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!
One of Australia’s hardest working bands, Kingswood, are bringing their record-setting Hometowns tour to the big screen. Their new documentary CLAPTRAP charts the 2024 tour, which saw them play for more than 60,000 fans during 112 shows over six months.
“When Kingswood asked me, a 23 year old filmmaker, to document Australia’s longest ever tour, I knew that if I actually managed to make it home, the film would be very unique and strange,” said CLAPTRAP’s director, Darcy Newton. “I wanted to create an unreplicable, charming and honest glimpse into the extraordinary world of touring musicians, and this became CLAPTRAP.”
“The documentary process was unusual and fantastical,” added Kingswood’s guitarist and songwriter Alexander Laska. “The most compelling aspect was being aware of, and willfully subjecting to the experience of one’s life being documented in the pursuit of artistic expression.”
CLAPTRAP premieres in Naarm/Melbourne before selected screenings in the Eastern states.
Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Paige Barnard has given me chills with her latest pop ballad, “Strong.” It’s a powerful stripped-back piano number. Keeping the music simple ensures Paige’s vocals and lyrics really shine through.
“I was really struggling to heal and move on from this relationship because nothing really went wrong, it was more the long distance that we couldn’t manage and commit to and so I felt quite rejected at the same time,” Paige recalled. “So this song was really cathartic for me to write and it ended up being the last song I actually wrote about this breakup, and there was a lot!”
Paige will launch “Strong” for hometown fans this Saturday night, March 15, at The Catfish Bar.
Naarm/Melbourne post-punk act TILE have really impressed me with their latest single “Cloud.” I’m not always a fan of this genre, as all too often its music just sounds like a discordant bunch of noise. But this quartet get things right, embracing catchy hooks and serving up plenty of angst and energy.
Queer frontman James Morris says that “Cloud” explores the inner conflict that arises when it feels like you’re out of step with society’s expectations. “It feels like you’re constantly having to justify your choices, explain why you’re not conforming to a set path,” he explained.
TILE will headline a single launch show for hometown fans at The Cactus Room on March 14. Tickets are on sale now from Oztix.
It’s a controversial take, but I honestly think The Superjesus are making some of the best music of their careers. If you don’t believe me, take a listen to their gorgeous new single “Diamonds.” This beautiful ballad is the latest cut from The Superjesus’ new self-titled album, which drops on March 21.
The Superjesus will take the new songs and plenty of old favourites on the road with a national tour this June and July. The shows will open with some up-and-coming acts handpicked by the band. If you want to join the bill, click this link to submit your details and demos.
The album is still a few weeks away, but you can pre-order your vinyl copy now. The Superjesus will press just 200 copies, so make sure you don’t miss out. Then you’ve got a few months to learn all the new songs for the band’s upcoming shows.
