James Johnston is making some of the most consistently good music on the country scene today. His latest track “Good For Me” sounds like a hit from the first listen. James was inspired to write the song after reflecting on the special, simple moments he spends with his wife Talia Rose.
“It’s about the feeling of coming home to her and just doing the simple things—sitting and watching a movie, having a cup of tea,” he shared. “It’s those moments I appreciate more than ever, and I wanted to capture that joy in a song. I want people to listen to this and reflect on the person they love, to appreciate the simple things between them that makes what they have together truly special.”
James will appear at the following events in the coming months.
Meeanjin/Brisbane-based folk singer Maddison Kate has warmed my heart with her beautiful new single “More To Me.” It’s a gentle track with a sweet melody, and heartfelt lyrics and vocals from Maddison. It’s ticking all the boxes for me.
“More To Me” comes from Maddison’s upcoming EP What I’d Say To You, which she’ll release on August 8.
When asked about the EP, Maddison said, “It’s about having the courage to let go of who you’ve been, speak your truth, and feel everything — even when it’s messy.”
Maddison will launch What I’d Say To You with a special hometown show at The Junk Bar on August 17. Tickets are on sale from Oztix now.
Mondays are never easy, but soundtracking mine with “Know It All,” the latest single from Joe Mungovan, has put a little pep in my step. This relatable song is such a vibe, so don’t waste any time before hitting play.
“This song is for anyone who has ever had to deal with a Know It All… fuck, maybe I’ve even been that guy,” Joe admitted.
Joe is about to head around the East Coast supporting his good mates and Sounds of Oz favourites The VANNS, so you know that’s going to be a good time. These shows were sold out, but The VANNS just added a few more tickets so get them while you can!
31 July 2025 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney 1 August 2025 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 2 August 2025 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane 7 August 2025 – Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine, Wodi Wodi Country/Tarrawanna (SOLD OUT)
Minor Gold, the award-winning collaboration of Aussie Dan Parsons and Canada’s Tracy McNeil, have won my heart with their beautiful new Americana single “Leave a Light On.” It caught my interest early with Dan’s relaxed vocals, but when Tracy joined him on the second verse I was powerless to resist its pull.
If you love this, you won’t be waiting too long to hear more. Minor Gold will release their sophomore album Way to the Sun on July 25. You can preorder a vinyl or CD copy online now.They’ve also got big touring plans including a stack of Aussie shows, so get on to those!
Nathan Lamont is showing us why there’s so much buzz about his music with the release of “What Comes After.” It’s more vulnerable and tender than the music Nathan’s released in the past. While I love his bops, I’m really resonating with this more emotional material.
“This song was born out of real-life experiences, both ours and those around us. For me personally, it’s deeply tied to moments in my relationship with my wife, moments where we stood right on the edge of walking away,” Nathan said. “It’s about choosing to fight for love when it would be easier to give up. It’s about pushing past the pride, digging into the memories of how it all began, and holding onto the belief that the story isn’t over yet.”
Nathan, who is a proud Wiradjuri man, recently became the first ever First Nations recipient of the CMAA Sister Cities Nashville Exchange. The opportunity will see him connecting with world-renowned producers, songwriters, and industry leaders in the USA’s country music capital. He’s also got a busy couple of months on local soil with the following shows:
“Got My Love” is a star-studded collaboration from Mister Co., Ambraya, Ivanka Fernando, Judular, and the HALO Vocal Ensemble. With its elements of soul, funk, and gospel, I know it’s going to give you goosebumps.
“This song is a love letter – not just to each other, but to the voices, the communities, and the spaces in Melbourne that have shaped us,” said Mister Co., who wrote “Got My Love” with Ambraya. “Collaborating with Ambraya and HALO brought a sacred energy to the track. It felt like we were honouring something bigger than ourselves.”
“Got My Love” is the latest track from Mister Co.’s upcoming Homegrown EP, which features a whole range of new collaborations with local artists that highlight the depth of talent in Naarm/Melbourne. Mister Co. will mark its release with a massive launch with Ambraya and other featured artists at The Corner Hotel in Quo-yung/Richmond on August 30.
The VANNS are one of my favourite modern Aussie acts. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to wrap my ears around their latest single “Accomplice,” but I’m making up for lost time today. It’s fresh rock cut that’s instantly accessible but just a little better with each and every listen.
“‘Accomplice’ is about having the complete support of somebody in life no matter what you’re going through or maybe even putting yourself through,” the band explained. “It’s a hopeful love song dressed up as a quasi-crime story, and vice versa.”
“Accomplice” comes from The VANNS’ third album All That’s In My Head, which is scheduled for release on August 1. Their album launch shows have all sold out, but you can still catch them at Wanderer Festival at Pambula Beach on October 5.
Stop what you’re doing and hit that volume button. Naarm/Melbourne-based band One More Weekend are here to rock your face off with their latest single “Aunty Meredith.” It’s an all-out assault on the senses, with chunky guitar chords, arresting vocals, and a hooky chorus you’ll find yourself singing long after the final note.
“This one’s about that thin line between freedom and losing control,” explained One More Weekend’s lead vocalist Connor Dougan. “It’s personal, intense, and we didn’t want to sugarcoat any of it.”
Mission accomplished!
You won’t find this song on Spotify or many of the mainstream streaming services, but you can check it out on Bandcamp, Square, or One More Weekend’s Patreon page, where you’ll get access to all the band’s new material first.
The wild music video for “Aunty Meredith” depicts the highs and horrors of a psychedelic experience gone awry at a music festival. It’s both a literal and metaphorical trip that you won’t quickly forget.
One More Weekend will celebrate the release of “Aunty Meredith” with a massive hometown show at The Catfish on July 12. Shows around the rest of the country will follow really soon, so watch this space!
Cardboard Cutouts cement their reputation as one of the most exciting new rock acts in the country with the release of their debut album, Politics and Footy Tips. With raw lyrics, honest vocals, and an epic sound, this Jagera, Giabal, and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba-based band checks all the boxes, and then some.
I say and then some, because this is an album that keeps you on your toes. While the band’s name suggests one-dimensionality, they refuse to make a rock album by the numbers. The opening track “Dishy” sets that standard. Dishies and glassies are rarely rock song heroes, but these icons of Aussie pubs get their moment here. The gentle start, more country-folk than indie-rock, is also unexpected. Soon enough the band’s full throttle, but when they do let rip it’s so much more powerful for the contrast to the quiet moments before.
It’s another bold move to bring out singles “My Best Friend” and “Steer” so early in the album, but it speaks to Cardboard Cutout’s faith in these songs. What comes later is far from filler. While other tracks like “A Story of Numbers, Bottles & Anxiety” and the incredible closer “Better Voice” may be unfamiliar to listeners, they’re destined to become new favourites.
Cardboard Cutouts makes the best kind of rock music. There’s no veneer or bravado, just pure heart. They get real about topics like anxiety, self-doubt, self-acceptance, and perseverance, showing vulnerability that’s rare and beautiful. Whether they’re belting out a tune at 11 or stripping their sound back on a bittersweet ballad, listening to this music from Cardboard Cutouts is such a cathartic experience.
Politics and Footy Tips is a fantastic album from a band with such a bright future ahead of them. Cardboard Cutouts will support its release with headlining shows around the country starting in Meeanjin/Brisbane tonight.
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.
