Giselle Kwong Charms With “This Way”

After listening to far too much music that fell flat for me, Giselle Kwong’s latest single “This Way” hit me like a ray of sunshine. It’s so bright and melodic, anchored by folky acoustic guitars and Giselle’s cheerful vocals. Giselle usually sings about the sadder side of falling in love, so it’s exciting to hear her mixing things up and releasing something more optimistic.

“My previous releases have focused on unrequited love, heartbreak, and confusion, ‘This Way’ is the first time I’ve written about hope and certainty instead,” she said. “I wanted to invite listeners into the whirlwind of falling in love, capturing how quickly everything can change when you meet the right person. After years of writing primarily sadder, slower songs, I feel ‘This Way’ reflects the confidence I’ve built in my songwriting and artistry.”

“This Way” comes with a sweet video filmed across Japan by cinematographer James Krockenberger.

“The aim of this music video was to visually depict what falling and being in love feels like,” she explained. “It doesn’t have to be perfect – it’s imperfect, genuine, fun and playful. My partner filmed the music video, and the idea was that my love would be showcased in the song that I wrote, and their love would be showcased in the way they shot the film clips.”

“This Way” is part of a larger release that Giselle will tell us more about soon.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Amber Lawrence Releases Video for Girl Power Anthem, “We Ride at Dawn”

If Thelma and Louise fired you up, you’ll love the kick-arse feminine energy of Amber Lawrence’s new video for “We Ride At Dawn,” one of the standout tracks from her eighth studio album Suburban Cowgirl. Amber filmed the clip in the Eora/Sydney suburbs of Marrickville, Maroubra, and her hometown of Mascot.

“‘We Ride at Dawn’ is a friendship anthem – a song to sing with your bestie, your ride or die! It’s a fun and quirky ode to female friendships – the ones that get better with age and hangovers!” Amber enthused. “I chose my literal musical best friends to be in this clip with me – the amazing Aleyce Simmonds (multi–Golden Guitar winner) and emerging artist Arna Georgia. The Suburban Cowgirl album is full of songs that celebrate big and little moments in life shared with great friends – it’s a season I’m in right now, and I love it!”

Suburban Cowgirl has been a massive release for Amber. On its debut, it hit number one on the ARIA Australian Albums Chart, number one on the ARIA Australian Country Chart, number one on the ARIA Australian vinyl chart, and number three on the ARIA Country Albums Chart. Amber’s been taking her new music to the masses with plenty of shows all over the country. Catch her at one of her upcoming dates if you can!

23 October 2026 – Trinity Sessions S, Tarntanya/Adelaide
24 October 2026 – Greg Cooley Wines, Ngadjuri Country/Clare Valley
25 October 2026 – Murray Delta Juke Joint, Ngarrindjeri Country/Goolwa South
6 November 2026 – Paterson School of Arts Hall, Yimmang/Paterson
8 November 2026 – Melbourne Mantra Studio and Kitchen Bar, Naarm/Melbourne
28 November 2026 – Launceston Country Music Festival @ Royal Park, Litarimirina and Panina Country/Launceston
29 November 2026 – Martians Saloon, Wadawurrung, Gulidjan, and Gadubanud Country/Deans Marsh
22 January 2027 – Tamworth Country Music Festival @ Tamworth Town Hall, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
6 March 2027 – Duke of George, Walyalup/Fremantle
7 March 2027 – Lyrics Underground, Boorloo/Perth
25 March – 9 April 2027 – Country Music Cruise, Singapore to Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Bronwyn Tasker PR

Go Newcastle Knights!

One last post before I head up to Mulubinba/Newcastle to enjoy my grand final day. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had a different day planned. Way back in February, I bought tickets to see Kate Ceberano play tonight. Caring more about football than that concert wasn’t even on my radar, but here we are. A massive shoutout to The Art House, who were so accommodating and happily gave us a credit note to return our tickets. We know our minds wouldn’t be on the show. We will see you next time Kate!

So instead I’m heading home to watch the game with my parents. My dad lived in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and supported the Roosters for years, but he couldn’t resist getting behind the Knights when they entered the competition in 1988. He’s always had a foot in both camps, and he’s still unsure which jersey he’ll wear today. My mum hasn’t cared about football for most of my life, but she discovered the NRLW a couple of years ago and threw her whole heart behind the Knights’ women’s team. Until recently, her only interest in the men’s game has centred around checking out Dom Young, but she’s become pretty passionate about the entire team. Like me, she’s hoping for a Knights victory today.

I’m also really glad to be around family after the terrible vehicle accident in Newcastle yesterday. My heart goes out to the victims and everyone who witnessed the crash and had what was supposed to be a really happy day turned upside down. And, although it seems a controversial opinion, my heart also goes out to the young man behind the wheel. It’s very easy to point fingers in these circumstances, but we’ve all made mistakes and most of them won’t weigh on us as heavily as the mistake this young man made. I have a lot of compassion for him as well.

Before I go, it seems only right to share “Better,” by the Screaming Jets. It’s become an anthem for the Knights and the city over the years. I have fond memories of being in the front row of the free concert the Jets staged a couple of days after the Knights won their first premiership, singing along to this song with the Knights players on stage. I know the Jets will be part of tonight’s entertainment line-up. I really hope they get a moment to perform this and fire up our players. Go the Knights!

Photo credit: Mike Bird @ Pexels

Lana Karlay Drops Dreamy Pop Gem, “Cross Your Mind”

After exploring a real rock edge with recent singles “Think it Through” and “For the Weak,” Djilang/Geelong-based singer-songwriter Lana Karlay is leaning back into her pop roots on her latest track “Cross Your Mind.” Lana’s pure, angelic voice is tailor-made for pop music, although there’s still a bite to the lyrics that reflects her love of rock. If Peach PRC and Ariana Grande are among your favourite artists, I know you’ll vibe with this one.

One of the biggest differences between Lana and the other acts I’ve mentioned is that while they’re around 30, she’s still in her teens. She’s not just good for an 18-year-old though; she’s simply good. Her age is a bit of a superpower, allowing her to create songs that resonate deeply with young listeners. While Peach PRC and Ariana are casting their minds back to the challenges of youth, Lana’s still living through them.

She uses that very real, recent experience as fuel in “Cross Your Mind,” a pop anthem about recognising your own value and choosing to walk away from someone who doesn’t see it too. This song is full of yearning, as the lyrics recognise that while walking away is the right decision, it’s never an easy one to make when there’s feeling involved.

“Cross Your Mind is about reaching the point where you realise you’re carrying the weight of a relationship on your own,” Lana explained. “You’re constantly thinking about the other person, making excuses for them and trying to hold everything together, while they only seem to think about you when it’s convenient or when something goes wrong.”

Lana co-wrote and produced “Cross Your Mind” alongside brothers Mason & Julez. Mark Parfitt, who’s worked with big-name acts like Justin Bieber and Meghan Trainor, managed the mastering. The team helped Lana realise the pop-rock sound she’s been working towards.

“While my previous releases have explored different sounds, ‘Cross Your Mind’ feels like the point where everything has come together. More than anything, I feel like ‘Cross Your Mind’ is the closest I’ve come to finding my own sound,” Lana enthused. “It feels authentic to who I am as both a songwriter and performer, and it’s the direction I’m really excited to keep
exploring.”

With every new release, I hear Lana becoming a more confident and compelling artist. And even though the year’s approaching an end, she’s not done for 2026. I hear there’s at least one more new song on the way. Follow Lana Karlay on Instagram to learn more about that when it drops.

Image used with permission from Dara Karlusic

Slowly Slowly are Back With “Sacrosaint”

Slowly Slowly’s Forgiving Spree was one of my favourite albums of 2025. Honestly, I’ve been hanging out for new music ever since its release. My patience has been rewarded with a fantastic new single, “Sacrosaint.” You’re going to want to crank this up music lovers. It’s some of the best rock music you’ll hear this year.

“‘Sacrosaint’ is about the things that we’ve taken for granted, the things that have been sacrosanct in the past, and how we always think they’re going to be there,” explained Slowly Slowly frontman Ben Stewart. “In that laziness, you’re watching the pillars of what holds up your life and society erode. The good in the world felt like it was disappearing. It felt like a big warning sign – if we stop watering those things that are so important for our happiness, it’s over. So, it felt like a warning.”

Slowly Slowly are getting amongst it with performances slated for Good Things and Great Escape. See them anywhere you can this December.

4 December 2026 – Good Things @ Flemington Racecourse, Naarm/Melbourne
5 December 2026 – Good Things @ Sydney Showground, Eora/Sydney
6 December 2026 – Good Things @ Brisbane Showgrounds, Meeanjin/Brisbane
29 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 – Great Escape @ Redbanks, Lutruwita/Nugent

Photo credit: Marcus Coblyn via Nettwerk Music Group

Ama Breaks New Ground With “There she goes”

Ama has got me vibing with her latest single “There she goes.” This track’s got a bit of a different vibe from Ama’s other material, with the dreamy guitars and deep groove encouraging listeners to move in time with the beat. While it takes some sonic risks, Ama hasn’t moved too far away from what she does so well. The lyrics are still so raw and vulnerable. You can always count on Ama to make you feel something with her songs.

“It’s about wanting someone all to yourself, while watching them move through life without you,” Ama explained. “It gives off laundry day vibes and I really tried leaning into the edginess of the lyrics.”

Christian Tjandrawinata of Wyre Studios shot the music video for “There she goes” at Bondi Skate Park. Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from that shoot on Ama’s Instagram page.

Image source: Ama’s EPK

Joan & the Giants Releases Powerful Single, “Looking For a Reason”

Joan & The Giants continue their winning streak with their gorgeous new single “Looking For a Reason.” Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s voice is always stunning, but it really soars in this cathartic piece of alt-pop. It’s no wonder that listening to “Looking For a Reason” stirs emotions, as this song’s lyrics reflect an especially challenging time in Grace’s life.

“At the time we were making this, I was going through a pretty terrible time,” she recalled. “I was depressed, dating chaotic people, spending way too much money on going out and not nearly enough on looking after myself. I remember being at home one day, feeling really down about my life, opening up a Logic session, and somehow the entire song — lyrically and melodically — just came out in about 15 minutes. It was so easy to write because I wasn’t overthinking it. It almost felt like writing a diary entry. To me, the lyrics have this kind of satirical quality to them, but they’re also completely honest. Sometimes you just want a song that sits in the shit with you rather than trying to pull you out of it, and I think that’s what this song does for me.”

Grace said the band recorded this song with Holy Holy’s Oscar Dawson at Premises Studio in London earlier this year. She remembers this process fondly, noting it was “such a wonderfully collaborative song for us as a band. It’s basically a live recording — we were all set up in the room together, tracked it at the same time, and within a couple of hours, the song was done.”

Catch Joan & The Giants supporting daezy at The Night Cat in Ngar-go/Fitzroy on October 9.

Photo credit: Meg Houghton

Tom Mac Releases Personal Love Song, “Brave”

Up-and-coming local country artist Tom Mac delivers a love song with a difference with the release of his latest single “Brave.” This isn’t your average tale of boy-meets-girl. Instead, Tom drew on his own experience forging a relationship with his partner Erin … and her children. This song celebrates blended families while giving voice to the uncertainty and vulnerability that can come with families separating and moving on.

Tom recalled the early days of his relationship with Erin and her desire to keep her children out of it until they were sure, noting “I only knew them as the little voices in the background of our phone calls. I quietly wondered whether there’d ever be room for me in their lives.”

But there was, and Tom says theirs is a relationship that has taught him so much. “Loving the most beautiful woman I’d ever met meant accepting I’d never be her number one – and learning that real love doesn’t ask to be. ‘Brave’ is for anyone who’s chosen love despite the uncertainty, and for every family finding a new way forward.”

You can learn about all Tom’s doing by joining his MAC PACK. Click through to subscribe to his mailing list.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Ruby Gill Releases Powerful New Single, “Carol /not carol”

Seeing a car crash can be a really confronting experience. As the survivor of a pretty gnarly one, I remember so vividly how it felt sitting on the side of the road as people buzzed around. I was numb and the rest of the world seemed to melt away. I was conscious of it, but totally disconnected from it. It takes some time to process, and that’s exactly what Ruby Gill has done in their latest single “Carol / not carol.” Ruby and her wife co-wrote this song to process the way they felt after arriving first on the scene at a car crash on the Nullarbor.

“This song started with us trying to process the car crash – the injuries, the playing cards strewn all over the tar, the couple and what they’d lost – but it soon became about me as well, facing myself in the rearview mirror and why I’ve spent so many years escaping my life, family and community, and what being away really does to a person,” Ruby explained.

“Ultimately, it’s about over-compensating for pain, about taking things for granted, about the community and kindness of strangers out on the road/in Australia, and about regret. It’s also a little bit about shame and struggling to be vulnerable, especially for older men who need to act brave, and lesbians like me who have emulated that too much in their lives.”

“Carol / not carol” comes from Ruby’s new album Fishing is Not About Fishing, which drops on October 16. You can preorder your vinyl copy on its own or bundled with some other goodies from Sound Merch. Ruby will play the following shows supporting #1 Dads following its release.

28 October 2026 – Season Three, Meeanjin/Brisbane
30 October 2026 – Bellingen Golf Club, Baalijin/Bellingen
31 October 2026 – Lela’s, Yaegl and Yaygirr Country/Yamba

Photo credit: Bridgette Winten

Portair and Joy Williams Join Forces For “Loved By You”

Aussie-born, Berlin-based creative Portair has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning American songstress Joy Williams for a gorgeous new single “Loved By You.” I’m a sucker for a good indie pop duet, and this one ticks all the boxes with its vulnerable lyrics and honest vocals.

“It came from exploring the feeling of losing the ability to be loved by someone whilst fighting the push and pull of figuring out whether to stay or to leave,” Portair explained. “Working with Joy on this was one of those rare collaborations where everything just clicked. We were introduced through a mutual friend and she understood the song’s heart immediately, and that shows in every part she brought to it. I’m incredibly honored to have her on the record.”

“Working on ‘Loved By You’ together felt like diving into an age-old question so many of us have asked in relationships before: ‘do I stay or do I go?’” Joy added. “Sometimes the instinct comes quickly. Other times, the answer to that question can slowly, painfully emerge over time. And then what? You try to sort out what you really need, what to share, and when to share it with this person you’ve loved. It’s never the right time. But, telling the truth – like this song- is loving…even when it leaves the sting of I cannot do this anymore.”

“Loved By You” comes from Portair’s forthcoming debut album, Gathering Dust, which he’ll release on December 4. You can pre-save a copy right now on your favourite streaming platform.

Photo credit: Rodrigo Bardin