Ella Hooper Embraces New Sounds With “I Got Eyes (On You)”

Ella Hooper is really leaning into Americana sounds with her latest single, “I Got Eyes (On You).” This foot-stomping anthem of empowerment combines classic country vibes with a little Zydeco and Cajun flair.

“I Got Eyes (On You) is the next step in sharing this new era. I’m pushing the boundaries of what Americana means to me … including more of the diverse flavours I love like the Cajun and Zydeco elements here,” Ella explained. “From the crazy playing on it, to the production, to the cheeky lyrics – I’m really proud of it”

There’s some serious star power behind this one. Ella co-wrote the song with East Nashville lyricist Melody Walker, who has songwriting credits on many songs Ella loves including “Dollar Bill Bar” and “American Dreaming.” The studio band features Nashville greats like Sheryl Crow’s drummer Fred Eltringham, guitarist Tom “Uncle Larry” Bukovac, Willie Nelson’s bassist Rachel Loy, Dan Dugmore who played pedal steel guitar for James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. And that Zydeco squeezebox you hear? That comes from Australia’s own Flora Smith, Slim Dusty’s granddaughter-in-law.

“I’ve wanted to record in Nashville since I was a kid reading my parents’ record liner notes, seeing the city’s name pop up again and again,” Ella gushed. “Seems like every great singer-songwriter from Dylan to CMAT has their Nashville record, and I felt ready for mine. Being there so much these last few years, I feel plugged into a community — especially in East Nashville — that feels like a perfect chrysalis for my musical evolution.”

While Ella enjoyed her time in the States, she’s making the most of being home with plenty of headlining shows, festival appearances, and dates supporting The Waterboys in the coming months. Tickets are on sale via the links below:

20 March 2026 – Yackandandah Folk Festival, Dhudhuroa Country/Yackandandah
28 March 2026 – TBA, Marapikurrinya/Port Hedland (SOLD OUT)
1 May 2026 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Biripi Country/Taree
2 May 2026 – Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach
3 May 2026 – Dangar Island Bowlo, Guringai Country/Dangar Island
9 May 2026 – Portland Arts Centre, Pulumbete/Portland
11 May 2026 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth (supporting The Waterboys)
12 May 2026 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth (SOLD OUT – supporting The Waterboys)
14 May 2026 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting The Waterboys)
15 May 2026 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT – supporting The Waterboys)
16 May 2026 – Palais Theatre, Euro-Yroke/St Kilda (supporting The Waterboys)
18 May 2026 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting The Waterboys)
20 May 2026 – Meow Nui, Wellington (supporting The Waterboys)
21 May 2026 – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland (supporting The Waterboys)
23 May 2026 – Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch (supporting The Waterboys)
29 May 2026 – Murray Delta Juke Joint, Ngarrindjeri Country/Goolwa
30 May 2026 – Greg Cooley Wines, Ngadjuri Country/Clare
31 May 2026 – Trinity Sessions, Kaurna Country/Clarence Park

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

The Superjesus Celebrate 25 Years of Jet Age With Aussie Tour

Sometimes you just need a little reminder of how good an album is. When sorting through my emails, my first thought when I saw news of Jet Age’s 25th anniversary was “Fuck off.” Twenty-five years; are you kidding me? My next thought was, “Let’s give it a listen.” Age hasn’t wearied this Superjesus album friends. There are the hits like “Over You” and “Gravity” of course, but really every track is a gem.

“We felt so much pressure going in to make Jet Age because of the success of Sumo and the departure of our founding member, guitarist Chris Tennent,” frontwoman Sarah McLeod recalled. “We needed to prove to ourselves that we could stand on our own two feet without him. As he was my writing partner I was terrified the magic pathway to creativity would be broken, but it was not broken at all, it was actually strengthened by fresh collaborations with new guitarist Tim Henwood.”

Trust me, fire up your favourite streaming platform and revisit this one to pump yourself up for Superjesus’ anniversary tour happening in the middle of the year.

“Playing for this tour feels like plugging straight into history,” said Superjesus drummer Ben Todd. “These songs still hit hard, and bringing Jet Age back to life night after night is going to be an absolute blast. We have the chance to honour a record that shaped so much of what the band is, while feeling how alive these songs still are after 25 years. See you on the road!”

The Art and The After will join the Superjesus for these special Jet Age anniversary gigs. Tickets are on sale now for all shows.

5 June 2026 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
6 June 2026 – Coolangatta Hotel, Dangan Bullen/Gold Coast
12 June 2026 – The Prince Bandroom, Euro-Yroke/St Kilda
13 June 2026 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
18 June 2026 – The River, Wooditjup/Margaret River
19 June 2026 – Freo Social, Walyalup/Fremantle
20 June 2026 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
26 June 2026 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Darkinjung Country/Bateau Bay
27 June 2026 – The Factory Theatre, Bulanaming/Marrickville

Photo credit: Andrew Treadwell

From The Jam Announce Aussie Return

The Jam’s original bassist Bruce Foxton is keeping the cult British band’s music alive through his outfit From The Jam. And the band’s making its way Down Under for some big shows this July.

From The Jam features founding member and frontman Russell Hastings, who has played with Bruce since 2006. Mike Randon rounds out the trio who promise to deliver all The Jam’s biggest hits including “Town Called Malice” and “Going Underground.”

Find out why From The Jam routinely perform to sell-out crowds around the world when they hit Australia this winter. Tickets are on sale now.

1 July 2026 – The Astor, Boorloo/Perth
2 July 2026 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
4 July 2026 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
5 July 2026 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
7 July 2026 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from beehive

Laura Frank Kicks Off Busy 2026 With “God Knows I Know” Release

A rising talent with a voice that belies her years, Laura Frank has knocked it out of the park with her latest single “God Knows I Know.” This uplifting country-pop anthem is the perfect showcase for her honest, compelling vocals. The song’s all about pushing forward, which is exactly what she’ll be doing this year. Laura created “God Knows I Know” with her partner and long-time collaborator Nick Morrissey.

“’God Knows I Know’ came together in a really honest season for us. We’d been touring heavily through regional Australia, living in close quarters, juggling music, family and everything in between,” she said. “The song started as a conversation — the kind you have late at night when you’re tired but thinking clearly. We wrote it simply, just the two of us, chasing the feeling rather than trying to be clever. When we took it into the studio, the goal was to protect that rawness. We built the production around the vocal rather than the other way around. If something felt like it was distracting from the lyric, it went. There wasn’t a big dramatic moment in the making of it — it was steady, intentional and collaborative. Everyone who played on it understood that restraint was important. The process felt grounded. No overthinking, no chasing trends — just serving the song and letting the emotion lead.”

“God Knows I Know” is the first of many Laura Frank singles we’ll hear this year leading up to the release of her new album in October. She’s currently in the middle of a 60-date tour across the country with Tom Curtain. Here are all the remaining dates:

13 March 2026 – Dandenong Ranges Pony Club, Bunurong Country/Mornington
14 March 2026 – Meeniyan Pony Club, Brataualung Country/Stony Creek
15 March 2026 – Sale Polocrosse Club, Wayput/Sale
20 March 2026 – Mansfield Showground, Beolite/Mansfield
21 March 2026 – Ballan Racecourse & Recreation Reserve, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Country/Ballan
22 March 2026 – Pony Club @ Barwon Heads Village Park, Koornoo/Barwon Heads
27 March 2026 – Colac Showgrounds, Kolakngat Country/Colac
28 March 2026 – Coleraine Showgrounds, Konongwootong Country/Coleraine
29 March 2026 – South East Field Days, Meintangk Country/Lucindale
3 April 2026 – Murray Bridge Riding Club, Pomberuk/Murray Bridge
4 April 2026 – Burra Burra Show, Ngadjuri Country/Burra
5 April 2026 – Melrose Showgrounds, Nukunu Country/Melrose
10 April 2026 – Kadina Showground, Narungga Country/Kadina
11 April 2026 – Waikerie, Weikari/Waikerie
12 April 2026 – Wasleys Oval, Kaurna Country/Wasleys

Image used with permission from beehive

Sara Storer, Shane Howard, and Shane Nicholson Team Up For May Tour

If you respect incredible songwriting as much as I do, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to see three of Australia’s finest songwriters – Sara Storer, Shane Howard, and Shane Nicholson – for some very special shows later this year. Dubbed the For the Sake of the Song tour, these intimate events will celebrate the craft, power, and legacy of Australian songwriting.

The songs from these three artists will be front and centre, but they’ll also be joined by an all-star band who will help bring their music to life. Expect unforgettable nights of storytelling, musicianship, and authentic songs that speak to the heart of the Australian experience in some of the best and most intimate venues in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Victoria. Tickets are on sale now for these shows:

12 May 2026 – The Street Theatre, Ngambri/Canberra
13 May 2026 – The Concourse Lounge, Cammeraygal Country/Chatswood
14 May 2026 – Memo Music Hall, Euro Yuroke/St Kilda
15 May 2026 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
16 May 2026 – Queenscliff Town Hall, Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Country/Queenscliff
17 May 2026 – Archies Creek Hall, Bunurong Country/Archies Creek

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Marlon Williams Announces Touring Break Ahead of Aussie Shows

After 20 years in the business, Marlon Williams is stepping away from the stage. But before he begins his extended break from touring, he’ll perform a run of Aussie shows with his band The Yarra Benders next month. All shows excluding Walyalup/Fremantle will feature accompaniment by kapa haka group Ngā Mātai Pūrua.

Marlon explained to fans, “I’m gonna take some time away for a bit. Probably not ages in the scheme of things, but it’s time to take some time! I’ve been extraordinarily lucky in that my vocational life has always cleaved very closely to my personal aspirations; I’ve always been able to “live my calling”, as it were. For nearly 20 years I’ve explored both the physical and musical world in the company of incredible musicians, songwriters and friends and it’s been an absolute pleasure. The catch with it is that because it’s such a blessing to do what you love, it can be easy to overlook the toll it can take over time, on body and soul.

“The concept of rāhui is central to te Ao Māori and is indeed familiar to most New Zealanders. As Te Aka, the online Māori dictionary defines it, “to put in place a temporary ritual prohibition, closed season, ban, reserve”. Rāhui can be placed by mana whenua on a specific location out of respect of a tragic death in the area rendering it tapu, and they are also put in place in the pure interests of conservation; the idea that resources can be overtapped, and periods of restriction and recovery are essential to the continued wellbeing of those resources. It was this meaning that helped crystallise my thinking about my own personal case; I want to continue doing what I love for as long as possible, and this is the way to do it.”

Speaking of Marlon’s Kiwi roots, if you haven’t listened to his 2025 album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, which he recorded entirely in te reo Maori, get onto it. Te reo Maori is one of the most beautiful languages on the planet, and the music on this album showcases it so beautifully.

Given Marlon’s decision to take a touring hiatus, these shows are likely to have some extra emotion behind them. Get your tickets now, because who knows when you’ll next get the opportunity to see this extraordinary talent live.

5 March 2026 – Taronga Zoo, Eora/Sydney (with Kee’ahn)
6 March 2026 – Royal Botanic Gardens, Naarm/Melbourne (with Emma Donovan and Kee’ahn)
7 March 2026 – Golden Plains Festival, Wadawurrung Country/Meredith (SOLD OUT)
9 March 2026 – Womadelaide, Tarntanya/Adelaide
20 March 2026 – Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre, Walyalup/Fremantle (SOLD OUT – with Anna Schneider)
22 March 2026 – QPAC Presents On The Banks Series, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Sarah Blasko)

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Anna Dine Releases Sassy Sophomore Single “anymore” Ahead of Co-Headlining Tour

If you’re feeling that midweek slump, allow Anna Dine’s poppy new single “anymore” put a little pep in your step. The follow-up to her smashing debut “kind 2 me,” this is feelgood music at its finest, with sparkling synths, vibrant vocals, and alt-rock guitars for a hint of edge. The contemporary lyrics, which celebrate the power of online blocking and setting your own boundaries, are also fantastic.

To celebrate the release of “anymore,” Anna Dine will head off on her first tour tomorrow. She’ll coheadline most shows with Cate Guirguis, except for her solo show at Towradgi Beach Hotel.

19 February 2026 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle (FREE)
28 March 2026 – The Loft, Eora/Sydney (ALL AGES)
10 April 2026 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Dharawal Country/Wollongong (FREE)
12 April 2026 – Dissent Bar, Ngambri/Canberra
24 April 2026 – Wamberal Surf Club, Darkinjung Country/Wamberal

Morgan Evans Releases “Steel Town” Single Ahead of Album Release, Tour

Although I live in Darkinjung Country/Central Coast now, Mulubinba/Newcastle will always be home to me. Those roots run deep, and it’s something you can’t properly understand unless you grew up there too. So it’s warmed my heart to hear music from Morgan Evans’ forthcoming album Steel Town, including the recently released title track. This music pays homage to our shared hometown in such a heartfelt, authentic way.

“’Steel Town’ is about where I come from and why I am the way I am,” Morgan explained. “Newy was a beautiful place to grow up, but also a tough one, and we poured all of that into this record.”

Morgan will release his Steel Town album on March 20 before embarking on the biggest tour of his career in May. American country star and his duet partner on the recently released single “Two Broken Hearts,” Laci Kaye Booth, will join him for these theatre shows. Before that, you can also see Morgan at Meatstock. There’s a Frontier member presale for the Steel Town tour today at 2 pm before the general sale tomorrow at 2.

11 April 2026 – Meatstock @ Toowoomba Showgrounds, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba
18 April 2026 – Meatstock @ Lardner Park, Gunaikurnai/Gippsland
21 May 2026 – ICF Warehouse, Boorloo/Perth (18+)
23 May 2026 – Forum Melbourne, Naarm/Melbourne (18+)
25 May 2026 – Thebarton Theatre, Tarntanya/Adelaide (Lic. All Ages)
27 May 2026 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney (Lic. All Ages)
30 May 2026 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (18+)
2 June 2026 – Powerstation, Auckland (18+)
4 June 2026 – Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch (Lic. All Ages)

Photo credit: Nick Swift

Saralyn Releases Upbeat Country Anthem, “Cowgirl Blues”

I get it. It’s Valentine’s Day. That Hallmark holiday celebrating love. And that’s lovely. But if you want love songs, there’s plenty of that around. So I want to do something different and showcase a song for all of my single readers out there. If you’re looking for a feel-good independent anthem today, you’ve found it with “Cowgirl Blues” from Saralyn. This reminds me of those upbeat country floor-fillers Shania Twain used to release in the ‘90s. It’s so much fun, whether you usually listen to country music or not.

“Cowgirl Blues was built around a fun, high-energy recording process that leaned into big country sounds and feel-good momentum,” Saralyn reminisced. “Guitarist Adam Osmanovic (Viper Creek) brought the unmistakable country twang, supported by honky-tonk keys, pedal steel, banjo, and driving drums. The track grew naturally into something bold, playful, and full, capturing the joy of the room and delivering a big, confident country anthem made to be turned up loud.”

The video, shot by Jake Davey Studios in Gringai Country/Gresford, captures that sense of fun.

“The night came together with the pub rallying the local ladies, crackers, cheese, wine, and dancing well into the night. Surrounded by friends & family, the blue 1975 Kombi van became part of the story, with standout moments including the choreographed leg kick, a confetti pop ‘owe!’ moment, and carefree scenes of driving the Kombi turning the shoot into a celebration rather than just a video.”

“Cowgirl Blues” is the first single to drop from Saralyn’s forthcoming debut EP, which we’ll hear a little later this year. While that release celebrates her original music, Saralyn will also pay tribute to one of her idols, Lainey Wilson, with a string of tribute shows next month. Catch her anywhere you can:

7 March 2026 – Summer in Nashville Country Music Festival @ The Amphitheatre, Roma Street Parkland, Meeanjin/Brisbane (Lainey Wilson show)
8 March 2026 – Kings Beach Tavern, Gubbi Gubbi Country/Sunshine Coast (Lainey Wilson show – supporting the Luke Combs Experience)
14 March – Summer in Nashville Country Music Festival @ The Entertainment Quarter, Eora/Sydney (Lainey Wilson show)
21 March 2026 – Summer in Nashville Country Music Festival @ Riviera Beach Club, Naarm/Melbourne (Lainey Wilson show)
2 May 2026 – The Big Giddy Up @ The Paterson Court House Hotel, Wonnarua Country/Paterson (Full band original show – FREE)

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Maggie Lindemann Announces Aussie Return

Fresh from the release of her sophomore album i feel everything, American alt-punk artist Maggie Lindemann has announced her Australian return. She wowed crowds on her first visit in 2023, and with some incredible new songs in her arsenal, she’s bound to generate just as much buzz.

Personally, I think the material from i feel everything is Maggie’s strongest. It’s powerful but emotionally nuanced, personal but so relatable, with a dynamic, eclectic sound that keeps you guessing. However, don’t stress if you love her earlier music. I’m sure Maggie will deliver all your favourites when she graces Aussie stages in May. Destroy All Lines and artist presales kick off on Tuesday 17 February at 11 am ahead of the general sale at 11 am the following day.

10 May 2026 – Magnet House, Boorloo/Perth (18+)
12 May 2026 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (Lic/AA)
14 May 2026 – Roundhouse, Eora/Sydney (Lic/AA)
15 May 2026 – Forum Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (18+)
17 May 2026 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (Lic/AA)

Image used with permission from beehive