Naarm/Melbourne chanteuse Kee’ahn casts a spell with their latest neo-soul single “Heavy.” While you’re settling into the groove, don’t miss the lyrics which speak of the importance of connection in the healing process.
“It’s a reminder that our heaviest moments are meant to be shared,” Kee’ahn said. “That we need each other. It’s about the power of community, holding on and letting ourselves be held. A message we all need right now.”
Kee’ahn looked to their community to bring this one to life. It features guitar and bass from OjiAji, keys from Yusuf Harare Jnr, flute from Kasinda Faase, and drums from Kawel Che. This soundscape is all tied together neatly with production from Pataphysics. “Heavy” also comes with a film clip shot and edited by Sapphic Flicks in Kee’ahn’s hometown of Gurambilbarra and Thul Garrie Waja/Townsville after a period of intense flooding.
“All three of us stayed in the house I grew up in and filmed in the backyard with my mum, aunties, cousins, nan, and niece assisting and featuring in the piece,” Kee’ahn explained. “I wanted the visuals to honour women, family, and country. That we must hold each other just as country and water hold us.”
I can hear Kee’ahn’s influences like Lauryn Hill and Janelle Monae coming through, but they reinterpret the neo-soul genre in such an exciting, Australian way. I love this song and can’t wait to hear more from Kee’ahn.
Smooth as butter, BOY SODA is coming at you with his latest single “4K,” which features the talents of Dean Brady and Siala. This song has got such a cool groove and soulful vocal runs from the awesome artists involved.
“We made ‘4K’ when everyone was staying at our spot and it’s such an honour to be friends with artists who are so incredible, vocally and artistically,” BOY SODA enthused. “Dean and Siala in their own right are prolific artists so it feels like a really important contribution to the soul/R&B scene we’re trying to build here in Australia. We spend a lot of time together making music and just sharing space when either of them fly in, so it’s really amazing to have a song like ‘4K’ that speaks to our collective taste and love for embedding our souls in our music.”
“4K” comes from BOY SODA’s highly anticipated debut album SOULSTAR, which we’ll hear on October 3. You can pre-order or pre-save it now. He’ll also play a couple of launch shows to support its release.
I’m a sucker for a good folk duo, so I’ve fallen pretty quickly for Ocie Elliott, who are making their way to Australia this summer. They’re far from a household name here, but in their native Canada they’ve been nominated for JUNO Awards and earned widespread acclaim for their studio albums We Fall In and In That Room. They’ve toured extensively through North America and Europe, and they’re excited to make a return visit to our shores.
“Australia, after nearly three years away, we finally get to return!” they gushed. “We are more than excited to perform in your beautiful country again and enjoy your delicious coffee, beaches and açai bowls. And of course, to be back in the same space as all of you. See you in summer 2026.“
Since they haven’t blown up here, we get to see them at intimate venues which are honestly perfect for their gentle folk music. Prepare to be entranced when Ocie Elliott grace local stages next year.
Naarm/Melbourne-based talents SEETALI and Kaiyah Mercedes have teamed up for a gorgeous new single, “Poison & Wine.” Raw and introspective, this beautiful ballad was designed as therapy for anyone struggling with openness and vulnerability.
“It’s a bittersweet truth about accepting not everyone’s going to be sorry, or care to the same extent you are and how for your own headspace you need to learn to accept that, and sometimes you need to be your own form of closure,” SEETALI said.
“Working with SEETALI means working with the full extent of my creativity,” Kaiyah added. “She brings out the most in the art and together we made a song that is truly special.”
This is the latest of several collaborations from SEETALI and Kaiyah. Hopefully they continue making such incredible music together in the future.
Coming out of Dharawal/Campbelltown, RISSA is giving me old school R&B vibes with her latest single “FOREVER.” Her pure, heavenly vocals remind me a bit of Ashanti or Aaliyah.
“‘FOREVER’ encapsulates the moments and feelings in dating when you feel yourself falling for someone but are unsure if those feelings are just for now or forever,” RISSA said. “Teaming up with New Zealand talents, Edy Liu and Sam V, we pieced together an R&B track full of soul. This one is for the yearners who want a forever kind of love!”
“FOREVER” comes with a cool video filmed and edited by four:three, who are known for making fire clips for hot local artists like Barkaa and Chanel Loren. It all comes together so beautifully, I can’t wait to hear and see more from RISSA.
It’s an exciting time to be a Peach Fuzz fan. The Naarm/Melbourne-based indie-rockers have just dropped a fantastic new single, “Fall Right Back to You” ahead of the release of their new EP and headlining tour of the East Coast. I love this song. It’s not just a total banger. It also has some really relatable lyrics about second-guessing the decision to walk away from a relationship.
“The lyrics speak to that feeling of remorse and yearning,” the band said. “When you’re unsure if you made the right call.”
“Every song on this EP lets you sing your heart out about some very real and very chaotic emotion you’ve probably had towards someone,” Peach Fuzz shared. “It’s indecisive, emotional, and loud – just like your early 20’s should be.”
You’ll have a couple of weeks to learn all those new lyrics before Peach Fuzz head out on their East Coast tour supported by rising indie-folk act Lottie McLeod.
Tarntanya/Adelaide indie act Broken Waves have got me grooving with their latest single “The Chase.” This track defies classification, instead drawing influences from the funk, dance, and indie rock genres. As someone who doesn’t think music needs to fit neatly into boxes, I’m just enjoying the vibe.
“It was heavily influenced by our growing obsession with jazz house, electronic textures, and the kind of EDM that prioritises groove over spectacle,” the band said. “We didn’t want to just experiment for the sake of it — the goal was to refine and tighten our approach to songwriting, to make something leaner and more intentional without losing the emotional weight.”
This song is a bit of a sonic left turn for Broken Waves, but I’m here for it. Crank it up and enjoy!
For not the first time last night, I found myself marvelling at how lucky the Darkinjung Country/Central Coast community is to have a venue like Avoca Beach Theatre. It’s a place that champions not just live music, but original Australian music. It’s an intimate venue, one where you can go to hear artists with an audience who respects what they’re doing. Even in the support act, you won’t hear a peep, unless of course the artist encourages us to sing along. Only occasionally will you see someone raise their phone to capture a photo, but then it’s put away as they give themselves over to the music once more. You rarely see people getting up mid-set to head to the bar. They’re too busy being in it. The older I get, the more annoyed I become at all those things that take me out of the music and the more I appreciate venues that let me revel in it.
I can’t imagine seeing a show like last night’s gig anywhere else, and I’m glad I don’t have to. Mark Crotti opened the show with an incredible set of gentle acoustic folk that had us all hanging on his every word. He could be hilarious one moment, but then make our hearts break with songs like “Half a Cup of Tea” and “Paint Me.” Ordinarily, I don’t remember the songs that support acts sing, even when I enjoy them, so that tells you something about how incredible they were. I’m an instant fan.
Mark Wilkinson is one of those artists I’ve appreciated for many years, but never managed to see live. Falling for his latest album Wild and Hunted Things gave me the push I needed. Now I’m wondering why it took me so long. His voice has always drawn me in, but I think it’s better in person. It filled the hushed room, wrapping around us all like a warm hug. He performed many songs I didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. In a venue like this, where everyone is so quiet and respectful, I could hear every lyric. It was the perfect introduction, and a timely reminder that I need to dig a little deeper into his discography. He gave us a couple of covers: a stripped-back version of Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” that made me appreciate the lyrics in a way I never have before and a killer rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” When people talk about artists making songs their own, they’re talking about what Mark does.
Mark spent most of his time on the acoustic guitar, but also ventured over to the piano for a few songs. He said he was nervous about playing this instrument for us, but honestly, these songs were probably my favourites. What a well-rounded talent he is.
Even though we were all out on a Thursday night, no one seemed in a rush to go anywhere. When Mark told us he’d play an extra song in his encore, we were thrilled. Any excuse for us all to stay in the moment, revelling in such beautiful music a little longer.
When you intend to see an artist for some time, there’s always a risk they might disappoint you. But I can’t imagine a better night, seeing Mark playing songs from his latest album, with Mark Crotti on support, in such a special venue, with a good friend keeping me company. I’m so thrilled I got to experience it. Mark Wilkinson continues his Wild and Hunted Things tour with Mark Crotti on Saturday night in Mulubinba/Newcastle. Limited tickets are available for most of the remaining shows:
Meeanjin/Brisbane-based indie-pop band Platonic Sex might have an edgy name, but if you were expecting controversy from their latest single “Face to the Flywire” you might be disappointed. If you want an intimate song that moves you though, this will be right up your alley. It’s so different from the Platonic Sex music I’ve heard, which is much grungier and grittier than this beautiful piano ballad.
Platonic Sex’s singer and guitarist Bridget Brandolini said this song was inspired by their childhood home in Bundjalung Country/Clunes, New South Wales. With five kids the house was pretty crowded, so Bridget’s bedroom was a converted sunroom. “In stormy weather, I’d squish my face up to the flywire to feel the rain and blow smoke out of my room”, they recalled.
The beautiful melody is built on a chord progression that Bridget’s father passed down. “He is the reason I write so much music today,” they said. “He taught me all the lessons he learned about songwriting, even ones I didn’t ask for. We’d sing different things over those chords, and I always found myself coming back to them.”
“Face to the Flywire” is the title track from Platonic Sex’s debut album, which drops on September 19 and is available for pre-order now. Fresh from supporting Ball Park Music around Queensland, Platonic Sex will play the following shows in October.
Is there anything better than amazing harmonies? I’ll wait. If you can’t think of anything, I know you’ll dig “No Longer My Birthday,” the latest single from Team Love, as much as I do.
Team Love are a Victorian band featuring Ruby McGrath-Lester, Ruby Cattell, Monique Bricknell, Shaun Stolk, Paddy McGrath-Lester, and Tom Thomas. All but Thomas sings, ensuring “No Longer My Birthday” and other songs from their repertoire have a beautiful rich sound. I also love how Australian this sounds.
The press release references Americana, and it’s certainly in there, but reinvented with an Aussie twang. Speaking about this single’s inspiration, Ruby said, “It’s about living life on the outside looking in. The idea that you might not even be lonely because you don’t know what it’s like not to be alone. The world can be a big old solitary place.”
“No Longer My Birthday” comes from Team Love’s sophomore album, which we’ll hear later this year.
Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity
