Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Colleen Ave Make a Splash With “i cant believe it”

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.

Give Colleen Ave a follow on Instagram to learn all about their latest releases and where they’re playing next.

Photo credit: Darcy Goss Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MKTO Waste No Time Announcing Another Aussie Tour

MKTO clearly had a good time on our shores last year, because they’re heading back in September and extending their trip. During their first tour of Australia in 12 years, the American pop duo stuck to the major capitals, but this time around they’re playing more capitals, some regional centres, and even heading across the ditch to see our Kiwi cousins.

“We’re super excited to still be able to do shows with music we put out years ago,” MKTO enthused. “Even more excited to add New Zealand to this run as well as more cities in Australia. Places that showed us love from the very beginning. Can’t wait to see everybody and have a good time!”

You can guarantee you’ll hear “Classic,” plus a host of other pop gems, at the following shows:

3 September 2026 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
4 September 2026 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
5 September 2026 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
6 September 2026 – Freo Social, Walyalup/Fremantle
10 September 2026 – Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney
11 September 2026 – King St Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
13 September 2026 – The Studio, Auckland

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Budjerah Gears Up For Gentleman Release With “Could I Be”

I’m not sure when Budjerah got so smooth, but I’m absolutely vibing his confident new soul releases. His latest is “Could I Be,” a Bruno Mars-esque number from his forthcoming debut album, Gentleman.

“Gentleman is my debut album and it’s inspired by who I wanted to be when I was growing up,” Budjerah said. “This album was almost a four-year process for me. Between my life at home and life on the road, I experienced so much change and growth. Chasing my dreams I faced new challenges which helped me understand who I wanted to be. Every song on this album holds a piece of me. I hope little Budjerah is proud.”

We can feast our ears on more new Budjerah material when his debut album Gentleman drops on July 24. Expect to hear many of those new tunes and all your old favourites at the following upcoming Budjerah shows:

14 June 2026 – OneSydney @ Sydney Opera House, Eora/Sydney
10 July 2026 – Ipswich Civic Centre, Tulmur/Ipswich
18 July 2026 – Wisely Wine and Food Day @ Queens Park, Yuwi/Mackay (FREE)

Photo credit: Daniel Boud

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sandy Louis Shines With “Keep on Riding”

Mulubinba/Newcastle-based singer-songwriter Sandy Louis has wowed me with her new single “Keep on Riding.” Her voice is so rich and textured, it’s stopped me in my tracks. The production keeps her vocals and lyrics front and centre, just as they should be.

This song has a beautiful message about resilience and learning to keep your heart open, even if it’s experienced pain. Sandy Louise cowrote this one with Shawn O’Friel, who she’s shared the stage with for many years at Sandy’s songwriter events. The collaboration’s been a long time coming, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Country ballads don’t get much better than this.

Along with hosting her regular Open Mic Songwriters Sing night at the Newcastle United Sports Club every Wednesday, Sandy Louis will play the following gigs this month:

6 June 2026 – Batesy’s Bar @ The Entrance Leagues Club, Darkinjung Country/Bateau Bay (duo with Brett Chapman from 8 pm)
13 June 2026 – Benchmark on Booner @ Hawks Nest (solo from 6 pm)

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saralyn Drops New Country Anthem, “Free as a Bird”

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!

29 May 2026 – Nashville Jukebox @ Royal Hotel, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country/Canberra
30 May 2026 – Nashville Jukebox @ The Oaks Hotel Albion, Woolyungah/Wollongong
31 May 2026 – Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival, Kurranulla/Cronulla

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Legg Offers Final Folky Taste of EP With “Like I Never Left”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Angus Legg continues to charm me with his latest single “Like I Never Left.” This beautiful acoustic folk number is a companion piece to his previous release, “12th of May.”

“’Like I Never Left’ is about coming home, carrying the quiet uncertainty of whether ‘home’ is still waiting on the other side,” Angus explained. “In this story, home isn’t a place, it’s a person. Where ‘12th of May’ captures the day I left – full of grief and uncertainty – ‘Like I Never Left’ lives in the return, holding onto the blind hope that what you had might still be there.”

“Like I Never Left” is the final single from Angus’ debut EP A Long Time Gone, which he’ll release on June 25.

Photo credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Butcher, Lover, Runner” – Jean Elliot

In an era where concept recordings are a dying breed, especially among female artists, Jean Elliot’s Butcher, Lover, Runner reminds listeners of their value. This is a boldly ambitious EP which blurs genre boundaries to tell a compelling story of survival in the Australian bush.

The EP’s title refers to its three central characters whose paths cross in the Devil’s Wilderness, a cinematic gothic-noir setting inspired by Jean’s home in the Dyarubbin/Hawkesbury River. The bluesy opening track “Hole in Her Head” introduces us to the Runner, the story’s female protagonist driven out of the township and into hiding after she was falsely accused of attempted murder. The intensity of this situation is revealed with “Wiretrap.” It’s a powerful alternative rock song that reminds me of music from Tori Amos and Fiona Apple with the contrast between its heavenly vocals and dark, grungy music. The darkness lifts for a moment when the Runner meets the Lover in the “Beneath Your Sun.” He’s a highwayman and a willing accomplice to her plans. Of course, their peace is short-lived, and we’re returned to the bleak reality of their existence with “Devil’s Wilderness Theme.” A spoken-word soundscape, it’s an ambitious piece that anchors this EP beautifully. “Lennon” and “Highwayman” bring the story to a close as the Runner and the Lover travel to confront the ringleader of the witch-hunt – The Butcher – and deal with the fall-out.

“The genre of Australian gothic-noir inspired the lyricism and visuals,” Jean explained. “The ideas about witch-hunts and boy gangs are inspired by the attitudes of young people I have come across, with the hunter and prey metaphor running through the story symbolising cycles of violence, relationships, and the cruelty/beauty of nature.”

Butcher, Lover, Runner takes listeners on a journey with its characters and genre shifts. Jean manages to do it all effortlessly, playing with country, blues, folk, rock, and genres in between. Whatever sounds she’s exploring, her striking voice and engaging narrative compel you to listen. It’s such an original, impressive EP. Butcher, Lover, Runner is streaming now.

Main photo credit: Ollie Acosta
EP artwork credit: Wilma Acosta (edit Layla George)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex Lahey Celebrates 10 Years of B-Grade University With Reunion Edition Feat. Tegan and Sara

Alex Lahey is marking 10 years since the release of her debut EP by revisiting the songs that put her on the musical map. On July 17, she’ll release B-Grade University (Reunion Edition), featuring reimagined versions of the original tracks.

“I am not exaggerating when I say this EP completely changed my life,” Alex said. “These songs found their place in the world in a way I could have never fathomed and have forged a life of their own over the last decade. They’ve taken me to corners of the world I could only have dreamed of seeing, let alone playing music in, given me the privilege of meeting so many people who have found their own stories in the songs and they have enabled me to keep making the next thing. I feel indebted to all of these songs and treat them with extra care and love whenever I play them live.”

One of the standouts from the new EP is likely to be Alex’s re-recorded version of “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me” featuring Tegan and Sara.

In a shared statement, Tegan and Sara said, “The first time I heard Alex Lahey, I remember thinking, oh—this is the artist I wish I was, but don’t quite have the lungs to pull off being. When we toured together ten years ago, I realized she wasn’t just a great songwriter and performer—she’s also weird and very funny, which somehow makes her even more of a powerhouse. Going from watching her sing ‘You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me’ from side stage to singing on it for the B-Grade University ten-year re-release feels like a full-circle moment. If you don’t know Alex yet, congratulations—you’re about to have a new favorite. Just remember we knew her first.”

While B-Grade University (Reunion Edition) will be all over streaming, if you’re a serious fan you’ll want the limited-edition vinyl version available for pre-order right now. American fans will also get to see Alex touring this EP at the following shows:

16 July 2026 – Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco
17 July 2026 – Permanent Records, Los Angeles
18 July 2026 – Soda Bar, San Diego
21 July 2026 – 7th St. Entry, Minneapolis
22 July 2026 – Schubas, Chicago
23 July 2026 – Nightclub 101, New York
25 July 2026 – Songbyrd, Washington, DC
26 July 2026 – Middle East (Upstairs), Boston

Photo credit: Seannie Bryan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Briton Releases Soulful Single, “Satellite”

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based R&B artist Jordan Briton has just served up his smooth new single, “Satellite.” He was inspired to write this song after reconnecting with his roots and getting to know someone new.

“In early 2025, I booked a solo trip to the Philippines, somewhere I hadn’t been since I was a child,” Jordan recalled. “After my most successful single to date, the awards still felt empty. I realised I’d been pursuing music to show people how high I could climb rather than enjoying the journey for myself. While visiting my Lola and Lolo, I met a local singer-songwriter. Because we were both artists, I connected with her in ways I hadn’t felt before. I’d never pursued a long-distance relationship before, but I knew I’d regret not trying. ‘Satellite’ captures that genuine yearning of ‘if only’ put to music.”

If you’re into “Satellite,” you’ll be happy to know there’s a lot more new music on the way. This is the first of six singles Jordan plans to release before he drops his debut album Slow Burn in November.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pinky Beecroft Gives Me Chills With “My Heart Is In the Wrong Place”

If you’re only familiar with Pinky Beecroft’s music as the frontman of Machine Gun Fellatio, his latest single might take you a little off guard. “My Heart Is In the Wrong Place” is a gentle soul song, a world away from the brash alternative rock his old band was known for. I guess we all mellow with age, but don’t mistake a gentle sound with being boring. This song draws you in, wraps around you, and encourages you to stay a while.

“’My Heart Is In The Wrong Place’ is a song I first heard at my local pub in the Hunter Valley, watching Ben Salter play a solo show. It was an incredible gig – and halfway through he played this song and it blew my mind. I walked home afterwards and I was humming the melody; it just lodged in my brain,” Pink recalled.

“Some months later I was in a studio on the outskirts of Melbourne recording with Damian Cafarella, a producer, multi-instrumentalist and all-round genius musician. I’d gone there to put vocals on one song for him, on a record he was making — but we ended up recording for days. We accidentally made an entire album together. At that stage, this song was not part of my plans. By then I’d found out that Ben Salter originally wrote it for Vika & Linda; they’d recorded a version and released it a few years back — I thought well, OK… and I had enough of my own material anyway. But then I kept singing it, in the studio, in between breaks — and Damian said ‘Can we just quickly record this so you can get it out of your system?’ So we did. And I fell in love with the song all over again.

“It’s not just the melody, although it is a really simple, beautiful melody. The words of the song struck me – the whole story of friends struggling, trying to stay afloat in a time that can be pretty dark. I think we can all relate to that right now. But Ben turned it into a song of hope. I don’t do a lot of hope, in my own work — it’s hard to do, without being cheesy or saccharine. And I’m not a very hopeful person, by nature. So… yeah. This song affected me, a lot. It still does, when I perform it. I did a version at a gig in Hobart recently and it was kind of nerve-wracking — playing this song on Ben Salter’s home turf. But I think it went OK. I love it and respect it as a beautiful piece of songwriting. I hope I do it justice.”

“My Heart Is In the Wrong Place” comes from Pinky’s forthcoming album Lonesome Wolf, which we’ll hear in August. Fans in Eora/Sydney will get a little taste of his new music when Pinky plays The Factory Theatre on May 29.