SNIPPETZ: Thursday September 18, 2025
This week’s Snippetz features: Anderson Rocio, Atlas Franklin Alexander, The Rasmus, Gregorian, Sunny Luwe, Otto Reitano, Despised Icon, DJO, Beyond The Black, Testament, Aimee Volkofsky, Peter Campbell, Elly McK & The Unbelievers, Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces, Stonetrip, Rissa, Olza, Angus Gill, Arabella and The Heist, The Empty Threats, Cheeky Leash, Kyla Belle, leepazoid, Mon Rovîa, The Plot In You, Speed Week, Pacific Avenue, Velociraptor, Thornhill, Conjurer, Gates to Hell and many more.
ANDERSON ROCIO – GRAND SCHEME (SINGLE/VIDEO)
New Zealand and Los Angeles–based artist Anderson Rocio has released a new single and video, Grand Scheme, a surreal, vaudeville-inspired dismantling of the entertainment industry. Both haunting and camp, the video stages the machinery of exploitation collapsing under its own weight while Rocio walks away with her creativity intact. It’s not just critique—it’s reclamation.
“Without art, there is no industry. Without the industry, there will always be art,” says Rocio.
What makes this story compelling for Rolling Stone is that Rocio isn’t only an artist—she’s spent the last decade behind the curtain of the business, seeing its exploitation first-hand. With Grand Scheme, she’s launching her own independent label, Riverine Records, dedicated to transparency and artist empowerment, as well as The Power In Us Project, a nonprofit using music to fund environmental causes.
Culturally, Grand Scheme is both a spectacle and a rebellion—a statement about who owns creativity, and a reminder that the future of music will be written by artists who refuse to play by old rules.
“GRAND SCHEME” : VIDEO
Website // Instagram // TikTok
ATLAS FRANKLIN ALEXANDER SHARES ETHEREAL NEW SINGLE + VIDEO DOLPHINS
Painting a sonic universe equal parts dreamy, ethereal and fluid, the new single Dolphins out today from Tasmanian-based psych pop artist Atlas Franklin Alexander also takes full flight with an elusive accompanying music video, and will equally enamour at a run of special single launch shows in Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Wollongong this October.
Straddling immersive nostalgia and dreamy soundscapes, Dolphins finds Atlas channelling elements of iconic sonic dream-weavers Massive Attack, Radiohead, The Smiths and Brian Eno, with his new single also seamlessly capturing a rare moment of connection that transcends time and space in a modern setting, as he elaborates, “Dolphins is about the rare, eerie sensation that you’ve known someone longer than your life allows. Like their presence kinda predates your birth. Like you borrowed each other’s names in a past timeline and forgot to give them back. Dolphins is a hazy fragment – a song about a rare kind of bond. Some connections aren’t meant to be understood, they arrive, they shimmer, and disappear again.”
An entirely DIY affair as always, with Atlas producing, engineering, mixing and mastering in his home studio, Dolphins further burrows into your soul via its accompanying music video, with long-time collaborators and friends Harri Gilbert and David Fulham joining forces with Atlas to weave storytelling with compelling imagery, and balancing a fever dream quality with real-world relatability. “I directed the video, Harri was DOP, and Dave managed the lighting department as the project’s gaffer,” shares Atlas of the music video. “Those boys always help me bring my concepts to life.”
“The video is like the song’s visual counterpart,” Atlas continues. “It’s fragmented, elusive, and a little unsettling. I wanted it to feel like you’re watching something familiar but distorted – kind of like how you remember a face you haven’t seen in years.”
A purveyor of kaleidoscopic hues and exhilarating sonic landscapes, Atlas Franklin Alexander has spent the past few years expanding his compelling and entirely DIY trademark sound. Capturing attention performing at BIGSOUND in 2018, Atlas went on to release his debut EP Enter Echo in 2022, going on to command triple j and triple j Unearthed airplay, community radio support and coverage across the likes of Rolling Stone Australia, Pilerats, Life Without Andy, Tone Deaf, The Music and VICE. A gifted musical alchemist, Atlas has also had music videos air on MTV and ABC’s RAGE, and his magnetic live presence has led to him sharing stages with the likes of Boo Seeka, Art VS Science, Surely Shirley, Velvet Trip and Raave Tapes. Releasing his sophomore EP Flexible New Replica earlier this year, Atlas continues to push his sound into new and ever-engaging new heights, woven with modern yet nostalgic sensibilities, hooks, vocoder-laced vocals, angular guitar riffs and syncopated rhythms, ultimately leading to his style being perfectly dubbed as “the love child of New Order and Daft Punk”.
Ticking off a string of East Coast performances to accompany the earlier release of Flexible New Replica, Atlas is set to bring the magic to stages in Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Wollongong this October, and, as Atlas reveals, fans can expect evenings of pure magic. “We are touring in October in support of the new Dolphins video release,” shares Atlas, “and the live shows will focus on atmosphere—lots of layers, both sonically and visually. We’ve been working on creating something that feels immersive, like stepping into the world of the music itself.”
“Dolphins” has always been one of those songs that felt intangible to me, like a fleeting moment,” Atlas concludes of his brand new single. “Releasing it feels like finally sharing a wacko weird lucid dream. The whole vibe of it is similar to a misremembered memory — not quite real, but familiar in the way certain dreams echo long after you wake.
Dolphins is out NOW.
Stream: DOLPHINS
Watch: DOLPHINS
ATLAS FRANKLIN ALEXANDER – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
Tickets available from http://www.instagram.com/atlasfranklinalexander
SUN 05 OCT | WESTBEST BLOCFEST, NEWCASTLE NSW
THUR 09 OCT | PLEASURE CLUB, SYDNEY NSW
FRI 17 OCT | CHERRY BAR, MELBOURNE VIC
FRI 31 OCT | TBH FRIDAYS TOWRADGI HOTEL, WOLLONGONG NSW
Follow Atlas Franklin Alexander on YouTube
THE RASMUS ‘Weirdo’ Album Out NOW via Better Noise Music
Touring Australia in January 2026
It’s been almost a year since 6x Platinum and 8x Gold-certified, record-breaking Finnish rock outfit The Rasmus released the first single (“Rest In Pieces” on October 24, 2024) from their highly anticipated 11th studio album, Weirdo, which finally arrives today via Better Noise Music.
The album, as well as limited-edition merchandise bundles, are available now at
https://therasmus.lnk.to/weirdoalbum
Known for their musically dark atmospheres, the band subversively merges catchy modern pop stylings with stadium-sized guitar crunch throughout the songs on Weirdo. “I find it comforting that our 11th album, Weirdo, has pretty much the same message as on our first album released in 1996,” explains frontman Lauri Ylönen. “It is to defend and praise the ones who are different from the masses and proudly being themselves as they are. It has been our philosophy from the very beginning.”
Ylönen further explains the power behind being a “weirdo.” “In this society I’ve always felt that I’ve had to prove myself for being the way I am or doing the things I do. I’ve always felt like an outsider not fitting the norm. I’ve been called a weirdo, misfit and a freak. That used to make me angry—but not anymore. It’s become my source of strength and confidence. I’ve realized the power of it. All the people I find exciting and inspiring are somehow strange. We, the Weirdos, unite and feed off people’s judging attitudes. The fact is they’re just afraid of us. Afraid of our capability to create new and change the future. Are you a Weirdo? Join us…”
To celebrate today’s album release, The Rasmus is excited to share the title track with their legions of fans, especially since they teamed up with The Funeral Portrait singer Lee Jennings for song and accompanying video which can be seen now on the band’s official YouTube page
“‘Weirdo’ was the first song we wrote and it shaped the concept for the entire album,” says Ylönen. “It celebrates being different and individual. Since the first song I ever wrote in 1994 called ‘Myself,’ I’ve felt like an outcast and someone who doesn’t quite fit in.”
“Being a part of ‘Weirdo’ with The Rasmus has been incredible,” continues The Funeral Portrait singer Lee Jennings. “It’s an anthem for the outcasts, and I’m beyond proud of how it turned out. Working with such an iconic band has been awesome, and now we’re hitting the road together across Europe this November.
Watch Weirdo here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyztNT2OEGA
Watch a trailer for Weirdo via THE NOISE Presents
https://youtu.be/ZsJOUtqWBfE
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Fri, Jan 30: The Triffid, Brisbane
Sat, Jan 31: Manning Bar, Sydney
Sun, Feb 1: Max Watts, Melbourne
Tickets from thephoenix.au
Find THE RASMUS online at:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | VK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
GREGORIAN The Celebrations For The Grand Anniversary Continue. New Album “25 Live” Out November 7 Via EarMusic
The world’s most successful choir presents “25 LIVE”, a spectacular anniversary show: all the hits and fan favorites from 25 years of “Masters Of Chant”, recorded and filmed during their acclaimed “25th Anniversary Tour” this year.
Sometimes, great ideas are born in the quietest of places. Such was the case in 1990, when music producer Frank Peterson — who would later co-create Enigma’s global hit “Sadeness Pt. I” and the breakthrough album “MCMXC a.D.” — walked through the hallowed halls of the El Escorial monastery in Spain. While listening to contemporary pop music on his Walkman, the echoes of history merged in his mind with the sounds of the present. From this vision, GREGORIAN was born, and in November 1999, their debut album “Masters Of Chant” was released.
A quarter-century later, GREGORIAN looks back on a unique success story with the anniversary album “25/2025”, released in November 2024, which debuted at number 9 on the official German album charts. As part of the anniversary festivities, GREGORIAN embarked on their biggest and most spectacular tour to date with over 140 shows. Due to overwhelming demand the tour will continue this autumn with over 30 additional shows across Europe.
The album “25 LIVE”, set for release on November 7, captures this spectacular anniversary show in all its facets: moving concert moments, intimate behind-the-scenes insights, the faces behind the voices – and the magic of a project that fuses sound, spirituality, and emotion into a truly unique experience. Born from a quiet moment in an ancient monastery, “25 LIVE” tells the story of a musical idea that went on to conquer the world.
“25 LIVE”, the most comprehensive visual and audio portrait of the global phenomenon GREGORIAN to date, will become available as a Ltd. Double CD + DVD Digipak Edition and a Ltd. Blu-ray Digipak Edition.
Pre-order “25 LIVE” here: https://gregorian.lnk.to/25-Live
Accompanying today’s announcement is the release of the first single “Sky And Sand (25th Anniversary Tour Version)” – GREGORIAN’s interpretation of the iconic 2008 dance track by German electronic music producers and brothers Paul and Fritz Kalkbrenner. With their signature arrangement, GREGORIAN transform the electronic classic into a powerful sonic experience. At the same time, the accompanying video premieres today on the choir’s official YouTube channel.
Listen to the single here: https://gregorian.lnk.to/sky-and-sand
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/SPQcI1aHS6w
GREGORIAN ONLINE: Instagram / Facebook / Website
SUNNY LUWE ‘It Won’t Be Long Til I See You Again’ (Single). Album Out October 10
Sunny Luwe returns ahead of her upcoming sophomore album, ‘Feeling Good’ (out October 10), with ‘It Won’t Be Long Til I See You Again’, a soulful, feel-good anthem that shines with her trademark optimism. Out Friday, August 12, the track blends pop, soul, and country influences into a warm, cathartic sound that uplifts while speaking gently to themes of love, grief, and hope.
Written alongside long-time partner and collaborator Matt Collins (WHARVES) and produced with Collins and Scott French (Love Street Studios, SELVE), the single captures an infectious energy and heart within just three hours in the studio. Drawing inspiration from ‘70s glam icons T. Rex and the ‘90s classic ‘You Get What You Give’ by New Radicals, the track layers lush melodies and anthemic choruses with lyrics that radiate both comfort and strength.
Behind the sunshine, however, lies a story rooted in loss. Sunny began writing ‘It Won’t Be Long Til I See You Again’ after a close friend lost her brother to suicide, channelling heartbreak into something life-affirming:
“I wrote this with my partner Matt after my best friend lost her brother. This song is about loss and grief, but also about hope, love, and friendship,” Sunny shares. “I wanted to create something that feels like a reminder — even when it’s dark, there’s still a brighter day waiting.”
The single has already received industry praise, earning a Recognition Award at the BaySounds Song Comp, where judges described the track as “perfect pop” live on air.
‘It Won’t Be Long Til I See You Again’ is a reminder that music can hold heartbreak and hope in the same breath. With Sunny’s album ‘Feeling Good’ arriving on October 10, she’ll celebrate with a run of special appearances, including supporting Nai Palm at The Beach Hotel (Sept 21), presenting at GC Music Network’s BandCamp (Oct 3), an album listening party and acoustic gig at Wild Flower Gin Distillery (Oct 10), and a live-on-air album launch on 4ZZZ (Oct 11).
Upcoming Shows / Panels:
Sun, Sept 21 – The Beach Hotel supporting Nai Palm, Byron | FREE
Fri, Oct 3 – Presenter/Workshop Facilitator at GC Music Network’s BandCamp
Fri, Oct 10 – Wild Flower Gin Distillery, Varsity Lakes (QLD) | Album Listening Party / Acoustic gig
Sat, Oct 11 – LIVE ON AIR Album Listening Party on 4ZZZ
Follow Sunny Luwe Official Website | Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | Triple J Unearthed
OTTO REITANO Shares His Love in Solo Debut Single ‘On My Mind’. Out Friday, September 12
Immerse yourself in the seasons of love with Otto Reitano’s solo debut. ‘On My Mind’ transforms his devotion to his wife into an intricate sonic landscape, landing Friday, September 12.
Otto is well-versed in creating sensory experiences that are both unearthly and deeply human. His work with Electrolight on Sydney’s Martin Place Metro station’s ‘Muru Giligu’ tunnel earned their audio-visual installation the IALD Award and an APRA AMCOS nomination for ‘Electroacoustic/Sound-Art’. That same artistic sensibility flows into his solo work, blending texture, mood, and emotion into a single cohesive vision.
‘On My Mind’, mixed by Jack Prest (Skrillex, Flume, ASAP Rocky, and more), opens with ethereal vocals and gently woven piano keys, before evolving into something layered and unexpected. As shimmering synths and clicking percussion join the mix, the track fuses atmospheric intimacy with rhythmic drive. By the time the electronic drums kick in, Otto creates a hypnotic push and pull between angelic vocal layers and primal beats, crafting a song that moves beyond structure and into soundscape.
Written, performed, and produced entirely in the Petersham home he shares with his wife, ‘On My Mind’ is a love letter in its purest form. With their first child due in November, Otto captures a moment of stillness and gratitude, making his debut release as personal as it is expansive.
Otto Reitano makes his solo debut on Friday, September 12 with ‘On My Mind’, a highly textured RnB-inspired journey through love, connection, and sonic exploration.
Follow Otto Reitano Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp| Instagram | YouTube
DESPISED ICON Release Music Video For New Single ‘Death Of An Artist’
Canadian deathcore pioneers DESPISED ICON return with their seventh full-length album, Shadow Work which will be released on October 31, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. Their first new music in six years, the album stands as the band’s most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit.
Driven by DESPISED ICON’s trademark fusion of explosive blast beats and crushing breakdowns, ‘Death of an Artist’ is a merciless journey through the psychological turmoil of self-doubt, ego death, and rebirth. Defined by raw intensity and unyielding resolve, the lyrics follow a powerful journey of transformation: an artist confronts fading dreams and broken promises before emerging stronger through ruin and redemption. Watch the music video directed by Jessy Fuchs, here: https://youtu.be/cgbhoxa2sAc
DESPISED ICON’s Alex Erian comments, “We promised a rollercoaster with this record, and it’s time to deliver. Where ‘Over My Dead Body’ leaned into crushing grooves and dissonance, ‘Death Of An Artist’ pushes the pedal down with pure speed and technicality. This one is not only my favorite track on the album, it’s also the most personal. You can hear the echoes of the classic Death Metal bands that shaped us running through some of these riffs. We’re just getting started. Thanks for listening.”
Pre-order/pre-save Shadow Work:
https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work
Stream ‘Death Of An Artist’: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/death-of-an-artist
Watch ‘Death Of An Artist’: https://youtu.be/cgbhoxa2sAc
Shadow Work was produced by the band’s own Alex Erian and Eric Jarrin, while Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, SHADOW OF INTENT, SIGNS OF THE SWARM) handled mixing and mastering. The album marks a significant chapter for a band whose core lineup has remained largely unchanged since its inception. It’s a deeply introspective record that reflects both personal growth and the turbulence of the world around us. The artwork for the album was created by Eliran Kantor (HATEBREED, THY ART IS MURDER, CAVALERA).
DESPISED ICON’s line-up is:
Alex Erian | Vocals
Steve Marois | Vocals
Eric Jarrin | Guitars
Ben Landreville | Guitars
Sébastien Piché | Bass
Alex “Grind” Pelletier | Drums
More on DESPISED ICON https://despisedicon.com/
DJO RELEASES THE CRUX DELUXE . A SURPRISE 12-TRACK COMPANION ALBUM TO THE CRUX OUT NOW EVERYWHERE
Djo – the musical project of actor / producer / songwriter Joe Keery – released his wildly beloved third record The Crux earlier this year. The album release found Djo surpassing 2.7 billion streams across his catalogue, earning his first #1 at Alt Radio with “Basic Being Basic,” going 3x Platinum on his viral hit “End of Beginning,” making his Glastonbury and Coachella debuts, selling out a massive international tour, going back to Chicago with a 75,000-person crowd at Lollapalooza, earning wide-spread critical acclaim, such as The Crux named to Best Of 2025 lists from Rolling Stone, Spin and Entertainment Weekly, and more. Djo has been dropping singles at random throughout the week – “Carry The Name” on Monday, “It’s Over” on Tuesday and “Awake” on Wednesday – today he returns with an entire surprise album.
Djo has been dropping singles at random throughout the week – “Carry The Name” on Monday, “It’s Over” on Tuesday and “Awake” on Wednesday – today he returns with an entire surprise album.
Out now is The Crux Deluxe, an expansive, 12-track companion album to The Crux, written, recorded and produced by Keery and his collaborator Adam Thein. Mirroring the same length as The Crux, this deluxe record is full of songs that were written at the same time as The Crux album sessions, earmarked for this follow up release, but completed this summer. The result is a masterful continuation of The Crux, picking up where the sonics and themes of the songs on The Crux left off.
What begins on The Crux as a meditation on the dissolution of a relationship winds its way back to self-resilience. Keery frames The Crux concept through its art – a collaboration with Neil Krug and Jake Hirshland – as a hotel where all of its guests are transient, and at a spiritual or emotional crossroads. Now, it is nighttime at The Crux Hotel, reflected as an inverse from the original album, as Djo prepares to embark on a new day.
The Crux and The Crux Deluxe out now on AWAL – fans can purchase now at djomusic.com
The Crux and The Crux Deluxe were co-produced by Keery and his long-time collaborator Adam Thein. They’re both 12-track albums of impeccable craftsmanship. Unlike Keery’s previous albums – bedroom recordings centered around synths – The Crux and The Crux Deluxe spotlight lush guitars and instrumentation reminiscent of late 60’s and 70’s pop. They’re albums full of loss and yearning, but also full of wit and gratitude. The songs were written all over the world in a particularly fertile period for Keery – where he was grappling with the transience of his other job, being untethered and away from his friends and family. But to make the albums he settled into the legendary Electric Lady Studios in his adopted home of New York City. The Crux and The Crux Deluxe not only showcase his ambitious scope, but also his skills as a deft multi-instrumentalist and songwriter (all songs were written by Keery or in collaboration with Adam Thein).
Joe Keery stars in the upcoming final season of Stranger Things, Netflix’s breakout original series. The season premieres on November 26th.
‘THE CRUX DELUXE’ – OUT NOW
BUY/STREAM HERE
MORE INFORMATION: WEBSITE TIKTOK INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK X
BEYOND THE BLACK Release Video For New Single ‘The Art Of Being Alone (Feat. Lord Of The Lost)’
NEW ALBUM BREAK THE SILENCE Is Due To Be Released On January 9th, 2026
Symphonic metal sensation BEYOND THE BLACK are excited to share the third single from their eagerly awaited upcoming studio album, Break The Silence, which is due to be released on January 9th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The emotional anthem ‘The Art Of Being Alone’ features none other than Chris Harms of acclaimed German metal band Lord Of The Lost on guest vocals, and lyrically deals with important contemporary issues such as mental health, self-empowerment and positive life perception. A video that has been released alongside the single illustrates the feeling of being alone and cornered, but towards the end, it shows the path to self-awareness and ultimately, a way out of this mental prison.
Singer Jennifer Haben commented:
“‘The Art Of Being Alone’ is one of the most emotional songs for us since it‘s born from personal battles and quiet reflections. We wanted it to be fragile and powerful at the same time and we believe many of you will find your own story between its lines. Having Chris Harms join us with his uniquely intense voice and personality felt absolutely perfect and brought a depth to this track that made it even more special.”
Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost) added:
“This duet was long overdue! For more than 10 years now, LORD OF THE LOST and BEYOND THE BLACK have been crossing paths — we like and appreciate each other and it was kind of obvious that Jenny’s and my voices would work great together. Now we’ve finally made it happen and created this powerful, goosebump-inducing song together! I’m really happy about it!”
BEYOND THE BLACK’s sixth full length Break The Silence is a concept album rooted in melodic metal with ethno influences, it explores themes of communication, inner strength, resilience and the urgent need to reconnect in a divided world. Tracks like ‘Let There Be Rain’, ‘(La Vie Est Un) Cinéma’, ‘Ravens’ and ‘The Flood’ examine how words – and their absence – shape our reality. It’s an emotional, multi-layered experience that mirrors today’s complex world and invites fans to be part of this new chapter.
PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE THE NEW ALBUM BREAK THE SILENCE:
https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/break-the-silence-album
LISTEN TO ‘THE ART OF BEING ALONE’:
https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/the-art-of-being-alone
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR ‘THE ART OF BEING ALONE (FEAT. LORD OF THE LOST)’:
About BEYOND THE BLACK:
German symphonic metal band BEYOND THE BLACK have become one of the most exciting forces in modern symphonic metal, carving an impressive path since their formation. It started with their debut album in 2015: Songs Of Love And Death was an instant success and stayed strong in the German Top15 for weeks, earning the Metal Hammer Award for “Best Debut.” Its successor Lost In Forever (2016) entered the German charts at #4 and paved the way for a major tour through Germany, the UK, Russia and Japan. Since their live debut in 2014, the band has played the world’s biggest metal festivals like Wacken Open Air and supported international metal acts such as AEROSMITH, KORN, SCORPIONS, SAXON, and WITHIN TEMPTATION.
With the release of their third album Heart Of The Hurricane, BEYOND THE BLACK launched their first European headline tour in fall 2019 – over 20 shows in 10 countries, most of them sold out. The band returned to the studio soon after and in June 2020 released the highly anticipated Horizons, which entered the German album charts at #3 (CH #6, AT #16, BE #53).
After the pandemic-induced break, BEYOND THE BLACK came back stronger than ever: Following a successful European tour in fall 2022, their self-titled fifth album BEYOND THE BLACK dropped in January 2023, charting in several countries (DE #2, UK #2 Rock, CH #6, AT #12, SE #12, US #7 Top New Artist) and marking a new career high.
Following a powerful festival summer, the band toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in late 2023, as special guests of Swedish metal act THE HALO EFFECT. In early 2024, BEYOND THE BLACK played their most successful European headline tour to date – Dancing In The Dark – followed by more celebrated shows across the continent that summer.
In early 2025, the band reached another milestone with their first-ever Latin America tour, playing headline shows in Argentina, Chile and Mexico, as well as performing at Brazil’s renowned Bangers Open Air. In summer 2025, they will once again take the stage at Europe’s most prestigious festivals, including Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and Graspop.
BEYOND THE BLACK ONLINE: https://beyond-the-black.com/
TESTAMENT Release Animated Video For New Single ‘Shadow People’
Bay Area thrash metal icons TESTAMENT return this Fall with their fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum, which will be released on October 10th via Nuclear Blast Records. The album stands as both a battle cry and an observation of humanity’s uneasy alliance with its own creations. As technology accelerates and disconnection grows, Para Bellum sees TESTAMENT reflecting the modern chaos through music that’s urgent, sharp, and unflinchingly human.
The band’s latest single, ‘Shadow People,’ is a haunting and groovy track that will have you looking over your shoulder. It creates a vivid sense of unease and dread – both lyrically and musically – as if something from the unknown is coming for you. Watch the animated video created by Freakshot Films, here: https://youtu.be/CsWHa92QuIs
Stream ‘Shadow People’ here:
https://testament.bfan.link/shadow-people
Pre-order or pre-save Para Bellum on the format of your choice here:
https://testament.bfan.link/para-bellum
Watch the animated video for ‘Shadow People’:
https://youtu.be/CsWHa92QuIs
Para Bellum was recorded with Juan Urteaga, mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, and was mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios. The album is extremely polished and operating at full throttle. The band once again enlisted Eliran Kantor to create the album artwork. In an era flooded by AI-generated imagery. the hand painted creation encapsulates the album’s essence: a serene angel made of missiles, an explosion turned halo, surrounded by shovel-bearing cultists with books strapped to their faces.
From first note to last breath, Para Bellum is an album by warriors—crafted in chaos, and built to outlast the wars to come!
TESTAMENT is:
Chuck Billy | Vocals
Eric Peterson | Guitar
Alex Skolnick | Guitar
Steve DiGiorgio | Bass
Chris Dovas | Drums
TESTAMENT ONLINE: https://www.testamentlegions.com/
AIMEE VOLKOFSKY – WHERE THE WATER SINGS (Single)
Aimee Volkofsky’s new single Where the Water Sings is a haunting dark folk-country hymn to the Darling Baaka. With Cat Moser’s mournful violin winding through lyrics of drought, floods, and loss, the song finds solace in the river’s enduring spirit—even when her bed lies cracked and dry. Recorded and Produced by Mitch Dillon at Ragged Gum Records
About Aimee Volkofsky
Aimee is a singer-songwriter based in the Silver City (Broken Hill), on Wilyakali and Barkindji Country, far west NSW. Born from the ancient landscapes she lives in, Aimee’s music weaves together folk, country, and blues. Drawing inspiration from her hometown, she brings to life the rich tapestry of Broken Hill’s history – the stories of worker’s uprisings, rebel women, ecological crises, and resilience forged in the face of hardship.
Living isolated from touring routes and traditional music industry, Aimee has forged her own path of creative output, collaborating with visiting and local artists to far west NSW, producing gigs, festivals, and campfire sing-alongs.
She is passionate about doing anything she can to foster a vibrant musical community in Far West New South Wales.
A Bird Can’t Help But Fly Home is set for release later this year. WWW / Spotify / FB / IG
PETER CAMPBELL – BURDEN OF HOPE- SINGLE
In a world craving authenticity, Australian singer-songwriter Peter Campbell cuts through the noise. In the words of his own song Pete has willingly carried a Burden of Hope for just on 60 years. Poetic and powerful, this music has a timelessness to it – a rare blend of infectious alt-folk and contemporary relevance in a call to action, connection and healing. It is strong music with a beating heart.
Evocative lyrics, rich melodies and a magnetic stage presence make for a performance that is as entertaining as it is compelling. Pete invites an audience to find connection in human experiences that are universal, moving it from tears to laughter and back again. Expect raucous participation, striking finger-style 6 string, feisty 12 string, tender banjo and arresting a cappella – a powerful reminder of music’s ability to heal and inspire.
Raised through the 50s on a diet of classical and 30s/40s pop he played the violin and sang – choirs, school musicals, round the piano at home. Following an uncle who was a renowned magician he took to the stage at as a magician himself at the age of 9, moving on to television as a ventriloquist. The power of communicating to an audience was intoxicating, even at that tender age.
By 15 he was writing and performing his own music at school. At 18 he was studying architecture at the University of Sydney with Lloyd Rees, Guy Warren, Rod Millgate and Graham (Auntie Jack) Bond as his art/design tutors. At that time the student theatrical production the Architecture Review was legendary, and he was a serious player in the 1969 edition, The Great Wall of Porridge. All this led to the professional theatre when invited invited to join Graham and Rory O’Donoghue in the cast in the Philip Theatre production, A Candy Striped Balloon, and the ABC film, A Man on a Green Bike.
Purchasing his first ‘real’ guitar with the cash from these productions (a Maton Southern Star 12 String) and began performing at concerts and the many folk clubs around Sydney. His first album Of Time and Its Distance was recorded in Brisbane in the mid 1970s introducing him to folk legend Noel Paul Stookey (Paul of Peter, Paul & Mary fame). Stookey then produced his second album, Across the Border, at his Henhouse Studio in Blue Hill, Maine, USA. PP&M covered his song Wild Places on their album Such is Love and he toured with them.
In 2020 Pete wrote Waited Too Long which became the anthem for the United Nations International Summit on Domestic/Family Violence in the COVID-19 Era, a three-day online conference out of New York attended by leaders and experts from 47 countries and opened by Pope Francis. While some have called it the saddest song in the world, the intimate observation and cinematic detail in Waited Too Long are the hallmarks of his potency as a songwriter.
2025 sees the release of Peter Campbell’s startling fifth album, Burden of Hope, produced and engineered by Australian music legend Brendan Gallagher. With the world in turmoil the task of remaining hopeful is urgent and seriously hard work.
This collection speaks to the heart of our times without flinching. From the rollicking hilarity of the politically incisive Same Science (recorded live) to the wistful yearnings of Half the World Away and I’m Not Saying, the overtones of country in Waiting on the Weather and Brindabella Blue, the passionate Coat of Many Colours and the almost savage title track, Burden of Hope, these songs weave through the landscape of our shared humanity, keeping unerring focus on compassion and love.
In parallel to his music, Peter is an architectural graduate, graphic designer, photographer, glass artist, magician and ventriloquist. Music has always been the passion, but his creative life has expanded into many other areas.
He performed in professional theatre and film with Australian comic legend Grahame (Auntie Jack) Bond and created ‘The Mugic Man’ – an uproarious kids show combining magic, ventriloquism and wild banjo.
He has designed architectural glass environments for cathedrals, residences and institutions, created destination brands and wayfinding systems for cities, regions and towns, and undertaken large photographic projects exploring the social impact of industrial change. The Biscuit Factory, a photographic essay on the closure of the Westons Biscuit Factory in Sydney’s Camperdown, was celebrated in a major exhibition at the Museum of Sydney.
www.petercampbell.au Linktree: https://linktr.ee/petercampbellsongs
CAVETOWN ANNOUNCES ALBUM ‘RUNNING WITH SCISSORS’. NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO ‘RAINBOW GAL’ OUT NOW
Singer, songwriter and producer Cavetown, the moniker of UK-born Robin Skinner, has announced his forthcoming album Running With Scissors, set for release on 16 January via Futures Music Group / Virgin Music Group. PRE-SAVE THE ALBUM NOW
Alongside the announcement, he has shared the shimmering new single and video ‘Rainbow Gal’, a synth-laced love song inspired by his relationship. The track, built on 8-bit textures and glitchy vocals, reflects the grounding comfort his partner brings to him even from afar. “‘Rainbow Gal’ is like a light display turned into a song, she brings all the color into my life,” says Skinner.
Cavetown has grown from uploading songs in his Cambridge bedroom to becoming one of the most beloved voices of his generation, amassing billions of streams and six RIAA Platinum singles. His music, ranging from intimate lo-fi beginnings to expansive indie-pop, has offered solace to millions worldwide. Along the way, he’s built a global community, played major festivals like Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds and Lollapalooza, and toured with artists including AJR, Pierce the Veil and Mother Mother.
If his past music created a sanctuary, Running With Scissors asks: what happens when you step outside of that room and look yourself squarely in the eye? What are the gifts and curses inherited from family and which parts do you carry forward or cut away? Written on the other side of a two-year healing process, the album finds Skinner older, braver and galvanized, shading his trademark softness with rawer emotions without losing sight of the millions of fans who have grown up alongside him. “I want them to enter this new era with me and not feel like it’s for kids. Because I’m not a kid anymore,” he says. “I want it to feel like we’re moving forward together.”
The release of ‘Rainbow Gal’ follows Cavetown’s recent single ‘Baby Spoon’, paired with its intimate, dreamlike video. Threaded with intergenerational tension, familial excavation, and love both soft and fierce, the songs on Running With Scissors mirror Skinner’s recent life changes, including falling in love with the person he wants to start a family with and the birth of his first sibling, with whom he shares a 26-year age gap.
On Running With Scissors, the album unfolds as a sweeping reflection on growth, identity and the beauty of coming into one’s own. Cavetown uses intimate storytelling to explore themes of love, masculinity, vulnerability and connection, while also turning toward the heavier realities of anxiety, self-doubt and navigating life as a trans artist. Threaded throughout is a sense of reimagining adulthood, grappling with family, memory and the process of self-parenting. Acoustic melodies and field recordings collide with hyperpop glitches and math-rock textures; whispers break into screams; and Skinner’s voice, once a stream of gentle murmur, now stretches and snaps with newfound range. “I wanted to make myself sound more brave,” he says. “And I wanted to impress people with my voice, like, ‘wow, he’s actually got some pipes.’”
Beyond his music, Cavetown continues to champion causes close to his heart. His This Is Home initiative has raised over $650,000 for LGBTQ+ organizations, further cementing his role not only as a musician but as a community builder.
‘Rainbow Gal’ and ‘Baby Spoon’ are available now on all streaming platforms.
Running With Scissors arrives 16 January.
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Elly McK & The Unbelievers Release Debut EP and Single “Trouble In The Kitchen Sink”
Melbourne Americana outfit Elly McK & The Unbelievers unveil their self-titled debut EP alongside the release of its lead single, “Trouble In The Kitchen Sink”, on September 15.
The fourth and final single leading into the EP, “Trouble In The Kitchen Sink” is a warm, mid- tempo country ballad about love, resilience, and finding meaning in the everyday grind.
With heart- wrenching guitar, rich harmonies, and Elly McK’s evocative vocals, the track captures the push and pull of modern life: “We could pull the plug just to watch the water subside, work our hands to the bone, just to stay alive…”
“It’s about holding it all together while carving out moments that matter,” says Elly.
The single follows the band’s earlier releases Don’t Stay Away, Hold On, and Too Early, closing an exciting chapter and setting the stage for their much-anticipated debut album.
EP Launch Show
Elly McK & The Unbelievers will celebrate the release with a launch party at the Union Hotel, Brunswick on September 20, 8pm, presented with support from Oily Rag Records. Expect a night of barnstorming alt-country storytelling and a good dose of honky-tonk spirit — it’s gonna be a humdinger!
“Trouble In The Kitchen Sink” and the self-titled EP are out September 15 on all streaming platforms. Listen / Download via AMRAP
Follow Elly McK & The Unbelievers: Website | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify
Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces Live at Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society
“Live at the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society” captures Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces’ intensity with fabulous fidelity. Showcasing their powerful dynamic range; the swing and drive of Will’s drums, in collusion with Oscar’s compelling and commanding guitar, aided and abetted by Phil’s brassy harp and raucous vocals – the album faithfully reproduces the live band experience – an unexpectedly full sound that belies their three-piece setup.
About the album, Phil said: “Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society is a concert setting. We’re more at home in whiskey-soaked bars and swirling dancers than a seated audience, but we played a tight show, playing with intent and connecting with the audience through sharing the stories behind the songs.”
I’m Gone: Like jumping on a motorcycle and tearing through the twisties; sharp, fast, and loud. The drumming is urgent, guitar’s laying down a boogie that just won’t quit, and the harp tone is fat enough to clog arteries.
Free as Birds: Big toms kick off, and the tempo stays light on its feet. The harp cuts through and the drumming swings between snare and toms like it’s having the time of its life. It’s slick, it’s sharp, just what you’d expect from a band having way too much fun.
Brother: Time for a bit of teetering on the edge—in the best way. Drums and harp driving like they’ve got somewhere to be, guitar whipping them into a frenzy. The dynamics are sweet: tension meets passion.
FU Blues: Slow blues is a dangerous game—every note’s got nowhere to hide. The track builds a brooding vibe, vocals brimming with emotion, but Oscar’s guitar is the secret weapon. Every note counts, and Oscar makes them all hit home.
Summertime: There’s a bit of swagger to this one, thanks to Oscar’s hypnotic hill-country riff and Will’s mastery of the “2.” The harp solo lifts the track to a new level, but the groove remains for you to get lost in. A laid-back tune that still finds a way to keep you hooked.
You Go First: “One for the dancers” Tight stops, strong shuffles, a rhumba feel; this is all about moving and grooving. The interplay between harp, drums,
and guitar adds just the right spice and seasoning.
How Many More Years: A Howlin’ Wolf classic built around an insistent riff that grows stronger with every measure. Oscar’s distorted opening riff sets the stage for a relentless rhythm that drives the track forward. The vocals are laid-back yet commanding, transferring power seamlessly to the harp and guitar solos.
Walking Blues: The vocals are bold, the riff is strong and the rhythm is tighter than the skin on a snare. Phil’s amp is on the edge of screaming as he opens and
closes his hold on the harp mic. Oscar commands the melody and rhythm, raising and lowering with precision and feel. You can hear the fun the band is having, and it’s infectious.
Asking for a Friend: This closer pulls no punches—fast, driving, and unapologetically eclectic. A rockabilly swing with a punk edge, from kick off to the high-octane harp themes, it’s wry lyrics, killer guitar, and vocals are all tension and release.
STONETRIP SET TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘POSTCARDS’ (OUT SEP 26)
Melbourne hard rock outfit Stonetrip are back with their brand-new single ‘Postcards’, set for release 26 September via Golden Robot Records and available now for pre-save.
‘Postcards’ is a heartfelt reflection on love and distance – a story rooted in a time before mobile phones and social media, when couples relied on handwritten postcards to bridge the gap. The song captures the raw emotion of long-distance relationships and the heartbreak of breakups carried out across miles. Without face-to-face connection or eye contact, all that’s left is brutal honesty from afar, the words that sometimes get lost along the way.
Combining Stonetrip’s trademark power, soaring hooks, and emotional grit, ‘Postcards’ is both nostalgic and strikingly relevant. It showcases the band’s ability to fuse hard rock energy with vulnerability, making it one of their most poignant releases to date.
With their reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting rock acts continuing to grow, Stonetrip are proving once again that their music resonates deeply with fans across generations.
‘Postcards’ will be available to stream on all major platforms on 26 September. Pre-save it now via Golden Robot Records. Pre-save ‘Postcards’ HERE
ABOUT STONETRIP
Hailing from Melbourne, Stonetrip are a powerhouse rock outfit bringing raw energy, heartfelt storytelling, and stadium-worthy hooks to the modern hard rock scene. With a sound that fuses classic rock grit with a fresh, contemporary edge, the band have carved out a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting rising acts.
Formed out of a shared passion for timeless rock ’n’ roll, Stonetrip hit the ground running with explosive live performances that quickly won them a loyal following. Their music blends driving riffs, soaring melodies, and anthemic choruses, echoing influences from the greats while forging their own unmistakable style. Since their debut, Stonetrip have continued to build momentum with a string of dynamic singles and their critically acclaimed self-titled EP, released through Golden Robot Records. Tracks like ‘Runaway’, ‘Sideways’, and ‘Nightmare’ showcase the band’s ability to balance hard-hitting intensity with moments of vulnerability and soul.
On stage, Stonetrip are relentless. Their shows deliver the kind of sweat-soaked, high-voltage rock experience that reminds audiences why live music matters. Whether playing intimate club gigs or supporting major touring acts, the band consistently leave a lasting impression.
With new music on the horizon and a growing international fanbase, Stonetrip are proving that Australian rock is alive, loud, and ready to take on the world.
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RISSA SHARES SENSUAL CUT ‘FALL OUT’ OFF FORTHCOMING EP
Eora/Sydney-based R&B artist RISSA today unveils her impassioned single ‘FALL OUT’ — off her upcoming EP, set for release on Friday, October 24.
‘FALL OUT’ opens with the pitter-patter of rain weaving together with engrossing arpeggiating piano, creating a cinematic exploration of heartbreak. Recorded at Offbeat Studios, Marrickville, and produced and mixed by Edy Liu, RISSA crafts an effortlessly cosy soundscape that captures both the fragility and strength found in loss.
Speaking on the single, RISSA shares: “‘FALL OUT’ is the sound and story of heartbreak. From the sounds of rain in the background to cinematic vocal layers & hard beat drops, ‘FALL OUT’ soundtracks the emotions of betrayal & loss of love in a relationship while still maintaining power at the end of it all. Made for the heartbreak playlists.”
Alongside the release, RISSA will take to the stage for a special Eora/Western Sydney headline show on Saturday, September 27, at Common House Studios, Glendenning, NSW, giving fans an early glimpse into the sonic world of her forthcoming EP.
Included in the EP will be the previous single ‘FOREVER’, which saw support from NOVA, Hit FM, triple j, triple j Unearthed, Double J, CADA, fbi radio, SYN, and more. With a growing catalogue of heartfelt releases – from her 2023 debut EP ‘Made To Feel’ to recent singles ‘love me right’ and ‘Cinematic Feels’, RISSA continues to carve out a lane defined by emotional depth, vocal finesse, and undeniable soul. Her releases have garnered over 20 million Spotify streams and received extensive support from notable platforms, including Apple Music and Amazon Music.
Inspired by the worlds of R&B and Gospel, Polynesian/Australian artist RISSA sings about her real-life experiences and translates them through lush blends of soulful melodies, gospel choir harmonies, and rhythmic grooves. Building up the community around her, RISSA is claiming her place as a leading emerging R&B/Soul artist, both nationally and internationally.
‘FALL OUT’ is available worldwide now
RISSA ‘FALL OUT’ LAUNCH SHOW
SAT 27 SEP | COMMON HOUSE STUDIOS, EORA/SYDNEY BSW
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JENS LEKMAN SHARES NEW ALBUM ‘SONGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S WEDDINGS’. COMPANION ALBUM TO NEW BOOK BY DAVID LEVITHAN & JENS LEKMAN OUT NOW VIA ABRAMS
Jens Lekman has released his extraordinary new album Songs For Other People’s Weddings via Secretly Canadian, a companion to a book of the same name by Lekman & award-winning, bestselling author David Levithan, out now via ABRAMS, and for which the duo was profiled by The New York Times and NPR’s All Things Considered. The LP and its singles—‘Candy From A Stranger‘ and ‘Wedding In Leipzig‘—have also been earning great press from Pitchfork (watch Lekman’s My Perfect 10 video on Frank Sinatra’s Watertown), the Kreative Kontrol podcast, The Needle Drop, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and more. Narratively, Songs For Other People’s Weddings follows the relationship of lead characters J (an unlucky-in-love musician who moonlights as a wedding singer) and V, changing musically as the couple navigates the ups and downs of love. An orchestral, romantic collection, the album traverses through pastoral strings, dreamy pop, soft jazzy saxophone, and sad house beats.
To celebrate its release, Lekman has shared a new video (filmed and edited by Rena Johnson) for the crushing yet dance floor-ready LP standout ‘On a Pier, On The Hudson,’ featuring vocals by Matilda Sargren–a young voice Lekman discovered while touring with youth orchestras in 2022. “While on the first two singles we’ve only heard from the male protagonist in the story, this is the first time we get to hear the perspective of V, the female protagonist, voiced by Matilda. I was thinking of old Chicago house music, The Avalanches and Pet Shop Boys when I wrote this song. I wanted it to be the sort of dance music that feels desperate and melancholy, not plastic,” Lekman explains. “There’s an element of travel on this album. The singer travels through all of these different places–it’s almost like a cat-and-mouse chase. I wanted the music to feel like walking through these different places, with each song taking you somewhere new.”
Songs For Other People’s Weddings was inspired by the beloved Swedish artist’s own surprising side career as a wedding singer, which came about by chance after fans took his 2004 song “If You Ever Need a Stranger (To Sing at Your Wedding)” literally and invited him to perform at their nuptials. “The idea to make a narrative concept album (a rock opera?) felt forbidden. Which, for me, is usually a sign that I’m on the right path. While investigating the genre of narrative concept albums, I realized that one of my all-time favorite albums, Frank Sinatra’s Watertown, was in fact just that–a record that told a chronological story over the length of an LP. Having never been a fan of musicals or rock operas, this album served as inspiration,” Lekman explains. “I wrote the album while the book was still being written and, at some points, I started imagining what happened between the book’s chapters. The book and the album eventually became intertwined but also found their own paths. The book provided the structure of the story, but the album sometimes snuck behind the scenes. Stories from the songs made their way into the book and vice versa.”
Lekman will soon embark on an extensive North American headlining tour, including stops at Brooklyn, NY’s Music Hall of Williamsburg (November 16th) and Los Angeles, CA’s Lodge Room (November 29th), followed by a run of EU and UK tour dates in March 2026. More Scandinavia shows will soon be announced. A current itinerary of tour dates is listed below.
Read the full album bio, written by David Levithan, HERE.
Jens Lekman – ‘On a Pier, On the Hudson (feat. Matilda Sargren)’ (Official Lyric Video)*
Jen Lekman – ‘Candy From A Stranger’ (Official Video)
Songs For Other People’s Weddings LP
Out Friday 12th September 2025. Purchase/Stream here
OLZA UNVEILS NEW SINGLE ‘SLEEPINGPEACOCK’ ACCOMPANIED BY VISIONARY VIDEO
WATCH HERE
SOLD-OUT IMMERSIVE EVENING OF MUSIC, FILM, FASHION AND ART CURATED BY OLZA AND FRIENDS
Melbourne artist Olza unveils their striking new single ‘sleepingpeacock’, a cathartic exploration of self-doubt, renewal, and the beauty of perseverance. Co-written and co-produced alongside Oly Bugg, the track draws inspiration from the symbolism of the peacock – a creature long associated with protection, growth, and new beginnings.
Listen to ‘sleepingpeacock’ here
The song was sparked by a dream, a moment that served as a creative awakening. “Peacocks symbolise beauty and resilience. I had a dream about them at a time when I was doubting myself as an artist, and it became a way to remind myself to wake up, to use the beauty in my creativity to flourish,” Olza explains.
From its frenetic opening, ‘sleepingpeacock’ captures the overstimulation of racing thoughts and the chaos of an anxious headspace. As the track unfolds, it shifts into moments of euphoric calm, a sonic release mirroring the sensation of shutting out the noise, snapping out of looping negative daydreams, and finding silence. It is a journey from anxiety to clarity, underscored by a determination to protect one’s art and push through self-doubt.
The single is accompanied by Olza’s most ambitious music video to date, created in collaboration with long-time friend and director Liam Harrington. Over a year in planning, the shoot was spread across an intense weekend of 12-hour days. Day one unfolded in a dark studio under heavy lights, with Olza performing in a thick costume while pushing through the heat and exhaustion. Day two was the stark opposite, a freezing night at an open lake, where Olza braved the icy water to deliver one of their most vulnerable performances yet.
Watch the video here
The self-funded project was built with a close-knit crew of friends and long-time collaborators, and it marks Olza’s largest and most personal creative undertaking so far. Beyond showcasing Olza as a musician, the video reveals a new side: performer, artist, and dancer. “I’m not professionally trained, but I wanted to let the movement tell a story of not always being able to control your emotions, to allow them to move through you instead,” Olza says.
To celebrate the release of the ‘sleepingpeacock’ video, Olza hosted a special launch night – which officially sold-out – bringing together music, fashion, and community in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North. The evening featured a vinyl DJ set, an intimate live performance by Olza, and the official screening of the sleepingpeacock video.
Olza has been steadily building momentum on the live stage, with recent support slots for Uglieboy and G.U.N, as well as a set at Club Lustre’s second edition at Miscellania. Each show has further cemented Olza’s reputation as a dynamic and commanding live act, capable of bringing raw emotion to the stage.
On October 25, Olza is set to curate a special event alongside FORNER at Bell City Takeaway. The multidisciplinary night will bring together four bands, including Olza and FORNER, two DJs, and small art exhibitions scattered throughout the venue.
As Olza prepares to share more new music and take the stage for upcoming headline and curated shows, sleepingpeacock marks the start of a thrilling new era – one where sound, vision, and performance converge to push artistic boundaries.
LISTEN TO ‘SLEEPINGPEACOCK’ HERE
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ANGUS GILL – FRECKLES – SINGLE
Freckles” is a recent song co-written by and performed by Australian singer songwriter Thelma Plum. The song was co-written by producer Alex Burnett who also produced the song along with UK based Oli Horton and appears on the 2024 album I’m Sorry Now It Back.
“I wasn’t aware of this song initially, but I’ve come to really love it. Beautiful, simple storytelling.”
“You can take the man out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the man.” In this case, the country is Australia, and the man is Angus Gill—an award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer now permanently based in Nashville.
Originally from the Mid North Coast of NSW, Gill made the leap to Music City in early 2024, expanding his already vast network of collaborators across genres. While writing and recording with some of Nashville’s finest, a suggestion from his Australian publishing company sparked an unexpected new project: reimagining classic Australian songs in a traditional bluegrass style.
Gill enlisted an all-star line-up of Nashville musicians, including Tim Crouch (fiddle, mandolin, double bass, banjo, guitar, percussion), Scott Vestal (banjo), and multiple Grammy winners Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station) (banjo, guitar) and Randy Kohrs (dobro).
No stranger to bluegrass, Gill’s past work in the genre has earned him critical acclaim, a Golden Guitar award, and 16 #1 hits on Australian Country Radio. What began as a handful of songs quickly grew into a full-length album—Postcards—a heartfelt collection of beloved Australian classics, reimagined in the spirited bluegrass tradition and sent back home with love.
Now based in Nashville, where he’s been writing, producing and collaborating with some of the world’s finest artists and songwriters, the Golden Guitar winner and ARIA Award nominee will return to Australian stages this October with a brand new album, Postcards, and an accompanying national tour.
Gill has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most versatile and hard-working creatives — a hit songwriter, acclaimed producer, novelist and natural-born entertainer.
With 18 number-one singles on Australian Country Radio, five ARIA-charting albums and over 100 recorded cuts, his songs have travelled far and wide, while his live shows keep audiences equal parts moved and in stitches. His collaborators span a wide spectrum, from Steve Earle and Buddy Miller to Diesel, Melinda Schneider and Eric McCusker, testament to a career built on range, substance and credibility.
About Postcards
Postcards is Gill’s boldest project yet: a reimagining of beloved Australian songs through a Nashville bluegrass lens. It’s a vibrant tribute that connects two worlds — the iconic anthems that defined a generation of Australian music, reframed with the raw energy and instrumentation of American roots.
The album features an all-star cast of guests, including Gang Gajang’s Mark Callaghan, soul powerhouse Deni Hines, country-pop standout Melanie Dyer, and Country Music and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Burton on dobro. Together, they help breathe new life into songs made famous by Split Enz, Mondo Rock, Gotye, Thelma Plum, Meg Washington, Diana Anaid and more.
The first single, The Sounds of Then (feat. Mark Callaghan), has already made waves, reaching #1 on the AMRAP Regional Chart, signalling the strong reception for Gill’s inventive take on these classics.
The Postcards Tour
The Postcards Tour is more than just an album launch. It also marks the arrival of Gill’s debut novel Departure & Arrival, a moving and often laugh-out-loud story about the endurance of friendship during hardship. The live shows will bring all of these strands together — music, storytelling and humour — into one cohesive, unforgettable performance.
Tour Dates
• Oct 11–12 — Savannah in the Round, Mareeba QLD (with Kylie Sackley)
• Oct 17 — Royal Hotel, Dungog NSW (with Tony Kennelly)
• Oct 18 — Wauchope RSL, Wauchope NSW (with Tony Kennelly)
• Oct 19 — Coutts Crossing Coronation Hall, Coutts Crossing NSW (with Tony Kennelly)
• Oct 26 — Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney NSW
About Angus Gill
Angus Gill is a once-in-a-generation talent — a Golden Guitar winner, ARIA Award nominee, and one of Australia’s most accomplished young artists, songwriters and producers. With 18 #1 singles, five ARIA chart-topping albums and over 100 recorded cuts, Gill has achieved what many spend a lifetime chasing — all before turning 30. He became the youngest Australian male solo artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry, and his collaborations span Steve Earle, Jim Lauderdale, Charles Esten, Buddy Miller, Diesel, Melinda Schneider, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, James Blundell, Mark Seymour, and Nashville’s songwriting greats Jeffrey Steele, Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas and Rivers Rutherford.
In 2023, Gill released his fifth studio album Departure & Arrival (as Angus Gill & Seasons of Change), which debuted at #1 on both the ARIA and AIR Albums Charts. He followed it with The Songwriter…So Far, a 20-track retrospective praised for its lyrical depth and emotional clarity. He also launched McCusker Gill, a creative collaboration with Australian rock icon Eric McCusker of Mondo Rock.
With Postcards and the Postcards Tour, Gill is not only returning home — he’s bringing stories, songs and perspectives shaped on an international stage, reintroducing himself to Australian audiences with a project that bridges past and present, Australia and Nashville, memory and reinvention.
THE NORTH GONG HOTEL ANNOUNCES STACKED LINEUP FOR 2025/2026 NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA
The Gong’s biggest New Year’s Eve party is back to bid farewell to 2025 and kick off 2026 in unforgettable fashion, with the North Gong Hotel NYEextravaganza ready to ring in the new year at its annual home, the North Wollongong Hotel. Boasting three stages, pop up bars and foods, DJs and all the entertainment you need to make it a night to remember, this year’s event also boasts a stacked lineup, with performances from Chillinit, The Terrys, RedHook, Switch Disco and more.
Tickets for North Gong Hotel NYE will go on sale to the general public on Friday 12 September at 10am AEST from https://bit.ly/4pdwWoD.
“This event is the ultimate party at North Gong,” enthuses North Gong Hotel manager Josh Hill. “Every year for the New Year’s Eve, we create a massive festival vibe at the pub, we bring in stages and massive production, and book a rad music lineup. This year we’ll have pop up food and bars, three stages, a bunch of DJs, and we’re hyped to have Chillinit, The Terrys and RedHook joining us. What more fun could you want to celebrate NYE in Wollongong?!”
Hailing from Sydney, rap icon Chillinit catapulted from Western Sydney’s grime and drill scene into a multi-Platinum artist following the release of his debut full-length, 2018’s Women Weed & Wordplay. Armed with his trademark rapid-fire flow, raw authenticity and unwavering independent spirit, Chillinit is now in command of hundreds of millions of streams, four studio albums, including 2021’s ARIA Award-nominated Family Ties, and a reputation for igniting stages at the likes of Splendour In The Grass, This That Festival, Wildlands and beyond. A force to be reckoned with and an artist extremely fluent in setting the vibe onstage and off, Chillinit will be ready to take you into 2026 soundtracked by some new and old fan-faves at the North Gong this New Year’s!
“There’s nowhere like Wollongong when it comes to the 420fam, it’s like my second home,” beams Chillinit, “I’ve always felt the love so what better news to announce I’m COMING BACK again for a huge NYE party alongside the Terrys and more. Let’s bring in the New Year with some big energy and good vibes, let’s see the whole fam travel out, I already know some of y’all gonna be coming from everywhere.”
Forming in 2020, indie rockers The Terrys evolved from a shared trailer house during the pandemic to storming the Aussie scene with their catchy hooks, raw lyricism and endless buoyant energy. Channelling their coastal Gerringong roots into their effervescent creations, The Terrys also fuse their mantra “Don’t think. Just do. And go with your heart” into tracks like Our Paradise, Pesos and Penny, with the group also ticking off three songs featuring in triple j’s iconic Hottest 100, multiple chart successes at home and abroad, and most recently in 2025 enamouring with their third self-titled studio album. Taking audiences on a journey of self-discovery and celebration in a live setting, prepare for pure immersive joy from The Terrys when the hit North Gong’s NYE party this December.
A band eternally defiant of genre confines, expectations and limitations, Sydney’s RedHook are undeniably one of the most exciting modern acts on the scene, both at home and on a global scale. With 35 million streams and counting, touring with the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, Stand Atlantic, Sevendust and countless others, and a penchant for infectious hooks, razor-sharp delivery and powerfully authentic lyrics, RedHook’s sweltering live show reputation has also seen them in demand at some of the biggest stages on earth, from Germany’s Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park, Download UK and, closer to home, at Good Things Festival and Groovin The Moo. If you thought bubbles and blood onstage don’t mix, think again; RedHook are precisely what the live music doctor ordered.
“The Gong has always held a special place in our hearts and we are so beyond pumped to get to ring in the New Year at the North Gong Hotel on this absolutely off chops pub fezzy lineup!” enthused RedHook vocalist Emmy Mack. “Vibes are gonna be through the roof and it’ll be extra bloody special to have a ‘Soju’ singalong with our OG choir from the mighty Illawarra.”
The UK’s Switch Disco forged a career from mashup virality, establishing themselves as a DJ/producer duo who are in demand internationally thanks to their forward-thinking blends serving up past, present and future club anthems. They exploded on SoundCloud from their mashup of Bicep “Glue” and Nelly Furtado “Say It Right” which has more than 9 million plays on the platform. Their originals combine influences to create timeless dance classics, as seen by their current single Hideaway featuring Tones & I. The duo sampled Robert Miles’ “Children” in the studio with Ella Henderson to create their platinum record “REACT”; with over 200 million streams, it also earned a nomination for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2024 BRIT Awards. And off the back of a 21-week Ibiza residency and multiple weekly shows across Europe and the US, Wollongong sure has landed on its feet, because North Gong Hotel is next up on their agenda!
“We’re beyond excited to return to Australia for our third tour!” said Switch Disco. “It’s been a year since our last visit, and we’ve been working on so much new music that we can’t wait to share. Aussie crowds always have this unmatched energy – every show feels electric – so we’re counting down the days until we’re back on stage for you!”
Swiftly becoming one of Wollongong’s hottest live music calendar events, North Gong Hotel NYE’s previous editions has seen the likes of Hockey Dad, Mallrat, Mansionair and Set Mo in 2023, while last year’s event boasted Cub Sport, The Vanns and Bag Raiders. With your food, drink and entertainment sorted under the picturesque lights of North Gong Hotel’s iconic glowing tree, surrounded by friends, good tunes and good times – there’s no better place to be this New Year’s Eve. Grab your tickets and come and start 2026 off with a bang!
Tickets for North Gong Hotel NYE will go on-sale to the general public on Friday 12 September at 10am AEST from https://bit.ly/4pdwWoD.
NORTH GONG HOTEL NYE:
WED 31 DEC | NORTH WOLLONGONG HOTEL, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://bit.ly/4pdwWoD
FACEBOOK EVENT
Arabella and The Heist Explodes with Cherry-Bomb Single ‘Maraschino’. Single Out Friday, September 12
Arabella And The Heist uncork chaos with ‘Maraschino’, their wildest and most electrifying single yet. Sensual, unrestrained, and brimming with attitude, it’s the sound of surrendering to chaos with a cherry on top.
No strangers to commanding a room, Arabella And The Heist have been carving out a name in the Australian punk scene with their heavy-hitting, high-energy sound and raw, unapologetic performances. They’ve stormed festival stages including St Kilda Fest 2025, Brunswick Music Fest 2025, Chopped 2024 and Mordifest 2024, played sold-out launches for singles ‘Electric’ and ‘1769’, and taken their raucous live show nationwide on July’s Ruckus Tour, earning a reputation for gigs that teeter on the edge of madness.
Produced by Michael Badger (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Amyl and The Sniffers, Full Flower Moon Band), ‘Maraschino’ captures a new edge for the band, fusing their blistering punk ferocity with glimmering electronic sparks. The result is pure combustion, with a track that bites and glitters all at once.
From the very first breathy vocal, ‘Maraschino’ pulls you into its fever dream. Pulsing basslines set the stage before the beat crashes in, wild and relentless, baring its teeth as it drips with sweat and electricity. It is messy, ecstatic, and irresistible, the sound of losing yourself on a sticky dancefloor at 2am while the world outside burns colder.
This amped-up single embraces the sonic juxtaposition of anarchy and optimism, making a bold statement that fights and scratches to see the beauty and wonder in a world that feels increasingly cold, encouraging the listener to scream, shout, and dance through it. Frontwoman Holly Arabella shares just what the song means to her, stating,
“Maraschino is a release, embodying what punk has always been to me… with a little sparkle thrown in, and a cherry on top.”
Arabella and The Heist have set the fuse alight with ‘Maraschino’, an electro-punk cherry bomb; stream it now.
‘Maraschino’ Single Launch
Saturday, October 4th – Fitzroy, Victoria @ The Old Bar w/ The Stripp and W.O.M.B.A.T | Tickets
Follow Arabella and The Heist Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
The Empty Threats’ exhilarating second album, happy birthday, is out NOW
Rising Kaurna land / Adelaide queer rock outfit, The Empty Threats, today release their second album happy birthday, out digitally and on limited-edition 12″ vinyl via Anti-Dismal and Short Corner Records.
As the name suggests, happy birthday – the exhilarating sophomore album from the Adelaide band lovingly referred to by fans as “The Empties” – is certainly a celebration. Well, of sorts. It’s the sound of a sweaty, scuzzy house party; full of anxiety, messy social relations, desire, pill-popping and bruised, bopping bodies, which threatens to descend into total chaos. But for all its frenzy and rollicking bliss, it also covers the terrain of a celebration’s aftermath – those painful revelations that turn crystalline at the break of dawn. If their 2023 debut Monster Truck Mondays was charged by a queer, radical politic that looked outward, then happy birthday sees the band turning inward, exploring the pleasures and anguish of romance, friendship and one’s own inner life. In a world where the rougher edges of neurodivergence are sanded down and made palatable, happy birthday, recorded and produced by guitarist Matt Schultz, is a sprawling, euphoric garage rock record that positions itself in the muck of this reality, refusing to quieten or reconcile its many ideas or energies.
The album was written during a self-imposed, two-week sequestering in an old sheep ranch, located in the remote, mountainous Flinder’s Ranges, five hours north from Adelaide. The band’s (made up of Stu Patterson (they/them – [vocals / saxophone / clarinet]), Matt Schultz (they/them – [guitars]), Lenny Regione (he/him – [bass guitar]), Michael Bond (he/him – [drums]), Alex Dearman (him/him – [guitar]) and Grace Vandals (she/her – [vocals / guitar / synth] with contributions from former member Venus (they/them- guitar/backing vocals) aim was to lock themselves away and return to the city with a suite of songs. With no internet service and precarious power sources (whenever the band wanted to plug in their amps, they had to run outside and turn on a generator), they emerged with the 15 songs that make up happy birthday. “It really felt like one of those ‘go to the desert and lose your mind’ kind of thing” says Patterson.
Much of the record deals with moments of the mind looping and spiralling. ‘micro’ begins with a Strokes-swagger, detailing the confusion and grief of seeing an ex from afar. The discordance of the experience is matched with a punk dissonance that grows across the track’s four minutes – the guitars shriek and splutter, and the lyrics are relinquished for a finale of spoken word fury. “It’s got my favourite melody of the whole album. It’s a frustration melody, and sometimes when you’re frustrated and tired, you finally just listen to your instincts,” says Patterson. The song was one of the final to be recorded by the band in January of this year.
Wanting to capture the liberating wildness of their live shows, Empties opted to record their new record live, and ran through songs in order, working their way down. “It was about creating space and not taking up too much room between people, letting everyone have their own realm” says Shultz about the recording progress.
Elsewhere, minds are shredded by “brain rot” like on the snarling, short-circuiting ‘phone call’.“ Meanwhile, ‘bus stop’ is a bracing duet between Patterson and Venus, brimming with cutting riffs and melodic melancholy, exploring disconnection and restlessness, with elliptical, poetic lyrics – “Sitting at the bus stop waiting in the rain all these conversations feel the same / Sitting at the bus stop told me I’ve changed, silent altercations, no-one to blame.” “The song is an ode to the sleepless nights where one’s emotions blurs between the lines of sanity and insanity,” says Patterson.
Their time in the Flinder’s Ranges comes into starting view on the slowest song on the record, ‘sky’s theme’ a beautiful, thrashing ode to the unconditional love of canines, inspired by a dog called Sky that roamed the sheep farm, and the death of a beloved pet of Patterson’s.
Since their humble high school origins, and the release of Monster Truck Mondays, The Empty Threats have been lauded both in Australia and abroad. They have won multiple South Australian Music Awards, and received co-signs from Rolling Stone and KEXP. The band’s reputation for unruly live shows has seen them tour relentlessly, including a headline show at the iconic Rough Trade East in London. Their ability to connect with diverse audiences is evident in their impressive list of support slots – they’ve shared the stage with everyone, including indie-pop sensation BENEE, Australian rock icons Jimmy Barnes and ICEHOUSE. They’ve also captivated festival audiences across the globe at The Great Escape, Camp A Low Hum, WOMADelaide and Yours & Owls.
The Empty Threats happy birthday
Via Anti-Dismal and Short Corner Records
12 September, Waywards Ballroom, Newtown, NSW
13 September, Dicey Riley’s, Wollongong, NSW
20 September, JIVE, Adelaide, SA
25 September, Bergy Ballroom, Melbourne, VIC
Stay up to date with The Empty Threats
MON ROVÎA ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM ‘BLOODLINE’.
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “WHOSE FACE AM I”
Mon Rovîa announces his highly anticipated debut album Bloodline, a landmark project that threads together memory, identity, grief, and resilience. The record marks the culmination of years spent searching for meaning and stitching together the fragments of a past marked by displacement and rebirth.
Mon explains, “When the name Bloodline first came to me in 2022, I recognized it as the title of my debut album. What I didn’t realize then was how long it would take to grow into the story behind that name, the grief, the quiet, and the slow disassembly of a self that resisted its own becoming. Even now, I move through life carefully, as though visibility might undo me, as though being seen might awaken an identity I’m still learning how to carry: Mon Rovîa.”
Spanning 16 tracks, Bloodline is both an intimate memoir and a collective testimony. Across its songs, Mon confronts the legacies of war, loss, and migration while also illuminating resilience, love, and the search for belonging. The record carries forward his Liberian roots and his American journey, weaving personal narrative with social commentary. Previous singles “Oh Wide World,” “Running Boy,” and “Heavy Foot” appear on the album, showcasing Mon’s ability to hold tenderness and protest in the same breath. Together with new songs like “Whose face am i,” the album positions Mon as one of the most original voices in contemporary folk and indie music.
LISTEN & SHARE: MON ROVÎA “WHOSE FACE AM I” https://monrovia.ffm.to/whosefaceami
Alongside the announcement, Mon releases his new single “Whose face am i.” The track stands as an emotional centerpiece of the album – a quiet exploration of lineage and longing. Rooted in his personal history as an adoptee from war-torn Liberia, the song speaks not only to Mon’s own unanswered questions, but also to the universal desire to understand where we come from.
“A lot of life is about your history. The search for understanding what has happened, what is, and what isn’t. The Truth lies at the epicenter of the case. For many adopted children, or those who have lost parents when young or never knew theirs to begin with, there can be an unspoken weight. We all long to know who brought us into this world, and at what cost.
Relief releases sweetly as answers come to light. Know you aren’t alone in your search for your story. Many seek with you.”
The release follows a milestone moment in Mon’s career: he makes history as the first-ever musical artist guest on The Mel Robbins Podcast, joining the renowned speaker and author for an in-depth conversation on art, activism, and resilience.
Mon also embarks on his ‘A Place To Gather’ North American Headline Tour this fall — his most expansive run to date. The tour brings his electrifying presence and message of healing to major cities and legendary venues across the U.S. and Canada, including Irving Plaza, First Avenue, Brooklyn Bowl Philly, and more.
WATCH & SHARE: MON ROVÎA “HEAVY FOOT” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyXccqTlhoI
Originally from Liberia and now rooted in Tennessee, Mon was named one of Spotify’s 2024 Juniper Artists to Watch. He sells out every headline show to date, performs on iconic stages including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Newport Folk Festival, and recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Following a sold-out European tour earlier this year and standout performances at Boston Calling and Red Rocks, Mon continues to redefine what modern folk can sound — and stand — for.
FOLLOW MON ROVÎA
Instagram | Tik Tok | YouTube | Facebook | X
THE PLOT IN YOU RELEASE NEW SINGLE + OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO SILENCE. TOURING AUSTRALIA NATIONALLY IN 2026
The Plot In You have released their new track Silence and the official music video, out now via Fearless Records.
When asked about the inspiration behind the track, vocalist Landon Tewers commented: “Silence is a meditation on the feeling of growing older, more confident, and at peace. I wanted to write about my current feeling about existing. Nothing in the song repeats as a metaphor for not treading past waters again and striving to take on things that feel uncomfortable.”
Stream Silence here and watch the music video here:
The quartet are currently on their US headliner with Invent Animate, Northlane and Windwaker as support, and will next hit the road with Bring Me The Horizon across the States alongside Motionless In White and Amira Elfeky.
The Plot In You will also return to Australia touring nationally in January 2026, supported by Fit For A King, Boundaries and Banks Arcade. Fremantle, Chelsea Heights, Sydney and Brisbane are entirely sold out, with Adelaide selling fast and Melbourne’s venue upgraded due to overwhelming demand.
During 2023, The Plot In You kickstarted a new era with Vol. 1 with Divide, having generated 33 million Spotify streams and counting followed by Left Behind, exploding to the tune of 66.5 million Spotify streams with no signs of slowing down. Upon the arrival of Forgotten, Revolver praised it among the “6 Best New Songs Right Now”. The Plot In You’s Vol. 3 EP is a powerful showcase of the band’s evolution, blending raw emotion with polished musicality, and stands as a testament to the band’s growth and artistic maturity, captivating listeners with its intense yet introspective narratives with tracks Closure, Don’t Look Away, and All That I Can Give. The band’s stellar track FEEL NOTHING has recently been RIAA-certified Platinum, further solidifying their place as one of the genre’s most compelling acts.
SILENCE – OUT NOW
https://ffm.to/tpiy_silence
Destroy All Lines Presents
THE PLOT IN YOU AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
FIT FOR A KING
BOUNDARIES
BANKS ARCADE
TOUR DATES:
WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2026 – METROPOLIS, FREMANTLE SOLD OUT
FRIDAY 23 JANUARY 2026 – HINDLEY ST MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE SELLING FAST
SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 2026 – CHELSEA HEIGHTS HOTEL, CHELSEA HEIGHTS SOLD OUT
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2026 – PICA, MELBOURNE VENUE UPGRADE
WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY 2026 – ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY SOLD OUT
FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 2026 – FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE SOLD OUT
Tickets from destroyalllines.com
KYLA BELLE SHINES BRIGHT WITH THE RELEASE OF HER DEBUT SINGLE ‘MYSELF’
At just 16 years of age, proud Gomeroi singer-songwriter Kyla Belle is already making waves with her debut single ‘Myself’ – a moody, carefree country track that threads notes of pop and tradition with the spirit of teenage discovery.
Industry heavyweights have been quick to notice Kyla’s songwriting prowess. “I was shown a video of Kyla Belle the other day and was blown away!” says global sensation G Flip. Meanwhile, Thelma Plum shares, “I love your music. I have been listening to your songs all morning and I think you’re just so deadly darling.”
‘Myself’ is the song that recently earned Kyla the winning title of the coveted Triple J Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative 2025, setting her firmly on the map as one of Australia’s brightest emerging artists. Written from her bedroom floor, the breezy bop highlights the quirks of teenage hood.
“It’s about being a teenager who isn’t exactly sure about what they want to do in life,” tells the singer-songwriter. “How everyone expects me to know what I want to do. I wanted to express how I feel about my music and everyday life and how I’m more of an advocate for whatever happens in life happens.”
Kyla made the eight-hour drive from her home in Moree to record the track in Sydney with producer Fabien Bethuizeau. She laid down her vocals and guitar, while Fabien added drums, bass and slide guitar. The track was then mixed by US engineer Michael Freeman and mastered by the legendary Joe LaPorta (Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood).
The single arrives with a playful, one-take inspired video – shot at Sydney’s Killa Kreative Studio by Four:Three – echoing Taylor Swift’s ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’. The clip captures Kyla’s teenage spirit, her self-discovery, and the universal questions we all ask as we grow up.
Beyond the studio, Kyla has already performed to massive audiences. Her NAIDOC Week performance of ‘I Am Australian’ has clocked over 2.5 million views, and this November she will appear as a featured soloist in the NSW School Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena, performing across four shows.
‘Myself’ is also the first taste of Kyla’s forthcoming 2026 EP, which will showcase her unique mix of youthful honesty, natural musicality, and a sound that bridges country, pop and beyond. With wisdom beyond her years and a voice that’s as raw as it is radiant, Kyla Belle’s arrival feels like the start of something special.
CONNECT WITH KYLA BELLE
The Avett Brothers join forces with Mike Patton for new album AVTT/PTTN, due out November 14
In one of the year’s most surprising and electrifying collaborations, Scott and Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers have teamed up with Mike Patton, legendary frontman of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, to form AVTT/PTTN. Their new album of original songs, written by the three artists together and produced by Patton, Scott Avett, and Grammy-winning engineer Dana Nielsen (Metallica, Rihanna), is set for release on November 14 via Thirty Tigers in association with Ramseur Records and Ipecac Recordings, with the first single “Eternal Love” available today.
What began as a casual exchange of admiration soon grew into a genuine creative partnership. The Avetts and Patton, longtime mutual fans, found themselves trading songs and ideas across coasts, with each sketch evolving as it passed through the trio’s hands. “This is what art is,” Scott reflects. “This is what making is supposed to be: in secret and with no ambition.”
For the Avetts, working with Patton was more than just a new collaboration — it was a full-circle moment. “Mike’s part of our DNA, like the fabric of our youth,” says Scott. “Literally, we studied him. He’s a dear friend now, but when we were younger, I was imitating him.” Patton adds, “My peculiar challenge in this was to become a long distant cousin. A brother that was orphaned. Maybe they kept him in the chicken coop or some shit. They brought him out years and years later.”
The album opens with the gentle acoustic guitar of “Dark Night of My Soul,” where Patton’s seasoned croon merges with the Avetts’ voices for a rich three-part harmony. Elsewhere, the scuzzy stomp of the folk classic “The Ox Driver’s Song” and the driving fuzz of “Heaven’s Breath” push the Avetts into new sonic terrain, while showcasing Patton’s trademark dynamic range. Each track reflects the unusual way the record was built — songs sketched by Scott, reshaped by Patton, and then reimagined again with Seth — a process that gave the music its distinct character and balance.
Listen to the lead single “Eternal Love,” a meditation on the universal pull of love, capturing both its enduring beauty and the weight it can carry, HERE.
What emerged from this partnership is more than just a side project— it’s a collision of worlds. AVTT/PTTN is Scott, Seth, and Mike at their most adventurous, writing and singing together without boundaries, and carving out a space that’s entirely their own.
Pre-order / pre-save AVTT/PTTN (out November 14, 2025) HERE.
leepazoid follow up explosive BIGSOUND showcases with hard-hitting EP title track ‘NEW AGE’
Following three explosive showcases that had BIGSOUND buzzing, everyone’s new favourite alt-rockers sleepazoid have returned with a brand new single ‘NEW AGE’, out now via Surreal Sound. The title track of their yet-to-be-revealed sophomore EP, ‘NEW AGE’ debuted on triple j Drive yesterday, and is bold, melodic, gutsy, and honest – all the markers of what has made sleepazoid so immediately adored. Stream HERE and watch the music video HERE.
Written in the rear-view mirror of a major life transition for frontwoman Nette France, the new single touches on the evolution of identity after a break-up, and the process of grief and renewal that follow. A journey of healing, Nette’s ever-commanding vocals are carried through punchy drums and angsty riffs as she steps into her renewed sense of self (I had a vision, then I stepped in it – the small things together that make you feel different. I’m not afraid to know what I like, dress how I like, cry when I cry), while allowing space for tenderness as she reflects I really loved you, I know you know that; but what we cut down we couldn’t grow back.
“Anyone that’s been through a big break-up can probably resonate with how lost and disoriented you feel,” says Nette. “When you’ve been with someone for so long (almost all of my 20s) and then all of the sudden you’re faced with the question of – who am I now without this person?
“Going through this big life transition, I found myself constantly flip flopping between seeking familiar comforts, and wanting to reinvent myself. In a way, this song is me taking stock of all the changes I’ve made in myself and in my life. From small things like experimenting with my style, to bigger changes – like being more honest with myself and acknowledging the end of a relationship that was very important to me.”
‘NEW AGE’ is the next step in what has been an incredibly fast-paced and fruitful 2025 for sleepazoid, from the release of their breakout triple j high rotation single ‘ALICE’ in February, to their stint supporting Faye Webster (US) on her sold out Australian tour in July. Their most recent release, ‘3AM’, was an immediate attention-grabber, clocking 100k+ streams in its first week of release and attracting an extensive list of DSP playlist additions and covers. ‘3AM’ received airplay across triple j, triple j Unearthed, and community radio including FBi, Triple R, 2SER, 4ZZZ, SYN, RTR and more, and saw the band make inroads internationally with spins on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6. The track also found itself topping Best New Music lists across the internet, with Richard Kingsmill adding it to his Best of the Month playlist, plus inclusions from Rolling Stone, Happy Mag, Somersault and more. The band have also recently landed co-management representation with Los Angeles based management warm water., bringing them eyes and ears on the ground over in the US while they continue to grow under Baby Rat management in Australia.
sleepazoid’s forthcoming second EP, NEW AGE, is due out early 2026 and was produced and mixed by Jack Nigro at Sonora Studios, and mastered by Joe Carra. It follows up the band’s debut EP running with the dogs – an undeniably strong introduction that left an impressive mark with its crunchy riffs and quirky lyrics. As a result, the band found themselves at the centre of a loyal and swiftly growing fanbase, leading them to sell out their hometown headline launch show at Bergy Bandroom.
Gritty fan-favourite focus single ‘ALICE’ landed high rotation on triple j, as well as a music video premiere on triple j Unearthed and an abundance of praise across press and radio. Along with ‘ALICE’, punchy debut ‘RWTD’ and follow up ‘RATS’ clocked extensive editorial playlist support from Spotify including New Music Friday, All New Rock, Wire, Local Noise, Fresh Finds and more. Ahead of the EP release, the band also voiced the AFL’s Get In On It national ad campaign.
running with the dogs arrived as an abstract take on everyday life, and a reflection on the band’s shared experiences. The EP was self-produced through Groove Cult Records, mixed by Chris Doherty (Grinspoon / Hoodoo Gurus / Jet) and mastered by GRAMMY-nominated engineer Robin Schmidt (Wolf Alice / Royal Blood / Pixies). sleepazoid have continued to move from strength to strength, and with more new music due in the coming months and an exciting run of shows at Sydney’s SXSW in October, certainly aren’t ready to hit the brakes any time soon.
‘NEW AGE’ out now via Surreal Sound
Connect with sleepazoid
Australian punk group Speed Week announce second album, Weak Speed (October 17); share first new song in five years, ‘Subdivision’
Speed Week, the Australian punk group featuring members of Split System and The Brakes, are back with their first album since their 2020 debut Hey Hey It’s Speed Week (Legless Records). The new record, titled Weak Speed, comes via ENDLESS RECORDINGS (AU/NZ) and Erste Theke Tonträger (Europe) on Friday, October 17.
Alongside the album announcement comes lead single ‘Subdivision’, arriving five years sharp from their last release. Guitarist Ryan Webb and singer Elliott Gee were thinking about the fate of their Tasmanian hometown, Legana – once lush with apple orchids, now overrun with identical, soulless Hotondo homes – when writing the track, which begins with a gurgling bass line and erupts into velocious garage punk. The track is a sly riff on the crimes of developers who destroy nature with their ugly, low-quality estate blocks.
Weak Speed is a ragged, ferocious portrait of post-pandemic Australia, where sycophantic local politicians run riot, housing options are reduced to shoddy, monotonous apartment blocks and technology has steam-rolled over steady employment and innate desires. This is a record of anthemic shout-alongs and hooky, rapid riffs, underpinned by its great tongue-in-cheek humour and propulsive energy.
The album was written and recorded slowly over four years, across Naam/Melbourne and Lutruwita/Tasmania. Despite all the disruptions of the past few years, songs organically emerged from stray bits of lyrics and bursts of guitar sent to one another over Whatsapp. When they could meet up, they would record, with their drummer Andrew Leith Robinson at the helm of production. These recordings took place in a friend’s basement, or in a Tasmanian town hall in the middle of nowhere, rented out during the state’s election day. “That was funny, because people kept on coming in to ask if this was where they could vote, and there’s just blankets everywhere and a guy screaming into a microphone,” recalls bassist Brad McDermott.
“So much has happened in the world, so much change, which is what the record is commenting on. But it’s also for me, about living in Tasmania and having kids, and seeing the world in a different way because of these personal changes,” says singer Elliott Patrick Gee. “We tried to take what’s going on around us, and how we are adjusting to it as we’re growing older, and the new challenges that arise from that growth – like housing woes and the cost of living crisis. We’re having a bit of a laugh at what’s happening to us and around us,” adds bass player Brad Mcdermott.
Weak Speed will be released on Friday, October 17 by ENDLESS RECORDINGS (AU/NZ) an independent record label operated by BAD//DREEMS’ Alex Cameron, whose roster includes renowned Australian acts such as Jack Ladder, Placement, and The Pretty Littles, among others, with German DIY punk label, Erste Theke Tontraeger releasing a limited-edition pressing of the record for Europe.
Keep up to date with Speed Week by following them on Instagram, Facebook and Bandcamp.
VELOCIRAPTOR ANNOUNCE THE ‘DON’T HIAT-US, HATE THE GAME’ 2025 FAREWELL TOUR
In an aptly bittersweet announcement for these troubled times, Brisbane party-starters Velociraptor are tempering news of their return to Melbourne and Sydney for the first time in eons – as well as a pair of hometown shows – with the announcement that the impending east coast tour represents their final shows for the foreseeable future.
Sometime life just gets in the way of things, and on their Don’t Hiat-Us, Hate The Game 2025 Tour the band with the ludicrous amount of guitars who soundtracked so many massive nights for so many fine folks both at home and abroad over the journey will bring the good times for a final fun-tastic fling, hitting all of the east coast capitals to facilitate one last batch of outrageous memories.
Back in 2023 Velociraptor returned from a lengthy sojourn with the first of the stream of ear-worm singles which culminated in their sprawling and ambitious second album Computer Future (2024) – that opus upping the ante by adding dollops of psych to the band’s trademark garage template – and ever since their reappearance they’ve been absolutely tearing it up in the live sphere, refreshed and rejuvenated and relishing their return to the rock realms.
But even the greatest party has to end sometime, and while it’s never easy to say goodbye to the ones you love – especially with a band like Velociraptor where there’s so many of them* – this October, November and December the people of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane can party like there’s no tomorrow with the ‘Raptors (and their especially-wrangled line-ups of excellent friends) one last time! Be there or be elsewhere!
* a full quorum of eight ‘Raptors is guaranteed for all shows, potentially more where logistics allow (and a two-third majority of the founding trio will be represented at most stops)
THE DON’T HIAT-US, HATE THE GAME 2005 TOUR
Presented by Philter Brewing and Coolin’ By Sound
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER
ZED50 – 50 Years Of 4ZZZ Radio
Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane QLD
w/ The Saints ’73-’78, Regurgitator,
Tropical Fuck Storm, Screamfeeder and more
Tickets via Oztix
SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Stay Gold, Melbourne VIC
w/ Sweet Nothing, Dippers and Keep On Dancin’s (Qld)
Tickets via Eventbrite
FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER
Mary’s Underground, Sydney NSW
w/ Straight Arrows, Bodywire and Slowrip (Qld)
Tickets via Moshtix
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER
Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
w/ Supernew, Super Hotel & Special Guests to be announced.
Tickets via Oztix
A REFRESHER: THE VELOCIRAPTOR STORY or Brisbane’s Ultimate Party Band
Formed amidst the heat struck streets of Brisbane, Queensland in 2008, Velociraptor began life as a three-piece band conceived by the dynamic Jeremy Neale alongside friends Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley from DZ Deathrays, but would soon become four times the size and a multi-headed threat to ears and hearts around Australia.
Their debut home-recorded single, ‘Hey Suzanne’, unleashed a wave of attention, gripping Brisbane’s beloved community radio 4ZZZ and the airwaves nationwide via Triple J. As DZ Deathrays hit the road more frequently, Jeremy rallied fellow Brisbane musicians to fill the expanding lineup – transforming Velociraptor into a sprawling 12-member juggernaut by 2010. With seven guitarists wailing in glorious harmony, the band perfected their signature blend of raucous rock, TMNT attitude and layered group vocals.
The ensuing singles ‘In The Springtime’ and ‘Sleep With The Fishes’ rocked radios Australia wide in 2010 and 2011, while their self-titled debut EP cemented their reputation as Brisbane’s ultimate party band. Renowned for cramming a dozen members on stage every week and igniting dance floors around the country, the band’s live shows became legendary.
2012 saw Velociraptor team up with producer Cameron Smith for their mini-album World Warriors released on Create Control – earning rave reviews and more radio love. The single ‘Cynthia’ soared to #1 on 4ZZZ’s Hot 100.
In 2013, Velociraptor embarked on a whirlwind UK and Europe tour on the back of their second EP (also self-titled/mainly singles) as part of The Great Escape Festival before returning home to work with producer Sean Cook on their debut full-length album. The 2014 release of Velociraptor (yes, another one with the same name!) brought ear-worm singles like ‘Ramona’ and ‘Sneakers’.
Though the years brought tired eyes, sore ears, and plenty of hangovers, the band members spread their creative wings across numerous musical projects – Jeremy Neale, Keep On Dancin’s, Tiger Beams, Total Pace, Tiny Migrants, Babaganouj, Teen Sensations (just to name but a few) – while Velociraptor took a step back from the stage.
Fuelled by nostalgia and their 10-year anniversary in 2018, the band rekindled their fire and passion for the studio to craft a sophomore album on their own terms, and in their own time. Yet, just as they locked into formation with producer Aidan Hogg, the global pandemic hit – pulling the brakes on their plans for a majority of 2020 and 2021.
Once the dust settled, Velociraptor persevered to complete their long-awaited record, releasing Computer Future in 2024 via Coolin’ By Sound/Redeye Worldwide. Singles ‘Computer Future – Part 1’, ‘Leaving Hollywood’ and ‘Falling’ showcased the band’s many singers and each of their unique strengths.
Now, as they begin to embrace their studio-only/4000 shows-only/”too old for this shit” dreams, Velociraptor gear up for their final Australian tour in October through December 2025. Catch them in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne – anywhere willing to party with the Velociraptor gang one last time!
https://li.sten.to/velociraptor
Velociraptor are:
George Browning, Julien James, Jeremy Neale , Lauren Jenkins
Corey Herekiuha, Joshua Byrd, Jesse Hawkins, Jake Grossman , Ruby McGregor
Simon Ridley
https://coolinbysound.com.au/velociraptor/
PACIFIC AVENUE RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE “WORKING CLASS HERO”
Australian indie-rock outfit Pacific Avenue return with their highly anticipated new single and video “Working Class Hero”, a track that pays homage to the band’s upbringing in the coastal towns of Kiama and Gerringong. Blending their signature anthemic rock sound with deeply personal storytelling, the song shines a spotlight on the resilience, loyalty, and quiet strength of regional communities across Australia.
“’Working Class Hero’ serves as a tribute to our hometowns of Kiama and Gerringong, and the hardworking people who keep them alive. Growing up in small regional towns, we were shaped by a tight community where loyalty and perseverance ran deep.
As we pursued music, moving away from home brought a sense of guilt—leaving behind family and friends. The song’s verses reflect the nostalgia of growing up with a close friend and the joys of small-town life, while the chorus explores the regret and longing of wondering if we’d made the right choice to leave. While we love being on the road and touring, part of us misses the integrity of actively contributing to a community.
For the music video we wanted to convey the heroism that often goes unnoticed, showcasing a town built on grit, loyalty, and quiet perseverance, which are values that helped build our identity before music became a career, and hope this leaves viewers with a renewed appreciation for their own communities.” — Pacific Avenue
With soaring guitar lines, heartfelt lyrics, and a chorus built for stadium singalongs, “Working Class Hero” captures the band’s growth while staying rooted in the authenticity of their origins. The new single also accompanied by the official music video (watch here) kickstarts the bands next era following the major success of their debut album ‘Flowers’ in 2023, which achieved #1 ARIA Australian Album Chart, #3 ARIA overall Album Chart, #4 ARIA Vinyl Chart, plus received two ARIA Nominations for ‘Best Rock Album’ and ‘Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist’.
The band have garnered widespread praise from NME, The Guardian, Clash Magazine (UK), Atwood Magazine (USA) and Wonderland Magazine (UK), and their songs have also received extensive playlist support from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Manchester United, BBC One and BT Sport.
Pacific Avenue continue to cement themselves as one of Australia’s most exciting modern indie-rock bands. “Working Class Hero” offers a new chapter in their story – an anthem that resonates with anyone who has ever left home in pursuit of a dream yet never stopped carrying their roots with them.
The band are currently halfway through Aussie East Coast live tour dates previewing their upcoming new music to fans with dates and tickets available via www.pacificavenue.com.au
“Working Class Hero” is available on all streaming platforms now.
FOLLOW PACIFIC AVENUE:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK
SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | AMAZON MUSIC | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
BLOOM RELEASE NEW SINGLE TONGUE TIED FEAT. YOURS TRULY’S MIKAILA DELGADO
NEW ALBUM THE LIGHT WE CHASE OUT OCTOBER 31
Fresh off announcing their sophomore album, The Light We Chase, melodic hardcore group Bloom is back with another new single. Today the band has shared Tongue Tied, a melancholy and moving duet featuring Mikaila Delgado (Yours Truly) out now.
“This song marks new ground for Bloom and is our softest, cleanest song to date,” drummer Jack Van Vliet shares. “A duet with Yours Truly’s Mikaila Delgado, Tongue Tied is an honest look at being afraid to speak your mind, for fear of what will happen if you do.”
He continues: “While it begins as an acoustic track, electric guitars and drums barge into the song with energy midway through the second verse, and lead the song to a finger pointing, sing-a-long refrain of ‘what am I without you.’ The song balances two clean voices as it balances full band and acoustic sections that flow naturally after the other, as the vocals balance honesty and fear in equal parts.”
Listen to Tongue Tied here and watch the video here:
About the visualizer, the band adds: “Just as how the song sonically is a different direction for us, we wanted to create a video that was different to any form of content we’ve made before. Shot completely as a one-take, the video is a fly-on-the-wall view of a couple who long for connection from each other, but aren’t able to find the ways to communicate. Both shaken up by an argument that has taken place, the video begins as they sit in the car driving away from each other, representing the distance growing in their relationship. As they physically move further apart, silhouettes of how they truly feel begin to communicate and reach out and try to reconnect. As the lyric “I hope that we’re good” is sung, we see their silhouettes reaching out one final time and embrace each other, while they both sit across from each other in different locations with no way of resolving the pain they both feel.”
The Light We Chase is set to be released on October 31st via Pure Noise Records. The album reflects a period of emotional turmoil – relationship breakdowns, struggles with trust, and wrestling with hopelessness – offering the band’s most visceral collection to date.
Most recently wrapping up a largely sold out Australian headline run, fans in the UK / EU can catch Bloom on tour with Thornhill and Ocean Grove starting on October 17th. After that the band will be supporting Silverstein in North America on the 25 Years of Noise Tour, also featuring Thursday and Free Throw.
TONGUE TIED – OUT NOW
https://lnk.to/BloomStreams
THE LIGHT WE CHASE – OUT OCTOBER 31
https://purenoiserecs.lnk.to/BloomStores
About Bloom: Steeped in emotion, nostalgia and experimentation, album #2 for Sydney melodic hardcore collective Bloom vigorously cleaves together the group’s past, present and future, relishing in self-reflection and searing musicianship and ultimately facing the darkness with open arms. A significantly personal and musically diverse collection of songs, it’s fitting that this brand new chapter for Bloom captures them in an entirely new light. Enter: The Light We Chase.
Following the release of their debut full length album, the conceptual 2024 masterpiece Maybe In Another Life, the journey to crafting Bloom’s sophomore full-length, The Light We Chase (due out in 2025 via Pure Noise Records), found vocalist Jono Hawkey, guitarists Jarod McLaren and Oliver Butler, bassist Andrew Martin, and drummer Jack Van Vliet adopting multi-faceted change, including starting and finishing the entire album in the space of a few short weeks.
Brandishing fundamental themes of nostalgia, longing and the disappointment often associated with expectations at its core, The Light We Chase found Bloom boldly embracing uncharted sonic terrain alongside producer Sam Bassal (Ocean Grove, Void Of Vision, Thornhill), while also marking their first full-length release with Pure Noise Records after inking a deal with the label in 2024.
Featuring the band’s first ever credited guest vocals, bringing together a stalwart lineup of features spanning homegrown heroes (Void Of Vision’s Jack Bergin and Yours Truly’s Mikaila Delgado) through to international icons (Movements’ Patrick Miranda), The Light We Chase snapshots everything from thunderous ruminations on fear and the present day (Forget Me Not) through to romanticizing the past and the reality of loss (Glen Street), while also injecting infectious hazy odes to the band’s shared collective past (Keep You), transcendent acoustic tenderness (Tongue Tied), and one of the heaviest Bloom moments to date, also offering a window into the band’s inner world (Withered).
“I feel like we learned a lot from releasing album one, as well as the music that’s come before that,” vocalist Jono Hawkey shares. “We’re now at a point where we’re very confident in our sound, and we’re willing to take more risks.”
Renowned for their open-veined take on the melodic hardcore realms since forming back in 2017, Bloom’s ability to balance catharsis with rage, despair and full-blown bangers has seen them recently tick off performances alongside Silverstein in Europe earlier this year, Chelsea Grin and Currents down under, their debut Japanese headline shows (with Tokyo entirely sold out), Miss May I, Polaris, Make Them Suffer in 2024, and a completely sold out headline tour for earlier single The Works Of You. In 2023, Bloom ticked off an appearance at Good Things Festival, supporting Bad Omens and Thornhill with Holding Absence, with their live performance equally renowned to be as potent as their commanding releases.
WOLLONGONG’S CHEEKY LEASH RELEASE SINGLE & VIDEO ‘CHANGE’. TOURING AUSTRALIA OCTOBER – DECEMBER
Fresh off the back of a successful BIGSOUND debut, Wollongong indie four-piece CHEEKY LEASH have continued to build on the momentum their music has generated across the last year.
Returning with a brand new track titled ‘CHANGE’, Cheeky Leash demonstrates how their collective energy as songwriters and performers has fueled – a vibrant and exciting effort from the band as they head into the home stretch of 2025, ready to welcome a Spring/Summer season of shows around the country.
‘Change’ is a song that had Cheeky Leash focusing on human connection and growth – things that are easy to lose sight of when we’re caught up in trying to stay afloat in today’s social and financial environment. Musically, the track is sharp and engaging from the jump. Cheeky Leash’s combination of melody, riffs and emotion-building within their indie arrangements have made them fresh favourites on the East Coast. The arrival of ‘Change’ further cements their place as one of the best new groups to watch.
“The song ‘Change’ is rooted in the cost of living crisis and reflects how society has become so focused on getting ahead that we’ve lost a sense of connection with each other. It’s a metaphor for transformation whether that’s personal growth, the evolving world, or even the band’s own musical development. There’s a nostalgic, coming-of-age film feel to the track and lyrically, it’s open to interpretation. Lines like “Still searching for change…” play on the dual meanings of spare money and a deeper desire for societal change, making it resonate differently depending on the listener’s own experiences.” CHEEKY LEASH
Recorded at Sonora Studios with Jack Nigro (The Terrys, Rum Jungle, Pacific Avenue, Lazy Ghost) in the Central Coast ‘Change’ lands as the band’s second release for the year, following on from July’s drop, ‘The Weekend’, and the impactful Cheeky Leash debut EP, The Burrow, which arrived in March and firmly put the band on the map.
Filmed amongst the picturesque Gerroa coastline, Cheeky Leash today also unveil their accompanying official film clip. Written and directed by Brendan Palmer and filmed by Film for Frank.
“Change was a change of pace for us, handing over the reins to Brendan as director and Mitch as videographer to get their perspective on what the song means to them as well as to us. It’s different from us running around and having a laugh. It’s more serious and we really wanted to get the best representation of the song as possible. The song has a deeper meaning and a different pace for the video compared to what we’ve done before, so there’s more to explore and interpret in this one. We always seem to pick the wildest and coldest days for filming music videos, which presents its own challenges, but it’s a whole lot of fun getting to create something with your friends. Making music videos is always difficult with limited time and resources, but it was really cool to see the passion from other collaborators who have now become an integral part of the project. We’ll remember this one as our first time having an actor and handing over creative control, just trusting the process.”
Their music has caught the attention of Australian industry, with heavy triple j and triple j unearthed support for their music putting Cheeky Leash in front of a hungry national audience, while as a live unit, the band has been constantly dominating on stages as headliners, enjoying sold out shows across the East Coast for their EP tour for The Burrow – the EP quickly amounting 1 million streams.
Cheeky Leash have shared stages with artists including The Kooks and Fontaines D.C. (at Yours & Owls Festival 2025), as well as Boy And Bear, South Summit, The Terrys, Death By Denim and more. Before 2025 is out, fans will be able to see Cheeky Leash touring around the country from October through into December – charting headline dates, festival appearances and support slots for fellow Australian favourites.
CHEEKY LEASH AUSTRALIAN SHOWS
Tickets and info via cheekyleash.com
On sale 10am AEST Thursday 18th September
Saturday 4 October Pambula Beach Sapphire Coast WANDERER FESTIVAL
Sunday 5 October Finnian’s Tavern Port Macquarie FINNIAN’S SPRING FESTIVAL
Thursday 6 November The Northern Byron Bay
Friday 7 November Elsewhere ‘Bespoke’ Gold Coast
Saturday 8 November Solbar Sunshine Coast
Friday 14 November 170 Russell Melbourne Supporting South Summit
Saturday 15 November Factory Theatre Sydney Supporting South Summit
Sunday 16 November Stag & Hunter Newcastle
Thursday 22 November Felons Barrel Hall Brisbane
Friday 28 November Dissent Cafe & Bar Canberra
Saturday 29 November Marlin Hotel Ulladulla
Friday 5 December Lalala’s Wollongong
Friday 12 December Gage Roads Fremantle
CHANGE is out now!
CHEEKY LEASH: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed | TikTok
THORNHILL SHARE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO MERCIA. 2026 AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR SELLING FAST
Australia’s genre-blurring heavyweights Thornhill have dropped brand new single and music video, Mercia. The release comes as the band step onto U.S. arena stages as direct support for Sleep Token’s completely sold-out Even in Arcadia tour.
Equal parts searing and sorrowful, Mercia continues the visceral emotional streak of the band’s most recent album, BODIES (released April of this year via UNFD) whilst holding the line as a stand alone release and a testament to the band’s perpetual commitment to pushing their artistic boundaries.
Speaking on the new single, vocalist Jacob Charlton shares: “Mercia is a song about loving someone lost in their own abyss. It speaks to the ache of giving everything—warmth, devotion, even the hope of carrying their pain—only to be met with silence and defences, by ‘vaults’ and ‘ice’. At its heart, the song is about the futility of trying to heal what resists healing, and the way that struggle leaves you altered, hardened, and haunted. By the close, the speaker admits they are sinking under the weight of their beloved’s spectre. They’ve been hardened by the experience — so much so that they can’t offer mercy anymore.”
Stream Mercia here and watch the accompanying short film co-directed by vocalist Jacob Charlton and Jon Pisani here:
Mercia offers a devastating exploration of love, loss, and the emotional wreckage left behind. The new track arrives in the wake of Thornhill’s most expansive and globally resonant release to date – their 2025 full-length BODIES, which debuted at #4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, #8 on Spotify UK’s Top Album Debuts, and secured Top 40 entries across multiple Billboard U.S. charts, including Hard Music, Rock, and Independent Albums. With over 107 million streams, 15M+ YouTube views, and a rapidly growing U.S. fanbase, Thornhill’s momentum has now become undeniable.
Thornhill will take Mercia and BODIES on the road as they perform to over 200,000 fans across 17 sold-out U.S. arenas on Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia tour, which started in Atlanta last night and will wrap in Los Angeles on October 11th.
Thornhill will also return to perform on home soil in early 2026, with their BODIES Australian Headline tour next February marking their first Aussie shows since the release of BODIES, as well as their biggest headline shows to date. Tickets are selling fast for Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
MERCIA – OUT NOW https://thornhill.komi.io/
Destroy All Lines, Future History Management & triple j Presents
THORNHILL BODIES AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
AMIRA ELFEKY
PALEDUSK + HEAVENSGATE
TOUR DATES:
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2026 – THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE SELLING FAST
SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2026 – ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY
TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2026 – ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2026 – THE GOV, ADELAIDE SELLING FAST
FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2026 – FORUM, MELBOURNE SELLING FAST
Tickets from destroyalllines.com
YUVAL RON – ROCKET SCIENCE FOR DUMMIES
Berlin based guitarist Yuval Ron, known for his previous critically acclaimed album featuring drummer Marco Minnemann, has paired with another member of The Aristocrats, bassist Bryan Beller and with drummer Simon Schröder to record a new single tune and video bearing the seemingly oxymoronic title “Rocket Science For Dummies”.
The music continues the line of Ron’s Cinematic Prog style, cohesively fusing progressive compositions, virtuosic instrumental playing and film soundtrack elements. However a new dimension is added to the production in the form of extensive virtual orchestration, a creative tool that Ron has been fascinated with in the last few years. The arrangement of “Rocket Science For Dummies” features a rich string section that blends deeply with the band and the backing synth layers into a sophisticated and at times dark texture throughout the song.
Yuval Ron – Electric Guitar
Bryan Beller – Bass
Simon Schröder – Drums
Yuval Ron Trio – Tour Dates 2025/26
Yuval Ron Trio will go on a tour and play several live dates in Germany and the UK in the coming months, which include their first full-length show in Berlin and a performance at HRH Prog Festival. Further European dates are announced for 2026.
Yuval Ron – Electric guitar, vocals
Victor Nissim – Bass
Yatziv Caspi – Drums
SEP 13 2025 Berlin, DE – Badehaus // Support smalltape
NOV 11 2025 Southampton, UK – 1865 // With Aisles & Dikajee
NOV 12 2025 London, UK – Fiddler’s Elbow // With Aisles & Dikajee
NOV 14 2025 Great Yarmouth, UK – HRH Prog #15
NOV 15 2025 Liverpool, UK – Capstone Theater
NOV 16 2025 Glasgow, UK – Ivory Blacks // With Long Earth
FEB 01 2026 Berlin, DE – Berlin Prog Night 2026
MAR 21 2026 Nordhausen, DE – Nordhäuser Jazzfest 2026
MAR 22 2026 Bad Bevensen, DE – Vakuum
JUN 13 2026 Vienna, AT – Vienna Prog Night 2026
JUN 14 2026 Budapest, HU – Budapest Prog Night 2026 (TBC)
Website | Live Dates | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp | Spotify
‘Togetherness Is All I’m After’, the fourth single from The Lemonheads’ new album, is out now. Album Love Chant released 24th October 2025
The fourth single from highly-anticipated album ‘Love Chant’ opens with a whallop before dissolving into a final whispered plea: “Baby, don’t blow it.” Between its crashing introduction and dissonant fade-out, Dando skips a gentle and familiar melody across a thick, dense, and beautiful bed of guitars whose bite doesn’t pierce but builds the track’s fuzzy sheath. His voice has gathered a wisdom about it since the last Lemonheads album 20 years ago, which gives the understated, natural delivery on ‘Togetherness Is All I’m After’ a special gravity. The track was co-written by Evan Dando with John Strohm of Blake Babies.
Listen to the new single ‘Togetherness Is All I’m After’
Now based in Brazil, where much of the album was recorded, Dando’s relocation in recent years has offered a quiet shift in perspective — a chance to reset, reconnect, and finally bring these songs into focus. The result is a record that sounds both fresh and familiar: rooted in the hallmarks of The Lemonheads’ best work yet expanded by years of lived experience and new surroundings.
Arriving this autumn alongside Dando’s memoir, Rumours Of My Demise (out via Faber on November 6th), ‘Love Chant’, produced by Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Apollo Nove, draws together old friends and new allies. J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, and Tom Morgan (as co-writer for ‘Deep End’) rejoin the fold, alongside producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Antony and the Johnsons), Nashville’s Erin Rae, John Strohm of the Blake Babies co-wrote and played guitar on “Togetherness” and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond — a songwriter and performer on the swirling psych-folk gem “Roky.” Adam Green of cult New York favourites The Moldy Peaches also contributes as co-writer on the loose-limbed country detour “Wild Thing.”
Over the past few years, The Lemonheads’ influence has only deepened. Artists like MJ Lenderman, Courtney Barnett and Waxahatchee have all covered Dando’s songs, praising the emotional clarity, melodic instinct, and wry intimacy that define his writing. That resonance across generations makes ‘Love Chant’ feel like more than a return — it’s a reminder of what made this band matter in the first place.
“Few bands have been able to walk the line between the angst of grunge and the warmth of folk quite as elegantly as The Lemonheads.” ROLLING STONE
“The Lemonheads have always been recognised as purveyors of grade-A pop punk” RECORD COLLECTOR
FOLLOW THE LEMONHEADS: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify
CONJURER Unveil New Single ‘Let Us Live’ + New Album UNSELF To Be Released On October 24th
British metal heavyweights CONJURER have revealed another glimpse of their incredible third album, Unself, due 24th October via Nuclear Blast Records. ‘Let Us Live’, the second single released ahead of Unself, is out now.
Watch the video for ‘Let Us Live’ here: https://youtu.be/VdcHE0OjS7Q
Listen to ‘Let Us Live’: https://conjurer.bfan.link/let-us-live
Stream and pre-order Unself: https://conjurer.bfan.link/unself
CONJURER’s co-vocalist and guitarist Dani Nightingale comments that ‘Let Us Live’ is based on “the idea that, even though trans and gender non-conforming people have existed for thousands of years, in all cultures, of all races, we are a blight upon the earth and don’t deserve the rights that every other human being should be allowed upon birth. We try to educate people about our situation, to make people aware of our existence in the hopes that we (and anyone unsure of their sex/gender) will be accepted and understood, yet are demonised as predators, corrupting and indoctrinating everyone around us. The song takes the form of a conversation between the Oppressed and Oppressor, just trying to understand what it is about us that causes this vitriol, when all we want to do is survive – a plea, to let us live.”
CONJURER have evolved radically since the release of their debut album (Mire, 2018), and their second release (Páthos, 2022) saw them lauded among the most exciting British metal bands. Whilst award nominations and accolades accumulated, the four-piece band retained their very simple mission: to make heavy music and have fun whilst doing so. Preferring to use their spotlight to showcase technicality and musicality rather than centring politics or opinions, CONJURER lived in the moment and embraced everything that came their way.
Within the tumult of forging a renewed identity as a band, on Unself there is a more intense, more personal voyage of discovery unfurling for vocalist/guitarist Dani Nightingale. Diagnosed with autism at age 31, their long-held view of self, and perception of their place in the world began to unravel. Unself documents much of the piecing back together around the diagnosis, alongside the realisation they were non-binary.
These vignettes of processing and self-actualisation take place against the backdrop of a society careening towards glassy-eyed capitalist dystopia; finding firm footing eludes many of us – and CONJURER delve headfirst into exploring these suffocating new societal parameters.
Within Unself’s nine tracks, CONJURER deliver the writhing post-metal sound they’ve become known for, but have loosened their grip on the desire to fill every moment with sonic obliteration. Instead, they have leaned into utilising space, gifting listeners a little breathing room which serves to make the heavy elements feel all the more intense.
A more direct, organic approach to songwriting was facilitated by the ever-strengthening bonds within the band, and the supportive environment created by producer Joe Clayton. Allowing themselves more time than with any previous recording experience, they committed to preproduction sessions, followed by an elongated recording period in order to do justice to the material they had crafted. Stripping back the excesses of previous outings to reveal their solid songwriting chops allowed for more clarity and more dynamics to shine through. To their ears, the mood, the core of the lyrical content and the music are more aligned than ever before.
This record is the sound of four individuals living with more purpose and as a consequence creating with more purpose. Unself sees them reaching out to offer community, catharsis and connection. CONJURER remain true to their original mission – they’re still having fun, playing interesting heavy music – but now that music is imbued with the power that comes from opening themselves up to others, at first within the band, and now beyond.
Conjurer are:
Brady Deeprose | guitars, vocals
Dani Nightingale | guitars, vocals
Conor Marshall | bass
Noah See | drums
Conjurer online:
https://www.facebook.com/conjureruk
https://x.com/ConjurerUK
https://www.instagram.com/conjureruk
https://www.conjureruk.com
GATES TO HELL Drop A New B-Sides Single, ‘Disfigured’
Louisville natives GATES TO HELL deliver a pure shot of adrenaline with their new digital single, “Disfigured’. The song is a brutally heavy, all-killer-no-filler track—essentially one long, punishing breakdown. The track is a B-side from the band’s recent album release Death Comes To All which was recorded, mixed and mastered by Randy LeBoeuf.
GATES TO HELL comments, “We wrote this kind of intro track a few years ago, a few days before we got to tour with Dying Fetus. It didn’t end up on the record we released earlier this year but we still wanted it to get released and when we got an offer to tour with DF again we felt this was a perfect time to drop this B sides track. When we played it on that tour in 2023 it really got the crowd moving every night so we are stoked that we finally have it out for the world to bang their heads to. Don’t forget to come check us out on tour with Dying Fetus and Mugshot.”
Stream ‘Disfigured’: https://gth.bfan.link/disfigured
GATES TO HELL is:
Ryan Storey | Vocals
Eli Hanson | Guitar
Seth Lewis | Guitar
Dustin Cantrell | Bass
Trey Garris | Drums
Stream GATES TO HELL: Apple Music | Spotify
Follow GATES TO HELL: Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | Youtube | Store
Fuelled by youthful ambition and a sharp creative focus, the band enlisted Randy LeBoeuf. The partnership resulted in raw intensity with a sharpened sense of precision, elevating their sound to new heights. Their album artwork—crafted by WYRMWALK—offers a fitting representation of the blood-soaked dread and suffocating darkness that Death Comes to All unleashes.
Death Comes To All is available in a variety of formats including CD Jewel, LP Vinyl in a purple swirl, light blue splatter (band exclusive), and purple and white swirl with black splatter (Life and Death Brigade Festival | New England Metal & Hardcore Festival exclusive) as well as a T-shirt. Also available is a special edition 7-inch containing the band’s first single ‘Next To Bleed’ from the full-length album.
Order/stream Death Comes to All: https://gth.bfan.link/death-comes-to-all