End of Fashion Celebrates 20 Years With Vinyl And Shows

The first thing I did on hearing that End of Fashion are celebrating 20 years since the release of their self-titled debut album was feel old. The second was to fire it up on Spotify. And I’ve got to say, it sounds even better than I remember it.

There’s the monster single “O Yeah” of course, but all the songs around it really stand up. It makes me wonder why they weren’t all over the charts.

The album sounds good on Spotify, but no doubt the special anniversary double vinyl will sound even better. The first record features the original album remastered while the second has rare demos, B-sides, and unheard gems. It also features artwork from the archives, a never-before-released lyric sheet, and a collage of photos submitted by fans. You can preorder yours now from Universal.

“When we made this album, we never dreamed it would still mean so much to people 20 years later. That’s a real gift for us and we wanted to give something back. We put this re-issue together with a lot of love — and a lot of memories…our own and most importantly, the fans. Which is why we got them involved. This is as much theirs as it is ours. To have this out in the world again, on vinyl, with all this amazing material from the archives that we never thought would see the light of day, feels really special,” said End of Fashion frontman Justin Burford.

To celebrate the milestone, End of Fashion will head out on their first national tour in almost a decade. They’re promising to play their debut album in full plus plenty of fan favourites. You know this is going to be big, so make sure you get your tickets before they sell out.

15 August 2025 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 August 2025 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney
22 August 2025 – The Night Cat, Naarm/Melbourne
23 August 2025 – Jive, Tarntanya/Adelaide
30 August 2025 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Peter Sherlock

Saif, Samiul Haque, and THKreturns Unite For “Gangladesh”

Aussie hip hop artist Saif has teamed up with the UK’s Samiul Haque and America’s THKreturns for “Gangladesh.” This song delivers more than a fusion of cultures. There’s also a really cool fusion of sounds, with jazz influences and a soulful chorus contrasting beautifully with the rap verses. Make sure you tap into those lyrics that explore class struggles, inequality, and injustice from a global perspective.

Saif opened up on his Instagram page about what motivated him to write “Gangladesh,” noting “Growing up in Dhaka, I could never make sense of something that felt so wrong: I had clothes on my back and food on my plate, but kids who looked just like me stood barefoot on the streets, begging. As a kid, it was impossible to understand. But it stayed with me — always. That contrast, that injustice, followed me everywhere I went.

“It’s what led me to study Economics, to try to make sense of global inequality — why poverty, child labor, and exploitation still shape so much of the world. ‘Gangladesh’ is my attempt to step into someone else’s shoes, to reflect on the weight of these experiences. But it’s only my first step toward a larger purpose: a life committed to international development and meaningful change.

“I never got into music for accolades, money or fame. I turned to music when I had nowhere else to go – when life felt like a bottomless pit. Now, it’s become my channel for hope, reason and action.”

If you want to follow Saif on his musical journey, make sure you follow him on Instagram to learn more about his next moves and the global issues that inspire him.

Image used with permission from Saif

Chuck Sics Wows Me With Debut Single, “Redo”

Chuck Sics shows you don’t need a big studio or years in the business to create a fantastic song. He recorded, produced, and mixed his psychedelic-rock debut single “Redo” in his bedroom studio, but it sounds every bit as polished as a major label release.

“The song is about the aftermath of confessing love for a friend who doesn’t share those feelings, and wishing everyone could forget it happened. Wishing you could disappear, or do it over again,” Chuck said. “The shame of rejection surely drives this need to forget it ever happened, but in the song I also tried to address that the way I dealt with the rejection at that time had not been fair. So the song is also about the pitfalls of self-victimising. Wallowing in sorrow and feeling as though everyone is out to get you – you manufacture this reality to justify your attitude, when really it’s your attitude that’s the problem. It’s a pretty high school problem, and I wish I’d been mature enough to handle the situation differently.”

Chuck Sics has set the bar pretty high on his debut release, but I can’t wait to hear how he evolves as a musician.

Photo credit: Tilly Langford

Harrison Storm Releases Calming New Single, “Find A Way”

Harrison Storm is injecting a little folky goodness into your Thursday with his gorgeous new single “Find A Way.” Penned in a quiet moment during a solo cabin retreat, it’s a celebration of self-care and comfort that so many of us need.

“This song is a conversation between myself and the anxious part of me that I have been nurturing for years. The part that doesn’t feel safe in the world,” Harrison explained. “It’s a very literal song in that sense. The place I’m singing from is the calm, peaceful, and compassionate part of me that exists within, and the version of myself I’m singing to is this part that needs a lot of care and support.”

“Find A Way” gives us our first taste of Harrison’s sophomore album, which he’ll release later this year. He’ll play a couple of shows here in Australia before heading to the United Kingdom and Europe in November. Here are all the dates you need:

3 October 2025 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney
4 October 2025 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
1 November 2025 – Muhle Hunziken, Rubigen
3 November 2025 – Strom, Munich
4 November 2025 – Flex Cafe, 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

Self Talk Drop Sweet New Single, “Stuck”

If your energy levels are running low this morning, hit play on “Stuck,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne five-piece Self Talk. With its punchy guitars and upbeat energy, this indie-pop rock track is better than any caffeine hit. Sitting somewhere between The Mavis’s and Paramore, there’s a real nostalgic charm to this one.

“Stuck is a simple, unashamed love song,” Self Talk explained. “An ode to the early moments of connection and the feelings you feel when you meet someone who gets stuck in your head. We really tried to capture some of those feelings musically — I feel like I can hear the butterflies and electricity and excitement in moments like the synth flourishes, the key change, and the trumpet that comes in at the end.”

Self Talk will launch “Stuck” with a hometown show at The Tote Upstairs on June 13. With support from Sick Visors and Grass Stains, it’s bound to be a fantastic night out. Tickets are available now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from Self Talk

Hassall Impresses With “Overpopulator”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Hassall hits all the right notes with her relatable new indie-pop single, “Overpopulator.” With intricate lyrics and unpredictably addictive melodic movements, just see if you can resist playing this one a few times in a row.

The song’s music video, filmed by Willem Kingma (Bones & Jones, The Grogans), was shot in several locations around the regional Victorian town of Kolijon Country/Colac. Hassall said the clip aims to replicate the song’s over-caffeinated vibe.

“My favourite part of the day was shooting at our friend Maggie’s house,” she added. “It was a beautiful old house with feature pieces of furniture, and each room was painted a totally different colour, which made it ideal for filming.”

“Overpopulator” comes from Hassall’s debut album Means More to Me Than It Does to You, which drops on July 3. Before that she’ll support Killing Heidi on their 25 Years of Reflector shows, so if you’ve got some tickets make sure you don’t miss her set!

20 June 2025 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
21 June 2025 – Magnet House, Boorloo/Perth
26 June 2025 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 June 2025 – Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney
28 June 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Jurek Lubinski

James Johnston Releases Ode to the Past, “Back in the Day”

James Johnston tugs at the heartstrings with his nostalgic new single, “Back in the Day.” The track, which James cowrote with Morgan Evans, celebrates a simpler time when the world felt more connected, honest, and a little less crazy.

“’Back in the Day’ was written from a raw and unfiltered place!” James said. “I’ve known Morgan since I was about 10 years old and we just started chatting about that time in our lives and how things just seemed simpler. We started writing and the song came effortlessly! Putting myself back there brought back mixed feelings. On one hand there is a real joy in going back to those simpler times, but at the same time there is a sadness in missing what felt like a happier, safer world! I feel ‘Back in the Day’ really captures both of those emotions.”

James has some exciting headlining shows and appearances at leading country music festivals coming up, so make sure you catch him anywhere you can.

27 June 2025 – Country Fest@ Dittman Bull Pit, Yuwibara Country/Bloomsbury
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

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Zara Haines Releases Beautiful New Single, “Freight Train”

After wowing me with her pop-rock anthem “the blonde” and its ultra-catchy follow-up “6 Figure Trigger,” Zara Haines is showing a new side of her artistry with her latest single, “Freight Train.” While that title suggests a bold release, this is a gentle, stripped-back folk-pop song. Its acoustic sound helps me appreciate Zara’s gorgeous voice and relatable, introspective lyrics.

“I’m beyond proud to share ‘Freight Train’ with the world,” Zara said. “It tells a story close to my heart, about being overlooked and underappreciated—something I think a lot of people my age can relate to. I hope it brings others the kind of healing it brought me.”

“Freight Train” gives us our first taste of Zara’s EP, which she’ll release later this year.

Image used with permission from Alex Reid

Cordiform Drop “So What!” Ahead of East Coast Tour

If you’re struggling to get through the working week, give yourself a moment to crank up “So What!”, the latest track from Naarm/Melbourne-based emo pop-punk act Cordiform.

I don’t throw the term perfect around lightly, but this might just be the perfect pop-punk song. Its energetic intro piqued my interest, but those relatable lyrics delivered so convincingly by James Hibble assured me these guys are the real deal. Then when the intensity of those drums went up a notch to match the power of Liam Nolan’s grittier vocals in the second verse, my adoration went to another level. “So What!” is anthemic, perfect for singing along to when life gets too much.

“[So What!] was one of the first songs we started working on after we released our debut EP, Growth & Despair, in October 2023,” Liam said. “The original idea was Tim Irwin’s [drummer] really early in writing, always looking at it wondering how we would use it. It went through a lot of changes but the foundations were always linked back to the original demo. It took working with [producer Ionei] Heckenberg to really pull a chorus together that felt big enough to give the energy to the song we thought it deserved.”

Ionei also shot, directed, and edited the music video for “So What!” with Jaydon Colvin. The clip sees the band coming together with Cordi Club, their playful take on Fight Club. While it’s lighthearted, it also emphasized how even the most mundane things can become meaningful when they’re shared.

“Working with [Jayden and Ionei] was so effortless,” Liam enthused. “They really took our ideas and our lack of experience and really guided us through a massive day. They are so energetic and uptempo with their work and they really want you to walk away with the best product possible. It was something like 36c when we filmed that day and everyone was struggling under all the lights in the cramped spaces but they never showed it, even if we did.”

Cordiform are wasting no time celebrating the release of “So What!”, kicking off an epic East Coast tour supporting Chasing Ghosts tomorrow. Tickets are still available, so get on it!

6 June 2025 – The Austral, Tarntanya/Adelaide
7 June 2025 – Volta, Ballaarat/Ballarat
8 June 2025 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
13 June 2025 – Oxford Art Gallery, Eora/Sydney
14 June 2025 – Greaser Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
9 August 2025 – 2 Pizza 2 Planet Festival @ Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Tony Tailor

The Holy Rollercoasters Get “Down and Dirty” Ahead of Last Album Release

After eight years together, Meeanjin/Brisbane band the Holy Rollercoasters are calling it quits. But not before a fitting musical send-off. They’ve just released “Down and Dirty,” our first taste of their final ever album, The Last Will and Testament.

As its name suggests, this single is raw and vibrant. It’s pure funk, with big ballsy horns and a groove that just won’t quit. According to the press release, it was recorded with “all the band is the same room, one take, no fancy shit.”

The Holy Rollercoasters will release The Last Will and Testament in early August. They’re also promising one more show, so keep an eye on their socials for news about that big sendoff.

Photo credit: Rachael Baskerville