Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harrison Storm Releases Calming New Single, “Find A Way”

Harrison Storm is injecting a little folky goodness into your Thursday with his gorgeous new single “Find A Way.” Penned in a quiet moment during a solo cabin retreat, it’s a celebration of self-care and comfort that so many of us need.

“This song is a conversation between myself and the anxious part of me that I have been nurturing for years. The part that doesn’t feel safe in the world,” Harrison explained. “It’s a very literal song in that sense. The place I’m singing from is the calm, peaceful, and compassionate part of me that exists within, and the version of myself I’m singing to is this part that needs a lot of care and support.”

“Find A Way” gives us our first taste of Harrison’s sophomore album, which he’ll release later this year. He’ll play a couple of shows here in Australia before heading to the United Kingdom and Europe in November. Here are all the dates you need:

3 October 2025 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney
4 October 2025 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
1 November 2025 – Muhle Hunziken, Rubigen
3 November 2025 – Strom, Munich
4 November 2025 – Flex Cafe, Vienna
6 November 2025 – Lido, Berlin
7 November 2025 – Mojo Club, Hamburg
8 November 2025 – Nachtleben, Frankfurt
9 November 2025 – LUXOR, Cologne
11 November 2025 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
12 November 2025 – Kavka Zappa, Antwerp
14 November 2025 – La Maroquinerie, Paris
16 November 2025 – Whelan’s, Dublin
18 November 2025 – YES, Manchester
19 November 2025 – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
21 November 2025 – Union Chapel, London
23 November 2025 – Thekla, Bristol
25 November 2025 – Nalen Klubb, Stockholm

Photo credit: Mikey Conlon

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Self Talk Drop Sweet New Single, “Stuck”

If your energy levels are running low this morning, hit play on “Stuck,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne five-piece Self Talk. With its punchy guitars and upbeat energy, this indie-pop rock track is better than any caffeine hit. Sitting somewhere between The Mavis’s and Paramore, there’s a real nostalgic charm to this one.

“Stuck is a simple, unashamed love song,” Self Talk explained. “An ode to the early moments of connection and the feelings you feel when you meet someone who gets stuck in your head. We really tried to capture some of those feelings musically — I feel like I can hear the butterflies and electricity and excitement in moments like the synth flourishes, the key change, and the trumpet that comes in at the end.”

Self Talk will launch “Stuck” with a hometown show at The Tote Upstairs on June 13. With support from Sick Visors and Grass Stains, it’s bound to be a fantastic night out. Tickets are available now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from Self Talk

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hassall Impresses With “Overpopulator”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Hassall hits all the right notes with her relatable new indie-pop single, “Overpopulator.” With intricate lyrics and unpredictably addictive melodic movements, just see if you can resist playing this one a few times in a row.

The song’s music video, filmed by Willem Kingma (Bones & Jones, The Grogans), was shot in several locations around the regional Victorian town of Kolijon Country/Colac. Hassall said the clip aims to replicate the song’s over-caffeinated vibe.

“My favourite part of the day was shooting at our friend Maggie’s house,” she added. “It was a beautiful old house with feature pieces of furniture, and each room was painted a totally different colour, which made it ideal for filming.”

“Overpopulator” comes from Hassall’s debut album Means More to Me Than It Does to You, which drops on July 3. Before that she’ll support Killing Heidi on their 25 Years of Reflector shows, so if you’ve got some tickets make sure you don’t miss her set!

20 June 2025 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
21 June 2025 – Magnet House, Boorloo/Perth
26 June 2025 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
27 June 2025 – Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney
28 June 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Jurek Lubinski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Finn, Birds of Tokyo, Richard Clapton, and More Play Lighthouse Rock Festival

After taking a year off in 2024, Lighthouse Rock is back with a massive line-up for 2025. Tim Finn, Birds of Tokyo, Richard Clapton, You Am I, Ross Wilson, The Superjesus and heaps more will all hit Taribelang Country/Burnett Heads this October.

Joining all these household names will be the winner of Triple M Battle of the Bands. If you’d like the chance to play in front of more than 5,000 people, head to the Lighthouse Rock website to register.

“We are so excited to be bringing this amazing lineup of Aussie rock to the region again!” Gavin Hales from Lighthouse Presents said. “This year will be even bigger and better than anything we have done before!”

For the first time, Lighthouse Rock will be an all-ages event. Organisers understand the cost-of-living crisis, so kids 10 and under can go for free and tickets for 11- to 17-year-olds are half price.

The 2022 and 2023 events both sold out, and with such a stellar lineup I expect 2025 to do the same. Don’t get caught sleeping on this one. Tickets are available from the Oztix website now.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wanderer Festival Back for 2025

Is this gloomy winter weather getting you down? Don’t stress. Sunshine will be here before you know it, and with it the festival season. Wanderer Festival is one of the first cabs off the rank. Its stacked lineup featuring local talents Missy Higgins, The Living End, and Boy & Bear alongside international up-and-comers Saint Motel and Jacob Banks will hit Yuin Country/Pambula this October.

The music runs alongside an arts program featuring circus performers, a morning dance party, morning yoga, a hair dressing salon, and Welcome To Country and Smoking Ceremony with Duurunu Miru Dancers. I’m also assured the food will be “heavenly,” so this is one of those events that ticks all the boxes.

Wanderer Festival hits Pambula Beach on October 4 and 5. The campgrounds open on Friday October 3 so you can get settled before the music kicks off. Single day and weekend tickets are on sale now, so start planning your Yuin Country/ Sapphire Coast getaway. This is a biennial event, so if you miss this one you’ve got to wait another two years. That’s far too long. Just do the thing!

Photo credit: David Rogers Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Johnston Releases Ode to the Past, “Back in the Day”

James Johnston tugs at the heartstrings with his nostalgic new single, “Back in the Day.” The track, which James cowrote with Morgan Evans, celebrates a simpler time when the world felt more connected, honest, and a little less crazy.

“’Back in the Day’ was written from a raw and unfiltered place!” James said. “I’ve known Morgan since I was about 10 years old and we just started chatting about that time in our lives and how things just seemed simpler. We started writing and the song came effortlessly! Putting myself back there brought back mixed feelings. On one hand there is a real joy in going back to those simpler times, but at the same time there is a sadness in missing what felt like a happier, safer world! I feel ‘Back in the Day’ really captures both of those emotions.”

James has some exciting headlining shows and appearances at leading country music festivals coming up, so make sure you catch him anywhere you can.

27 June 2025 – Country Fest@ Dittman Bull Pit, Yuwibara Country/Bloomsbury
31 August 2025 – Gympie Music Muster @ Amamoor State Forest, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie
14 September 2025 – Night at the Parkland @ Roma Street Parkland, Meeanjin/Brisbane
3 October 2025 – Night at the Barracks @ North Head Sanctuary, Kay-ye-my Country/Manly
11 October 2025 – Savannah in the Round @ Mareeba Rodeo Arena, Muluridji Country/Mareeba

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Hollow Threats” – A Swift Farewell

Eora/Sydney act A Swift Farewell show they’re a band unafraid to take risks with their latest release, Hollow Threats. This six-track EP sees them evolving from the pop-punk act we once knew to a grittier emo act.

Expanding their sound beyond the pop-punk genre has given A Swift Farewell more space for self-expression. Every song on Hollow Threats tells its own story of struggle. Through introspective lyrics, they tackle big topics like depression, betrayal, and coming out.

The sombre opener “I Never Wanted This…” establishes early that A Swift Farewell are doing things differently. It’s vocal-driven, with ambient synths and beats underscoring the words. The drums and guitars kick in with “Silence,” an anthemic, moody track that should have you punching your fists in the air by the time the chorus kicks in.

On such a personal EP, it’s interesting that two collaborations – “The Haunting” featuring Amariah and “Just Breathe” featuring Besties – take the central positions. Collaborating with other artists can take music in different directions, but these tracks work so cohesively with A Swift Farewell’s own creations.

“Hold Me Down” is a breakup anthem for the ages, pairing introspective lyrics with a soundscape punctuated by driving drums and acoustic guitars. It’s a unique blend, but it works so well. Most of these tracks hit hard, but A Swift Farewell take another left turn with the closer “Homeless.” It’s an incredible piano-led ballad that builds beautifully to an epic crescendo.

Individually A Swift Farewell’s tracks are so powerful, but together they’re an emotional onslaught. Hollow Threats often isn’t an easy listen, but it’s a cathartic one. Press play, turn it up, and appreciate this killer EP from one of Australia’s finest emerging acts.

Hollow Threats is out now. See A Swift Farewell at 2 Pizza 2 Planet Festival at Stay Gold in Naarm/Melbourne on August 9.

Photo credit: Max Pasalic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zara Haines Releases Beautiful New Single, “Freight Train”

After wowing me with her pop-rock anthem “the blonde” and its ultra-catchy follow-up “6 Figure Trigger,” Zara Haines is showing a new side of her artistry with her latest single, “Freight Train.” While that title suggests a bold release, this is a gentle, stripped-back folk-pop song. Its acoustic sound helps me appreciate Zara’s gorgeous voice and relatable, introspective lyrics.

“I’m beyond proud to share ‘Freight Train’ with the world,” Zara said. “It tells a story close to my heart, about being overlooked and underappreciated—something I think a lot of people my age can relate to. I hope it brings others the kind of healing it brought me.”

“Freight Train” gives us our first taste of Zara’s EP, which she’ll release later this year.

Image used with permission from Alex Reid

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cordiform Drop “So What!” Ahead of East Coast Tour

If you’re struggling to get through the working week, give yourself a moment to crank up “So What!”, the latest track from Naarm/Melbourne-based emo pop-punk act Cordiform.

I don’t throw the term perfect around lightly, but this might just be the perfect pop-punk song. Its energetic intro piqued my interest, but those relatable lyrics delivered so convincingly by James Hibble assured me these guys are the real deal. Then when the intensity of those drums went up a notch to match the power of Liam Nolan’s grittier vocals in the second verse, my adoration went to another level. “So What!” is anthemic, perfect for singing along to when life gets too much.

“[So What!] was one of the first songs we started working on after we released our debut EP, Growth & Despair, in October 2023,” Liam said. “The original idea was Tim Irwin’s [drummer] really early in writing, always looking at it wondering how we would use it. It went through a lot of changes but the foundations were always linked back to the original demo. It took working with [producer Ionei] Heckenberg to really pull a chorus together that felt big enough to give the energy to the song we thought it deserved.”

Ionei also shot, directed, and edited the music video for “So What!” with Jaydon Colvin. The clip sees the band coming together with Cordi Club, their playful take on Fight Club. While it’s lighthearted, it also emphasized how even the most mundane things can become meaningful when they’re shared.

“Working with [Jayden and Ionei] was so effortless,” Liam enthused. “They really took our ideas and our lack of experience and really guided us through a massive day. They are so energetic and uptempo with their work and they really want you to walk away with the best product possible. It was something like 36c when we filmed that day and everyone was struggling under all the lights in the cramped spaces but they never showed it, even if we did.”

Cordiform are wasting no time celebrating the release of “So What!”, kicking off an epic East Coast tour supporting Chasing Ghosts tomorrow. Tickets are still available, so get on it!

6 June 2025 – The Austral, Tarntanya/Adelaide
7 June 2025 – Volta, Ballaarat/Ballarat
8 June 2025 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
13 June 2025 – Oxford Art Gallery, Eora/Sydney
14 June 2025 – Greaser Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
9 August 2025 – 2 Pizza 2 Planet Festival @ Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Tony Tailor

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Holy Rollercoasters Get “Down and Dirty” Ahead of Last Album Release

After eight years together, Meeanjin/Brisbane band the Holy Rollercoasters are calling it quits. But not before a fitting musical send-off. They’ve just released “Down and Dirty,” our first taste of their final ever album, The Last Will and Testament.

As its name suggests, this single is raw and vibrant. It’s pure funk, with big ballsy horns and a groove that just won’t quit. According to the press release, it was recorded with “all the band is the same room, one take, no fancy shit.”

The Holy Rollercoasters will release The Last Will and Testament in early August. They’re also promising one more show, so keep an eye on their socials for news about that big sendoff.

Photo credit: Rachael Baskerville