Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FOLEY in the Spotlight With “Cinematic”

Kiwi-born, Eora/Sydney-based pop duo FOLEY had a massive year in 2025 with the release of their sophomore album That’s Life, Baby! They’re hitting the ground running in 2026 with the release of a dreamy new single, “Cinematic.” It sets the stage for their new EP Like an Actress, which drops on February 25.

“‘Cinematic’ is about a love so beautiful and promising that you feel like it may not be real – at the start of a relationship the glow around a person can be so overwhelming and you find yourself romanticising everything,” FOLEY explained. “Often we can have that self doubt of ‘is this actually real’, but ‘Cinematic’ is about embracing that feeling and leaning even further. Kissing in the streets at night, breaking into a stadium, and going home with butterflies in your stomach. It’s nostalgic even in the moment it happens, and you know that this could be encapsulated in a Hollywood movie because it’s so outrageously perfect.”

Foley will give fans in their adopted hometown a little taste of the EP when they support Loretta at The Vanguard on February 5.

Photo credit: Arianne Armida

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sooks Start the Year Right With “Take It Slow”

Eora/Sydney indie-rockers The Sooks are cruising into the new year with their latest single “Take It Slow.” If you’re into British acts like The Kooks and The Wombats and our own DICE and The Terrys, this laidback summer tune will be right up your street.

“‘Take It Slow’ was written in the summer of 2024, a couple of weeks before we were set to play our very first festival over New Year’s. It was a big time for the band, and we were obviously so stoked to be playing on a big stage, but at the same time, it was so new for us,” they recalled. “The cost-of-living crisis was really getting to us. Ultimately, the song is about not letting life dim your shine and doing what you feel you’re meant to do, despite the roadblocks life puts in your way. It’s a mantra. Take it slow. Take it slow. Take it slow… and you’ll pull through.”

“Take It Slow” lays the foundation for a fantastic 2026 for this up-and-coming act. If you want to hear more of their music, catch them supporting The Terrys at Drifters Wharf in Darkinjung Country/Gosford on February 22.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellis King Continues Winning Ways With “Nosedive”

Ellis King has really impressed me in recent months with singles like “fitymi” and “The Blueprint.” She continues her hot streak with “Nosedive,” an empowering post-breakup anthem with a sweet folk-pop sound.

“I wasn’t in a place to write about everything contained in this song immediately, but once I was ready it came together like honey,” Ellis said. “This one is very play-by-play – I wrote it from start to finish as a reflection of the events that transpired, almost like replaying the night it happened in real time…It moves through the aftermath, the guilt and the shame, but also remembering that I felt like I had to dim myself for someone else. In the end, it’s about accepting what happened and understanding that even when it feels like everything’s stopped, life keeps moving and you have to pick yourself right back up and move into your future.”

“Nosedive” is the latest track lifted from her forthcoming EP All That Comes After, which drops on February 20.

Photo credit: Courtney King

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Molly Millington Releases Emotional Single, “Greener Than Me”

Molly Millington has captured my heart with her latest track “Greener Than Me.” Written in the aftermath of a breakup with a friend, it’s both heartbreaking and life-affirming.

“‘Greener Than Me’ is about a friendship breakup I went through and honestly it was the worst, more than any romantic breakup I’d experienced. At the start I was really hurt with how it was dealt with, so I wrote this song instead of retaliating. Now I’m not as close to it, it was probably worse,” Molly admitted. “I miss this person at the most random times. I have their writing tattooed on me, so it’s pretty hard to forget them. I could get it removed but I don’t regret that person, so I’m keeping it.”

“Greener Than Me” is the latest release from Molly’s forthcoming debut album, Frank Morgan, which drops on February 27.

Photo credit: Nikola Jokanovic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blve Diamond Drops Luxury Rap Gem, “Tom Ford Hoverboard”

South African-born, Meeanjin/Brisbane-based artist Blve Diamond has got me grooving with his cool new single “Tom Ford Hoverboard.” The press release calls it “luxury rap for slow mornings and sunlit drives,” but it’s hitting the spot for me on this gloomy afternoon.

Blve Diamond delivers easy rhymes with confidence that never crosses over into cockiness. He might namecheck designer brands many of us will never afford, but you can’t help but like him. Press play, close your eyes, and let yourself get swept away by this one.

Image used with permission from Blve Diamond

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bud Rokesky Covers Joy Division

I absolutely love a quality cover version. I think there’s real skill in reinterpreting someone else’s song and encouraging listeners to hear it in a new way. So I’m really impressed with Bud Rokesky’s stripped back version of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” This gentle guitar and piano arrangement retains some of the moodiness associated with the original but it’s so much more current.

“’Love Will Tear Us Apart’ is one of those songs that never ages,” Bud said. “It’s honest and undeniable. I wanted to strip it back to let it sit heavy between beauty and ruin.”

Bud is easing himself into the New Year, but he is confirmed to play Meatstock at Sydney Showgrounds in Eora/Sydney on May 2.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Admired Release Emo-Pop Gem “Fame&Money”

Eora/Sydney duo The Admired are coming at you with a nostalgic new emo-pop banger, “Fame&Money.” Its 2000s vibes should get you bopping in your seat, if you can resist taking a full dance break! It’s less than two and a half minutes of musical goodness.

Frontwoman Bianca Davino said “Fame&Money” is “the spark that really kicked off our direction for The Admired,” so if you’re not already on board with their music it’s a great introduction.

Bianca and guitarist Max Jacobson did some serious heavy lifting here, writing, performing, producing, and engineering the track in their home studio. Nat Sherwood (BESTIES, Stand Atlantic, Yours Truly) took care of mastering duties.

“Fame&Money” is the last of three tracks that make up The Admired’s mini-EP, appropriately titled 3 songs. They plan to build on their sound and record a new EP this year.

Photo credit: Stephanie McGwinn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AYDAN Charms Me With “Gabriella”

AYDAN is one of those artists who just seems to get better and better over time. He made it all the way to the final on the seventh season of The Voice Australia and while I appreciated his charisma, I wasn’t convinced he had that special sauce that would see him break the reality show curse. Then I saw him in Jagged Little Pill several years later and I became a convert. Now he’s wowed me all over again with his latest original single, “Gabriella.” This feelgood banger is inspired by a fleeting connection AYDAN made with a girl at a Silk Sonic show in Las Vegas.

“I met this girl sitting in front of me,” AYDAN recalled. “After that night, I never saw her again. She went back to Minnesota, I went back to Australia, and that was that. It leans on a movie-like one-night romance – youthful, spontaneous, romantic, adventurous, and fun. That spark of connection that only lasted a moment, but stays with you forever.”

There’s more new music on the way from AYDAN, who’ll release his debut EP later this year.

Image used with permission from Cartel Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pierce Brothers Gearing Up For International and Aussie Moonrise Shows

Pierce Brothers are really some of Australia’s quiet achievers. Every album they release is so solid, with back-to-back alt-folk bangers. They hit the top of the charts, but there’s never a lot of fanfare leading up to the releases and ARIA and the other awards bodies never seem to acknowledge the work. Radio doesn’t play them. They perform across Europe, the United Kingdom, North and South America, and Australia, but most people I speak to don’t know them. If you’re yet to discover Pierce Brothers, might I suggest pressing play on their latest album, Moonrise? It’s so fantastic. It’s the band’s fourth studio album, so once you’re hooked there’s plenty to explore.

“I’m so stoked to have this album out in the world!” Jacks said about the recent release of Moonrise. “We worked hard all year in between heavy touring to get this over the line, and it was a monumental effort from everyone involved! Some of the tracks on this album are some of the proudest I’ve been in songwriting, storytelling and production! … And some of those tracks absolutely go off live! Can’t wait to touring them globally in 2026!”

Pierce Brothers are currently playing shows in Europe and the United Kingdom, but they’ll be back on Aussie shores this March for some festivals and headlining shows. The siblings are known for their engaging high-energy sets, and after so long on the road they’re bound to be in fine form. Wherever you are, don’t go sleeping on this one. I am kicking myself for making holiday plans when they’re in my part of the country, but I don’t want you to miss out! Tickets for all shows are available now from the links.

27 January 2026 – Saint Luke’s, Glasgow
28 January 2026 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester
29 January 2026 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
31 January 2026 – The Garage, London
1 February 2026 – The Bodega Social Club, Nottingham
3 February 2026 – Thekla, Bristol
5 February 2026 – Le POPUP du Label, Paris
6 February 2026 – Helios 37, Cologne
7 February 2026 – Hebebuhne, Hamburg
8 February 2026 – Lark, Berlin
10 February 2026 – De Oosterpoort, Groningen
12 February 2026 – Rotown, Rotterdam
13 February 2026 – Paradiso Noord, Amsterdam
14 February 2026 – Doornroosje, Nijmegen
7 March 2026 – Port Fairy Folk Festival @ Southcombe Park, Gunditjmara Country/Port Fairy
12 March 2026 – King Street Warehouse, Mulubinba/Newcastle
13 March 2026 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Eora/Sydney
19 March 2026 – The Ed Castle, Tarntanya/Adelaide
20 March 2026 – The Setts, Latje Latje Country/Mildura
21 March 2026 – Wide Open Spaces Festival @ Beulah Recreation Reserve, Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagalk Country/Beulah
3 April 2026 – Byron Bay Bluesfest @ Byron Events Farm, Arakwal Country/Tyagarah
10 April 2026 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
11 April 2026 – Barwon Heads Hotel, Koornoo/Barwon Heads
18 April 2026 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns
1 May 2026 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
14 May 2026 – Mangrove Mountain Hall, Darkinjung Country/Mangrove Mountain
15 May 2026 – Finnian’s Irish Tavern, Guruk/Port Macquarie

Photo credit: Dara Munnis

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winters End Honour Late Member Christopher With “Deadtree”

In the 2010s, fantastic songs like “Ivy” and “Afterthought” put Eora/Sydney act Winters End on my radar. However, in 2020 they disappeared from view when founding member Christopher Pinto passed away suddenly from a head injury. After several years of grief and soul searching, his sister and collaborator Marissa Pinto has decided to continue Winters End in her brother’s memory. The new single “Deadtree” is a heartbreaking tribute to Christopher. Marissa’s voice has always captivated me, but I’ve never been quite so moved by it as I am listening to this song.

The recording sees Marissa reuniting with Winters End’s longtime producer Lachlan Mitchell, known for his work with The Whitlams and The Jezabels. It was recorded at Parliament Studios and mastered at Studios 301 by Steve Smart.

Winters End will support Ocean Wizard at Wombat Brewery in Yuin Country/Ulladulla on January 17 before a hometown headliner show at Oxford Art Factory on January 24 to promote the release of “Deadtree.”

Image used with permission from Winters End