – NEW SHOW
21 November 2025 – Perth HPC, Perth – NEW SHOW
22 November 2025 – Perth HPC, Perth – SOLD OUT
27 November 2025 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
29 November 2025 – ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney
6 December 2025 – The Star, Gold Coast
7 December 2025 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Tickets on sale now at TimMinchin.com
LAVENDINE UNVEILS A DREAMY POP ROCK ANTHEM “DIAMONDS IN THE SKY.”
Pop-rock sister duo Lavendine returns with their ethereal new single, “Diamonds in the Sky,” produced by Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac, P!nk, The Killers, Chris Isaak), a soul-stirring anthem that takes listeners on a transformative journey from heartbreak to hope. Laced with shimmering melodies and heartfelt lyricism, the track invites fans to rise above life’s weight and float freely among the stars.
“This dreamy, vintage pop rock track will lift you to a higher place, in the heavens, that’s more than what you were expecting,” says Lavendine. “You will be carried to the stars by the lyrics and the mystical melody.”
Rooted in raw vulnerability, “Diamonds in the Sky” tells the story of emotional release—letting go of pain, embracing solitude, and finding strength in stillness. From the opening lines—“It’s been a lonely night, so much on my mind”—to the soaring chorus—“I’ll be singing along with the diamonds in the sky”—Lavendine crafts a soundscape that is both ethereal and empowering.
“It invites you to float up out of your heartache where nothing can hold you or pull you back down,” the duo explains. “That’s the place this song was born from—a need to rise above.”
With rich harmonies and a dreamlike blend of vintage pop and rock elements, “Diamonds in the Sky” is both a sonic escape and an emotional anchor for anyone navigating their own healing journey.
Vocals were created by Ed Seay, Jacy Ayers, and Jana Ayers, with musicians including Brian Pruitt on keyboards. Recorded at Los Angeles’ East West Studios and mixed at Nashville’s Lala Mansion, “Diamonds in the Sky” features top session musicians such as Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam, David Bowie), David Levita (Tim McGraw, Alanis Morissette), and Jamie Muhoberac (Madonna, Seal). The project was produced and mixed by Mark Needham and co-produced by Ed Seay and Brian Pruitt.
For more information and to connect with Lavendine, please visit Website, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube
Reunited Original Alice Cooper Group Releases Second Single “Wild Ones”
New Album “The Revenge Of Alice Cooper” Out July 25
Following the unexpected return of the original Alice Cooper Group, the band unveils their second single: “Wild Ones,” a blistering, riff-fueled homage to youthful rebellion and the raw energy that made them legends.
Inspired by the iconic 1953 film The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the track captures the same defiant spirit that once shocked middle America and defined a generation. With snarling guitars, pounding drums, and Alice’s unmistakable snarl front and center, “Wild Ones” isn’t just a song, it’s a statement.
Reuniting five decades after their rise to fame, the band channels the chaos, danger, and cool of their early days, a time when rock was feared, eyeliner was scandalous, and every show felt like a revolution.
“Wild Ones” is the sound of the Alice Cooper Group with their engines roaring, still loud, still dangerous, and still not asking for permission.
“The Revenge of Alice Cooper” is a high-voltage journey into vintage horror and classic ’70s shock rock, capturing the sound, energy, and mischief that made the original Alice Cooper band legendary. In a truly special moment, the album features a posthumous appearance by Glen Buxton, the band’s original guitarist who passed away in 1997, through an unreleased recording that seamlessly blends the past with the present on “What Happened To You,” featuring his original guitar part.
As if that wasn’t enough – two rare bonus tracks are exclusively included in the box set and limited smart format: a long-lost 1970 version of “Return of The Spiders,” recently unearthed after 50 years and newly mixed by Bob Ezrin, plus “Titanic Overunderture,” a powerful blend of vintage recordings and brand-new parts.
Alice, Neal, Michael, and Dennis reunited with their producer Bob Ezrin in a old-school recording studio in Connecticut, rekindling the magic from the 70s.
This album is a celebration of friendship, nostalgia, and the timeless sound that solidified Alice Cooper as a rock icon. Fans can expect a powerful and nostalgic experience that bridges the gap between the band’s storied past and their vibrant present.
From the venomous bite of “Black Mamba” to the rebellious charge of “Wild Ones,” and the soft, haunting melodies of “See You on the Other Side, ” every track feels like a rock ‘n’ roll classic.
LISTEN TO “WILD ONES” https://alicecooper.lnk.to/WildOnesPR
WATCH THE VIDEO “WILD ONES” https://youtu.be/YqwLaYFGrn4?si=OnvSdQonpz5PvQhP
“The Revenge Of Alice Cooper” is going to be released on July 25, 2025 on earMUSIC in a wide variety of formats and limited vinyl colours.
Also available as a limited box set and as a limited art print (smart format), featuring exclusive access to two bonus tracks from the start, plus the full album automatically delivered as a high-definition download on release day.
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM “THE REVENGE OF ALICE COOPER”
https://alicecooper.lnk.to/RevengePR
About The Alice Cooper Group
The original Alice Cooper group – Alice Cooper (vocals), Michael Bruce (guitar), Dennis Dunaway (bass), Neal Smith (drums), and Glen Buxton (guitar) – redefined rock in the early 1970s, blending raw, hard-hitting music with shocking theatricality. With Bob Ezrin at the helm, they pioneered shock rock, delivering rebellious anthems, dark storytelling, and over-the-top stage shows featuring guillotines, snakes, and macabre theatrics.
Albums like Love It to Death (1971), Killer (1971), School’s Out (1972), and Billion Dollar Babies (1973) turned them into superstars, producing legendary hits like “I’m Eighteen,” “Elected,” “School’s Out” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
Their mix of hard rock, glam, and horror made them one of the most influential and controversial bands of their era, leaving a permanent mark on rock history. Alice Cooper has sold countless millions of records worldwide and shaped rock history forever. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, their music remains as powerful and relevant as ever. Now, with The Revenge of Alice Cooper, the original band reunites for one more epic chapter, reclaiming the sound and legacy that made them legends.
BATTLE BEAST Announce New Album STEELBOUND & Unleash Single Of The Same Name
Finnish powerhouse BATTLE BEAST storms forward with unrelenting force, dropping their electrifying new single ‘Steelbound’, which also lends its name to their highly anticipated seventh studio album, set for release in October.
“‘Steelbound’ is a song that is both heavy and light at the same time. It goes through the walls with a bang, both in terms of composition and lyrics, without forgetting the groove and the little twinkle in the eye,” says Janne Björkroth, the band’s keyboardist, producer, and composer of the track.
A thunderous anthem of defiance and resilience, ‘Steelbound’ is a power-charged battle cry for all who have ever been dismissed, diminished, or silenced.
“‘Steelbound’ is a song about all of us. About the power to resist injustice and the respect that belongs to everyone. Sometimes the settings can be a little off, but you can, and should, constantly adjust your attitudes.” Janne reflects.
Noora Louhimo adds: “As a child, I was bullied at school, and as an adult, I’ve experienced misogyny and sexism in my professional and private life. Through all these experiences, I’ve become a person who always fights against injustice. ‘Steelbound’ is a power song for all of us trying to navigate difficult life situations and relationships. The song deals with painful things, but at the same time, it gives us strength to keep fighting against the world’s injustices. Let’s rise together, because we are ‘Steelbound!'”
As BATTLE BEAST continue to build anticipation for their upcoming album, ‘Steelbound’ marks yet another blazing chapter in the band’s epic journey—one that promises to set the metal world ablaze.
The single is accompanied by a stunning music video that visually amplifies the song’s fierce spirit and message of empowerment, delivering a cinematic experience as powerful as the track itself.
Watch the video for ‘Steelbound’: https://youtu.be/FXnaOOncf1c
Listen to ‘Steelbound’ on all platforms: https://battlebeast.bfan.link/steelbound
BATTLE BEAST is:
Noora Louhimo | vocals
Eero Sipilä | bass
Joona Björkroth | guitars
Juuso Soinio | guitars
Janne Björkroth | keyboards
Pyry Vikki | drums
FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK releases video for new single ‘Inevitable Sorrow’
Following the release of her latest single Inevitable Sorrow last week, Freya Josephine Hollick now unveils its visually striking new music video. Filmed around Hollick’s Ballarat home in the heart of last winter, the clip is rich with symbolism and layered with emotional depth.
Armed with new music, Freya Josephine Hollick is set to play a series of shows in Victoria over the coming weeks, including a special Inevitable Sorrow Single Launch. Don’t miss:
FRIDAY JUNE 6
Shedshaker, Castlemaine with Marcello Cole
SATURDAY JUNE 7
The Retreat (Front Bar), Brunswick with Jules Sheldon – arvo show
FRIDAY JUNE 20
Inevitable Sorrow Single Launch
Merri Creek Tavern, Northcote with Marcello Cole
FRIDAY JUNE 27
Young St Tavern, Frankston with Abby Dobson
SATURDAY JUNE 28
The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham with Abby Dobson
FRIDAY JULY 4
The Ember Lounge – Memo Music Hall, St Kilda with Allison Ferrier and Ange Boxall
FRIDAY JULY 11
The Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East with Brian Campeau
SATURDAY JULY 19
The Curtin, Melbourne with Gin Club and Mick Thomas
FRIDAY AUGUST 8
Forum II fronting The Counterfeit
Inevitable Sorrow, the latest single from Freya Josephine Hollick, harks back to the time of Outlaw Country in 1970s America, and her hero artists, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Young and of course Blaze Foley. The track features soaring fiddle played by none other than Nashville’s own Joshua Hedley (known for his own music but also as side man, playing fiddle for Justin Townes Earle and Jonny Fritz), and the psychedelic banjo twanging of Texas born Geoffrey Muller (Robert Ellis, Chaparelle, The Suffers et al.), also affectionately known as the internet’s Cajun Banjo.
The song is a testament to Hollick’s earlier releases, Beauty and Sorrow and The Unceremonious Junking of Me, hearing the song in its raw form. Her parts recorded live in one take at Union Street Studios, Brunswick West, by Roger Bergodaz, the spare style of recording, however, still gives us a full sounding track. Upon closing your eyes, Inevitable Sorrow takes you to the rocky crags and sunburnt canyons of a bygone era.
When asked about the origin of the track, Hollick wryly smiles. “Have you seen Tales from the Tour Bus? There is an episode of that show about Blaze Foley. When I watched it I discovered a few things. One of those things was that the suit I had been having visions of in meditation for years, a suit entirely made out of duct tape, was, in fact, something Blaze had done at one point in his career, after all he was known as the Duct Tape Messiah… but I also discovered that the day he was shot dead by Carey January, was two days before my birth. He died on February 1st 1989, in Austin, Texas, I was born on February 3rd 1989. Being of a somewhat transcendental persuasion, this to me seemed to suggest, I had been reincarnated from Blaze Foley. I may have been in a slightly altered state of mind at the time, and when I sobered, I realised perhaps my detective work was maybe delusional, but it did inspire me to write this song. And so, Inevitable Sorrow is the story of me as Blaze reincarnate, destined to a life of chasing the creation of the perfect song, and to suffer the perils of writing music that doesn’t fit the bill of the mainstream… a life sentence of sorts.”
It is perhaps Hollick’s best penned song to date, lyrically, and shows the strength of just playing the song without too many bells and whistles. True grit right there.
Inevitable Sorrow is out now on all streaming platforms via Cheersquad Records & Tapes. LISTEN
FOLLOW FREYA JOESPHINE HOLLICK: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music
OPETH present official ‘§1’ band performance video as The last WILL and TESTAMENT world tour continues – Australian Tour in November
Swedish 2025 Grammi winners OPETH are pleased to unveil a full-on band performance video for ‘§1.’ The track is taken from their current success album The last WILL and TESTAMENT (released on November 22, 2024 through Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music), which was highly praised by press and fans alike and saw frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt return to growling vocal territory for the first time in 16 years. Their new material has additionally been warmly welcomed during their ongoing world tour, which is why the video arrives right in time as their touring cycle commences at legendary Sweden Rock Festival.
Åkerfeldt states: “So here’s a video (of sorts) for your ‘enjoyment.’ We had requests left, right & centre to do one of them measly ‘lyric videos’ or ‘visualizers’ for ‘content.’ Now, right there are three words I despise! I’ve made it clear in our circle of trust that we shouldn’t use the word ‘content’ even if that’s exactly what we’re working on. We’re not some goddamn influencers, now are we? So can we please settle on the old fashioned word ‘video’ without meddling with modern online lingo? And a video is what it really is. A performance video, no less. We figured it’s a bit more happening to look at (should you decide to do so) than a lyric video. ‘§1’ is the opener on “The Last Will And Testament.” A good song. I like it! The video looks good. As good as it can look when involving 5 middle-aged, slightly hungover geezers miming along to something. We shot it in some industrial area in Birmingham (UK) on the latest Euro tour. Everyone (well, the band and crew) were quite eager to get out of there as we had dinner planned at a fancy curry house locally. Much thanks to Ash Pears and ASH TV, who were really professional (ie: quick!) and made the whole experience rather easy on us. Hope you dig it, people!”
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUHrVfeIw44
Order/stream The last WILL and TESTAMENT: https://opeth.rpm.link/lastwillPR
The last WILL and TESTAMENT – Australia & New Zealand Tour 2025
14.11.2025 NZ Auckland – The Trusts Arena *UPGRADED*
17.11.2025 AU Sydney – Opera House *SOLD OUT*
18.11.2025 AU Sydney – Opera House *SOLD OUT*
20.11.2025 AU Brisbane – The Fortitude Music Hall
21.11.2025 AU Melbourne – Palais Theatre *LOW TICKETS*
22.11.2025 AU Adelaide – Hindley Street Music Hall
24.11.2025 AU Perth – Astor Theatre *SOLD OUT*
Tickets from: https://metropolistouring.com/opeth-2025/ or https://davidroywilliams.com/tours/opeth-2025/
OPETH’s 14th album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (THE HEARD, ex-CRUCIFIED BARBARA). “The Last Will And Testament” was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (GHOST, THE HELLACOPTERS), engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (KILLING JOKE, ROBERT PLANT), and OPETH, with Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of the band mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on “The Last Will And Testament” were arranged by Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart (EGG, KHAN) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting ‘photograph’ reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s infamous “Overlook Hotel” photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, QUEEN) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flutist and JETHRO TULL leader Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson’s signature notes fly on ‘§4’ and ‘§7,’ he narrates on ‘§1,’ ‘§2,’ ‘§4,’ and ‘§7.’ Joining Anderson, EUROPE’s Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on ‘§2,’ while Åkerfeldt’s youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in ‘§1.’
“The Last Will And Testament” is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of OPETH’s finest material to date. Just as OPETH welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story – this time with growls we had not heard since the 2008 “Watershed.”
More from The last WILL and TESTAMENT:
‘§1 [Radio Edit]’ OFFICIAL AUDIO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwDrIelXirY
‘§1 [Radio Edit]’ OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZmFQE3TlPA
‘§3’ OFFICIAL AUDIO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ph5o3xpJ_8
‘§4’ OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UenLRXki8KA
The last WILL and TESTAMENT ALBUM COMMENTARY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKldtkUJocw
Additional drum, guitar and bass play-through videos can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@opeth.
More on OPETH: opeth.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | RPM