Aussie-born, LA-based singer-songwriter ILUKA has just dropped an irresistible new girl power anthem, “Girl On the Run.” If there was ever pop music in the Wild West, it’d probably sound something like this.
That makes sense because ILUKA wrote the song after being inspired by the photos she took with cacti on a girls’ trip through Tucson, Arizona. She completed the lyrics imagining herself and her friend as outlaw cowboys on the run. The story ended up becoming an ode to her journey from Australia to the United States.
“’Girl On The Run’ is my love story to myself,” ILUKA explained. “It’s about unapologetically forging your own path and following it ruthlessly even when it confuses or pisses off those around you. Ultimately being a ‘girl on the run’ is about becoming the heroine of your own life story, choosing to love yourself first and foremost, and continuing to say yes to the ride of life —no matter how crazy, wild, or uncertain the road seems.”
No matter what your gender, crank this one up if you need a little extra pep in your step today.
Eora/Sydney-based duo Lucky Governors have just released their second single “Cinders,” but they’re already gaining a reputation as one of the finest new acts around. Singer and guitarist Andrew Fischer and drummer David Shirley recently sold out their single launch show at LazyBones Lounge, and when you give “Cinders” a listen I’m sure you’ll understand why. Its lyrics are thoughtful and introspective and they’re supported beautifully by the stripped-back arrangement.
“’Cinders’ is about that ever-present internal wrestle we deal with in life and how we deal with the limited time we have here,” Andrew explained.
Lucky Governors are set to have a massive 2025 with more new music and live shows on the horizon. Follow them on Instagram to keep across everything that’s happening with the band.
Since returning to the music scene in Eskimo Joe, everything the Western Australian rockers have released has been gold. Their latest banger “Miracle Cure” is so exception. From a stripped-back beginning, it builds into an epic feelgood anthem.
“‘Miracle Cure’ is about the search for redemption and how only love can pull us back from the edge,” frontman Kav Temperley explained. “It’s about hope and the vulnerability that comes with trusting someone to save you. This song is about confronting our flaws and finding strength in love and hope, even if the cure were searching for might not exist. “
The music video, shot by cinematographer David Le May, features footage of the band performing at the Old Customs House in Walyalup/Fremantle and a little Australian Gothic imagery. Think Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Nosferatu.
Eskimo Joe recently played an acoustic gig at Darwin Entertainment Centre, and I hear there may be a few more of those stripped-back gigs in the works. Follow the Eskies on Facebook to hear about all their upcoming shows as they’re announced.
Ahead of the release of her new album Forest House, Kiwi singer-songwriter Jenny Mitchell has released a brand new song and revealed she’s heading Down Under. Her latest release “Heart Like a House” sounds like a love song, but Jenny says she wrote it about a different kind of connection.
“’Heart Like A House’ is inspired by how important it is to me to build a life in music that is welcoming and safe for my band and my team – which has largely been influenced by watching other artists carve their own paths that don’t necessarily fit the mainstream industry model,” she explained. “It’s also really influenced by my upbringing, in a family who have always kept welcoming and hosting as a core value.”
“Heart Like a House” comes from Jenny’s fourth album Forest House, which she’ll release in May 16. You’ve got a couple of months to learn the new songs before Jenny arrives on our shores in July.
I love when artists release songs from albums you love and remind you just how good they are. I’m always looking forward to the next thing I vibe with, so often I forget to revisit what’s revved me in the past. But “Feeling Blue” by Ziggy Alberts, lifted from his fabulous seventh studio album New Love, is back on my radar and I couldn’t be happier about it. This song is thick with wisdom. Make sure you catch every lyric, because it contains some real pearls.
“I started writing this song in June 2023 while I was in Europe on break in between tour legs,” Ziggy recalled. “I remember working on it a lot in Ericeira, Portugal, and Biarritz, France. The opening line says it all: ‘I’m not convinced in all the ways I’ve been living now.’ It’s about being really unhappy – and if you didn’t listen to the lyrics carefully, you maybe wouldn’t know, because the song is really upbeat and positive in every other aspect. That contrast really reflects where I was at the time – a paradox of emotions / in the balance of opposites. In many ways, it’s one of the most honest songs I’ve written – just calling out my thoughts and feelings as they were. I’m thankful to have come through some of the personal challenges I was facing then.”
Ziggy has just wrapped up the Aussie leg of his tour but he’s got plenty of international shows in the pipeline. If you’re living abroad, here’s where to find him.
Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter Magdalia delivers a breakup anthem for the ages with her latest single “Housewife.” Inspired by a close family member’s relationship struggles, the song explores the complex emotions that can come from a bitter breakup.
Magdalia’s incredible lyrics really resonated with me. They brilliantly take us inside the head of someone rebuilding their life on their own. These words can be cutting, vulnerable, and fierce, often all at the same time, but they’re always real.
Magdalia’s vocals also sound incredible on this number. Her rich voice has such authority; it commands you to listen and pay attention to what she’s singing, even if it hurts. I can definitely hear why people have compared her to rare talents like Florence & The Machine and Lorde.
After earning a Music Victoria Award nomination last year and playing local shows at the Paris Cat Jazz Club and The Festival of Sails, Magdalia’s showing us all that she’s one to watch. Follow her on TikTok to learn more about her music.
Cardboard Cutoutsshow they’re one of the best up-and-coming rock acts in the country with the release of their latest single “Steer.” Coming hot on the heels of “My Best Friend,” all this amazing music has got me buzzing for their debut album release in June.
“‘Steer’ is about trying to back yourself for a better life and trying to seize opportunity for growth, but having seeds of self-doubt looming over every decision,” the band explained. “It’s difficult to make big life decisions without feeling like you’re throwing parts of you down the drain and losing control of your life for a little while. ‘Steer’ aims to capture the internal monologue of the anxiety and confusion that comes with that.”
“Steer” is the latest single lifted from Cardboard Cutouts’ debut album Politics and Footy Tips, which drops on June 27.
Joe Mungovan’s latest single “Parachute” is the mid-week pick-me-up you’re looking for. With all the energy of the lovechild of Spacey Jane and the Arctic Monkeys, it’s an ultra-catchy indie-pop gem that encourages repeat listens.
“It’s about knowing a relationship is doomed from the get go, but not being able to find the evacuation button before it’s too late,” Joe explained. “You know you’re going down and there’s no cushion upon landing.”
Joe has had a massive 12 months on the road headlining two tours and supporting Caravana Sun, Subtribe, Alex Lloyd, Pete Murray, and most recently Ben Lee. Follow him on the socials to see when he announces his next batch of gigs.
Slowly Slowly frontman Ben Stewart has lent his vocals to “Kept Me Alive,” the latest track from Philadelphia-based alt-rock act Grayscale. This song is such a banger. Crank up the volume and enjoy it!
“We are all huge fans of Grayscale at Slowly HQ,” Ben said. “When they hit me up with the concept of a feature, I was immediately drawn to ‘Kept Me Alive’. It’s a timeless sentiment that has plenty of parallels to our new record. Everything came together really easy and the song rips.”
Slowly Slowly and Grayscale recently tore up stages around the country, but hopefully it won’t be too long before we welcome them back Down Under.
While many of us are dealing with chocolate hangovers, I figured it was the perfect time to introduce you to Teenage Joan’s tasty new single “Sweet and Slow.” If you love angsty female-fronted acts, this ultra-catchy pop-punk gem will be right up your alley.
“The video concept stemmed from the “Slow dancing on your rigged game show/this live audience won’t leave me alone” lyric,” explained Cahli and Tahlia. “We had this idea to do an almost SNL gone wrong type video, where we are guests on a talk show, ruining every segment with our mischief. We really wanted to lean into the 60s/70s/80s TV show aesthetic, especially reflected through the set designs and our costumes which we usually create and source with our manager, who is also super crafty.”
