Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chloe Marks & The Mayhem Drop Genre-Bending Single, “Cheaper Than Therapy”

Chloe Marks & The Mayhem are pushing the boundaries of the country genre with their latest single, “Cheaper Than Therapy.” The band blends country vibes with Americana, soul, and hippie sentiments in this earworm.

“‘Cheaper Than Therapy’ is about my personal journey in finding out who I am,” Chloe said. “It’s about admitting my flaws but also celebrating the incredible road I’ve had to walk to become this version of myself. It’s about spirituality, honesty, and openness.”

Chloe Marks will play shows through the rest of the year and into 2026. Here are all the places you can catch her: 

18 December 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 December 2025 – Gem Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Yatala
26 December 2025 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 December 2025 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
31 December 2025 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 January 2026 – Tudor Hotel, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
17 January 2026 – Southgate Inn, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (3-6 pm)
17 January 2026 – Tudor Hotel, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (7:30-10:30 pm)
18 January 2026 – Joe Maguires, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
20 January 2026 – Joe Maguires, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
22 January 2026 – Riverside Stage, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
29 January 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
30 January 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
31 January 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
5 February 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
6 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
7 February 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 February 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
14 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 February 2026 – Beechmont Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Advancetown
19 February 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
20 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 February 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 February 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
1 March 2026 – Beechmont Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Advancetown
6 March 2026 – The Irish, Giabal, Jarowair, and Jagera Country/Toowoomba
7 March 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 March 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
13 March 2026 – Suzi Wongs Goodtime Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 March 2026 – Bearded Dragon, Yugambeh Country/Tambourine
17 March 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 March 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 March 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 March 2026 – Suzi Wongs Goodtime Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope Take On John Farnham

My heart is heavy as Eora/Sydney deals with the aftermath of Sunday’s attack on the Jewish community. I can’t understand the mentality of hating what you imagine of people so much that you fail to see their humanity. It feels so out of step with the Australia I know and love.

I can’t find the “right” song for today. I’m not sure it exists. But it didn’t feel right to go quiet either. So instead I’m going to post something that will hopefully make you smile. Because I think we all need all of that. And if anything will help you block out the darkness for just a few moments, I think it might be Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope’s version of John Farnham’s “Reasons.” If you’d ever wondered how this Farnsy classic might sound as a bluegrass song, this one’s for you.

“This is a song that we have been playing live and is a crowd favourite, so it only feels right to release it for our fans,” Gareth Leach said. “Doing a bluegrass cover of a song can be a pretty tricky thing to pull off without being super cheesy, so we were very cautious to not cross into that territory. This song, in particular, is so much fun for us to play and it was important for us to capture that whilst also staying faithful in tipping our caps to the great man, John Farnham.”

“Reasons” is the first track lifted from Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope’s upcoming EP Blues, Grass & Gospel, which we’ll hear early next year. They’ll also play the Echuca Country Music Festival at Echuca Racecourse on March 28.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beautiful Monument Ushers in New Era With “Dancing With the Buried”

Incredible female-fronted rock acts have been back in the headlines lately after visits from international powerhouses Garbage and Evanescence. But you don’t have to look that far for female-fronted acts that pack a punch. Naarm/Melbourne-based band The Beautiful Monument show they’ve got the goods with their impressive new single “Dancing With the Buried.” It’s a powerful number that explores the often harsh reality of picking up the pieces after domestic violence.

“This track hits very close to home,” admitted vocalist Lizi McIntosh. “It’s about victims not being believed about their abuse because of the stigma that surrounds domestic violence as a whole. The video represents that abuse comes in all forms, shapes and sizes; even if it’s not what’s stereotypically perceived by societal norms.”

The release of “Dancing With the Buried” marks the start of a new chapter for The Beautiful Monument, who’ve spent the last year writing, recording, and developing their sound.

“We’ve taken our time to ensure the next era of The Beautiful Monument is our best yet; not only for our fans, but for us as musicians,” they said. “We can’t wait to show the world what we have been cooking up, and we look forward to the thrill ride to come!”

The Beautiful Monument will show metal and hard rock fans just what they’ve got when they play the Hellbound cruise next October.

Photo credit: Andrew Bromley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Kunins Showcase Individual Voices With “The Levee” and “The Sorrow You Are Drawn To”

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based father-daughter duo The Kunins have offered an early taste of their third album with their new single. It features two gorgeous folky songs, “The Levee” and “The Sorrow You Are Drawn To.”

Lily Maia Kunin takes lead vocals on the A-side, “The Levee,” while her dad Ken takes the mic on the B-side, “The Sorrow You Are Drawn To.” The Kunins recorded these songs back-to-back at their home studio and said they serve as companion pieces, “Like pairing the perfect wine and cheese.”

The Kunins will release their third album, Time is a Cruel Master, on January 23. They’ll promote it with a string of shows at community halls around the country. Here are all the confirmed dates so far:

23 January 2026 – Cooran Hall, Kabi Kabi Country/Cooran
24 January 2026 – Maleny Community Centre, Jinibara Country/Maleny
30 January 2026 – Burringbar Hall, Bundjalung Country/Burringbar
31 January 2026 – Tom Atkin Hall, Yugambeh Country/Tugun
7 March 2026 – Manly-Lota RSL, Quandamooka Country/Manly

Photo credit: Synapse Creative

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Fence Releases Beautiful New Track, “Couple Kids”

Ella Fence ticks all the boxes with her gorgeous new single “Couple Kids.” It’s a bit of a slow burner, but once it hits its cinematic conclusion you’ll be glad you took the ride. And those lyrics. Oh those lyrics! This is rock music at its introspective best.

“It’s about the quiet urge to escape, and the tenderness that comes with finally understanding where that desire comes from,” Ella explained. “I’m thankful for the space music gives me to explore that in a healthy way.”

If you’re heading to Sofia Isella’s final Aussie show at The Roundhouse in Eora/Sydney tonight, make sure you arrive early enough for Ella’s set. Tickets are still available through Moshtix.

Photo credit: Simone Gorman Clark

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rain City Drive Gearing Up For Aussie Shows

American post-hardcore/emo outfit Rain City Drive will play their first headlining shows in Australia next March. I must admit, I wasn’t familiar with their music before the tour announcement but it’s really good stuff. If you love your music a little heavier, make sure you’re across it before their visit.

Rain City Drive will be ably supported by hot alternative act TX2 and local metalcore outfit Melrose Avenue on all dates. You can almost guarantee the venues will be bigger next time around, so get on it!

6 March 2026 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
7 March 2026 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
8 March 2026 – Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
11 March 2026 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
13 March 2026 – Magnet House, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from Crowd Favourite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chani Releases Introspective New Single, “Inside”

Australia’s proving to be a rich breeding ground for powerful female hip hop artists. Following in the steps of Barkaa and Sampa the Great comes Chani, who has just released her fantastic new single “Inside.” It’s another smart track from this Western Australian artist who combines her raw, resonant lyrics with soulful sounds.

“Inside” was produced by DJ BearHands and mastered by Rob Shaker. It’s the latest cut from Chani’s EP Spice, which drops next year.

Photo credit: Rob Simeon

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fiasco Release Folky Charmer, “Tonight Come Home”

Fiasco are serving up the feel-good vibes you need heading into the weekend with their latest single “Tonight Come Home.” It’s an upbeat indie folk-pop ditty with lyrics drenched in nostalgia and yearning.

“Tonight Come Home” gives us a taste of Fiasco’s debut EP which they’ll release next year. If you’re in their hometown of Naarm/Melbourne, you can catch them playing tonight at The Gem Bar. Tickets are still on sale through Oztix.

Image used with permission from Fiasco

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pilot Crisis Rock Out With “No Vacancy”

Crank up the volume, press play, and give yourself a couple of minutes to appreciate “No Vacancy,” the latest single from Meeanjin/Brisbane-based rock outfit Pilot Crisis. With Evie Cowen out front, this is an absolute belter.

Guitarist and core songwriter Mitch Chen said he wrote “No Vacancy” during an introspective moment of procrastination.

“I was sitting on the couch watching King of the Hill, noodling on the guitar and thinking about how I’d spend long stretches of time just wasting away,” he reflected. “Hours would slip by while I kept dreaming of doing something better, but never putting the energy into actually doing it.”

The release of “No Vacancy” caps off a big few months for Pilot Crisis, who toured with Vipersnatch, supported Beddy Rays, and laid down a bunch of new music which we’ll hear in the coming months.

Photo credit: Annabelle Cowen

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah McLeod and Dallas Frasca Team Up For Green Electric Tour

Sarah McLeod and Dallas Frasca are two of the country’s best female rock talents. So you know that their upcoming Green Electric tour is bound to be an incredible time.

The tour’s name doesn’t just play lip service to sustainable trends. Sarah and Dallas have teamed up with Green Music Australia to use inset emissions strategies which will reduce and offset the environmental impact of these shows and time on the road. Think merchandise made from recycled materials, sustainable travel routes, eco-certified accommodation, and meat-free catering. This tour also supports Seed Mob, Australia’s first Indigenous youth-led climate justice organisation.

“We wanted to do something that wasn’t just loud — but meaningful,” Sarah said. “If rock and roll can’t lead the charge for change, what can?”

While the message matters, it won’t compromise the rock. You can expect plenty of Sarah and Dallas’ original hits and brand new collaborations when this talented twosome hits the stage. Tickets are on sale now:

19 February 2026 – Bended Elbow, Bungambrawatha/Albury
20 February 2026 – Moyhu Hotel, Pangerang and Ya-itma-thang Country/Moyhu
21 February 2026 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
22 February 2026 – Pelly Bar, Monmar/Frankston
27 February 2026 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
28 February 2026 – The Royal Quarters, Turrbal Country/Nundah
1 March 2026 – Imperial Hotel, Kabi Kabi Country/Eumundi
5 March 2026 – Big Easy Radio, Ngaltingga/Aldinga
6 March 2026 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
7 March 2026 – Mojo’s Bar, Walyalup/Fremantle
8 March 2026 – Indi Bar, Mooro Country/Scarborough
11 March 2026 – La La La’s, Dharawal Country/Wollongong
12 March 2026 – The Baso, Ngambri/Canberra
13 March 2026 – The Bridge Hotel, Wangal Country/Rozelle
14 March 2026 – Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle

Image used with permission from beehive