My husband and I have what we call the “no death” rule. In equal measures tongue in cheek and deadly serious (pun intended), we simply aren’t allowed to die on one another. Of course it’s likely to bite us as we invoke this rule as we get older, but for now if we’re sick or injured or laughing until we can’t breathe or tripping over the dog, we can simply say “no death rule” and feel confident our love will last forever. So I very much relate to “I’ll kill you if you die before me,” the dreamy new single from Naarm/Melbourne-based artist moonsea.
In this lullaby-esque song, moonsea only half-seriously threatens her love because she’s determined not to be left alone. Its lyrics use humour to process anxiety, grief, and the kind of everlasting love we all hope to hold on to. “I’ll kill you if you die before me,” comes with a stunning music video featuring real paper puppets and stop motion animation from Nadeera A.
If you’re feeling that midweek slump, allow Anna Dine’s poppy new single “anymore” put a little pep in your step. The follow-up to her smashing debut “kind 2 me,” this is feelgood music at its finest, with sparkling synths, vibrant vocals, and alt-rock guitars for a hint of edge. The contemporary lyrics, which celebrate the power of online blocking and setting your own boundaries, are also fantastic.
To celebrate the release of “anymore,” Anna Dine will head off on her first tour tomorrow. She’ll coheadline most shows with Cate Guirguis, except for her solo show at Towradgi Beach Hotel.
Make sure you save the date music lovers because Groovin the Moo is back baby! Australia’s favourite regional festival returns for a very special one-off show in Widjabul Wia-bal Country/Lismore on 9 May.
Way back in 2005, organisers created Groovin the Moo to bring major contemporary music acts to regional centres. That ethos hasn’t changed, so while we don’t know who’ll play this year it’s bound to be big. By focusing on a single show with a single stage, organisers are taking the first steps of a long-term sustainable strategy to return the beloved festival to the regional towns who’ve always supported it.
“This is about bringing Groovin The Moo back in a way that honours what it has always stood for,” said Adelle Robinson, CEO of Fuzzy. “The festival belongs to regional Australia. Returning with a one-off show allows us to focus on doing it with the care and responsibility it deserves while the festival industry continues to navigate rising costs and increased pressure. We are so thrilled to come to Lismore, a place that reflects the spirit and resilience of the communities that Groovin The Moo has supported from the beginning.”
Groovin The Moo will take place at Oakes Oval, Widjabul Wia-bal Country/Lismore from 11 am to 10 pm on May 9. All ages are welcome and $2 from every ticket sold will benefit Our Kids, a vital charity partner that helps children and families stay local when requiring medical care in the Northern Rivers. Stay tuned for the on-sale date and lineup in the coming weeks. The pre-sale sign up is open now, so get on it!
Although I live in Darkinjung Country/Central Coast now, Mulubinba/Newcastle will always be home to me. Those roots run deep, and it’s something you can’t properly understand unless you grew up there too. So it’s warmed my heart to hear music from Morgan Evans’ forthcoming album Steel Town, including the recently released title track. This music pays homage to our shared hometown in such a heartfelt, authentic way.
“’Steel Town’ is about where I come from and why I am the way I am,” Morgan explained. “Newy was a beautiful place to grow up, but also a tough one, and we poured all of that into this record.”
Morgan will release his Steel Town album on March 20 before embarking on the biggest tour of his career in May. American country star and his duet partner on the recently released single “Two Broken Hearts,” Laci Kaye Booth, will join him for these theatre shows. Before that, you can also see Morgan at Meatstock. There’s a Frontier member presale for the Steel Town tour today at 2 pm before the general sale tomorrow at 2.
Lana Karlay is set for a busy year juggling her rising musical career with her year 12 studies. The talented 17-year-old from Djilang/Geelong has just released a new single, “Running Out Of Time” which she wrote and recorded in Los Angeles alongside producer Esthy. It features guest vocals from US artist Cam’dn and is the ideal showcase for her heavenly voice.
Lana was recently named Emerging Artist of 2026 by KROCK and Forte Magazine and you can expect to hear a lot more from her this year. She’s got another single and three music videos on the way to support her upcoming debut album, along with a return trip to the United States for more writing and recording sessions. Mark my words, she’s destined for big things.
I get it. It’s Valentine’s Day. That Hallmark holiday celebrating love. And that’s lovely. But if you want love songs, there’s plenty of that around. So I want to do something different and showcase a song for all of my single readers out there. If you’re looking for a feel-good independent anthem today, you’ve found it with “Cowgirl Blues” from Saralyn. This reminds me of those upbeat country floor-fillers Shania Twain used to release in the ‘90s. It’s so much fun, whether you usually listen to country music or not.
“Cowgirl Blues was built around a fun, high-energy recording process that leaned into big country sounds and feel-good momentum,” Saralyn reminisced. “Guitarist Adam Osmanovic (Viper Creek) brought the unmistakable country twang, supported by honky-tonk keys, pedal steel, banjo, and driving drums. The track grew naturally into something bold, playful, and full, capturing the joy of the room and delivering a big, confident country anthem made to be turned up loud.”
The video, shot by Jake Davey Studios in Gringai Country/Gresford, captures that sense of fun.
“The night came together with the pub rallying the local ladies, crackers, cheese, wine, and dancing well into the night. Surrounded by friends & family, the blue 1975 Kombi van became part of the story, with standout moments including the choreographed leg kick, a confetti pop ‘owe!’ moment, and carefree scenes of driving the Kombi turning the shoot into a celebration rather than just a video.”
“Cowgirl Blues” is the first single to drop from Saralyn’s forthcoming debut EP, which we’ll hear a little later this year. While that release celebrates her original music, Saralyn will also pay tribute to one of her idols, Lainey Wilson, with a string of tribute shows next month. Catch her anywhere you can:
Many of the world’s best singers only need one name because they’re so recognisable, so iconic. Think Cher. Adele. Beyonce. Madonna. And now add Kaliopi to the list. Her voice captured me from the first gutsy note of “One Woman One Love,” her new single with her band The Blues Messengers.
Kaliopi’s powerful blues voice is undeniable, but The Blues Messengers match it so beautifully. Every musician on this track is a force of nature. Greg Rowan’s driving drumbeat, Paul Leeder’s easy bass, and Brendon Price’s piano chops, and John Drew’s talent on the retro Hammond organ create a classic shuffle sound that’s absolutely irresistible. Then Wayne Albury’s saxophone rips in and it all goes to the next level.
If you long for the “good old days” of music, before oversaturated production, auto-tuning, and sampling started to drown out the essence of the song, I know you’ll appreciate “One Woman One Love.” Consider it your invitation to deep dive into the music of Kaliopi & The Blues Messengers before they release their third album later this year. And if you’re in Naarm/Melbourne, catch Kaliopi & The Blues Messengers launching “One Woman One Love” tonight at Kew Court House. Tickets are still available for just $25 from the Boroondara Arts website.
Image used with permission from Kaliopi & The Blues Messengers
Fresh from the release of her sophomore album i feel everything, American alt-punk artist Maggie Lindemann has announced her Australian return. She wowed crowds on her first visit in 2023, and with some incredible new songs in her arsenal, she’s bound to generate just as much buzz.
Personally, I think the material from i feel everything is Maggie’s strongest. It’s powerful but emotionally nuanced, personal but so relatable, with a dynamic, eclectic sound that keeps you guessing. However, don’t stress if you love her earlier music. I’m sure Maggie will deliver all your favourites when she graces Aussie stages in May. Destroy All Lines and artist presales kick off on Tuesday 17 February at 11 am ahead of the general sale at 11 am the following day.
Kate Ceberano’sAustralian Made album went a little under the radar on its release last August. Honestly, I wasn’t aware she’d recorded an awesome album of live Aussie covers until she supported Jimmy Barnes on his Working Class Man shows last year. If you weren’t in the loop when she sold out shows last year, you’ll appreciate that she’s planning an encore tour later this year.
“Last year was an unexpected runaway success,” Kate said. “It ended up being the biggest rock move of my career. Coming back to do it again, and push it further, felt irresistible.”
If you saw Kate’s Australian Made shows last time, this tour is still worth another look. Kate promises to refresh the setlist, expand the arrangements, and tell more stories about her connection to iconic Aussie anthems.
“It’s the same engine, but a different gear,” Kate explained. “The setlist’s been reworked, stretched, and opened up. More stories. More risk. More Australian classics, old and new, and more room to live inside the songs.”
Kate Ceberano’s new Australian Made encore tour kicks off in London in August before the Aussie run commences in Boorloo/Perth in September. Tickets went on sale this morning, so jump on them at the links below!
Eora/Sydney-based artist Chuck Sics is kicking off his next chapter with his dreamy new indie pop-rock single “Arms.” This is Chuck’s first new release since he dropped his debut EP Slipstream last September. I love its nostalgic noughties-influenced sound and vulnerable lyrics.
“’Arms’ is a song about falling in love, and letting love win you over when you’re afraid to lose it,” Chuck said about the track. “I guess it’s normal to be afraid to lose someone, but it’s also easy to become nihilistic in that fear and let it cloud your feelings. It’s easy to get swept away in the fear that nothing lasts forever. With Arms, I wanted to remind myself, and hopefully others, to be present, hold your loved ones and let them hold you – that’s all you need.”
Chuck is a true creative who wrote, sang, and performed almost every instrument on “Arms.” He also produced and mixed the track with a little help from frequent collaborators Blake Wares and River Langford.
Chuck is currently playing a hometown residency at Pleasure Club. After wowing crowds on the 5th, he’ll take the stage again with a free gig on February 19. Chuck is also planning to announce a string of local and interstate gigs really soon.
