I didn’t have Ziggy Alberts covering the Proclaimers on my 2026, but here we are! His take on the 1988 banger “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” is stripped back to put the focus on those sweet lyrics. Rest assured, he doesn’t mess too much with it. I know you’re still going to be singing along to this one!
Ziggy apparently recorded this cover in Cavanbah/Byron Bay with longtime collaborator Garrett Kato for a film sync opportunity. Now though we all get the chance to hear it and add it to our road trip playlists. The music video, shot across Kabi Kabi County/Sunshine Coast, captures those road trip vibes.
Naarm/Melbourne artist Gypsy Lee’s latest single “What Doesn’t Kill You Costs a Lot in Therapy” is the edgy indie-pop track you need to hear right now. Gypsy Lee actually penned this one during her hometown’s COVID-19 lockdowns, but it speaks to the angst many of us continue to feel when the future’s uncertain.
“I wrote this song with my good friend Thrones (Andrew Lowden),” Gypsy Lee said. “The song became my way of expressing just how upsetting that time was as a teenage girl. It was obviously a riff on what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but at that time I didn’t feel like it was making me stronger, it was just a never-ending compilation of failure.”
Although this single came from a dark place, it now carries a thread of optimism and resilience.
“This song feels like the last little piece of my teenage-hood,” Gypsy Lee said. “I had a really hard time fitting in growing up and I think this song came from trying to make sense of feelings I didn’t really have the words for back then. I stick to the belief that it’s an artist’s job to create the music from experience but once it’s shared it doesn’t belong to you anymore. If this song finds someone who feels the same way, or makes them feel understood for even a moment, that means everything to me. This song is for you.”
Gypsy Lee will officially launch “What Doesn’t Kill You Costs a Lot in Therapy” for hometown fans at Shotkickers on June 18.
As someone who lived through a long-distance relationship while dating my now-husband, I’m relating hard to Oliver Cronin’s new single “7500 Miles.” It’s a romantic pop ditty that eloquently expresses the frustration of being so far from the one you love.
“I wrote ‘7500 Miles’ whilst on a writing trip in LA,” Oliver recalled. “The last two years of my life has seen my music take me all around the world. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been an absolute privilege, but I found myself missing home a lot more than I expected. I got married last year in February and then two weeks later was on tour in Europe for a month. After Europe, I went straight to LA to work on new music, which birthed this song. All I could think about was going home to my wife and so naturally that’s what we wrote about. 7500 miles is the distance between Sydney and LA. This is for anyone who has been apart from someone they love for an extended period of time; long distance isn’t easy, but it sure does make the heart grow fonder.”
“7500 Miles” comes from Oliver’s new EP Lost on the Way to Paradise, which drops on Friday, July 17. Oliver will give fans a sneaky early listen to his new tracks when he plays Urban Alley Brewery in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country/Chadstone on July 4.
Naarm/Melbourne-based creative and producer THERADIOMUSICOLA delivers the burst of energy we all need this morning with “Cos We’re Girls.” The track has an infectious pop-rock sound anchored by killer vocals from an unidentified female talent.
“I just want to acknowledge the incredible vocal performances on this track,” THERADIOMUSICOLA enthused. “It was a total blast in the studio working with this Australian-based singer! We were both so ‘intune’ with the track, that the vocals went down in record time – and there’s lots of them. This singer is an Artist in her own right and has chosen to stay anonymous at this point. This may change in the future as we are still collaborating. In the meantime, just enjoy that vocal delivery!”
Consider me intrigued! THERADIOMUSICOLA has extensive industry experience performing alongside quality vocalists like Bonnie Anderson and Rhys Tolhurst, but this is his first solo release. I’m already hooked and looking forward to hearing a lot more.
Joe Mungovan channels a classic Brit Pop sound with his cool new single, “Melodrama.” Its clever lyrics explore the contemporary capitalist culture, where it often feels like humanity is in short supply.
“I think ‘Melodrama’ came from feeling overwhelmed by the world and how performative everything can feel now,” Joe admitted. “Everyone’s chasing something, selling something, escaping into something… but underneath all of that, I still think people just want to connect and feel loved. The song’s kind of sarcastic and cynical on the surface, but there’s also this genuine message in there of ‘be kind and good to one another,’ because at the end of the day, that’s really the only thing that cuts through all the nonsense.”
Joe has had a massive 12 months, clocking up 1.6 million views for his grassroots Cowchella video, headlining three national tours, and supporting top acts like The Vanns, Ben Lee, The Rubens, and Katy Steele. So what’s next? Give him a follow on Instagram to find out first!
Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Ninoosh has put her song “That Sinking Feeling” back in the spotlight with the release of its official music video. While this track originally appeared on Ninoosh’s 2016 EP Town of Two Hundred, if you’re anything like me it probably escaped your attention. So I’m thrilled that through this music video, more people can discover this upbeat earworm.
The music video for “That Sinking Feeling” was brought to life through a collaboration between director and animator Asher McShane from the Jacky Winter Group and Wild at Heart Records. It features animated versions of Ninoosh, her husband, and her dog experiencing the ups and downs of life, from sharing Vegemite on toast to enjoying roller coasters.
Ninoosh admitted that seeing the music video for “That Sinking Feeling” come to life has been an emotional process. “I got really teary. It’s an old song, one I produced many years ago so I’m so glad to see it come alive in video form.”
The release of the music video for “That Sinking Feeling” comes at an exciting time for Ninoosh. She’ll be releasing her new EP, Rebirth, really soon and relaunching her collective Synth Babes, which supports creative women and LGBTQ+ artists. They’re calling for new tracks for their next compilation, so if you think you fit the bill, get in touch with them at synthbabesunite@gmail.com.
It is so good to hear new music from Eora/Sydney pop-punk outfit BESTIES. Their fantastic new single “Deadmau5” has all of the energy you need to get out of that midweek slump. It’s one for those of us to refuse to give in society’s expectations and conventional ideas of what it means to grow up.
“Life’s too short to be safe, take a risk and don’t forget through it all, you’re still that dumb emo kid at heart, just like us,” BESTIES explained.
The release of “Deadmau5” ushers in a new chapter for BESTIES as it’s their first single under their new label, Greyscale Records.
“It can be hard finding people who get you, or what you’re trying to do. And Greyscale were the label who understood we’re not trying to do anything. We’re just idiots with instruments, and that’s why we work,” BESTIES said. “In a scene and industry where people are so deathly serious, it’s been a godsend to find people who understand that there’s a path to success while sticking true to who you are. We know there’s a thirst out there for a band and a sound that takes its cues from the lighter side of life. And we know that band’s us.”
Isabelle Skye has blown me away with her latest single “Subaru.” This beautiful indie-pop number perfectly showcases her compelling vocals. Her voice is so unique and soulful, gentle to draw you in, then intense as “Subaru” hits its emotional climax. Make sure you listen to those incredible lyrics that tap into the vulnerability women often feel in public spaces.
“‘Subaru’ was born out of an experience I had where my safety was compromised on a walk home. This theme is so common for women and changes how we navigate life. On a day-to-day basis we alter the decisions we make so we aren’t vulnerable to people with bad intentions. I hope this song can make people feel validated in their experiences, big or small, it just shouldn’t be a reality for anyone.”
“Subaru” has already become a standout song in Isabelle’s live sets, with several punters approaching her to say how much the track resonates with them. Hopefully she’ll announce more shows sooner rather than later so more people can discover this special talent.
Meeanjin/Brisbane-based five-piece Colleen Ave have got me grooving with their upbeat new indie synth-pop single, “i cant believe it.” If you’re suffering through the nine-to-five grind, I know this one will give you the lift you’re looking for.
“’i cant believe it’ is a tune about someone who is in a love triangle and the confusion and hurt that can come from it,” the band explained in their press release.
Although she packs out venues playing covers on her Lainey Wilson shows, Saralyn wants to remind listeners that she’s also an incredible songwriter. Her latest original single, “Free as a Bird” is an empowering country anthem about moving forward with lightness.
“Free as a Bird came from this idea of carrying your past with you, but not being weighed down by it,” Saralyn explained. “The song really wrote itself once I found that central image of someone who’s a little wild, a little restless, but completely at peace with who they are.
“I wanted to capture that feeling of being out on the open road, where every mile teaches you something and every mistake somehow gives you wings. For me, it’s a celebration of living untethered, embracing every story and scar, and still choosing to move forward.”
Saralyn has some big shows coming up this weekend, so catch her anywhere you can!
