Daphnie Releases New Alt-Pop Banger, “28”

After having a not-so-minor age freakout before celebrating my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I’m relating hard to Daphnie’s latest single “28.” Daphnie cowrote this one with comedian Thomas Bleach to encapsulate all of the messy mixed feelings and nostalgia that can come as the years pass.

“People often talk about growing up referring to childhood, but in reality we don’t stop growing and changing, and the older you get the more confusing and weird it becomes.” Daphnie explained. “Something I didn’t realise could happen is having all the trademark signs of aging, being ‘2000 and late’ for listening to the Black Eyed Peas, not seeing friends or doing fun things as much; while also somehow not having your life together. I don’t wanna blink and miss it all, but it feels dangerously easy to.”
This track’s had a long gestation, but I’m so glad it’s out in the world when I needed to hear it most. Even if 28 seems pretty young from where I sit!

“The initial idea came together super quickly as we were getting nostalgic with the 2000s, but then we struggled along with the smaller details for nine months,” Daphnie admitted. “We easily wrote seven different pre’s, and churned through literally hundreds of (often awful) ideas for the chorus tag line. I feel like we really had to get through all the ‘clever’ ‘quirky’ ideas for it to realise all we wanted to say was ‘we’re too young to possibly be 28’.”

“28” comes from Daphnie’s EP which we’ll hear later this year.

Photo credit: Maya Luana

Jeremy Beggs Keeps It Real With “Mess I’m In”

Victorian alt-country act Jeremy Beggs has gotten me pretty excited for his debut album with the release of his latest single “Mess I’m In.” It’s not one of those buzzy singles. I can almost guarantee you won’t hear it on radio, but it’s fantastic. If you care more about lyrics and organic instrumentation than big production and beats, I know you’ll love it too.

“‘Mess I’m In’ is about that moment when you realise that, despite how clever you thought you were, how good you were at hiding it, and how long you thought you could keep ignoring it, everyone can already see what’s going on,” Jeremy admitted. “Whether it’s relationships, challenges at work, or life in general, sometimes you discover that people saw it before you were ready to admit it yourself. And then comes that quiet but powerful moment of acceptance — oh well, I don’t have to pretend anymore. You’ve seen what’s going on and you’re still here, prepared to sit with me, understand, and walk the path forward together. Strap in, because it’s going to get a little wild.”

Jeremy’s debut album The Long Road will drop on May 14. He’s announced a string of shows around his home state to support its release, so get on to them!

8 May 2026 – Tanswell’s Hotel, Baarmutha/Beechworth (FREE)
22 May 2026 – The Painted Lady 1862, Ballaarat/Ballarat (FREE)
23 May 2026 – Wesley Anne, Naarm/Melbourne
30 May 2026 – Door Gallery Cafe, Djilang/Geelong
6 June 2026 – Cosmopolitan Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Trentham (FREE)

Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity

Rock Out to Toy Saints’ New Single “You Would Know”

Emerging Eora/Sydney act Toy Saints are taking me right back to the ‘90s with their latest single “You Would Know.” It’s a grungy rock effort which manages to feel nostalgic, yet totally fresh. I love its youthful energy and lack of artifice. You can imagine it’d sound just the same live as it does on the record.

On an Instagram post announcing the release of “You Would Know,” Toy Saints declared that “This is just the beginning.” Give them a follow to learn all about what comes next from this exciting indie-rock act.

Image used with permission from Golden Robot Records

Elestial Drop Awesome New Single, “Guinness”

It’s Friday and we’re all ready to slip into weekend mode, so it’s the perfect time to share Elestial’s brand new single “Guinness.” Fresh on your streaming services today, this is a cracking track from the independent four-piece from Mulubinba/Newcastle.

“Guiness” explores themes of infatuation brought to life through Elyssa Hawkins’ compelling vocals. I can just imagine belting out this one with mates at a pub after a few too many pints.

Elestial will launch “Guinness” this Sunday, April 26, at Dissent Café and Bar in Ngambri/Canberra. Tickets are on sale now through Humanitix.

Image used with permission from Elestial

Any Young Mechanic Impress With “Pretty Strange World”

Tarntanya/Adelaide-based five-piece Any Young Mechanic have blown my mind with their latest single “Pretty Strange World.” It’s a gorgeous slice of contemporary folk, so unique with its quirky time signature and eclectic mix of instruments. I am hooked.

Drummer Jay Eliot Mee calls the song “Our little adventure into math – the topsy-turvy rhythmic approach is both incredibly fun plus a neat camouflage for Sam’s [Wilson – vocalist and guitarist] lyrical introspection.”

“Pretty Strange World” comes from Any Young Mechanic’s debut album The Modern Shoe is Ruining the Foot, which drops on June 5. Any Young Mechanic have some exciting shows in the United States and United Kingdom ahead, but hopefully we’ll see them back Down Under really soon. If you’re abroad, here are all the places you can catch them.

1 May 2026 – The Moroccan Lounge, Los Angeles
9 May 2026 – Mercury Lounge, New York City
21 May 2026 – St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington (with Sarah Blasko and Slow Leaves)
31 May 2026 – The Shacklewell Arms, London (FREE – with Ringlets and Leao)
2 June 2026 – Elephant’s Head, Camden (FREE)

Photo credit: Nash Blight

Morgan Joanel Makes Remarkable Return With “Undone”

Against all odds, Morgan Joanel is back making music and sounding better than ever. The recent release of “Undone” marks an exciting new chapter for the Western Australian powerhouse.

Longtime readers might remember me raving about Morgan’s music back in 2020. While she seemed to disappear from view, she was actually rehabilitating after a devastating car accident in 2021. She was lucky to survive the impact when the Uber she was travelling in was hit by another car at 144 km/h. It left her confined to a wheelchair, with a bleed on the brain and 13 broken bones. She was told that she may never walk again, and certainly wouldn’t perform on stage. But Morgan wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Undone” is the perfect comeback song, rebellious and raw.

“’Undone’ is about the masks we wear, the dance between seduction and threat,” Morgan explained. “The first time I ever played it was on stage was opening for Anne-Marie, so it had a big bang of a first performance! Of all my songs, ‘Undone’ has had the longest road from writing it to a recorded release. But I think that’s the point. I wasn’t ready to release it until I could stand inside it properly and from a place of power. Now I can.”

The release of “Undone” coincides with Morgan’s shows around the country supporting British superstar Newton Faulkner. Now halfway through the tour, I hear that she’s killing it. But don’t just take my word for it. If you’re attending one of the remaining shows, make sure you arrive early enough for Morgan’s set:

21 April 2026 – Rosemount Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
22 April 2026 – Jive Bar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
24 April 2026 – The Northern, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
25 April 2026 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
26 April 2026 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Priceless Media

Wade Forster Plays Texan Shows for “Strange” Single Release

After winning a pair of Golden Guitars, Australian country sensation Wade Forster has set his sights on winning over America. He’s currently playing shows in regional Texas to celebrate the release of his new single “Strange.”

“Strange” epitomises the sound of modern country. The vocals are honest and emotional and the blend of country and rock is totally infectious. The music video features Wade entertaining an audience at Mulubinba/Newcastle hotspot, the Stag and Hunter Hotel.

Wade sold out shows across Texas’ major cities last year, so now he’s turned his attention to regional areas. Given his reception in 2025, Texan music lovers should jump on the remaining tickets if they want to see Wade while he’s Stateside. He’ll return home in May to play Yaegle Country/Yamba as part of Great Southern Nights.

24 April 2026 – Larry Joe Taylor Festival @ Melody Mountain Ranch, Stephenville
25 April 2026 – The Backyard at The Lumberyard, Canyon
26 April 2026 – Texas SmokeOut @ AT&T Stadium, Arlington
30 April 2026 – Brewster Street Icehouse, Corpus Christi
1 May 2026 – Backyard Waco, Waco
2 May 2026 – Tall City Music Fest @ Centennial Park, Midland
16 May 2026 – Great Southern Nights @ Yamba Bowling Club, Yaegle Country/Yamba

Photo credit: Gavin Bain

Brave Mistakes Release Long-Awaited Single, “Accident Prone”

After a super-long gestation, Tarntanya/Adelaide-based rock act Brave Mistakes have just dropped their latest single “Accident Prone.” You know what they say about good things coming to those who wait though, right?

While this brooding rock track is Brave Mistakes’ most recent release, it’s actually the first song they recorded as a band, way back in October 2024. The following October, Don Bartley mastered “Accident Prone” at Benchmark Mastering. Now in 2026, fans can finally access this live favourite on all streaming platforms. It comes complete with a music video filmed at popular hometown venue, The Mill.

It’s interesting to hear “Accident Prone” now, after appreciating Brave Mistakes’ EPs Heavy Idle and Some Good Songs … Done Badly. It laid the foundation for those releases, with its dark sound and intensity. Whether you’re new to Brave Mistakes’ music or you simply want to get to know this band better, give “Accident Prone” a listen.

SF Wrens Release Bold New Single, “The Finish Line”

When so much music in the world sounds a little samey, it’s exciting to hear something totally fresh. Thank god for bands like Mulubinba/Newcastle collective SF Wrens who are really shaking things up with their latest single “The Finish Line.” From the bold horn intro, you know this is something outside the box. Then the rapping kicks in! SF Wrens manage to pack so many twists into a little over four minutes, it’s blown my mind. The fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and funk is fearless, dynamic, and utterly unforgettable.

“Our process changes from song to song, generally driven from lyrical ideas brought to the band by Duncan Woods [SF Wrens’ vocalist and guitarist], then sculpted in the rehearsal studio and taken to the stage when it’s very undercooked. It’s there that the musical ideas take their final shape which is always terrifying but pretty exciting,” SF Wrens explained. “In the case of ‘The Finish Line’, Duncan freestyled the verses for nearly a year before they were set in stone, musical interludes came and went until we settled on the final arrangement we recorded.”

When bands release music so bold and genre-bending, I always wonder what they’ll deliver live. Music lovers in their hometown can find out when SF Wrens play a free show to launch “The Finish Line” at The Oak on May 8.

Photo credit: Sophie Metcalfe

Kyla-Belle and Nooky Collaborate on “Took a Turn”

Seventeen-year-old Gomeroi country singer-songwriter Kyla-Belle has teamed up with acclaimed Indigenous hip-hop artist Nooky for a surprising new single, “Took a Turn.” Their genres aren’t natural bedfellows, but this song really works! I love to hear artists taking risks, especially so early in their careers.

“This song tells the story of my life and how things always take a turn for the better,” Kyla shared. “It talks about hardships, then overcoming them through music. I wrote this song just like I write all my music, on my bedroom floor, aiming for a song that sticks to your brain.”

We’ll be hearing a lot more from Kyla-Belle this year. Look out for her debut EP when it drops this June. She’ll also play Savannah in the Round in Muluridji Country/Mareeba this October.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity