Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ashanti Announces Aussie Return

Noughties R&B icon Ashanti is heading back to Australia this November. If you caught her on her 2022 tour, you know these shows shouldn’t be missed.

Ashanti is one of those artists with a body of work that’s much larger than you think. I’ve got down a bit of a Spotify rabbit hole and been surprised to realise just how many of her songs I know. “Always on Time,” “What’s Luv?” and “Foolish” are just three reasons these shows will go off.

“Australia and New Zealand has always shown me so much love, and I’m so excited to be coming back this coming fall for my ‘Rock Wit U’ tour!” Ashanti enthused. “The energy, the fans, the memories — it’s always so amazing. I can’t wait to Rock with you all! Australia and New Zealand get ready… we’re going to have a blast together!”

Tickets for Ashanti’s upcoming Aussie shows are on sale now from the links below:

9 November 2026 – Riverside Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
11 November 2026 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
13 November 2026 – TikTok Arena, Eora/Sydney
14 November 2026 – Margaret Court Arena, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

THERADIOMUSICOLA and Mystery Singer Slay With “‘Cos We’re Girls”

Naarm/Melbourne-based creative and producer THERADIOMUSICOLA delivers the burst of energy we all need this morning with “Cos We’re Girls.” The track has an infectious pop-rock sound anchored by killer vocals from an unidentified female talent.

“I just want to acknowledge the incredible vocal performances on this track,” THERADIOMUSICOLA enthused. “It was a total blast in the studio working with this Australian-based singer! We were both so ‘intune’ with the track, that the vocals went down in record time – and there’s lots of them. This singer is an Artist in her own right and has chosen to stay anonymous at this point. This may change in the future as we are still collaborating. In the meantime, just enjoy that vocal delivery!”

Consider me intrigued! THERADIOMUSICOLA has extensive industry experience performing alongside quality vocalists like Bonnie Anderson and Rhys Tolhurst, but this is his first solo release. I’m already hooked and looking forward to hearing a lot more.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mark Wilkinson Releases Unifying New Single, “Human Beings”

Mark Wilkinson may be one of the country’s most under-appreciated songwriters. He’s been releasing incredible music for 15 years, yet most people don’t know his name. If you’re in the dark, make sure you don’t miss his latest single, “Human Beings.” It’s a timely release that aims to remind listeners of our capacity for connection in a world that feels so divided.

“This song is a recognition that as human beings we share a universal bond despite our varied cultural and religious backgrounds,” Mark said. “It’s a song about connection, empathy, and hope.”

“Human Beings” comes from Mark’s new EP Love and Loss, which drops on July 31. He’ll celebrate its release with headlining shows featuring Glenn Hopper on keys and dates supporting Katie Noonan.

10 July 2026 – Old Museum Concert Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Katie Noonan)
16 July 2026 – The Rechabite, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Katie Noonan)
17 July 2026 – Camelot Arts Club, Boorloo/Mosman Park (supporting Katie Noonan)
23 July 2026 – Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach
24 July 2026 – The Estate Camden, Benkennie/Camden
30 July 2026 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting Katie Noonan)
1 August 2026 – Melbourne Recital Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Katie Noonan)
6 August 2026 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
7 August 2026 – The Baroque Room @ Carrington Hotel, Gundungurra and Darug Country/Katoomba

Image used with permission from Nettwerk Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe Mungovan Releases Pop Gem, “Melodrama”

Joe Mungovan channels a classic Brit Pop sound with his cool new single, “Melodrama.” Its clever lyrics explore the contemporary capitalist culture, where it often feels like humanity is in short supply.

“I think ‘Melodrama’ came from feeling overwhelmed by the world and how performative everything can feel now,” Joe admitted. “Everyone’s chasing something, selling something, escaping into something… but underneath all of that, I still think people just want to connect and feel loved. The song’s kind of sarcastic and cynical on the surface, but there’s also this genuine message in there of ‘be kind and good to one another,’ because at the end of the day, that’s really the only thing that cuts through all the nonsense.”

Joe has had a massive 12 months, clocking up 1.6 million views for his grassroots Cowchella video, headlining three national tours, and supporting top acts like The Vanns, Ben Lee, The Rubens, and Katy Steele. So what’s next? Give him a follow on Instagram to find out first!

Image used with permission from Luke Hammer MGMT

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Davey Releases Emotional New Single, “No Good For Me”

Country music is always known for its authenticity, and they don’t get much more honest than our own Jake Davey. You can feel the truth in every word of his latest country-pop ballad, “No Good For Me.”

“’No Good for Me’ focuses on the tension of wanting something you know you should walk away from but never quite can,” Jake explained of the song he cowrote in Nashville with Tyler Bank. “The song explores that push and pull between clarity and blurred lines, where doing the right thing feels simple in theory, but impossible in practice.”

While its words matter, every note on this track has clear intention. Jake produced, mastered, and mixed “No Good For Me,” and surrounded himself with high-quality musicians. You can hear Travis Toy on pedal steel, Alex Wright on keys, Jackson James on guitars, and Rhys Zacher on drums.

“Starting with a raw, intimate foundation, each layer was carefully added to elevate the emotion of the song,” Jake said. “The result is a cohesive, dynamic song that feels both grounded and forward-leaning. It’s a fresh take on country pop, shaped by collaboration and designed to bring the story to life in a way that hits with both subtlety and impact.”

Jake is currently spending some time writing new songs in the United States, but hopefully he’ll be back with some new Aussie shows before we know it.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daezy Reminds Us It’s Still the Season For a “Hot Girl Summer”

Former AFLW player Daisy Bateman is enjoying the next chapter of her life as the frontwoman of Naarm/Melbourne indie act Daezy. Their angsty new single “Hot Girl Summer” is the perfect counterpoint to those breezy pop singles released in the summer months. Written during a heavy period, it’s an anthem for being resilient during life’s challenges.

“‘Hot Girl Summer’ came from a really strange, heavy moment in my life where everything felt like it was falling apart at once,” Daisy explained. “I was on the phone to a friend while driving to Jackson’s [Raeburn, guitarist] place and we were both talking about losing our jobs, feeling completely lost. Then she said: ‘at least we’re still two hot girls in the summer.’ It completely broke the tension. I actually laughed. That line stuck with me because it felt so honest. Everything was objectively not okay, but we were still trying to find light in it. As soon as I got to Jackson’s, we both knew: ‘that’s the song.’ It became about that contrast – when your world is kind of collapsing, but you’re still showing up, smiling and trying to believe things will turn around.”

Whatever you’re going through, crank this one up and I swear it’ll make things feel better!

Photo credit: @chloemmedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paper Daisies Make a Splash on Debut With “Heartbreakin’ Cowboy”

I am a real sucker for vocal harmonies, so I’m swooning over “Heartbreakin’ Cowboy,” the debut single from Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast duo Paper Daisies. Britt Grey and Rhea Robertson, the voices and songwriters behind Paper Daisies have been friends for a decade, and you get a sense of their closeness in the music they’re creating.

“We know each other’s stories, we’ve lived through things together, and that depth of connection finds its way into everything we create,” they explained. “We’re drawing from a shared well of experience, and we bring a perspective that is genuinely and unapologetically female.”

About “Heartbreakin’ Cowboy,” they commented “We headed into writing with the idea of creating something that felt like the end of a really good day. Music that kind of wraps itself around you and settles in your chest, like that lingering, hazy feeling of golden hour.”

Paper Daisies will next play Distillery Road Market at Yugambeh Country/Eagleby on June 28.

Photo credit: Jefferson Black

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ninoosh Releases Long-Awaited Video For “That Sinking Feeling”

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Ninoosh has put her song “That Sinking Feeling” back in the spotlight with the release of its official music video. While this track originally appeared on Ninoosh’s 2016 EP Town of Two Hundred, if you’re anything like me it probably escaped your attention. So I’m thrilled that through this music video, more people can discover this upbeat earworm.

The music video for “That Sinking Feeling” was brought to life through a collaboration between director and animator Asher McShane from the Jacky Winter Group and Wild at Heart Records. It features animated versions of Ninoosh, her husband, and her dog experiencing the ups and downs of life, from sharing Vegemite on toast to enjoying roller coasters.

Ninoosh admitted that seeing the music video for “That Sinking Feeling” come to life has been an emotional process. “I got really teary. It’s an old song, one I produced many years ago so I’m so glad to see it come alive in video form.”

The release of the music video for “That Sinking Feeling” comes at an exciting time for Ninoosh. She’ll be releasing her new EP, Rebirth, really soon and relaunching her collective Synth Babes, which supports creative women and LGBTQ+ artists. They’re calling for new tracks for their next compilation, so if you think you fit the bill, get in touch with them at synthbabesunite@gmail.com.

Image used with permission from Hunger Digital

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amber Farnan Shares Personal Illness Journey With “When I Get Better”

Amber Farnan has blown me away with her personal new single, “When I Get Better.” Through this beautiful indie-pop ballad, she shares the pain and acceptance of living life with chronic illness.

“There’s a kind of loneliness that doesn’t come from being alone, but from watching life move without you. ‘When I Get Better’ is a song born from that space,” Amber explained. “‘When I Get Better’ sits inside a kind of grief that’s harder to name, the feeling of growing up while also being held back. Written from the experience of living with chronic illness, the song reflects on years spent in and out of hospital, stretches of time bed-bound, and the quiet realisation that parts of adolescence weren’t just missed, but taken. Not postponed. Not waiting. Gone.

“There’s something particularly confronting in recognising that no matter what happens next, you don’t get those years back. The song lives in that feeling of being robbed of something you can’t replace. At its core, ‘When I Get Better’ isn’t just about illness, it’s about what it means to hold onto the idea of a future version of yourself when the present feels uncertain. It captures that persistent belief that things might change, and the emotional weight of carrying that belief for years.”

The release of “When I Get Better” marks an exciting return to the music scene for Amber, who last gave us her EP The Motions in 2022. Listen out for more new music from this talented singer-songwriter in the months ahead.

Photo credit: Saskia Hilton Imagery

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BESTIES Release First Single Undle Greyscale Records, “Deadmau5”

It is so good to hear new music from Eora/Sydney pop-punk outfit BESTIES. Their fantastic new single “Deadmau5” has all of the energy you need to get out of that midweek slump. It’s one for those of us to refuse to give in society’s expectations and conventional ideas of what it means to grow up.

“Life’s too short to be safe, take a risk and don’t forget through it all, you’re still that dumb emo kid at heart, just like us,” BESTIES explained.

The release of “Deadmau5” ushers in a new chapter for BESTIES as it’s their first single under their new label, Greyscale Records.

“It can be hard finding people who get you, or what you’re trying to do. And Greyscale were the label who understood we’re not trying to do anything. We’re just idiots with instruments, and that’s why we work,” BESTIES said. “In a scene and industry where people are so deathly serious, it’s been a godsend to find people who understand that there’s a path to success while sticking true to who you are. We know there’s a thirst out there for a band and a sound that takes its cues from the lighter side of life. And we know that band’s us.”

Fresh from supporting Story Untold, BESTIES will headline Emo Never Sleep’s King’s Birthday Eve show at Bourke Street Courtyard in Naarm/Melbourne this Sunday, June 7.

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR