I’ve got to admit, when I heard Woolyungah/Wollongong-based act Flow Kobra made trap-metal, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I make a point of listening to absolutely everything I receive. I’m so glad I have that policy. Because the band’s latest single “ROLL IT OVER” is awesome! Honestly, it’s enough to make me wish there were more bands making trap-metal!
“‘ROLL IT OVER’ marks a new chapter for us, leaving behind the dark grittiness of ‘CRINGE CLIQUE’ for a more uplifting and euphoric journey,” said Flow Kobra’s lead singer Kobe Stimson. “The track embodies the resilience of making it through life’s storms to reach a blissful state, embracing hope and transformation.”
Flow Kobra will play for hometown fans at Darkside Fest, held at UOW, on 26 April alongside the likes of Windwaker, Sienna Skies, Heists, and Alienist. If you like your music on the heavier side, you won’t want to miss it.
Eight years after releasing his last album Vintage Modern, iconic Aussie rapper 360 is back with some fresh new music. His latest single “Coastline,” featuring rising star Gigi Russ, is a chill summery song that combines acoustic melodies with 360’s rapid-fire rhymes.
“Coastline” is the third single from 360’s fifth studio album Out of the Blue, which drops in July. He’ll celebrate the release with some massive shows all around the country. With his longtime collaborator PEZ joining the tour, you know it’s going to be a party. Tickets are on sale now!
It feels like Harry Cleverdon’s album, Survival, has been a long time coming. He released an experimental psychedelic album under the moniker SonofHarry in 2023, but Survival is the first released under his own name. It’s also the first featuring the sweet country-folk-pop sound I’ve enjoyed from Harry since 2022. But you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait.
Now that it’s out in the world, I appreciate that Harry took his time. He’s still a young artist, but the experience and wisdom he’s gained through the last few years I’ve spent following his career shows. Songs like the incredibly catchy album opener “House of Cards” and the stirring title track, which you can listen to below, are among the best he’s released. I love the cheekiness of “Empty Bottles,” but I’m also glad Harry balances it with more vulnerable numbers like “Nothing For Myself” and “Superman (Late Night Trance).” He shows more of his heart with “The Best That I Can,” an earnest love song that’s sure to leave most listeners swooning.
There’s also an ease about Harry’s music that only comes with growing comfortable in your own skin. When so many new releases rely on heavy production, Survival comes as a breath of fresh air. Harry’s not afraid to buck the trends and get back to basics with his music. With acoustic, organic instrumentation in support, his sweet vocals are never overpowered. We can hear every lyric, which is such a blessing when the songs are so well-crafted. Listening to these tunes you get the sense that they’d sound the same live as they do on the recording. There’s no tricks or wizardry here, and the music is better for it.
Survival is the perfect showcase for Harry’s talents as a singer and songwriter. The songs are instantly accessible, but spend a little more time with them and know you’ll fall as deeply in love as I have. Stream it on your favourite platform now. You can also hear Harry and other fantastic Aussie country acts on my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Country.
Images used with permission from Lambing Flat Records
Mika James has stepped out from behind the drum kit of Naarm/Melbourne punk act The Vovos to launch her solo career. Her first single “Nonna’s Trolley” is a joyous folk song with a splash of punk sensibility. Just see if you can resist singing along to those “la la las”!
“’Nonna’s Trolley’ is a song that was written out of the feeling you get when you overestimate how many things you can carry when you’re walking down the street – when you have to get from A to B but everything you’re carrying is impossibly balanced across bags strung on both shoulders, jean back-pockets and two waiter-style-full hands,” Mika admitted. “You’re in a target stare of the destination but you can feel something slipping – it’s a panic laugh in a La la la. I wrote it in a time of my life where everything was a bit off-kilter and retrospectively wild, but when I looked down at all the things I was carrying, and the people who were at the A and B – I think of it as a highly special time in my life. ‘Nonna’s Trolley’ is for the people who run into door frames and make Bolognese for their friends who come over and eat it in their bath, for champagne in the shower – It’s for the laugh when everything falls out of your arms after you try to pick up what fell out of the bag over your left shoulder.”
I’m obsessed with this song and the sentiment behind it and I can’t wait to hear more from Mika.
Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity
I’ve been thoroughly charmed by “Ardmona Rd,” the latest release from local independent folk-pop act Tom Nethersole. An exploration of young queer love, it’s brimming with optimism and nostalgia. Take a listen and I know you’ll be smiling by the time the chorus kicks in.
“It’s deeply personal but also relatable, especially for queer listeners who are searching for that fairytale moment we don’t always see reflected in music,” Tom said.
Tom is definitely an artist on the rise. He’s graced the stages of Midsumma Pride Street Party, Always Live, and the Rockhampton River Festival and amassed more than 180k streams. No wonder major media outlets like Rolling Stone, JOY FM, FBi Radio, and this blog are starting to take notice.
For years we’ve known Tom Busby as one half of local indie-folk duo Busby Marou, but now he’s going solo. Sort of. Ahead of the release of his first solo album, Tom has dropped a fantastic new single “Waiting for Tomorrow,” which he recorded with Ben Kweller. If you know anything about Ben’s music, this song is everything you’re hoping for. I was a big Busby Marou fan, but I think this might just be the best thing Tom’s released.
“Waiting for Tomorrow” comes from Tom Busby’s new solo album Rockhampton Hangover, which we’ll hear in the middle of the year.
“This record is me at my most honest – no filter, no hiding, and ‘Waiting for Tomorrow’ sets the tone for that,” Tom said. “It’s about regret and restlessness but also about dusting yourself off and charging forward. Recording it with Ben Kweller in Texas, with my family there, made it even more real. It’s a new chapter, and I’m all in.”
Something tells me we’ll hear a lot more from Tom Busby this year as he enters this new musical chapter.
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Few things excite me more musically than a really good duet. A song that comes from the heart with two voices that seem to join together effortlessly. The chemistry between two talented artists who’ve created something beautiful together is palpable as you listen to the song unfold. Now those top tier duets are rare, but “No Cure For Love,” the latest track from Rowena Wise and Didirri, is definitely one of them. We shouldn’t be surprised these talents have chemistry though, because away from music they’re a real-life couple.
“‘No Cure for Love’ was written in the wake of realising our love can be a double-edged sword. We’ve been in a relationship for 8 years, and turbulence is inevitable with anything that lasts a long time,” they admitted. “During a phase of smoking weed and arguments, we could not see eye to eye. It was confusing when we’ve known each other so deeply and for so long, only to arrive at the feeling that we’re complete strangers. In those moments we considered whether the bond that tied us together was becoming too much to bear. The words ‘I’m too much for you’ and ‘you’re going to leave me one day’ were carelessly spoken, like a self-fulfilling prophecy waiting to happen. This song captures those moments where we have crumbled, said hurtful things, and had to look at our options. We came out of that chapter ready to face the challenge of our love, realising we can only love and respect each other if we do this for ourselves first. We can’t take each other (and ourselves) for granted if we want to be companions in this long journey together.”
The song comes with a beautiful video that Didirri directed and edited, which was mostly shot on 8mm black and white film. It uses Shibari knotwork as a metaphor for the simultaneous pleasure and restrictive discomfort that long-term relationships can bring.
“We were stripped bare and tied up for the final shot of the clip, embracing a new phase of creativity by exploring body positivity in both our artistic expressions. We were supported by an incredible crew which made the challenge fun to undertake,” they said.
Rowena and Didirri work so beautifully together, so I’m thrilled it doesn’t end here. They’re going to warm up your winter with 11 shows that will see them performing side by side around the country. Get onto it, because these gigs are bound are bound to be amazing.
Harrison Storm has teamed up with Emily Rink for a spine-tingling new single “Call Me When You Get In.” It explores the journey through grief on the path to healing that’s necessary when recovering from a relationship breakdown.
“The writing of this song came together in a very beautiful and easy way,” Harrison recalled. “It was one of those sessions where we were able to get vulnerable quite quickly. We shared some personal stories and I started playing around with some simple chords. Emily’s melodies started flowing effortlessly as she’s incredibly talented and we both sat back to let the emotional melodies inform the story of the song.
Harrison said the song went to another level when they began working with producer Matt Corby.
“It was so perfect and exciting to work with Matt Corby on this one for production. He brought such immediate soul and heart to this song. The days Emily and I spent in the studio with him were unforgettable and very creative.”
Harrison is currently touring the country with Canadian indie-folk act Wild Rivers. If you’ve got a ticket, make sure you arrive early enough for his set.
21 March 2025 – Prince Ballroom, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 22 March 2025 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT) 23 March 2025 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney
On July 5, Emily will play Winter One-Derland at The Station SC in Kabi Kabi Country/Birtinya.
If you’re into the angsty pop of artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Hayley Williams, you’ll love our own EDIE and her latest track “Bleed.” It’s got a fun synth vibe, but tap into the lyrics and you’ll discover that this song has teeth.
“Bleed explores my frustration and anguish to modern dating,” EDIE said. “It seems like no one wants to commit and only wants to lead you on in these long, drawn-out, awful situationships!”
“Bleed” comes with a fantastically dark video that’s not for the faint of heart. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you!
Next up EDIE will play Neon Festival, a free event designed for 15- to 25-year-olds. See it at Manning Community Hall in Boorloo/Manning from 6 pm on April 11.
I’m convinced that everything Joan & The Giants touches turns to gold. “Still Breathing,” their first release for 2025, is another fabulous indie-rock track from this Aussie trio. Born from a jam session, this heartfelt release packs a serious emotional punch.
“The lyrics really speak about an inner war, trying to fight for the people you once were but knowing you have to let it all go – ‘But some things are best kept in the past, and I know we weren’t built to last’,” explained the band’s frontwoman, Grace Newton-Wordsworth.
2025 is set to be a massive year for Joan & The Giants as they prepare to say goodbye to their home in Boorloo/Perth and base themselves in Naarm/Melbourne. They’ve already played their first international shows at SXSW, but they’ll be back on home soil for a string of shows soon, including a big WA farewell. If you live there, make sure you give them the send off that they deserve!
