Features

Madoc Plane shares five records that influenced his debut EP Own Worst Enemy

Perth indie-pop singer Madoc Plane has today released his debut EP Own Worst Enemy, featuring the groovy singles “Right Reason” and “Overdrive”. The four-track project showcases his dazzling vocals over shimmering guitars and ambient textures in a short but bold offering. As the title suggests, the EP explores the inner workings of Madoc’s mind and…

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Salarymen

Track by Track: Salarymen take us through their new EP Head in the Sand

  We’ve been fans of Sydney duo Salarymen since their debut single “Please” was released in November of 2019. Fast forward three years, and today they are releasing their second EP, the fabulous Head in the Sand. For those late to the Salarymen story, the duo is a collaboration between Thom Eagleton (Wild Honey, Burn Antares) and Renee del…

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Wet Denim reveal 5 reasons why the New Zealand music scene is so exciting right now

Indie-quartet Wet Denim hail from Wellington, which is undoubtedly one of my favourite towns in New Zealand. A number of exciting bands have emerged from NZ in recent years and Wet Denim are part of the latest crop. Today they have released the single “Free”,  an exciting follow-up to their debut single, “Another Hit” which…

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Hope D reveals groovy new single “Senseless” and announces debut album

Brisbane pop-rock songstress Hope D has today returned with a groovy new single “Senseless” and announced her debut album Clash of the Substance will be out 10 February. Her latest offering is an honest confession of regret and vulnerability that taps into the core themes of the album: adolescence, substance abuse and heartbreak. Bright guitars…

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Nick Weaver lives on in awaited posthumous solo record Won’t Let Go

When a talented artist passes away and their unreleased music makes it out into the world, it’s not always for the best. In the case of Sydney rocker Nick Weaver (Deep Sea Arcade, The Tambourine Girls), who sadly died of bowel cancer in April 2021, it is. The aptly-named posthumous record Won’t Let Go –…

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Key Out

Track by Track: Key Out take us through their magnificent Afterville

Last week Sydney outfit Key Out released their third album, Afterville, following on from 2020’s Anthropomorphia. Afterville is an album that should be on everyone’s playlist. Continuing on from where they left off with the last album, each track on this latest LP is a gem with lushly layered instrumentation. The vocals are warm and…

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Dusty

Track by Track: Dusty takes us through Glitter, their shimmering debut EP

Brisbane/Meanjin-based outfit Dusty emerged onto the scene in 2021, and have been winning fans over ever since. Delivering pop with relatable lyrics, their sounds track the lives of those listening in. The highs, the lows and the in-betweens are covered with infectious hooks and beautiful melodies. Today, Dusty have dropped their debut EP, Glitter, containing…

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Finn Pearson

Finn Pearson shares his top 5 inspirational artists

Last month WA singer/songwriter Finn Pearson released the earnest and vulnerable “Hard to Find”, a song that we loved so much that it was our Track of the Week. Initially, he may have found his songwriting nestled amongst the traditional folk singers, but these days you find him amongst contemporary folk and indie rock. Fans…

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Jessica O'Donoghue

Track by Track: Jessica O’Donoghue takes us through her dramatic album Rise Up

Jessica O’Donoghue is a creative and avant-garde artist, who creates what she describes as “Post-Baroque Dramatic Pop” music. She released Rise Up, her latest album last Friday, and that label seems to fit the bill perfectly. Classically trained at Sydney University, Victorian College of the Arts and London’s Covent Garden, Jess’s career has been eclectic and…

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Satin Cali

Wollongong’s Satin Cali share their ‘favourite days’ so far

The must be something in the water in the South Coast of Sydney. The quality of the bands to come out of there in recent years is truly outstanding. Yes, Hockey Dad was one to do the trail blazing, and in more recent times we’ve seen The Vanns, The Terrys and Chloe Dadd making inroads….

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Bec Sandridge

Bec Sandridge shares the top seven moments of her career (so far!)

AU favourite Bec Sandridge has today released her Lost Dog EP. It’s five tracks of lush indie-pop and is as accomplished in her guitar-pop as with the electronic forays that feature as well. The EP features her latest single, “Easy To Go Bad”, a personal, intimate and brooding track, of which Bec writes: “This one’s…

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Pirra

Pirra takes a deep dive into the hypnotic and irresistible Spirals

Wollongong’s indie-pop quartet Pirra have today released Spirals, their first record since their 2017 EP, Animal Kingdom. It’s a beautiful eclectic mix of straight-out dance floor bangers as well as other tracks that may appear a little more laid back, but suck you into a jiving vortex before you know it. The creativity of the…

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Satin Cali drop banging new single and video “One of These Days”

Wollongong rock five-piece Satin Cali are back with killer new single “One of These Days” and a fun accompanying video, out today. Bright guitars and explosive vocals over a punchy rhythm section make this rocking track one of the band’s best to date. The empowering lyrics address life’s brevity with such conviction that you’ll forget…

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Able Joseph

Able Joseph shares his favourite animators of all time

Sydney singer/songwriter Able Joseph has recently released the tender and intimate track, “Lonely LA”. It’s a heartfelt song that tells the story of a couple who are treating their journey through life as one that is navigated by them as a team, and all that entails. It follows on from his previous single, “SOLO” which…

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Turnover

Virginia’s Turnover share five artists who challenge their supposed genre and or develop their sound

Virginia band Turnover have recently released “Myself in the Way”, the title track to their upcoming fifth album. The track features the vocals of Turnstile‘s Brendan Yates, and follows on from previous singles “Wait Too Long” and “Mountains Made of Clouds”. Their previous album was their 2019 record, Altogether. For those familiar with their earlier…

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Hidden Pillars

How Did I Get Here?: – Hidden Pillars take us through their debut EP, Track by Track

Hidden Pillars are a fresh and vibrant trio from North Queensland. Today they’ve released their debut EP, How Did I Get Here?. It’s an enticing mix of genres, with fuzzy guitars, blues and rock intertwined. At four tracks long, it definitely leaves you wanting more. There’s a maturity to the songwriting and musicianship here. It’s packed…

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Sons of the East reveal awaited debut album, Palomar Parade

Lovable folk-pop trio Sons of the East have today released their highly-anticipated debut album, Palomar Parade. The soulful and melodic project – their first since 2019 EP Burn Right Through – is exceptionally unique with a modern twist. Known for their boisterous live shows and distinct three-part harmonies, the Sydney underdogs exploded overseas and their…

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Marlon Williams

BRISBANE & BIGSOUND 2022: A view from a transplant [Op-Ed]

The sort of creature that vomits in a little bag as their plane lands in Brisbane should not, perhaps, feel entitled to comment on the week that followed. Unfortunately, I (the creature) feel just that sense of entitlement and will continue to comment. I am on the (now-profaned) plane, and in Brisbane, because I am…

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Turpentine Babycino release debut single “Write A Song Sounds Shit” and share influential bands

Newcastle punk quartet Turpentine Babycino have emerged with their debut single and video “Write A Song Sounds Shit”, released 15 September. The fervent track begins with searing riffs over driving drums and bass before a simmering verse of angsty but vulnerable vocals. A catchy chorus with comical lyrics detailing the aftermath of a breakup leads…

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Budjerah

BIGSOUND ’22 through the eyes of a first-timer: The four acts to watch

Attending BIGSOUND 2022 for the first time, Naarm-based writer and creative Selin Ruby Kaya hit the venues of Fortitude Valley to soak up the best in new Australian music. Here, she names the four artists who struck a particular chord, as she reflects on highlights from the largest music conference in the southern hemisphere. BUDJERAH …

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How Brisbane’s LÂLKA proved the hometown hero of BIGSOUND ‘22

When I meet multi-hyphenate creative LÂLKA in Fortitude Valley’s Bakery Lane, the first thing I notice is her outfit. More specifically, I notice the handmade jacket with huge safety pins on either side of the collar and a linen panel neatly hand-stitched to the back — the panel features an illustration of LÂLKA in the…

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My Five Highlights of BIGSOUND 2022

BIGSOUND descended onto Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley for its twenty-first year as the southern hemisphere’s biggest celebration of new music. With over 180 artists performing across 21 venues in just three nights – the festival can be a little overwhelming to first-timers and seasoned attendees alike. There are so many incredible showcases put together by venues,…

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IRFXXN reveals bouncy debut single and video “Latest Song”

You may not have heard the name, but there’s a good chance you’ve come across IRFXXN’s “Latest Song” before. A teaser of the bouncy debut single from this Sydney RnPop singer already amassed over 1 million TikTok views before its official release last Wednesday. The track was produced by BeatswithSheph and features glossy vocals from…

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Gesticulations

Track by Track: Gesticulations take us through All That Rings True

Gesticulations is a music project founded by Graham Ashton who has roped his good mate Benny D Williams into the fold. Essentially Graham provides the lyrics and vocals, and Benny drives the music. They are swimming against the tide in terms of frequency of delivery. This is the fourth album they’ve dropped since February 2021….

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Headwreck reveal poignant new EP Glamorise Demise Reimagined

Brisbane hardcore quartet Headwreck have gone from strength to strength since dropping their debut EP Glamorise Demise last year. The promising newcomers have now returned with Glamorise Demise Reimagined, featuring different takes on four tracks from the original project – out today. The new EP – with reimagined versions of “Empty Space”, “Eulogy”, “The End…

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Lost Paradise festival to feature extensive wellness program, Shambhala Fields

Celebrate the end of 2022 and kick off the New Year with some great music, and a warm embrace of self-care at the Lost Paradise festival in Glenworth Valley. The festival will run from the 28th of December until the 1st of January 2023. This festival has always been a favourite of mine. Glenworth Valley…

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Peace Ritual drop new single “Cold Shoulder” and announce debut EP

Sydney pop rock outfit Peace Ritual have excited with dreamy new single “Cold Shoulder” and the announcement of their self-titled debut EP last Tuesday, out 2 September via Last Ride Records. Peace Ritual is comprised of Joel Martorana (Endless Heights, Colletto Bianco) and Thomas Elliott (Caged Existence, Harbours), with production and writing assistance from Sam…

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Lucy Elle

Track by Track: Lucy Elle reveals the Silent Side of Quiet (EP)

Melbourne singer-songwriter Lucy Elle has recently released her stunning debut EP, Silent Side of Quiet. The EP is a collection of songs that have been drawn from Lucy’s experiences and track heartbreak, loss and disconnect. Whilst the songs may have a common theme of sadness, there is a lightness and a soothing nature to them. I’m…

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Sheph.ART & Barry Saleh’s Top 3 ‘Up & Coming’ Australian Artists

Sydney is a hotbed for talented producers these days, and two of the shining stars are Sheph.ART and Barry Saleh. From their studio in Liverpool, they’ve produced the likes of A.Girl, Youngn Lipz, Pistol Pete, Billymaree, JKing and more. Between the pair, they’ve had more than 10 million streams. They are some serious numbers. The two…

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Squid The Kid reveals new single “Cater” and five things about him

Emerging Melbourne hip hop artist Squid The Kid has returned with mesmerising R&B single “Cater”, released 28 July. Already recognised for his talents, Squid was a finalist for the 2021 Vans Musicians Wanted competition (judged by the likes of Denzel Curry and Sean Miyashiro of 88 Rising), as well as St. Kilda Festival’s New Music…

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