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.
Mondays are never easy, but soundtracking mine with “Know It All,” the latest single from Joe Mungovan, has put a little pep in my step. This relatable song is such a vibe, so don’t waste any time before hitting play.
“This song is for anyone who has ever had to deal with a Know It All… fuck, maybe I’ve even been that guy,” Joe admitted.
Joe is about to head around the East Coast supporting his good mates and Sounds of Oz favourites The VANNS, so you know that’s going to be a good time. These shows were sold out, but The VANNS just added a few more tickets so get them while you can!
31 July 2025 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney 1 August 2025 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 2 August 2025 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane 7 August 2025 – Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine, Wodi Wodi Country/Tarrawanna (SOLD OUT)
After showcasing a more stripped-back sound with “Freight Train,”Zara Haines is back with a new upbeat single called “It’s Chemical.” This track is everything you want in a pop song, from Zara’s killer vocals to its ultra-catchy melody.
“It’s been my favourite song to record so far,” Zara enthused. “This track marks a new chapter for me creatively. It’s playful, personal, and taps into that moment in your 20s when you stop taking everything so seriously, and just let life happen.”
“It’s Chemical” comes from Zara’s debut EP, Bad Decisions, which we’ll hear later this year.
Piper Butcher perfectly encapsulates the ups and downs of relationships with her latest single “Hard Love.” This total bop blurs the boundaries between country, pop, and folk. Piper sounds amazing on it and the lyrics are first-rate. The track was produced by Andy Mak, known for his work with local artists like Morgan Evans, Vera Blue, and Kita Alexander.
“Working with Andy on the production of this song really made me confident in a studio sense: creating my own guitar parts and collaborating on harmony lines that really brand my own sonic,” Piper enthused. “I love discovering new parts of my voice, while still harnessing the belting notes that I’m known for. There’s beauty in the soft and gentle, and that’s really what I’m learning right now.”
Piper has a massive few months ahead. She’ll head to Nashville for the first time to get creative with local songwriters, support fellow Aussie Brad Cox in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and still have time for some local gigs. If she’s playing near you, make sure you get out and support her.
Minor Gold, the award-winning collaboration of Aussie Dan Parsons and Canada’s Tracy McNeil, have won my heart with their beautiful new Americana single “Leave a Light On.” It caught my interest early with Dan’s relaxed vocals, but when Tracy joined him on the second verse I was powerless to resist its pull.
If you love this, you won’t be waiting too long to hear more. Minor Gold will release their sophomore album Way to the Sun on July 25. You can preorder a vinyl or CD copy online now.They’ve also got big touring plans including a stack of Aussie shows, so get on to those!
Nathan Lamont is showing us why there’s so much buzz about his music with the release of “What Comes After.” It’s more vulnerable and tender than the music Nathan’s released in the past. While I love his bops, I’m really resonating with this more emotional material.
“This song was born out of real-life experiences, both ours and those around us. For me personally, it’s deeply tied to moments in my relationship with my wife, moments where we stood right on the edge of walking away,” Nathan said. “It’s about choosing to fight for love when it would be easier to give up. It’s about pushing past the pride, digging into the memories of how it all began, and holding onto the belief that the story isn’t over yet.”
Nathan, who is a proud Wiradjuri man, recently became the first ever First Nations recipient of the CMAA Sister Cities Nashville Exchange. The opportunity will see him connecting with world-renowned producers, songwriters, and industry leaders in the USA’s country music capital. He’s also got a busy couple of months on local soil with the following shows:
If you’ve ever listened to your inner saboteur for a little too long, Felicity’s new single “I’ll Have What She’s Having” will resonate with you. The subject matter gets a little dark, but it’s balanced beautifully with Felicity’s upbeat indie-pop sound.
Boorloo/Perth-born but Nashville-based, Felicity co-wrote ‘I’ll Have What He’s Having” with Asia Whiteacre, who’s penned songs for Louis Tomlinson and Hailee Steinfeld, and producer Dan Pallarin.
“Asia, Dan and I had a hell of a good time writing this song. Dan is such a talented guy and everything he was playing on piano sparked a hundred fun pop melodies. Quickly the song started to take shape,” Felicity recalled. “We wrote it to be a love song on the surface but beneath that it’s more about the feeling of being jealous of those who have a healthier, kinder self-image than I seem to have. The main chorus lyric is ‘I’ll have what he’s having, what’s it like to be nice to yourself? I’m just mean, dammit’ and that’s a good synopsis for me as a person but also the song as a whole.”
“I’ll Have What He’s Having” comes from Felicity’s upcoming EP 4PM in the Morning, which she’ll release on August 1.
Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Jad Pinnone has floored me with his latest single “Siren of the Rock.” With its easy marriage of guitar and vocals that effortlessly flow between an angelic falsetto and gritty lower register, this song reminds me of the music of Jeff Buckley and Matt Corby. However, there’s an original spark here that helps Jad stand out on his own merits.
Jad was inspired to write this song after hearing the Māori story of Pania of the Reef, a tragic tale of an ill-fated romance between a siren and a human.
“The song’s protagonist has a complicated relationship with a beautiful, alluring being and calls out to see if she would come back to him,” Jad explained. “The circumstances that are in place keep the protagonist and the siren from frequenting each other. The characters are deeply in love but ultimately can’t be together.”
“Siren of the Rock” comes from Jad’s debut album Isteria, which we’ll hear later this year.
“Got My Love” is a star-studded collaboration from Mister Co., Ambraya, Ivanka Fernando, Judular, and the HALO Vocal Ensemble. With its elements of soul, funk, and gospel, I know it’s going to give you goosebumps.
“This song is a love letter – not just to each other, but to the voices, the communities, and the spaces in Melbourne that have shaped us,” said Mister Co., who wrote “Got My Love” with Ambraya. “Collaborating with Ambraya and HALO brought a sacred energy to the track. It felt like we were honouring something bigger than ourselves.”
“Got My Love” is the latest track from Mister Co.’s upcoming Homegrown EP, which features a whole range of new collaborations with local artists that highlight the depth of talent in Naarm/Melbourne. Mister Co. will mark its release with a massive launch with Ambraya and other featured artists at The Corner Hotel in Quo-yung/Richmond on August 30.
The VANNS are one of my favourite modern Aussie acts. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to wrap my ears around their latest single “Accomplice,” but I’m making up for lost time today. It’s fresh rock cut that’s instantly accessible but just a little better with each and every listen.
“‘Accomplice’ is about having the complete support of somebody in life no matter what you’re going through or maybe even putting yourself through,” the band explained. “It’s a hopeful love song dressed up as a quasi-crime story, and vice versa.”
“Accomplice” comes from The VANNS’ third album All That’s In My Head, which is scheduled for release on August 1. Their album launch shows have all sold out, but you can still catch them at Wanderer Festival at Pambula Beach on October 5.
