Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q&A with Melody Pool

Today acclaimed Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley-based singer-songwriter Melody Pool releases her gorgeous third album Our Eternal Garden. Coming nine years after her last, this stunning psychedelic-folk album sees Melody channelling her grief, trust, and curiosity into songs that build on her sound and take it in new directions. I caught up with Melody to chat about this beautiful new album, how she feels making music after an extended hiatus, and her exciting touring news.

You’re releasing your new album Our Eternal Garden today. What can you tell me about it?

I guess mainly that I’m extremely proud of it. I wrote a lot of the songs when there were heaps of life changes happening for me, my dad getting sick etc. It was an exercise in surrendering to grief really and trying to redirect my approach to pain and existential dread by working with it rather than pushing up against it.

This is actually your first album release since Deep Dark Savage Heart in 2016. You were really honest about needing to step back from your music career and prioritise your mental health not long after you released that album. How does it feel to be making music again after that time away?

That break was exactly what I needed to be able to get back into music. I was really lost beforehand and so disconnected to why I was doing it. Those years helped me realign with the ‘why’, and I fell back in love with creating, and problem solving and challenging myself musically which is what I’d lost. So, rather than it just feeling good, it actually just feels right now. 

The press release says this album is “a bold expansion of her sonic and lyrical world.” How would you say that your music evolved between this album and Deep Dark Savage Heart?

I’d say it’s wildly different haha. I don’t know, I hear DDSH now and I just hear a lost little girl who let others listen and decide things for her, who didn’t value her own opinion or taste. I feel like the sound has really been formed into something that reflects me now, and lyrically/musically it’s just far more realised. But that’s just my opinion lol.  

You recorded Our Eternal Garden entirely to tape, which is such an old-school way of doing things. What influenced that decision?

There is a record by Linda Perhacs called Paralellograms that I adore, and I’d said to Chris [Dale] (my producer, who’s also my partner), that I was obsessed with that vocal sound and the density and warmth of it and he was like “Maybe we should just go to Golden Retriever and record to tape,” so we did. There wasn’t some huge determined decision really, it kind of just worked out that way and became something we just said “Yeah, let’s try that” to. 

As a music buff, I was really impressed to read that the album’s photos were shot by Henry Diltz, who has photographed music legends like The Doors and Joni Mitchell. How did you get him on board?

Through a publicist I was working with at the time. It was such a beautiful experience getting to share some time with Henry, and he gifted me a beautiful print of Joni he had signed at the end of it. He is a really beautiful man with a very special spirit. I feel so lucky to have gotten to chance to spend some time with him and hear his stories.  

You’ve actually been compared to Joni and Leonard Cohen. What is it like to hear those sorts of comparisons?

In some ways you just shrug it off because they’re the greats, you know? It feels like, yeah right. I wish. Haha. In others, it kind of makes sense. They’re huge influences for me, I’ve spent years absorbing and pondering on their songs and whatever you expose yourself to, you tend to lean toward when you start creating for yourself. 

You’ll be playing some international shows to support the release of Our Eternal Garden. Where can fans expect to see you?

I’m kind of bouncing all over the UK, and then heading to Germany. So I’ll be in Ayr, Scotland, London and surrounds, Bristol, Staffordshire, Yorkshire. I have always wanted to spend a lot more time in the UK as I have heaps of family there so I’m very excited for that. And then we’re doing some shows in Germany around Frankfurt, Bremen, some smaller towns like Eisenach and Lübeck and Dedesdorf, a few that I visited last year and LOVED. So excited to head back there too. 

I assume Australia will always be part of those plans. Do you know yet when you’ll play locally?

Yes! Through October and November we’re doing a little city run which will include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and then my hometown show in Newcastle, and we have a little gig regionally in Grenfell as well. 

What can music lovers expect from your upcoming shows?

A lot of heart, emotion as allllways with me. Also I’m from regional NSW so a fair bit of gasbagging too haha 

Have you got a message for your fans out there?

Love ya’s. Come see a show. Always love to hug a fan x

Our Eternal Garden is out now on all your favourite streaming services. You can also purchase a vinyl copy through Melody’s Bandcamp page. She’s also just announced her world tour dates, so make sure you see her anywhere you can.

9 August 2025 – Fresh Ayr Folk Fest @ Ayr Town Hall, Ayr
12 August 2025 – Paper Dress Vintage, London
13 August 2025 – To the Moon, Bristol
14 August 2025 – The Wren, Stone
17 August 2025 – Platform Tavern, Southampton (Tickets on door)
19 August 2025 – Breaking Sound @ The Star of Shoreditch, Shoreditch
20 August 2025 – The Sun Inn, Beverley (supporting Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes)
21 August 2025 – The Bluebird, York (supporting Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes)
23 August 2025 – Cafe Lebermann, Eisenach (contact venue for tickets)
24 August 2025 – Schalander, Hochstadt
31 August 2025 – Litfass, Bremen (FREE)
1 September 2025 – Tonfink, Lubeck
2 September 2025 – Weserperle, Dedestorf (FREE)
4 October 2025 – Dashville Skyline Festivalle, Wonnarua Country/Dashville
18 October 2025 – The Cordial Factory, Wiradjuri Country/Grenfell
20 October 2025 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
24 October 2025 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
26 October 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Naarm/Melbourne
5 November 2025 – Songwriters Cafe, Walyalup/Fremantle
6 November 2025 – Mojo’s Walyalup/Fremantle (supporting Jeff Lang)
8 November 2025 – Bridgetown Blues Festival, Geegelup/Bridgetown
12 November 2025 – Lyrics Underground, Boorloo/Perth
14 November 2025 – Hamilton Station, Mulbinba/Newcastle

Photo credit: Henry Diltz

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Molly Millington Releases New Pop Gem, “Your Villain”

Molly Millington made lemonade out of lemons when she wrote “Your Villain.” This fabulous song came out of a really tough time for Molly. You can hear that when you tune into the lyrics, but they’re wrapped up in such a shimmery pop melody that you might miss the darkness unless you’re listening for it.

“This song was written cathartically to make light of a pretty heavy situation. I found myself in a toxic relationship, I left myself behind trying to keep them safe and happy,” Molly recalled. “When I realised I needed to get out, they told me I was selfish. He had me convinced for a little while that I was a bad person, and it took all my strength to snap out of that and realise that just because that was their narrative, it didn’t mean it was true.”

“Your Villain” is the first new music from Molly since she released her 5 Stages EP in 2023, but she won’t leave us waiting too long for more. I hear she’s got plenty of new music to share with us, so make sure you follow her on Instagram to learn about all the new tunes as they drop.

Image used with permission from Nettwerk Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saint Victoire Wow Me With “The Mill”

The gloomy weather we’re having has left me a bit flat. I’ve looked to new music today to wake me up but nothing was quiet scratching that itch until I discovered “The Mill,” the new single from greater Naarm/Melbourne act Saint Victoire. This energetic folk song has a bit of a Maggie Rogers, Angie McMahon vibe, so if you’re into those artists I know you’re going to love it.

“Writing ‘The Mill’ was actually quite a bizarre experience,” reflected Saint Victoire’s frontwoman Heidi Waddell. “I was having a dream that I was performing the song to a big room of people, and somewhere in the dream, I realised I was dreaming. I woke myself up and quickly wrote down everything I could remember. The way I’ve interpreted the song—because it doesn’t even feel like I really wrote it, more like it was given to me to sing—I think I must have been processing my exhaustion in my sleep, and my frustrations about this system I feel caught up in that sends me a bit crazy. So I guess it just came out to this dream audience.

“I feel the weight of the expectations we put on ourselves to constantly produce, to try and fit into a mould that society deems ‘acceptable’—and even then, we’re told our best effort isn’t enough, as if what we do is where our value lies. This song is about acknowledging all of that and saying, ‘I won’t take it all on me. Don’t take it all on you.’ Just don’t give those ideas power anymore.”

If you’re digging “The Mill” as much as I am, the good news is there’s more fresh music from Saint Victoire around the corner. They’ll release their sophomore EP I Once Loved You, Summer on August 7.

Image used with permission from Crowd Favourite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Steve Lane Gives Taste of New Album With “A Song You Can’t Write No More”

Award-winning singer-songwriter Steve Lane delivers the goods with his latest single “A Song You Can’t Write No More.” Steve Lane has long created stellar music that plays with pop,folk, and Americana sounds, but the psychedelic elements of this one are something new. The lyrics, which champion authenticity, as always hit home.

I also love the music video, which shows Steve’s nephew and emerging Naarm/Melbourne artist Darcy Shilton shaping a limestone block into a sculpture inspired by this track. It’s such a unique concept for a music video, but it’s utterly mesmerising.

“A Song You Can’t Write No More” comes from Steve’s fourth album, Where The River Meets, which will be released on October 5. He’s all play the following shows around its release:

4-5 October 2025 – Dashville Skyline Festival, Wonnarua Country/Lower Belford
11 October 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Steve Lane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover The Pleasures With “Was It Something I Said?”

Lachlan Bryan and Catherine Britt are both exceptional talents, so you know any music they’ll make together will be fantastic. Their duo The Pleasures has flown underneath my radar, but as they approach the release of their sophomore album I’m taking notice. Their latest single “Was It Something I Said?” gives an exciting taste of what’s to come. It reminds me a little of those great duets that Stevie Nicks did with Don Henley and Tom Petty, where the lyrics reveal a connection in all its perfectly imperfect glory.

“It’s a conversation of sorts,” Lachlan explained. “It’s two ex-lovers that are still trying to prove something. They’re throwing so much shade and sass each other’s way that you just know they’re meant to be together. It’s a concept many of us are familiar with”.

The Pleasures release their second album Enemy Of My Enemy on August 15. If you’ve been sleeping on this duo as I have, make sure you right that wrong and get your ears around it. Vinyl and CD pre-orders are available via The Pleasures’ website. There are more tour dates to come, but until then mark these ones in your calendar music lovers.

4 October 2025 – Deni Ute Muster, Wemba Wemba Country/Deniliquin
23 October 2025 – Brass Monkey, Dharawal Country/Cronulla
24 October 2025 – The Oaks Hotel, Dharawal Country/Albion Park
25 October 2025 – Smith’s Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
26 October 2025 – Camden Hotel, Benkennie/Camden
31 October 2025 – Full Throttle Ranch, Wonnarua Country/Buttai
1 November 2025 – The Cordial Factory, Wiradjuri Country/Grenfell
2 November 2025 – Robertson Public House, Gundungurra Country/Robertson
21 November 2025 – Young Street Tavern, Monmar/Frankston
22 November 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Benny Morrell Releases Stunning New Single, “Not Anymore”

Naarm/Melbourne based artist Benny Morrell has me swooning with his dreamy new single “Not Anymore.” Honestly I was suckered in by Benny’s voice, but the more I listened to the lyrics about a love gone wrong the deeper I fell. This is such an exciting alt-pop track that hints at some amazing things to come for Benny.

“‘Not Anymore’ is an argument with your partner being played out in real time,” he explained. “It’s not one-sided – it normally takes two to tango – but when people are arguing and when something breaks, no one really wins. So in that, the song again asks the question that many have asked, is it worth it? And how did we get here? You’re both stuck to the fighting, stuck to pretending everything is okay and doomed to repeat the cycle and in doing so, it just feels the same.”

“Not Anymore” comes from Benny’s forthcoming EP All That’s Left, which he’ll release later this year. You might hear a few more numbers from that release if you catch him supporting Kita Alexander at one of her upcoming shows. If you’re going, make sure you arrive early enough for his set!

26 July 2025 – The Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
8 August 2025 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
15 August 2025 – The Rechabite, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harrison Storm and Winona Oak Duet On “Someone Else”

Local singer-songwriter Harrison Storm has teamed up with Sweden’s Winona Oak for a beautiful new single, “Someone Else.” I’m always a sucker for an indie-folk duet, and this one hits all the right notes. Harrison cowrote this one with his friend and collaborator Brittony May, who was experiencing a breakup at the time. Winona’s ethereal vocals and production from fellow Swede Freddy Alexander took “Someone Else” to the next level.

“There is a particular kind of ache that comes from watching a friend go through a breakup,” Harrison admitted. “Sometimes it can feel like you’re on the sidelines, watching it all unfold at arm’s length, able to offer support but unable to stop what’s happening. You become a resting place for them at times, available and present while they navigate the emotional turbulence. All you can really do is become an anchor point of warmth and wait for them as the dust begins to settle.”

“Someone Else” comes from Harrison’s new album, Empty Garden, which drops on October 3. That’s not so coincidentally the day Harrison kicks off his album tour with the first of two Aussie shows before he heads to Europe and the United Kingdom.

3 October 2025 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney
4 October 2025 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
1 November 2025 – Mühle Hunziken, Rubigen
3 November 2025 – Strom, Munich
4 November 2025 – Flex, Vienna
6 November 2025 – Lido, Berlin
7 November 2025 – Mojo Club, Hamburg
8 November 2025 – Nachtleben, Frankfurt
9 November 2025 – LUXOR, Cologne
11 November 2025 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
12 November 2025 – Kavka Zappa, Antwerp
14 November 2025 – La Maroquinerie, Paris
16 November 2025 – Whelan’s, Dublin
18 November 2025 – YES, Manchester
19 November 2025 – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
21 November 2025 – Union Chapel, London
23 November 2025 – Thekla, Bristol
25 November 2025 – Nalen Klubb, Stockholm

Photo credit: Mikey Conlon

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Johnston Celebrates Little Moments of Life and Love With “Good For Me”

James Johnston is making some of the most consistently good music on the country scene today. His latest track “Good For Me” sounds like a hit from the first listen. James was inspired to write the song after reflecting on the special, simple moments he spends with his wife Talia Rose.

“It’s about the feeling of coming home to her and just doing the simple things—sitting and watching a movie, having a cup of tea,” he shared. “It’s those moments I appreciate more than ever, and I wanted to capture that joy in a song. I want people to listen to this and reflect on the person they love, to appreciate the simple things between them that makes what they have together truly special.”

James will appear at the following events in the coming months.

31 August 2025 – Gympie Music Muster @ Amamoor State Forest, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie
14 September 2025 – Night at the Parkland @ Roma Street Parkland, Meeanjin/Brisbane
3 October 2025 – Night at the Barracks @ North Head Sanctuary, Kay-ye-my Country/Manly
11 October 2025 – Savannah in the Round @ Mareeba Rodeo Arena, Muluridji Country/Mareeba

Photo credit: Josh Kelly

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lloyd & The Leftovers Impress With “Spin The Wheel”

Lloyd & The Leftovers had me at the harmonica introduction of their latest single “Spin The Wheel.” It’s one of those honest Americana-flavoured tracks that sounds like an old favourite from the first listen. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this.

“I want the song to give a sense of longing for someone and weighing up feelings for someone who lives that same life of working on the road, always being far away from home and out of service, counting the days until you can get back and lift all the weight of these feelings off your chest,” explained the band’s singer-songwriter Luke Giglia-Smith.

As someone who’s enjoyed every Lloyd & The Leftovers track I’ve heard, I’m pretty excited that their new album, also called Spin The Wheel, is just around the corner. Listen out for it when it drops on August 8. The band will celebrate its release with a launch show at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Walyalup/Fremantle on August 23.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maddison Kate Releases “More To Me” Ahead of EP Launch

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based folk singer Maddison Kate has warmed my heart with her beautiful new single “More To Me.” It’s a gentle track with a sweet melody, and heartfelt lyrics and vocals from Maddison. It’s ticking all the boxes for me.

“More To Me” comes from Maddison’s upcoming EP What I’d Say To You, which she’ll release on August 8.

When asked about the EP, Maddison said, “It’s about having the courage to let go of who you’ve been, speak your truth, and feel everything — even when it’s messy.”

Maddison will launch What I’d Say To You with a special hometown show at The Junk Bar on August 17. Tickets are on sale from Oztix now.

Photo credit: Georgia Bellini