Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darcy Pilitz Wows Me With “Wishing Your Life Away”

I love discovering fantastic new artists in my own backyard. Darcy Pilitz is the latest musician from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast to wow me with his music. His latest single “Wishing Your Life Away” is a fantastic grungey pop-punk number in the vein of local acts like Dear Seattle and Slowly Slowly. Its stripped-back opening draws you in, ensuring you’re well on board when the guitar riffs amp up.

“This track really hones in on being in your 20s. Everything feels crazy and chaotic, people are having kids and buying houses, others are really just getting started on their own story,” Darcy explained. “It’s about working those shit jobs to try and make money to do the things you want. At it’s core, this song is about trying to be present and appreciate what you’ve achieved so far, before immediately trying to chase the next ‘thing’. Feels like a bit of a ‘note to self’ to remember what it’s all about and trying not to get caught up in the rush.”

I’m bummed to see I missed a couple of local gigs recently, but I’m determined to avoid repeating that mistake. If you feel the same way, make sure you give Darcy a follow on Instagram to stay in the loop.

Photo credit: Eddy Hill

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Busby Builds Anticipation for Debut Solo Album With “In the Dark”

While I enjoyed his music with Busby Marou, I’ve been really excited watching Tom Busby’s solo journey. He’s dropped a string of singles, including “Waiting For Tomorrow” with Ben Kweller, but I think his latest release “In the Dark” is his best yet. It’s a beautiful ballad with one of the rawest and most powerful vocals I’ve heard in some time.

“In the Dark” comes from Tom’s solo album Rockhampton Hangover, which drops on February 20. He’s currently giving fans a taste of the new material on an East Coast tour.

“I just love being back on the road with this young band,” he enthused. “They are red hot and bring so much energy. Playing these intimate rooms feels special, the connection is real, and the storytelling is off the hook.”

Click the links for tickets to Tom’s remaining solo shows:

20 November 2025 – The Citadel, Bandjalang Country/Murwillumbah
21 November 2025 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 November 2025 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
28 November 2025 – Bellarine Estate, Bellawiyn/Bellarine
29 November 2025 – Shedshaker Taproom, Djandak/Castlemaine
30 November 2025 – The Retreat, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Maclay Heriot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Scarlett Looks Ahead with “Finding My Destination”

I’m heading off to Meeanjin/Brisbane this Thursday for a little holiday, but mentally I’m already gone. It’s pretty hard to focus on the nine-to-five when time away is looming, especially when Georgia Scarlett’s new track “Finding My Destination” is encouraging my wanderlust! It’s a beautiful country-pop track about embracing new experiences. I also love its warm, vibrant sound. Any time you feature banjo and harmonica, I’m smitten.

“For me, the song also mirrors this stage in my musical journey,” Georgia said. “Creating this album has been a process of discovering my sound and image as an emerging artist, finding myself in a very busy time of my life, and this is just the beginning.”

We’ll get to hear that album, called Rhythm of Life, on November 28. You can pre-order a vinyl copy from Suitcase Records. Georgia will celebrate its release with a performance at Rosewood Rocks, a free country music festival at Rosewood Hotel, on December 6.

Photo credit: Harry Ebinger

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Help SoSo Score ARIA Number One

This Friday, SoSo will release their long-awaited debut album So Much For Second Chances. Honestly, I can’t remember being so invested in an album launch in forever. This Eora/Sydney pop-punk act are creating some fantastic music, but there’s a little more to my excitement than that. This independent band is taking on the big guys and hoping to secure an ARIA # 1. It’s an ambitious plan for a little band, but if they pull it off they hope it’ll open doors and let them focus on their music full-time.

I’ve always been behind this band, and that’s not just lip service. I am one of the many Aussies who’ve pre-ordered a copy of this album because I want to see these battlers triumph. Every time they release new music, I’m convinced I’ve made the right decision. So let’s see if I can give you a nudge. Take a listen to their latest single “Something More.” What a banger!

“Essentially, it’s a reflection of where each of the band members is at – we each hold down careers to fund our dream of doing what we love for a living, which is making music,” explained SoSo’s frontman Rhys de Burgh. “Throwing everything we have into SoSo with the hope it’ll take off so we can escape the 9-5 jobs we despise, but deep down understanding that it might never happen for us.”

If you’re into this song as much as I am, head to SoSo’s website and pre-order a copy of So Much for Second Chances. It’ll cost you as little as a $1 for a digital download, which seems a small price to pay to see Taylor Swift dethroned. You can also score some sweet vinyl or a CD copy. There’s free shipping if you spend $69.95, so why not get a few copies for family and friends this Christmas? Get behind them Sounds of Oz readers!

Photo credit: Mega Media TV

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blue Ren Shines With “Wild Roses”

Ballaarat/Ballarat-based singer-songwriter Blue Ren has channelled all the emotions the conflicting emotions that come with leaving a toxic love behind into her latest single “Wild Roses.” With minimal production, the authenticity of Blue Ren’s vocals and heartfelt lyrics really shines through. Sitting somewhere between rock and alt-folk, it reminds me a little of music from Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls.

“Wild Roses can be beautiful and fragrant and lure you in, but be careful that their thorns don’t cut you and leave a lasting scar,” Blue Ren warned. “It’s a metaphor for the angst of leaving someone you love that you know is not good for you.”

“Wild Roses” is available on all your favourite streaming platforms now. Listen to it and other fabulous Aussie tracks on my Sounds of Oz Loves Rock playlist.

Image used with permission from Blue Ren

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Duelling Pianos @ Drifter’s Wharf, Darkinjung Country/Gosford

My husband and I discovered what piano bars could be when we were cruising with P&O several years ago. These weren’t the loungey piano bars you see in hotel lobbies; they were rowdy venues where the entertainers played party anthems that had crowds on their feet. Honestly, we’ve been chasing that high ever since. I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve visited piano bars on cruise ships and on land and walked out disappointed. So our expectations were fairly low when we decided to catch the Duelling Pianos show at Drifter’s Wharf. The tickets were cheap, so we reasoned we could leave early if we wanted. However, this was the piano bar experience we’ve been looking for.

The Duelling Pianos concept originated in New Orleans. While it’s common in the US, it’s something we sadly don’t see enough of in Australia. As the doors opened, we were greeted by two pianos facing one another, each one set up with a request pad and pencils so we could start shaping the set. Mitchell Dormer, who you may remember from the most recent season of The Voice Australia, eased us into the night with Billy Joel’s “Vienna.” But after that it was banger after banger. With his buddy Bodhi Acton on the other piano, they raised the roof on this intimate venue. While usual piano bar suspects like “Sweet Caroline” and “Piano Man” got their time, they sat alongside pub classics like “Mr Brightside” and “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” And we all got in touch with our feminine side when they busted out “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” for the closer.

Longtime readers might notice that I am very reluctant to stand for a gig. I wouldn’t even do it for Rob Thomas a couple of weeks ago. I fully expected that even if the music was good, fatigue might set in and cause me to cut my night short. But honestly, I could have enjoyed a couple more hours of Duelling Pianos. Mitchell and Bodhi are insanely talented musicians with a seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of music. While I didn’t get my Harvey Danger and Montell Jordan requests, I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday night.

Mitch and Bodhi regularly play at The Northern Hotel in Cavanbah/Byron Bay. You can also catch them at the Tivoli in Meeanjin/Brisbane on December 13.

Photo credit: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonetrip Deliver Retro Rock Sounds With “Postcards”

If you long for the glory days of Aussie pub rock, wrap your ears around “Postcards,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne outfit Stonetrip. This is straight-down-line rock music, no bullshit, 100% commitment.

“Chemical Attraction” comes from Ben’s latest album Let Me At the Night. Ben said “It’s still a country record in my eyes: narrative-based songs that explore the themes I’ve been circling in my writing for years. But we’ve really dialled up the experimentalism—pushed our sonic palette further than we ever have before!”

If you appreciate music that refuses to play by the rules, I know you’ll vibe with this. Turn it up and get loose!

Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Morgan Evans Celebrates Hometown With Latest Single, Album

As a Novocastrian born and bred, I’m incredibly proud of the place I grew up and its musical exports. My heart is so full seeing hometown hero Morgan Evans taking the world by storm. His career might have taken him to Nashville, but his heart is never far from Mulubinba/Newcastle.

After recently signing a new deal with the Virgin Music Group, Morgan has just released his latest single “Beer Back Home,” which was no doubt inspired by boozy nights out at local haunts like The Del or Stag and Hunter. The single gives us our first taste of Morgan’s sophomore album Steel City, which drops on March 20.

“I’m stoked to partner with Virgin Music Group on this record,” Morgan said. “They’ve built a global team that gets Nashville, Europe, Australia, and they get me. The industry’s changing fast, but their model keeps artists in control, especially creatively. I couldn’t be prouder of this new music or more excited to share it with the world alongside the legends at VMG. Let’s go!”

Morgan will be back in the Steel City on February 14 for the Howlin’ Country Music Festival. He’ll also play Meatstock in Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba and Gunaikurnai/Gippsland in April before returning to the United States.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Donovan Covers Al Green Soul Classic

Proud Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist Emma Donovan has put her stamp on Al Green’s soul classic “Take Me To the River.” I’ve long believed you shouldn’t cover a song unless you can make it your own, but the inclusion of language in the back half makes this version totally unique.

“I’m quite nervous releasing a song like ‘Take Me To The River’ because the Al Green version is such an iconic version, and it’s a big song!” Emma admitted. “But it’s exciting and good to share my perspective on it. A song like Take Me To The River is similar to an Archie Roach song like ‘Get Back To The Land.’ It’s about filling that cup up after a big breakup, going to look for that Country, looking for that water, to cleanse and feel good. I love my connection to that song and I’m excited to share it.”

Emma also thought about her own experiences in local waterways when she recorded her version. “My take on this song is really about family and community,” she added. “We always talk about going up the river, that’s our outlet. We go fishing, we go swimming, we go to hang out, and we take the little ones and we’re there with family. We’ve been following my nannas and my grandfathers for years to the river. So hopefully, with that bit of language that we translated, people will feel the connection to that.”

Emma has announced some fabulous shows for the summer. Catch her at the following events.

30 November 2025 – Sync the Music launch @ Bellingen Memorial Hall, Gumbaynggirr Country/Bellingen
16 January 2026 – Sydney Festival @ City Recital Hall, Eora/Sydney
13 February 2026 – Riverboats Music Festival @ Aquatic Reserve, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca
7 March 2026 – Port Fairy Folk Festival @ Southcombe Park, Gunditjmara Country/Port Fairy

Photo credit: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore