Music

A lot has happened in the world since Vampire Weekend last released an album (2019’s Father of the Bride). A lot has happened since frontman Ezra Koenig wrote the vast majority of lyrics to this new album (2019-2020). One thing that hasn’t changed is Vampire Weekend’s ability to create lyrics and music so uniquely obtuse…

Newcastle’s Elestial formed in 2020 and has quickly established itself as one of the must-see live acts in town. They’ve released a handful of singles so far and are on the cusp of releasing their debut EP, Delphinium. We’re thrilled today to have the first spin of the EP ahead of its release on Friday….

We’ve been vibing on Hydra Fashion Week since we premiered the video for their jangly post-punk single ‘Don’t Stop!” last year. They’ve also released singles “Delete”, SICK (day #132)” and “First Person Shooter”, and most recently, the playful “Total Freefall”.  Finally, today, they have released their debut album,  Serpent Season One, and to celebrate the release,…

Atlanta’s cinematic psych-country duo Andrea & Mud have a knack for creating a song which will have you doing a wee shuffle and leave you with a big smile even if the lyrics addresses challenging times. A superb example is the title-track from their soon-to-be-release LP, Institutionalized. We’re thrilled to have the premiere of the track today…

We have been shell-shocked with the news that Splendour and Groovin the Moo have been cancelled, but it’s still possible to see some outstanding international acts in Australia this April and May. We’ve picked 5 highlights for you, from legends such as Incubus and +Live+ to Scottish rockers The Snuts. Taylor Swift and Fred Again… grabbed…

DEM MOB discuss the importance of taking control of one’s life and making choices that align with one’s goals and aspirations. Their advice to young musicians, emphasizes the importance of perseverance and not giving up on one’s dreams. They’ve recently released a single, “DIP” that exposes some of the injustices and difficulties that Indigenous people…

Adelaide-made and Gold Coast-based artist ALTERJOY (aka Ben Heidrich) has returned with his fresh new single and video “Better Make a Move”. Known as the drummer of Adelaide metalcore act The Daily Chase, Ben launched his solo project last year with his debut single “This is Real” and exuberant No Doubt cover “Hella Good”. The…

We’re celebrating the long weekend by adding eleven new tracks (an Easter bonus) to our Discovery Playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. This week’s Track of the Week is “What’s That You Say” the new single from English rock band Fat White Family. “What’s That You Say”, which dropped on Monday, is the latest single…

Splendour in the Grass, which was scheduled to take place at North Byron Parklands from July 19th to July 21st, has been cancelled. Yes, not postponed. Cancelled. It’s been a wild few years for Australia’s most iconic multi-day festival, from pandemic delays to mudslides. Plus, there was a whopping 30% decline in attendance last year….

“I knew that band before they were famous” Does anyone have that friend who seems to say this constantly? For the people in my life, I was that friend. In my 20s, it was my life’s mission to discover every fantastic band before anyone else. I wanted to be the guy who always had an…

Earlier this month, Melbourne’s Angus Legg released the poignant and moving “Drugs With My Friends,” a song inspired by the need to move on from past relationships and heartbreak. Today, we’re thrilled to premiere the video, which brilliantly captures the emotion of the track. Angus has packed in some sweet guitars, catchy lyrics and vocals that…

Montell Fish is hitting the road this May for his Intercession Before Charlotte tour in Australia, and it’s shaping up to be something special. If you’ve seen an edit on TikTok filled with nostalgia, longing or heartbreak recently, chances are you’ve encountered Montell Fish’s music. Much as is the story these days, the 26-year-old Pittsburgh-born…

The market for R&B festivals in Australia is tricky, but the demand is clearly at a level that seemed unreachable a few years ago. It felt unlikely we’d ever get a modern R&B festival with a solid all-round lineup, especially since Soul Fest folded and Made in the 90s is set on that vintage niche….

Australian rising pop sensation Behani has signed to ADA/Warner Music Australia, and to mark the occasion has debuted her new single, the first under the label, the sizzling “Again & Again”. With a unique blend of pop, afro sounds, and global groove, Behani has crafted a sound entirely her own, establishing herself as one of…

With Easter just around the corner, we have added another ten tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including one single we exclusively premiered on Wednesday. Our track of the week is “Through The Trees” from Yolŋu surf-rockers King Stingray. The track has a euphoric feel to it, yet comes with a…

If you’ve ever been to Pickathon Festival, located at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley just outside of Portland, Oregon, you’ll know just how special a festival it is. And after finally getting confirmation the much lauded event (including by me) would be returning to Pendarvis Farm, the festival has announced its 1-4 August 2024 lineup….

There’s been a buzz about Eora/Sydney-based singer/multi-instrumentalist Jordy Burns since she released her debut single, “Walls” last month. She has quickly followed it up with another belter, the bittersweet “Second Chances”. We’re thrilled to be premiering the track before its release on Thursday. In “Second Chances”, the vocals capture brilliantly the interplay between the vulnerability of…

Australian metal titans Parkway Drive are celebrating twenty years this year, and they’re bringing the party back home with their first Aussie headline tour in over six years. Joining them will be Michigan rockers and two-time Grammy nominees I Prevail, Californian metalcore group The Ghost Inside and Melbourne’s very own Void of Vision. With seven…

Yeah, you read that right. Knotfest 2024 is just around the corner, with headlining acts Pantera, Disturbed and Lamb of God, but before the event has even kicked off a massive announcement has dropped- Slipknot themselves will be headlining next year’s Knotfest, bringing their 25th anniversary tour down under. I’ll be honest, I was surprised…

In patent leather shoes and a skirt and coat like a school girl’s, Sahara Beck took to the stage and enveloped the bar in warm tones and bright anthems. She might be relatively unknown, but seeing her sing makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem–the guy next to me nudged me and asked,…

The season for music festivals in Australia is now year-round, speeding towards us to make up for the end of summer 2023/2024 with a healthy list of live music, arts and culture throughout the year. If last year’s “music festivals 2023” schedule is anything to go by, Australian music festivals will be more boutique in…

Melbourne/Naarm darkwave synthpop band, Dark Water, opened proceedings at the Metro Theatre in style. Their moody, atmospheric tunes certainly set the tone for an already packed-out room. Whilst it was a relatively short set they had the crowd engaged. I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in the future, for sure. By the time Ville…

We have added another ten tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including one single we exclusively premiered yesterday. 19-year-old up-and-coming shoegaze artist Wisp has grabbed our Track of the Week spot with her new single “Enough For You”. “Enough For You” is another strong slice of moody, maximalist shoegaze from the…

We live in a world where cynicism is constantly mistaken for wisdom or rationality. No one really cares when you tell your own story, unless they can see themselves in it. The best storytellers know this, which is why they’re adept at creating art that is relentlessly human. This is what separates a truly great…

Adelaide endured one of its famous 40C heatwaves over the Adelaide Cup long weekend. In this climate, events can be cancelled, postponed or modified. To their credit, the WOMADelaide organisers made the World’s festival as comfortable as could be. The bats that have recently taken up residence in the Frome Road copse of trees were…

Have you ever struggled to find the right words to use for a conversation you dearly wish to have with someone important in your life? If so, then “If We Never Speak Again” from Naarm/Melbourne-based 17-year-old singer-songwriter Kaiyah Mercedes will resonate deeply. We’re very excited to have the premiere of this powerhouse single from Kaiyah ahead of its…

UK singer-songwriter James Bay returned to Australia and Sydney to play a packed out Enmore Theatre. The adoring fans were treated to Bay’s classic soul rock gold hit “Hold Back The River”, the triple platinum “Let It Go” plus a whole lot more. Support on the evening came from the very talented Merpire. Pete Dovgan…

Splendour In The Grass has announced their lineup for the 2024 edition of the festival, with a stacked billing of artists, headed by the one and only Kylie Minogue. Taking place in the North Byron Parklands over the weekend of 19 – 21 July, the festival will greet us with a plethora of international superstars…

Sydney-based psychedelic duo Velvet Trip have recently released their debut album, Harmony Blooms. The album found its genesis when the duo met up in Berlin, taking in the sounds around them. Their approach to creating the album took a substantial deviation when they both had significant hand injuries.  I caught up with lead singer Zeppelin Hamilton and…

With the 22nd edition of Splendour in the Grass announced to go down from 19 – 21 July, we thought it was about time to get the crystal ball out and begin to speculate as to whom might be playing the North Byron Parklands this July. With a strong history of booking the cream of the…