Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T” – ixaras

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, I don’t need to tell you how good ixaras is. I’ve been following her career since before she dropped her stellar debut EP full lover fake friends. I loved her early material, but I’m thrilled to see how she’s evolving with every release. She recently released her sophomore EP WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T which serves as a timely reminder of the superb rock music she’s making.

I’ve already written about four of the six tracks, so there’s not a lot I haven’t already said. You know these tracks are solid, brimming with all the energy and angst that you hope to hear from an artist still in their teens. I can also report that the two “new to me” songs are every bit as good as the tracks previously released. There are no fillers. In fact, the defiant closer “CAUGHT UP” has become a new favourite.

ixaras’s music is just so relatable. I might be more than twice her age, but I get it. I feel this music down to my bones. Perhaps that’s because ixaras has such a strong sense of self. She certainly has more figured out than I did at her age!

“I know who I am, and who I am not. Even if you know what’s real nobody can fully know what is and what isn’t. This body of work is a release of my fears, insecurities, lessons and truth that I had to learn while navigating these past couple years,” she explained. “I had to kill part of myself to make this EP because not only was I deeply scared to be ambitious, but living in Australia there is a secret shame for wanting to succeed. This music is not only a mantra for those who want to have control of their own life, but it’s me letting go of the past and shedding old skin to make space for what I have planned for the future.”

Whether you’re already a fan like me or you’re new to ixaras’s music, take a listen to WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T. This fantastic EP is on all your favourite streaming platforms right now. And if you like what you hear, make sure you get along to one of her January shows.

10 January 2026 – The Loft, Eora/Sydney
11 January 2026 – The Leadbeater, Naarm/Melbourne
18 January 2026 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 January 2026 – The Y HQ, Boorloo/Perth
24 January 2026 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide

Images used with permission from G.Y.R.O Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

jnr. Drops New Summer Anthem, “as you are”

jnr. is delivering the good vibes you need to transition into your weekend with his summery new single “as you are.” It’s got a slick indie-pop sound, but beneath the polish is a serious message about self-acceptance and loving others the way they want to be loved.

“A lot of the songs I wrote in France are written to both my partner and to myself. With ‘as you are’, I was looking back on a conversation we had where I might have been prying a bit too much,” jnr. admitted. “I realised I wasn’t ready to understand parts of her because she hadn’t confronted those parts within herself yet. There were holes in myself that I didn’t understand yet that I was trying to fill with her. A lot of my songs are from a place of trying to understand myself through other people, and realising that whatever messed up way we are in is the way it’s supposed to be.

“as you are” is the title track from jnr.’s forthcoming EP, which is scheduled to drop in March. Until then, I’ll have this song on heavy rotation.

Image used with permission from jnr.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“2 Cents Journal” – Favourite Kid

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based sibling trio Favourite Kid have won me over with the wit and wisdom of their debut album 2 Cents Journal. As the album’s name implies, this outfit’s songs deliver honest and unfiltered points of view. In the wrong hands some of these songs could come across as preachy, but Favourite Kid has a warm, gentle touch and humour that made me lap up their insights.

Sonically, 2 Cents Journal refuses to sit neatly into any genre box. Favourite Kid’s sound is built on a solid foundation of pop, country, and folk-rock, but I hear a little reggae in there too. Whatever genre they’re playing in, they have a knack for crafting irresistible melodies that elevate their relatable lyrics and balance some heavy themes. The breezy ukelele of “Uncomfy” and the brutally honest words of “I Fucked Up” really put a smile on my face. Ordinarily I’d be irked at the repetition of “Feel Like Shit,” (albeit reworked as “Feel Like Shite” with a guest rap from The Lyrical), but it’s such a gem I would have hit play again anyway.

Lead vocalist and songwriter Ethan said he wrote these songs to make sense of the world around him. “While we can’t control everything in life, it’s important to take time to notice how we’re feeling. Writing these songs has helped me through some difficult times with my own mental health, and I hope they can influence others’ minds to rest a little easier. This album is all about my neurodiverse experiences of learning to deal with anxiety in a world where it can seem like you always have to feel amazing and compare yourself to others.”

2 Cents Journal shows its heart openly, lifting listeners up and giving them food for thought. The more I listen, the more I find lyrics that resonate with me. It’s sweet without being saccharine, a joy from start to finish. It’s available now on all your favourite streaming services.

Photo credit: Leeroy Todd

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Foley Drop Tasty New Single, “Honey”

Eora/Sydney pop power-duo Foley keeps the vibes upbeat on their new single, “Honey.” It’s got a sweet title and sound, but this song actually explores the sour points in relationships when arguments go a little too far.

“Honey is about taking it too far and realising you might have pushed your luck – we all have moments in a relationship where you make your point a little TOO WELL and realise you played too rough,” Foley admitted. “In the right relationship those moments aren’t make or break; instead they are the times you see compassion and understanding in a partner who is willing to have your back and stick with you.”

It’s no surprise that this song sounds slick, because Foley worked on it with a world-class team. It was mixed by Pedro Calloni (Chappell Roan, ELIO, Alex Warren, Daniel Seavey, GAYLE) and mastered by Grammy-nominated audio engineer Nathan Dantzler (Sabrina Carpenter, sombr, Niall Horan, Jonas Brothers, Teddy Swims). Foley also cowrote “Honey” with Max Jacobs and Nico Scali of Loretta.

“We all clicked straight away and had so many laughs, it made for a really energetic session,” Foley said. “Those magic guitar chords that carry the song were brought to the session by Max and having a new guitarist in the room helped us to get into a different headspace. We wanted to write something with the acoustic guitar front and centre that could bring a bit of a bluesy tone – and the chorus really dabbles with that in the guitar and vocal stacks.”

Foley have recently been making waves with shows in Korea. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they announce some local gigs. Keep an eye on their socials to learn all about any upcoming dates as soon as they’re released!

Photo credit: Adrianne Armida

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

STAHR Show Swagger With “Loving Friend”

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based duo STAHR have knocked it out of the park with “Loving Friend.” This ultra-cool desert rock track has gotten under my skin with its smouldering vocals and irresistible groove.

You can hear a palpable chemistry between Grace Harris and Samuel Shepherd as they trade vocals. They only began making music in 2024, but they’ve got enough swagger to convince you they’ve been doing it for years.

If you’re in Meeanjin/Brisbane tomorrow night, make sure you don’t miss STAHR playing the final Live & Unwrapped for this year at Blute’s Bar. Entry is totally free, although you can RSVP through Oztix.

Photo credit: Visual Poets Society

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Legg Honours Father’s Memory With “May All Your Friends Be Artists”

You might want to have some tissues nearby when you press play on Angus Legg’s latest single “May All Your Friends Be Artists.” Angus’ late father wrote this song for his son before he passed away. Ten years ago, it was played at Alex Legg’s funeral. Now in this new recording you can hear father and son singing this song together for the very first time.

“Every time I hear or sing the last line, it’s like the first time I heard it. Floodgates open,” Angus admitted. “In the second chorus, you can hear my father and I singing together… something I never got to do while he was alive.”

Be right back, got to call my folks. This is one of those special tracks that reminds you that life is too short, so you shouldn’t waste a moment.

Photo credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chloe Marks & The Mayhem Drop Genre-Bending Single, “Cheaper Than Therapy”

Chloe Marks & The Mayhem are pushing the boundaries of the country genre with their latest single, “Cheaper Than Therapy.” The band blends country vibes with Americana, soul, and hippie sentiments in this earworm.

“‘Cheaper Than Therapy’ is about my personal journey in finding out who I am,” Chloe said. “It’s about admitting my flaws but also celebrating the incredible road I’ve had to walk to become this version of myself. It’s about spirituality, honesty, and openness.”

Chloe Marks will play shows through the rest of the year and into 2026. Here are all the places you can catch her: 

18 December 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 December 2025 – Gem Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Yatala
26 December 2025 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 December 2025 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
31 December 2025 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 January 2026 – Tudor Hotel, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
17 January 2026 – Southgate Inn, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (3-6 pm)
17 January 2026 – Tudor Hotel, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (7:30-10:30 pm)
18 January 2026 – Joe Maguires, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
20 January 2026 – Joe Maguires, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
22 January 2026 – Riverside Stage, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
29 January 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
30 January 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
31 January 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
5 February 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
6 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
7 February 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 February 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
14 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 February 2026 – Beechmont Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Advancetown
19 February 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
20 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 February 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 February 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 February 2026 – Chattahoochee Joes, Meeanjin/Brisbane
1 March 2026 – Beechmont Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Advancetown
6 March 2026 – The Irish, Giabal, Jarowair, and Jagera Country/Toowoomba
7 March 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 March 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
13 March 2026 – Suzi Wongs Goodtime Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 March 2026 – Bearded Dragon, Yugambeh Country/Tambourine
17 March 2026 – Brooklyn Standard, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 March 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 March 2026 – Honky Tonks, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 March 2026 – Suzi Wongs Goodtime Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope Take On John Farnham

My heart is heavy as Eora/Sydney deals with the aftermath of Sunday’s attack on the Jewish community. I can’t understand the mentality of hating what you imagine of people so much that you fail to see their humanity. It feels so out of step with the Australia I know and love.

I can’t find the “right” song for today. I’m not sure it exists. But it didn’t feel right to go quiet either. So instead I’m going to post something that will hopefully make you smile. Because I think we all need all of that. And if anything will help you block out the darkness for just a few moments, I think it might be Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope’s version of John Farnham’s “Reasons.” If you’d ever wondered how this Farnsy classic might sound as a bluegrass song, this one’s for you.

“This is a song that we have been playing live and is a crowd favourite, so it only feels right to release it for our fans,” Gareth Leach said. “Doing a bluegrass cover of a song can be a pretty tricky thing to pull off without being super cheesy, so we were very cautious to not cross into that territory. This song, in particular, is so much fun for us to play and it was important for us to capture that whilst also staying faithful in tipping our caps to the great man, John Farnham.”

“Reasons” is the first track lifted from Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope’s upcoming EP Blues, Grass & Gospel, which we’ll hear early next year. They’ll also play the Echuca Country Music Festival at Echuca Racecourse on March 28.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beautiful Monument Ushers in New Era With “Dancing With the Buried”

Incredible female-fronted rock acts have been back in the headlines lately after visits from international powerhouses Garbage and Evanescence. But you don’t have to look that far for female-fronted acts that pack a punch. Naarm/Melbourne-based band The Beautiful Monument show they’ve got the goods with their impressive new single “Dancing With the Buried.” It’s a powerful number that explores the often harsh reality of picking up the pieces after domestic violence.

“This track hits very close to home,” admitted vocalist Lizi McIntosh. “It’s about victims not being believed about their abuse because of the stigma that surrounds domestic violence as a whole. The video represents that abuse comes in all forms, shapes and sizes; even if it’s not what’s stereotypically perceived by societal norms.”

The release of “Dancing With the Buried” marks the start of a new chapter for The Beautiful Monument, who’ve spent the last year writing, recording, and developing their sound.

“We’ve taken our time to ensure the next era of The Beautiful Monument is our best yet; not only for our fans, but for us as musicians,” they said. “We can’t wait to show the world what we have been cooking up, and we look forward to the thrill ride to come!”

The Beautiful Monument will show metal and hard rock fans just what they’ve got when they play the Hellbound cruise next October.

Photo credit: Andrew Bromley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Kunins Showcase Individual Voices With “The Levee” and “The Sorrow You Are Drawn To”

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based father-daughter duo The Kunins have offered an early taste of their third album with their new single. It features two gorgeous folky songs, “The Levee” and “The Sorrow You Are Drawn To.”

Lily Maia Kunin takes lead vocals on the A-side, “The Levee,” while her dad Ken takes the mic on the B-side, “The Sorrow You Are Drawn To.” The Kunins recorded these songs back-to-back at their home studio and said they serve as companion pieces, “Like pairing the perfect wine and cheese.”

The Kunins will release their third album, Time is a Cruel Master, on January 23. They’ll promote it with a string of shows at community halls around the country. Here are all the confirmed dates so far:

23 January 2026 – Cooran Hall, Kabi Kabi Country/Cooran
24 January 2026 – Maleny Community Centre, Jinibara Country/Maleny
30 January 2026 – Burringbar Hall, Bundjalung Country/Burringbar
31 January 2026 – Tom Atkin Hall, Yugambeh Country/Tugun
7 March 2026 – Manly-Lota RSL, Quandamooka Country/Manly

Photo credit: Synapse Creative