Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angie Colman Gives Me Chills With “Alps of Victoria”

I know you’re busy. It’s Friday morning and you’ve probably got a million things to do so that you can enjoy your weekend. I get it. But take three minutes to just stop, breathe, and properly listen to “Alps of Victoria,” the sublime new single from emerging Walyalup/South Fremantle artist Angie Colman. It’s a gorgeous understated, introspective song, and I know you’re going to miss its subtle beauty if you just put it on in the background.

“It’s about getting older and being unsure. It’s a quarter-life crisis,” Angie explained. “Have I just been making stupid decisions this whole time? The pressure to be successful and positively contributing to society, and not knowing what that looks like with my life.”

“Alps of Victoria” comes from Angie’s forthcoming EP How Do I Make My Life Slow Down, which she’ll release in May.

“It’s the middle track on the EP, a tune where I’m looking at my life and reevaluating things,” she explained. “This is a song that acknowledges how I feel sometimes about where my life is headed, where my life has been. It made sense to put it on the EP because it’s about the quarter-life crisis I’ve been having.”

If this song is any indication, Angie’s EP will be really something special.

Image used with permission from Blue Grey Pink

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rhys Tolhurst Releases Beautiful New Ballad, “Lie To Make U Smile”

If you love a pop ballad with real depth, I think “Lie To Make U Smile,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Rhys Tolhurst will be right up your alley. Rhys has been sitting on this one for a while, but it’s finally out there for us all to enjoy.

“I wrote ‘Lie To Make U Smile’ three years ago about the quiet heartbreak of lying to keep the peace,” Rhys said. “It’s about that moment when you know the truth will hurt, but you say what’s needed to hold things together—at least for a little longer.”

I’ve just added “Lie To Make U Smile” to my Sounds of Oz Loves Pop playlist. If you love pop music too, make sure you’re following it!

Image used with permission from Rhys Tolhurst

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Curtain Shares Incredible Story of His Birth With “Bucket Baby”

Tom Curtain has claimed multiple Golden Guitars and earned a spot in the Tamworth Country Music Festival Hands of Fame for his authentic storytelling and dedication to his craft. He showcases his skills in his gorgeous new single “Bucket Baby,” which shares the tight-knit community that helped ease his transition into the world.

“Bucket Baby” is the fourth single lifted from Tom’s upcoming sixth studio album. He’s currently on the road, clocking up his ninth consecutive Aussie tour. He’s got just a few weeks left on his seven-month Good Life tour, which sees him sharing the stage with Laura Frank, Chris Matthews, and Nick Morrissey. Here are all the remaining dates.

4 April 2025 – Broome Horse Riders Club, Rubibi/Broome
5 April 2025 – Derby Rodeo Ground, Warrwa/Derby
12 April 2025 – Kununurra Rodeo Ground, Goonoonoorrang/Kununurra
18 April 2025 – Katherine Outback Experience, Nitmiluk/Katherine
20 April 2025 – Freds Pass Sport and Recreation Reserve, Garramilla/Darwin

Image used with permission from Tom Curtain

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daphnie Releases Latest Pop Bop, “Alive (not dead)”

Daphnie has got me buzzing with his latest single “Alive (not dead).” Daphnie mastermind Alistair Hayes cowrote and produced this poppy gem with Vera Blue bassist Ross James before giving it the final mix in his bedroom.

“This one touches on the classic burnout and being ground into the capitalist machine of constant output, driving out actual feelings and relationships,” he said. “I’m someone who has to actively pay attention to my feelings or I don’t feel them and just exist. I’d rather not be boring, and try being alive.”

“One of my fav things about writing it, was that the guitar part in chorus 2+3 is so ridiculously fast and just isn’t humanly possible, so I’m strumming as fast as I can higher on the guitar neck, while Ross also strummed at the same time but lower down. Absolutely ridiculous.”

I’ve just added “Alive (not dead) to my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. If you love pop music too, make sure you give it a follow!

Image used with permission from Alistair Hayes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brave Mistakes Release Two-Track EP, Heavy Idle

Tarntanya/Adelaide DIY band Brave Mistakes are back with a fabulous new mini EP, Heavy Idle. It features just two tracks: “Lie For My Love” and “Lines Around Colour.”

It’s a smart release which shows us a couple of different sides of this exciting act. “Lie For My Love” is a dark and brooding. It reminded me a little of early Nick Cave with its raw, post-punk intensity. “Lines Around Colour” is much lighter and more melodic. With more tenderness in Garrett R. Cooper’s vocals, it reminded me a little of a lost Roxy Music tune.

I was drawn to “Lines Around Colour” instantly, but now I’ve sat with Heavy Idle for a little while Lie For My Love has gotten under my skin. Listen to both songs on your favourite streaming platform now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Shows Her Teeth With “Bite”

There’s something so special about hearing an artist step into their power. I’ve been a long-time fan of Ama’s music, but she takes it up a few notches with the release of her latest single “Bite.” Just wait until that beat drops and you hear her unleash on this angsty tune.

This song is a bit of a different vibe for Ama. Her previous releases have seen her squarely in the pop lane, but “Bite” has much more of a rock edge. Something tells me we’re just starting to get a taste of everything this talented local artist is capable of. Follow Ama on her socials to learn more about her new music as it drops.

Image source: Ama’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Deadshowws Impress With “I Should”

Hit that volume and take a moment to rock out to “I Should,” the latest single from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast alternative-rock act Deadshowws. This is an anthemic single which takes its cues from 2000s emo music but reinterprets the sound for modern listeners. In short, it’s bloody good.

“It’s a song about battling yourself to get better,” the band explained. “It’s a short version, recounting my experience with the people I love begging me to seek help and my struggle in doing so while wallowing in a self-made pit of hopelessness.”

Deadshowws will launch the single with a string of shows around their home state this April. Here are all the dates you need music lovers:

11 April 2025 – Lass O’Gowrie, Mulubinba/Newcastle
12 April 2025 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 April 2025 – La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tune in to Mika James and Her “Nonna’s Trolley”

Mika James has stepped out from behind the drum kit of Naarm/Melbourne punk act The Vovos to launch her solo career. Her first single “Nonna’s Trolley” is a joyous folk song with a splash of punk sensibility. Just see if you can resist singing along to those “la la las”!

“’Nonna’s Trolley’ is a song that was written out of the feeling you get when you overestimate how many things you can carry when you’re walking down the street – when you have to get from A to B but everything you’re carrying is impossibly balanced across bags strung on both shoulders, jean back-pockets and two waiter-style-full hands,” Mika admitted. “You’re in a target stare of the destination but you can feel something slipping – it’s a panic laugh in a La la la. I wrote it in a time of my life where everything was a bit off-kilter and retrospectively wild, but when I looked down at all the things I was carrying, and the people who were at the A and B – I think of it as a highly special time in my life. ‘Nonna’s Trolley’ is for the people who run into door frames and make Bolognese for their friends who come over and eat it in their bath, for champagne in the shower – It’s for the laugh when everything falls out of your arms after you try to pick up what fell out of the bag over your left shoulder.”

I’m obsessed with this song and the sentiment behind it and I can’t wait to hear more from Mika.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Nethersole Releases New Queer Love Song, “Ardmona Rd”

I’ve been thoroughly charmed by “Ardmona Rd,” the latest release from local independent folk-pop act Tom Nethersole. An exploration of young queer love, it’s brimming with optimism and nostalgia. Take a listen and I know you’ll be smiling by the time the chorus kicks in.

“It’s deeply personal but also relatable, especially for queer listeners who are searching for that fairytale moment we don’t always see reflected in music,” Tom said.

Tom is definitely an artist on the rise. He’s graced the stages of Midsumma Pride Street Party, Always Live, and the Rockhampton River Festival and amassed more than 180k streams. No wonder major media outlets like Rolling Stone, JOY FM, FBi Radio, and this blog are starting to take notice.

Image used with permission from Tall Poppy MGMT

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Busby and Ben Kweller Team Up For “Waiting For Tomorrow”

For years we’ve known Tom Busby as one half of local indie-folk duo Busby Marou, but now he’s going solo. Sort of. Ahead of the release of his first solo album, Tom has dropped a fantastic new single “Waiting for Tomorrow,” which he recorded with Ben Kweller. If you know anything about Ben’s music, this song is everything you’re hoping for. I was a big Busby Marou fan, but I think this might just be the best thing Tom’s released.

“Waiting for Tomorrow” comes from Tom Busby’s new solo album Rockhampton Hangover, which we’ll hear in the middle of the year.

“This record is me at my most honest – no filter, no hiding, and ‘Waiting for Tomorrow’ sets the tone for that,” Tom said. “It’s about regret and restlessness but also about dusting yourself off and charging forward. Recording it with Ben Kweller in Texas, with my family there, made it even more real. It’s a new chapter, and I’m all in.”

Something tells me we’ll hear a lot more from Tom Busby this year as he enters this new musical chapter.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute