Tarntanya/Adelaide indie act Broken Waves have got me grooving with their latest single “The Chase.” This track defies classification, instead drawing influences from the funk, dance, and indie rock genres. As someone who doesn’t think music needs to fit neatly into boxes, I’m just enjoying the vibe.
“It was heavily influenced by our growing obsession with jazz house, electronic textures, and the kind of EDM that prioritises groove over spectacle,” the band said. “We didn’t want to just experiment for the sake of it — the goal was to refine and tighten our approach to songwriting, to make something leaner and more intentional without losing the emotional weight.”
This song is a bit of a sonic left turn for Broken Waves, but I’m here for it. Crank it up and enjoy!
For not the first time last night, I found myself marvelling at how lucky the Darkinjung Country/Central Coast community is to have a venue like Avoca Beach Theatre. It’s a place that champions not just live music, but original Australian music. It’s an intimate venue, one where you can go to hear artists with an audience who respects what they’re doing. Even in the support act, you won’t hear a peep, unless of course the artist encourages us to sing along. Only occasionally will you see someone raise their phone to capture a photo, but then it’s put away as they give themselves over to the music once more. You rarely see people getting up mid-set to head to the bar. They’re too busy being in it. The older I get, the more annoyed I become at all those things that take me out of the music and the more I appreciate venues that let me revel in it.
I can’t imagine seeing a show like last night’s gig anywhere else, and I’m glad I don’t have to. Mark Crotti opened the show with an incredible set of gentle acoustic folk that had us all hanging on his every word. He could be hilarious one moment, but then make our hearts break with songs like “Half a Cup of Tea” and “Paint Me.” Ordinarily, I don’t remember the songs that support acts sing, even when I enjoy them, so that tells you something about how incredible they were. I’m an instant fan.
Mark Wilkinson is one of those artists I’ve appreciated for many years, but never managed to see live. Falling for his latest album Wild and Hunted Things gave me the push I needed. Now I’m wondering why it took me so long. His voice has always drawn me in, but I think it’s better in person. It filled the hushed room, wrapping around us all like a warm hug. He performed many songs I didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. In a venue like this, where everyone is so quiet and respectful, I could hear every lyric. It was the perfect introduction, and a timely reminder that I need to dig a little deeper into his discography. He gave us a couple of covers: a stripped-back version of Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” that made me appreciate the lyrics in a way I never have before and a killer rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” When people talk about artists making songs their own, they’re talking about what Mark does.
Mark spent most of his time on the acoustic guitar, but also ventured over to the piano for a few songs. He said he was nervous about playing this instrument for us, but honestly, these songs were probably my favourites. What a well-rounded talent he is.
Even though we were all out on a Thursday night, no one seemed in a rush to go anywhere. When Mark told us he’d play an extra song in his encore, we were thrilled. Any excuse for us all to stay in the moment, revelling in such beautiful music a little longer.
When you intend to see an artist for some time, there’s always a risk they might disappoint you. But I can’t imagine a better night, seeing Mark playing songs from his latest album, with Mark Crotti on support, in such a special venue, with a good friend keeping me company. I’m so thrilled I got to experience it. Mark Wilkinson continues his Wild and Hunted Things tour with Mark Crotti on Saturday night in Mulubinba/Newcastle. Limited tickets are available for most of the remaining shows:
Meeanjin/Brisbane-based indie-pop band Platonic Sex might have an edgy name, but if you were expecting controversy from their latest single “Face to the Flywire” you might be disappointed. If you want an intimate song that moves you though, this will be right up your alley. It’s so different from the Platonic Sex music I’ve heard, which is much grungier and grittier than this beautiful piano ballad.
Platonic Sex’s singer and guitarist Bridget Brandolini said this song was inspired by their childhood home in Bundjalung Country/Clunes, New South Wales. With five kids the house was pretty crowded, so Bridget’s bedroom was a converted sunroom. “In stormy weather, I’d squish my face up to the flywire to feel the rain and blow smoke out of my room”, they recalled.
The beautiful melody is built on a chord progression that Bridget’s father passed down. “He is the reason I write so much music today,” they said. “He taught me all the lessons he learned about songwriting, even ones I didn’t ask for. We’d sing different things over those chords, and I always found myself coming back to them.”
“Face to the Flywire” is the title track from Platonic Sex’s debut album, which drops on September 19 and is available for pre-order now. Fresh from supporting Ball Park Music around Queensland, Platonic Sex will play the following shows in October.
Is there anything better than amazing harmonies? I’ll wait. If you can’t think of anything, I know you’ll dig “No Longer My Birthday,” the latest single from Team Love, as much as I do.
Team Love are a Victorian band featuring Ruby McGrath-Lester, Ruby Cattell, Monique Bricknell, Shaun Stolk, Paddy McGrath-Lester, and Tom Thomas. All but Thomas sings, ensuring “No Longer My Birthday” and other songs from their repertoire have a beautiful rich sound. I also love how Australian this sounds.
The press release references Americana, and it’s certainly in there, but reinvented with an Aussie twang. Speaking about this single’s inspiration, Ruby said, “It’s about living life on the outside looking in. The idea that you might not even be lonely because you don’t know what it’s like not to be alone. The world can be a big old solitary place.”
“No Longer My Birthday” comes from Team Love’s sophomore album, which we’ll hear later this year.
Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity
I’m rocking out this afternoon to “Candy Mouth,” the irresistible new single from Eora/Sydney pop-punk act SoSo. It’s ridiculously catchy with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about navigating the music industry. “Candy Mouth” comes from SoSo’s forthcoming album So Much For Second Chances, which they’ve boldly predicted will hit number one. Given the quality of all the tracks I’ve heard so far, they might just be right.
“‘Candy Mouth’ was actually the last song we wrote before heading into the studio, and so it was a case of getting in there and working with Stevie to really make sure it slapped,” said SoSo’s frontman Rhys de Burgh. “Lyrically, it’s about that kinda ‘unknown’ of the music industry – trying to convince yourself that you’re doing something worthwhile that resonates with fans, all the while being overlooked by the industry. Watching a tonne of other acts get leg ups thanks to ‘knowing the right person’ can be a real kick in the teeth, having ‘friends’ in the scene suddenly drop all contact once you’re no longer useful and all that typical music industry stuff. So in the end, ‘Candy Mouth’ came to be this song kinda calling out and having a laugh at those people who’ve used their ‘Candy Mouth’ to climb the ladder of success, whilst dealing with some of the fun and frustration of trying to ‘make it’ whilst being overlooked.”
If you want to see a fairytale ending for these musical underdogs, pre-order So Much for Second Chances and help SoSo make their dreams of a number one album come true.
I try to never judge a book by its cover, but occasionally I’m guilty of judging a musical act by their name. Listening to American act Rainbow Kitten Surprise today I was reminded why that can be a bad move. I expected them to be an over-the-top grating cutesy pop act, but they’re actually a really cool, genre-bending alternative act. I was hooked from the first listen of their latest single “Dang” which took me down a Spotify rabbit hole that I’m not in a hurry to get out of.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise have been earning rave reviews for their Thanks For Coming tour, which South Florida Insider called “a masterful display of live music—raw, unpredictable, and utterly unforgettable.” Aussies will get a chance to experience their on-stage energy when Rainbow Kitten Surprise play headlining shows and support Ocean Alley along the East Coast next year.
They just don’t make music like “Should’ve Never Let You Go” anymore. This duet from John “Swanee” Swan and Melinda Schneider has all the magic of a track from Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra, but it’s actually a cover of a song Neil Sedaka released in 1980 with his daughter Dara. There’s a beautiful stillness about what they do here. The artists respect the melody and give the lyrics time to breathe. It doesn’t sound like anything people are releasing today, and that’s a big part of what makes it so special.
“Should’ve Never Let You Go” is one of the impressive collaborations featured on Swanee’s new album Believe. Fifteen of its 16 songs are collaborations with friends and family members including Jimmy Barnes, Alan and Mahalia Barnes, Diesel, Joe Camilleri, Dave Gleeson, Jack Jones, Colin Hay, Ian Moss, and so many more. Fourteen of its tracks are covers, and it’s fascinating hearing what they bring to such fantastic material.
“Believe is the supreme pizza of Australian rock and soul as it features my friends and family from my 50-year working career,” Swanee said. “This album is about resilience, redemption, and refusing to give up – in music, and in life. I called it Believe because that’s what it takes. Belief in yourself, in second chances, and in the power of a great song.”
While “Should’ve Never Let You Go” is on streaming services, you won’t find the Believe album there. Swanee’s gone old school. You can purchase your choice of CD or double vinyl directly from his website.
Image used with permission from Checked Label Services
“Peace With Me,” the latest single from Tom Harrison, is the sort of music we don’t hear enough of. It’s a gritty blues-rock number that sounds like it comes from the Louisiana Delta rather than the land Down Under. Tom’s gravelly vocals are the perfect foil for the guitar riff that just won’t quit. If you appreciate music with some rough, raw edges, I know you’ll dig this one.
Tom wrote and recorded “Peace With Me” in his home studio, proving that you don’t need all the bells and whistles to make music that matters.
“Peace With Me” gives us our first taste of Tom’s debut album Blood on the Moon, which he’ll release later this year. If this track’s any indication, it’ll be a lot dirtier than the tender folk music he delivered on his Old Growth EP last year. Honestly though, I’m here for the evolution.
It’s so satisfying watching a band come of age. With the release of their sophomore EP an introduction to a theme last year, I noted that Naarm/Melbourne-based band PRETTY BLEAK had dropped “their most cohesive and compelling body of work to date.” They continue their upward trajectory with their latest offering, coming to terms with it all.
“The EP serves to explore the difficulty of navigating interpersonal relationships on a societal scale, from the perspective of people for whom these things are rarely easy,” explained frontman Sam Thomas. “It details reckoning with obligation, perception, self-interest, betrayal, introspection, and resignation or inevitability through the lens of our own personal experiences, whether those be triumphs or catastrophic failures.”
They’re some heavy themes, but PRETTY BLEAK balance them with optimistic melodies that are bound to put a smile on your face. The atmospheric sounds of EP opener “i.need2” naturally lead into the upbeat banger, “behere.4u.” With its big brassy horns, lush synths, and ridiculously catchy chorus, it’s so much fun. “how ironic” has a similar energy, but when the music is so enjoyable you want to stay in that space. It reminds me a little of the music The Band CAMINO is making these days, an easy blend of indie rock and electropop that has you on your feet and begging for more.
In “with your friends,” PRETTY BLEAK lean more into that electronic sound to great effect. It’s such a different vibe, but one that helps give this EP some dynamics. I enjoy it, but not as much as that high-octane sound of “something’s wrong with me.” This the kind of music that PRETTY BLEAK excels at, a bold sound that’s pure joy paired with angsty lyrics that connect so easily our own insecurities.
The closing number “you can be the river” is a breathtaking change of pace. A piano ballad at its core, it sounds like nothing else on this EP. Its poetic lyrics are authentically romantic, and its orchestration is so richly layered. Every time I hear it, I have to take a moment to stop and absorb it.
And then, once I’ve felt all the feelings, I hit play again, because coming to terms with it all is that kind of EP. One that encourages repeat listens because it’s so catchy and likeable. PRETTY BLEAK have honed the sound they pivoted towards in an introduction to a theme beautifully. They also wrote, produced, and mixed this EP, which shows just how much they want to take ownership of their music. It’s a bold decision for a band so early in their career, but one that’s paid off.
coming to terms with it all is out now. Catch PRETTY BLEAK play these songs and more live at the following shows:
The weekend is upon us so I figured it was time for some feel-good music. “Blue Skies,” the latest single from three-time QLD Music Award finalist Sunny Luwe, certainly fits the bill. An anthem for moving on from a bad place with positivity, it’s infectiously joyous. So whether you’re feeling those weekend vibes or need a pick-me-up, I know this one will have you smiling.
Sunny said that “Blues Skies” was inspired by the burnout she felt after releasing her debut album. “I realised I had started chasing external gratification from likes, streams, validation, rather than staying connected to why I create music in the first place,” she explained.
“Blues Skies” comes from Sunny’s next album Feeling Good, which we’ll hear on October 10. She’s got plenty of free gigs coming up which might just give you a chance to hear some more new material. Catch her at the following venues this month.
8 August 2025 – Beach Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Byron Bay (from 8 pm) 9 August 2025 – Distillery Road Market, Yuggera Country/Eagleby (from 6 pm) 10 August 2025 – QPAC for Clancestry, Meeanjin/Brisbane (from 5 pm – with Keely and Birren) 17 August 2025 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (from 3 pm – with Hazel Mei) 24 August 2025 – Chevron Island Street Party, Kurrungul/Surfers Paradise (from 2 pm)
