Features

Sydney’s Thunder Fox have just released their second album, Sanctuary, and it’s truly a hotbed of creativity. Straddling genres, from gospel to RnB and everything in between, it brings out the best of the talented quintet. In the runup to its release, they dropped three singles,  “Not For Sale”, “Love You 2” and “Head In…

Renessco is the solo project for Connor Minervini, who you might know through the folk-rock group The Hunting Birds. He has just dropped his debut track, the achingly beautiful “Glass House”. Renessco hails from Fremantle in Western Australia but is now resident in Melbourne. “Glass House” was written on the West Coast, and it is framed as…

As the Ashes kick off and the year begins to draw to a close, I thought I’d take a moment to bring your attention to a hat-trick of acts I’ve been introduced to this year; two from England and one here at home in Australia. Yard Act (Leeds, England) Ever wondered what the love child…

Sydney indie-rock trio Middle Kids have quickly become one of the country’s most prominent and adored bands, capturing hearts worldwide with their gritty pop anthems and unparalleled storytelling. And it’s been another another huge year for the band, with the release of their new album Today We’re The Greatest in March, a national tour in…

The eminent Jameson House of Rounds returned for a night of whiskey, food and music at iconic bar The Rails in Byron Bay on Saturday, 4 December – and you can bet that we were there for every bit of it. As New South Wales emerges from lockdown, Jameson House of Rounds provided a unique…

What to put on the B-side for your about to be released single? Perhaps a conundrum almost as challenging as what to call the band. There have been some memorable B-sides over the past few decades. “Green Onions” from Booker T and the MG’s was the B-Side to their track “Behave Yourself”. “God Only Knows”…

Earlier this month Melbourne-based producer and hip hop artist Naté Vibrations dropped the summer-tinged track, “Hop Out”, and irrespective of what the weather is currently doing, this is a track to get you zinging about. From the fun jaunty opening on the keys to the driving beats and vocals, “Hop Out” is a total trip….

After more than 20 years and 8 studio albums, The Cat Empire has decided to call time on a career that has spanned more than 1500 shows having played to millions of fans. Starting out as a trio in 2001, the Melbourne act has managed to light up every single stage they’ve played while bringing…

Adelaide four-piece Choosing Sides have just released their latest EP, All I Need. It’s an enticing blend of indie, alt-rock and shoegaze, drawing attention to thoughtful lyrics and artful musicianship. It’s a collection of songs showing great maturity, as the band explores their relationships and place in the world. Frontman Will Wright explains: “‘All I Need’…

Auckland-based rapper JessB has been steadily rising in recent years, and the one ahead is looking to be busy and bright. The former professional netballer has already had quite an impressive career; with two EPs, a mixtape and a handful of singles under her belt, JessB also won Best New Zealand Act at the 2019…

estée is the moniker of Borneo-born, Australia-raised, Filipino-Chinese singer-songwriter Estée Evangeline. At nineteen years of age, and relatively new to the scene, she has already clocked over one million Spotify streams for her first two releases. Last week she released the video for her latest single, “twenty eight”, and we are delighted to have some…

Bipolar Sunshine is the solo project for singer/songwriter Adio Marchant. His voice is probably familiar, on records from DJ Snake, Petit Biscuit and, San Holo. He has also created with Gryffin, Lil Yachty, Beyonce and more. He featured on DJ Snake’s 2015 track “Middle’, which has had around 300 million YouTube views.  He also co-wrote…

In momentous news for rising artists, over $1 million in advertising is up for grabs to celebrate the launch of Smirnoff Seltzer’s new Mixed Berries flavour. Smirnoff has appointed ARIA charting Brisbane exports The Jungle Giants as the Ads For Artists creative directors who must sift through entries from emerging artists, crowning 12 acts the…

South Coast multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter Joe Mungovan has just released his debut album, the gorgeous A Flower In The Weeds. Joe has been releasing quality singles and EP’s for a number of years now, so it’s an absolute treat to listen to his debut long-play record. Joe writes infectious indie/roots-pop, with strong melodies, acoustic guitars conveying…

FVNERAL is a seven-piece indie outfit from Sydney, and have recently launched their debut release, the anthemic and emotive “GOD DAMN LEDs”. The track is a warm emotive salve, offering hope and optimism during times of difficulty. It doesn’t take too many listens to pick up on the refined and elegant beauty of the song,…

Sydney’s Loretta have been forging a name for themselves in the last couple of years, and it looks like they are cresting a wave of creativity. Headed by vocalist and songwriter Ellis Hall, they’ve created their own blend of alt-pop, taking cues from acts such as The 1975, LANY, No Rome and The Neighborhood.  Their…

Australia’s Jess Chalker has dropped her debut album, Hemispheres, an album that traverses the full gamut of human emotions. It explores the dichotomy between depression, hopefulness, self-doubt, self-love and more. We premiered an earlier single from the album, “Don’t Fight It” and have been keenly awaiting the release of Hemispheres. Whilst it’s her debut album,…

GB3 is the side project for Underground Lovers co-founder Glenn Bennie, and today he has released his latest album, Sakura Flower. Glenn has teamed up again with Steve Kilbey of The Church, who has added the lyrics and vocals to these beautifully crafted pop songs infused with sparkling rivulets of electronica. This is their second album…

Sydney’s Johnny Hunter are a post-glam punk rock outfit that has been captivating audiences since 2018. With Nick Hutt providing lead vocals and theatre upfront, Xander Burgess on lead guitar, Nick Cerone on bass and Gerry Thompson on drums, the band has an incredibly captivating live show. Taking their influences from bands such as Joy…

Mess Esque is a recent collaboration between iconic 90’s band Dirty Three‘s Mick Turner and McKisko‘s Helen Franzmann. The music and instruments are provided by Mick, and the lyrics and vocals by Helen. Probably best known for his work with Dirty Three, Mick has been making music for more than forty years. His most recent album…

Indie-folk duo Charm of Finches have been casting their spell on listeners with a stream of singles from Wonderful Oblivion, their third album, the most recent being the emotive and melancholic “Heavy”. Finally, the date for the release of this much-anticipated record has arrived for sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes. The album was recorded at home by…

Sydney band Human Noise have today released their debut album, Animal People. It’s a beautifully varied record, from lo-fi grooves to frenetic guitar-driven bangers. The lyrics are sharp and no two tracks are the same. Fans of indie-punk rock acts such as Sonic Youth, RAT!hammock and The Strokes should find plenty to love here. I’m also…

Sydney singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and producer Chelsea Warner is going through a purple patch of releasing new music. Today she released “It Be Like That”, the third new track since June. Following on from “Drama” and “Not In The Mood” it continues the theme of self-exploration, analysis and growth. Classically trained at the Sydney Conservatorium…

The legendary Cookin’ On 3 Burners recently released the blazing “The World Is Cold”, featuring Melbourne rapper Mantra and vocalist Jane Tyrell. It has that classic 3 Burners funk with attitude a-plenty as they mix up an enticing blend of contrasts, of sugar and spice, of heat and ice. It’s razor-sharp and as soothing as…

After almost five years Melbourne indie pop duo Client Liaison returned last week with their second album Divine Intervention along with a swathe of singles. The quirky Melbourne-based pair had to delay the original release date amid another lockdown but eventually felt they had to get their music out there for their devoted fanbase. We caught…

Last week Western Australian singer-songwriter Tanya Ransom released her latest EP, Breakdown to Breakthrough. Comprising five tracks, Tanya blends her unique blend of folk blues and alt-country with an entrancing honesty.  We premiered the lead track off the EP, “Cyclone” in November last year, so it’s a treat to see the remainder of the record see…

Earlier this month Brisbane indie-folk artist Asha Jefferies released her entrancing EP, The Pinnacle. This is a tight collection of five heartfelt songs, covering a range of emotions touching on anxiety, heartbreak, depression and self-doubt. Asha has the knack for delivering a line that stays in your head. It’s beautifully produced, with a full-band feel…

The Finks is the musical project for Melbourne songwriter Oliver Mestitz. Today he is releasing his six-track EP, The moment the world rushed in. This is a beautifully textured and delicate collection of songs. Five of the six tracks are instrumentals, with the title track containing vocals. The songs on the EP are a mix…

H3000 is a collaboration between Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun, The Sleepy Jackson and DREAMS fame, and Jarrad Rogers who has written songs for and produced for the likes of Charli XCX, Rita Ora, Lana Del Ray and so many more. Today they release their debut self-titled album, a cosmic collection of songs…

There are many uncertainties in this world. Over the past 18 months that fact has been painfully proven time and time again. With thousands of concerts, sporting events, and festivals canceled due to Covid-19 it would seem like an unwise idea to get my heart set for my all-time favorite annual gathering. Unwise indeed. The…