Hold onto your hats and press play on “Simulacra,” the massive title track from Naarm/Melbourne alternative rock act Bad Juju’s forthcoming EP. This track hits a lot harder than most of the music I’m into, but something about its nu-metal vibes has captured my heart. We don’t question; we just press play and bang our heads along with the beat.
“The expectation of perfection in so many aspects of life is becoming harder for the average person to keep up with,” the band explained. “Whether it’s real art vs AI, or real life vs what is posted on social media platforms – we are constantly pushing towards a faker version of the real world. This song is about pushing back against a robotic digital future, where our online self is almost a stranger to our true self and our ideas are know longer our own.”
Bad Juju’s Simulacra EP drops on October 24. You can preorder a vinyl copy now. They’ll also play Converge Festival’s two dates this month.
It’s been too long since I’ve posted some angsty female-fronted rock music. Teenage Joans always deliver that energy, and their latest single “My Heart’s Dead!” is right up there with their best. Crank this one up and sing it at the top of your lungs!
“We basically posed the question – what if Kesha made a song with Blink 182?” Teenage Joans said. “We really wanted to write a song where there are three main vocal hooks that repeat throughout the whole song and layer over each other at the end for a huge singalong that people can easily pick up at our live shows.”
Speaking of live shows, there’s a stack to come with Teenage Joans supporting Slowly Slowly all around the country before headlining their own tour. It all kicks off tonight, so be there or live with some serious regrets!
You know you’re in good hands when The VANNS release music. All That’s In My Head is album number three, a killer collection of songs which prove they’re one of the best rock bands on the local landscape.
The Yuin Nation/South Coast act recorded this one across two full-on two-week recording sessions in London and Woolyungah/Wollongong. You know what they say about pressure creating diamonds though. That concentrated effort gives this album a focus and clarity which is so compelling. It sucks you in from the opening guitar riff of the single “Accomplice” and doesn’t let go. I love the way this band produces such easy listening rock music that has such tension and intensity simmering just below the surface. Jimmy Vann’s in fine voice, rising to the occasion of the gruelling recording sessions alongside his bandmates. After 10 years together they work together like a well-oiled machine, creating fantastic music that sounds effortless.
Keep listening and you’ll soon realise this album has a lot more than the singles on offer. That slick bassline on “Golden Eyes.” Those massive chords that wake you up from the cruisy coastal rock vibes and force you to pay attention to “For God’s Sake.” The yearning dripping from Jimmy’s vocals in “In and Out.” And so it goes. There’s something special about every one of these songs, and the more you listen the more you find to appreciate.
When I tell people that The VANNS are one of the best rock acts on the scene, I still get blank stares from my contemporaries, so I’m going to say it again: The VANNS are one of the best rock acts on the scene. All That’s In My Head cements their reputation with its blend of energetic bangers and sombre, sensitive moments, all delivered with exceptional musicianship and heart.
All That’s In My Head is out now. The VANNS will take these songs on the road in the back half of the year and through to 2026, but venues are selling fast so don’t procrastinate to get your tickets.
Sometimes you hear an artist and you wonder how on earth they’ve possible escaped your attention. How are they not the biggest thing on the planet? Because they’re just that good. Kathleen Halloran, a singer-songwriter from Naarm/Melbourne, is one of those artists. With her new single “Cost of Living,” she has very quickly won my heart. It’s such an exquisite folk ballad, I’ve found myself hitting play several times for another hit. And I’ve got to shout out Ross Irwin, of the Cat Empire and the Bamboos, for that beautiful string arrangement which takes this song to the next level.
“It’s a soaring, soul-baring track that dives deep into the creative life — the highs, lows, doubt, and beauty of following your own artistic path,” Kathleen explained. “It’s deeply personal, but universal for anyone walking an unconventional road.”
Kathleen has some exciting shows coming up, so make sure you see her play anywhere you can:
I wrote this post a week ago, as rain bucketed down in Darkinjung Country/the Central Coast. But I queued it up to post as I arrive in Japan. As I trade their summer for the last dregs of our winter, it seemed like the right time to share “Paradise,” the summery new single from Salt Tree. If you’re not lucky enough to have a trip on horizon, close your eyes and I swear this track will get you there for a few minutes.
“The song is about imagining a life you could build with someone in a new place,” the band said. “It’s about choosing to stay, to commit, and to create something real together. ‘Paradise’ is wherever you choose it to be, wherever you feel accepted, loved, have purpose, and feel at home.”
“Paradise” comes from Salt Tree’s new EP Adrift, which drops on October 24.
“Adrift is a collection of songs about the moments in life when you feel unanchored; between places, between relationships, between versions of yourself,” Salt Tree explained. “Each track explores a different kind of drifting – from the lows of mental struggle to the excitement of new love, from the sadness of letting go to the hope of being a better person. It’s about learning to trust that even when you’re unmoored, you’re still moving toward something real.”
Salt Tree are currently touring Europe, but they’ll be back here to celebrate the release of Adrift before you know it. Here are all the places you can catch their folky goodness in the coming months.
I listened to “Meet in Love,” the debut single from Yuin singer-songwriter KYARNA, a bit like a blind audition from The Voice. I received it as a wav file, so I had nothing but her striking voice and incredible lyrics to go on. It floored me. I would have quickly turned my chair.
Then I opened up the press release and was floored again. She was so much younger than I anticipated. Her voice is so mature and her lyrics wise beyond her years. I’m sure she’s been here before.
Make sure you stop and listen to the lyrics of “Meet in Love.” KYARNA wrote the single a few years ago about knowing the timing isn’t right with someone, but hoping it might be later down the track. The song’s taken on a deeper meaning now as the person KYARNA sings about passed away earlier this year. That’s helped the song evolve into a tribute to a love story that will never get its happy ending.
While “Meet in Love” is KYARNA’s first single, she’s no newcomer to music. She’s shared stages with Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daley and supported the late, great, Uncle Archie Roach. She’s also been hand-selected to support Liz Stringer at the following Aussie shows later this year. Tickets are available through the links.
I really am a sucker for harmonies. If your voices blend beautifully, you’re halfway towards winning me over. So I’m head over heels for “Genevieve,” the latest track from The Inadequates who show with this release that they are anything but.
With the lush harmonies and intricate guitars, it reminds me a little of something Taxiride might have included on one of their albums back in the day. It’s easy to get swept up in the romance of the sound, but tap into the lyrics and you’ll soon realise it’s a bittersweet breakup song.
“Genevieve” comes from The Inadequates’ debut album Haven’t You Heard, which drops on August 28. They’ll support its release with the following shows:
I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy listening to new material from John Butler. His latest single “King of California” celebrates his 25-year partnership with his wife, muse, and regular collaborator Mama Kin. If you love love, I know you’ll fall for this one as hard as me.
“My partner and I have been on a pretty big ride together, constantly evolving and working out what it means to be life partners,” he said. “With every new phase of living comes a new season of self-reflection and reassessment. We’re here to ground and uplift each other, never to minimise or restrict.”
“King of California” comes from John’s new studio album PRISM, which drops on September 5. You can preorder the vinyl, CD, or merch bundles now. He’ll play shows all around the country, across the ditch, and in the UK and Europe to support its release. Tickets are selling fast though, so get on it!
Smooth as butter, BOY SODA is coming at you with his latest single “4K,” which features the talents of Dean Brady and Siala. This song has got such a cool groove and soulful vocal runs from the awesome artists involved.
“We made ‘4K’ when everyone was staying at our spot and it’s such an honour to be friends with artists who are so incredible, vocally and artistically,” BOY SODA enthused. “Dean and Siala in their own right are prolific artists so it feels like a really important contribution to the soul/R&B scene we’re trying to build here in Australia. We spend a lot of time together making music and just sharing space when either of them fly in, so it’s really amazing to have a song like ‘4K’ that speaks to our collective taste and love for embedding our souls in our music.”
“4K” comes from BOY SODA’s highly anticipated debut album SOULSTAR, which we’ll hear on October 3. You can pre-order or pre-save it now. He’ll also play a couple of launch shows to support its release.
I’m a sucker for a good folk duo, so I’ve fallen pretty quickly for Ocie Elliott, who are making their way to Australia this summer. They’re far from a household name here, but in their native Canada they’ve been nominated for JUNO Awards and earned widespread acclaim for their studio albums We Fall In and In That Room. They’ve toured extensively through North America and Europe, and they’re excited to make a return visit to our shores.
“Australia, after nearly three years away, we finally get to return!” they gushed. “We are more than excited to perform in your beautiful country again and enjoy your delicious coffee, beaches and açai bowls. And of course, to be back in the same space as all of you. See you in summer 2026.“
Since they haven’t blown up here, we get to see them at intimate venues which are honestly perfect for their gentle folk music. Prepare to be entranced when Ocie Elliott grace local stages next year.
