Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham Drop Fantastic New Duet, “Tone Deaf”

If you’ve ever felt like you were losing yourself in a relationship, “Tone Deaf,” the latest single from Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, is for you. It’s an empowering anthem which celebrates breaking free from that type of partnership and reclaiming your own identity. It’s such heavy subject matter, but by focusing on independence rather than oppression, Felicity and Josh have kept their single upbeat.

“We’ve all had experiences in life where we feel like we are dancing to someone or something else’s tune and losing a sense of who we are. The expectations of others and society at large can easily funnel you into a space where you wake up one day and ask, where am I and who have I become?” Felicity said. “Being held back and held down is bad enough, but when your oppressor is tone deaf to your needs, it’s time to make yourself tone deaf to their song of control. Tuning out is the first step in healing, but the ultimate growth comes from writing your own song to sing.”

Josh and Felicity’s musical journey is going from strength to strength after they signed with ArtBridge Entertainment in March and joined Craft Music’s roster in April. They’ve also got a stack of gigs lined up in New South Wales, the ACT, and Tasmania, so catch them anywhere you can:

13 July 2025 – Mullum Roots Festival, Bundjalung Country/Mullumbimby
4 September 2025 – Avalon Restaurant & Bar, Kedumba/Katoomba
5 September 2025 – The Beer Shed Brewing Co, Tharawal Country/Leumeah
6 September 2025 – Avalon Beach RSL Club, Guringai Country/Avalon Beach
7 September 2025 – Dangar Island Bowling Club, Guringai Country/Dangar Island
11 September 2025 – Qirkz in the Hunter, Wonnarua Country/Abermain
12 September 2025 – Royal Hotel Dungog, Wonnarua Country/Dungog
13 September 2025 – Flow Bar, Biripi Country/Old Bar
18 September 2025 – Brass Monkey, Kurranulla/Cronulla
19 September 2025 – Robertson Public House & Kitchen, Gandangara Country/Robertson
20 September 2025 – Belconnen Arts Centre, Ginninderra Country/Belconnen
21 September 2025 – Smokey Dan’s, Yuin Country/Tomakin
25 September 2025 – The Royal Oak Hotel, Tyerenotepanner, Panninher, and Lettermairrener Country/Launceston
26 September 2025 – Mt. Gnomon Farm, Plairhekehillerplue Country/Penguin
27 September 2025 – The Bush Inn, Leenowwenne Country/New Norfolk
28 September 2025 – Private Gig, Nipaluna/Neika
24–25 October 2025 – Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival @ Dorrigo Showgrounds, Gumbainggir Country/Dorrigo
7–8 November 2025 – Majors Creek Festival, Walbanga Country/Majors Creek
21 January 2026 – Capitol Theatre, Calala/Tamworth

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

The Bamboos Celebrate 25 Years With Album + Tour

I can’t quite believe The Bamboos have been releasing the funkiest music in the country for 25 years, but here we are. That fact could make us all feel old, or we could simply look ahead to all the wonderful things this milestone brings.

First there’s the deluxe compilation album The Bamboos Best, available on gatefold gold marble double LP or CD on July 25. It features 20 of the band’s best songs taken from their 12 albums, including many tracks that haven’t been available on vinyl since their initial release. You can preorder yours from Impressed Recordings here.

And if course The Bamboos do their best work on the stage, so we’ve got shows. You know they’re going to be massive, so if you’re a fan don’t miss them. Standard tickets and ticket bundles with the vinyl or CD are all available from the links below.

11 September 2025 – City Recital Hall, Eora/Sydney
13 September 2025 – Moorooka Block Party @ Peggs Park, Meeanjin/Brisbane (FREE)
20 September 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (Followed by a free afterparty at Northcote Theatre Mezzanine with DJs Kano and Lance Ferguson)

Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw

Mama Kin Spender Tease Upcoming Album and Tour with “Arrows”

Mama Kin (aka Danielle Caruana) and Dingo Spender are acclaimed artists in their own right, so they were always going to make musical magic when they joined forces as Mama Kin Spender. It doesn’t seem like they’re suffering from that dreaded second album syndrome, because their latest single “Arrows” may be their best yet. The track comes from Mama Kin Spender’s sophomore album Promises, which will be released on August 15.

The duo says that “Arrows” explores “the drifting apart through small acts of carelessness, and yet somehow aching to connect. Near misses – every attempt landing awkwardly, landing wrong, lashing out, sly evasive remarks eroding the fabric of love.”

Mama Kin Spender will celebrate the release of Promises with a tour around some of the best small venues this country has to offer.

“You’re gonna laugh, you’re gonna feel uncomfortable and at the same time, not alone, you’re gonna yell with us, and then most likely cry,” Dingo told fans about these upcoming shows. “You’re gonna reflect on your own heart, your own little journey with love and pain and grief and happiness. You’re gonna feel elation, you’re gonna feel brave and also need a hug and a whiskey at the end.”

Put simply, you won’t want to miss it. Catch Mama Kin Spender anywhere you can from September.

5 September 2025 – Majestic Theatre, Kabi Kabi Country/Pomona
6 September 2025 – The Citadel, Bundjalung Country/Murwillumbah
7 September 2025 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 September 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Naarm/Melbourne
13 September 2025 – Archie’s Creek Tavern, Gunaikurnai Country/Archie’s Creek
14 September 2025 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
3 October 2025 – Paddington Uniting Church, Eora/Sydney
4 October 2025 – Milton Theatre, Dhurga Country/Milton
5 October 2025 – Dashville Skyline, Wonnarua Country/Dashville

Photo credit: WILK

ixaras Ready For “DO YOU LIKE GIRLS?” Tour

Up-and-coming pop act ixaras will hit the road this morning for her first headlining tour. She’ll stop by the East Coast capitals to promote the release of her fabulous new bop, “DO YOU LIKE GIRLS?”

“’DO YOU LIKE GIRLS?’ is a song that helped me better understand my own sexuality,” ixaras said. “Every time I’ve shared it, whether in a small room or online, the response has been overwhelming. So many people have told me how it helped them feel seen, or helped guide them through their own experiences. That connection means everything. I knew this song needed its own moment.”

Fans can expect an intimate, high-energy show featuring all ixaras’ beloved tracks and some you’ve never heard before. You can almost guarantee she’ll play bigger venues next time around, so make sure you see her playing these small shows while you can.

12 July 2025 — Espy Basement, Naarm/Melbourne
13 July 2025 — Inner West Pride Center, Eora/Sydney (FREE ALL AGES – SOLD OUT)
20 July 2025 — The Triffid Garden, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird On the Comeback Trail With “My Ghost & Its Crawling”

It’s been three years since Naarm/Melbourne indie act Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird graced us with new music, but they’ve coming back with some really special tunes. The first is “My Ghost & Its Crawling,” a tender, poetic number that hints at all of the sonic goodness to come.

“‘My Ghost & Its Crawling’ explores the haunting nature of memory, and the forms that significant people assume within our own psyches,” Lachlan Rose, the band’s frontman and songwriter, said. “In some ways I think people from our past live inside us as very real, living, breathing entities. They can be talked with, argued with, listened to and loved, for better or for worse. In my experience, no matter how hard you exorcise those spirits, they can still be heard crawling around in the attics and the garrets and the nooks and in the hallways of your heart. This song is sung from the perspective of such a spirit”.

“My Ghost & Its Crawling” comes from Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird’s forthcoming album Rosewater Crocodile, which drops on July 10. They’ll celebrate its release with a string of local shows. Tickets are on sale now, so get onto it!

25 July 2025 – The Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
2 August 2025 – The Ed Castle, Tarntanya/Adelaide
9 August 2025 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
12 August 2025 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from beehive

Fanny Lumsden Covers Gotye

I’m always impressed by a quality cover, a rendition that breathes new life into a song and makes a statement all its own. So I’m really digging what country artist Fanny Lumsden has done with Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” We’re used to hearing this song as a haunting indie-pop duet with Kimbra, but Fanny’s country-folk version features her live band, The Prawn Stars. It was also produced by Matt Fell, Dan Freeman and Fanny, mixed by Matt Fell, and mastered by William Bowden (who mastered Gotye’s original).

“After doing our own version of ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ on ABC’s Spicks and Specks last year, we started adding it to our live show, and have loved playing around with it so much that we thought it about time we recorded it! It’s the first song that has my whole live touring band on it, and it makes me so happy that each of these people I spend so much time with on the road, brought a little of themselves to the song. We also wanted to feature the harmonies, which are a big thing for us live.”

Fanny and The Prawn Stars are heading to the United Kingdom next month, but they’ll be back before you know it for shows with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams.

25 July 2025 – Together Again Festival @ Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire
26 July 2025 – Brudenell Club, Leeds
27 July 2025 – Nice n’ Sleazy, Glasgow
31 July 2025 – Belladrum Festival @ Belladrum Estate, Inverness
1 August 2025 – Arisaig Hall, Arisaig
2 August 2025 – Balquhidder Hall, Balquhidder
3 August 2025 – Three Villages Hall, Arrochar
7 August 2025 – Coughlans, Cork
8 August 2025 – Dolans, Limerick
9 August 2025 – Roisin Dubh, Galway
10 August 2025 – Whelans Upstairs, Dublin
12 August 2025 – YES (PINK ROOM), Manchester
13 August 2025 – Oslo Hackney, London
14 August 2025 – The Exchange, Bristol
15 August 2025 – Beautiful Days Festival @ Escot Park, Devon (SOLD OUT)
16 August 2025 – Country Calling Festival @ Hylands Estate, Essex
17 August 2025 – Komedia Studio, Brighton
20 August 2025 – Forty Five Vinyl Café, York (acoustic show)
21 August 2025 – Solfest @ Solway Coast, Cumbria
22 August 2025 – Greenbelt Festival @ Boughton House, Kettering
23 August 2025 – The Long Road Festival @ Stanford Hall, Lutterworth
26 August 2025 – RAC Arena, Boorloo/Perth (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
29 August 2025 – Entertainment Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
30 August 2025 – Qudos Bank Arena, Eora/Sydney (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
31 August 2025 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
2 September 2025 – Mystate Bank Arena, Nipaluna/Hobart (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
4 September 2025 – Entertainment Centre, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
6 September 2025 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
7 September 2025 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
5 September 2025 – Dashville Skyline, Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley
10 September 2025 – Savannah in the Round Festival, Muluridji/Mareeba

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

The Tullamarines Release “Lying” Ahead of More Preatures Shows

Tarntanya/Adelaide outfit The Tullamarines perfectly balance upbeat vibes with bittersweet lyrics in their latest single “Lying.” It’s got a laidback summery feel, but once you start digging into those lyrics you realise it’s really raw and introspective.

“‘Lying’ is about insecurity, imposter syndrome, self-loathing, and the effort to do better,” The Tullamarines explained. “That feeling of people leaving before we perform is a running joke, but it comes from real doubt. We struggle with confidence in our music, image-everything. So we said exactly how we felt, but wrapped it in sunny, 90s pop-inspired sounds. It’s sad-happy. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend you’re okay than to be vulnerable. We hope this song helps people feel seen and encourages real conversations.”

The Tullamarines are currently on tour with the Preatures and have plenty more new music on the way. You’ll also see them at some of the hottest upcoming festivals, so the back half of the year is shaping up to be huge for them. Here are all the places you can catch them live in the coming months.

18 July 2025 – Hotel Brunswick, Durrumbil/Brunswick Heads (supporting The Preatures)
19 July 2025 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
25 July 2025 – Freo.Social, Fremantle (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
26 July 2025 – The River, Wooditjup/Margaret River (supporting The Preatures)
27 July 2025 – Froth Bunbury, Goomburrup/Bunbury (supporting The Preatures)
1 August 2025 – Odeon Theatre, Nipaluna/Hobart (supporting The Preatures)
2 August 2025 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
7 August 2025 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (supporting The Preatures)
8 August 2025 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay (supporting The Preatures)
9 August 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
15 August 2025 – Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney (supporting The Preatures)
16 August 2025 – King Street Band Room, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting The Preatures)
2-5 September 2025 – BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane
4 October 2025 – Wanderer Festival, Panboola/Pambula Beach

Photo credit: Jack Fenby

Seb Szabo Releases Heartfelt Charmer, “Crumbs From Your Table”

Seb Szabo has got me swooning with “Crumbs From Your Table,” a bittersweet alt-rock track about having a crush on someone who’s already attached.

“The song started out as a larger-than-life inner monologue. A bunch of messy feelings I wished I could
say out loud,” Seb remembered. “It’s one for people with gigantic hearts, even if it might get you into trouble. It’s a privilege to feel this much. Hopefully, the song reminds you not to suppress everything – because you never know what might happen next. It could go either way … and that’s beautifully terrifying.”

Seb will hit the road in August to support Jordy Maxwell on his national tour. If you want to see him live, here’s where you’ll find him.

14 August 2025 – Lefty’s, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 August 2025 – OAF Gallery, Eora/Sydney
22 August 2025 – Bergy Bandroom, Naarm/Melbourne
23 August 2025 – Grace Emily, Tarntanya/Adelaide
2-5 September 2025 – BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo credit: Peter Foster

MKTO Make Surprise Aussie Return

When MKTO last visited our shores in 2014, they were riding high on the success of “Classic.” Their debut single “Thank You” achieved chart success just two years before. They were hot property. Like most Aussies I’ll wager, I hadn’t thought of them in a decade, but they were put back on my radar with the announcement that they’re finally heading back Down Under.

“It’s been a minute since we’ve been back. We’ve always had a lot of love for Australia,” Malcolm Kelley said.

“We are so excited to get back down under and perform again!” added his bandmate Tony Oller.

This tour announcement has encouraged me to check out MKTO’s back catalogue and it’s pretty catchy. I didn’t realise that they’d collaborated with Simple Plan on 2013’s “Summer Paradise,” and there were a whole bunch of gems that had never hit my ears before.

MKTO will play just two intimate Aussie shows this October. Get on it fans, because they might leave you waiting for another decade to make their return!

30 October 2025 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
31 October 2025 – The Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive

James Reyne Reminisces About US Adventures in “Going Back to Nashville”

James Reyne doesn’t pump out the hits as rapidly as he did in the past, but that just makes new material so much sweeter. His latest track “Going Back to Nashville” is an upbeat country-rock gem that’s at least the equal to anything in his celebrated back catalogue.

The song was inspired by James’ visits to Nashville where he went sightseeing with the legendary and dearly departed singer-songwriter Tony Joe White.

“Back then, a bit of a status symbol was how many head of buffalo you had on your ranch,” he recalled. “Pointing at Wynonna Judd’s place, Tony Joe said in that distinctively deep voice, ‘She’s got like 20 head of buffalo.’”

Think of it as James Reyne’s Lonely Planet guide to Nashville, “where Wynonna’s buffalo roam” and “if it ain’t the heat, it’s the humidity”.

“This song is how I see Nashville,” he added.

James is currently touring around Oz before he heads across the ditch. Tickets are still available for all these shows:

21 June 2025 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Alex Lloyd)
5 July 2025 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney (with Alex Lloyd)
12 July 2025 – The Palais, Naarm/Melbourne (with Alex Lloyd)
26 July 2025 – Party on the Point @ Sandstone Point Hotel, Ningy Ningy Country/Sandstone Point
30 August 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Bulleke Bek/Brunswick
31 August 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Bulleke Bek/Brunswick
20 September 2025 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane (acoustic duo)
4 October 2025 – Great Hall @ Auckland Town Hall, Auckland

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute