Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Abbey Lane Drops Nostalgic Pop Single “Younger”

Hit the volume on Abbey Lane’s joyous new single, “Younger.” This nostalgic indie-pop tunes captures the carefree vibes of youth, when our greatest responsibilities were being a good friend and figuring ourselves out. Abbey wrote the song during her first solo travels in a van, an experience which helped her feel a little more connected to her younger self.

“Younger is all about embracing your youth and searching for new experiences,” Abbey explained. “It’s a track about trying to discover yourself; wanting to make new connections, travel and see new things.”

Coming hot on the heels of “Baby Steps,” this is another fantastic track from Abbey. Her Facebook page reveals she’s been in the recording studio, so she should have more to share with us really soon.

Image used with permission from Abbey Lane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweet Talk Drop “Miller’s Bay” Ahead of Album Release and Red Clay Strays Tour

We’ll get to hear their debut album Switch On next week, but Sweet Talk are giving us one more tasty preview before it drops. They’ve just released their soulful new single “Miller’s Bay,” and I can definitely understand why it’s a fan favourite.

“Miller’s Bay” was produced by celebrated Americana artist and producer Robert Ellis and engineered by Trina Shoemaker, who you may know from her work with Brandi Carlile and Emmylou Harris. Guest vocals from American soul duo Uncle Roy & Spice provide the extra special sauce.

Switch On will hit all the streaming services on May 23, but if you’re old-school you can preorder a limited edition, numbered orange and yellow vinyl pressing here. You know you want to! Sweet Talk are about to hit the road with American country-roots act The Red Clay Strays, so if you’re heading to one of these shows make sure you don’t miss their set. They’ve also got a couple of headlining shows on the horizon. Here are all the dates you need!

16 May 2025 – Kings Beach Tavern, Kal’owen-dha/Caloundra (FREE)
17 May 2025 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Red Clay Strays)
19 May 2025 – Bar on the Hill @ University of Newcastle, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting Red Clay Strays)
20 May 2025 – Hordern Pavilion, Eora/Sydney (supporting Red Clay Strays)
22 May 2025 – Festival Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT – supporting Red Clay Strays)
23 May 2025 – Honky Tonk Blues, Walyalup/Fremantle (FREE)
24 May 2025 – Metro City, Whadjuk Country/Northbridge (SOLD OUT – supporting Red Clay Strays)

Photo credit: James Adams

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blve Diamond Releases Fire New Single “Flubber”

South African-born to Congolese parents but raised here in Australia, Blve Diamond shows he’s a world-class talent with his latest single “Flubber.” This fresh track just dropped today and it’s already got me grooving.

“I was speeding to see my new girl, got fined. We laughed, she fed me food. Thus ‘Flubber’ was born,” Blve Diamond said of the song’s inspiration.

I can’t stop listening to this one. Hip hop isn’t one of my go-to genres, but Blve’s Diamond’s smooth flow and loved-up lyrics are irresistible. If you haven’t already pressed play, what are you waiting for?

Image used with permission from Blve Diamond

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Salt Tree Release “Cold Hard Ground” Ahead of European Tour

Salt Tree charmed me with their EP Swell last year. Now they’re back with “Cold Hard Ground,” a self-produced indie-folk anthem that evokes the coastal vibes of their Wooditup/Margaret River home.

“‘Cold Hard Ground’ is about the moments when you’re at your lowest, but someone reaches out and lifts you back up,” the duo said. “It’s a song about mental health, connection, and the quiet strength that comes from being there for each other. We wrote it as a reminder that even when you’re laid out by life, love can help you stand again.”

Salt Tree have had a whirlwind few months since releasing Swell, including their first headline tour of Europe, songwriting sessions in Stockholm, and shows supporting Jeremy Loops in Europe and Ziggy Alberts in their hometown. They’re taking some time to rest and record new music, but they’ll be back on the road with a batch of new songs really soon. Here are the European dates; hopefully there’ll be some Australian ones to follow.

18 July 2025 – Gondola Sessions, Laucnalo
19 July 2025 – Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux
25 July 2025 – Bootshafen Sommer, Kiel
2 August 2025 – UFO, Bruneck
7-12 August 2025 – Enter the Wave Festival, Spain
14 August 2025 – Le Surfing, Seignosse
18 August 2025 – Muhle Hunziken, Rubigen
20 August 2025 – Mountain Hostel, Gimmelwald
22 August 2025 – Konzerthaus Schuur, Luzern
23 August 2025 – Hohgant Open Air, Schangnau
25 August 2025 – Lac Souterrain de St-Leonard, Saint-Leonard
28 August 2025 – Conradsohm, Dornbirn
29 August 2025 – Alles Gute Open Air @ Botanischer Garten, Innsbruck
30 August 2025 – Cheesecake Festival, Hamminkein
1 September 2025 – Knust, Hamburg
3 September 2025 – Club Stereo, Nuremberg
4 September 2025 – Strom, Munich
5 September 2025 – Scheunenkonzert, Bad Munstereiffel
6 September 2025 – Bulli Summer Festival @ Auesee, Wesel
8 September 2025 – Zakk, Duesseldorf
9 September 2025 – Kavka, Antwerp
11 September 2025 – The Watering Hole, Cornwall
13 September 2025 – Omeara, London

Image used with permission from Nettwerk Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hazel Release Powerful New Single “The Void”

“The Void”, the dreamy new release from Boorloo/Perth five-piece Hazel, defies classification. While I can’t fit it neatly into a genre box, I can definitely recommend opening your ears and heart to this emotional track.

“‘The Void’ has definitely become one of the band’s favorite tracks we’ve created so far,” Hazel said. “The way it shifts from moody, introspective verses to a powerful, impactful chorus really draws listeners in—exactly the emotional journey we hoped to create. The style of this track flows naturally between the five of us, making the writing and recording process feel effortless.

“Lyrically, the song is told from the perspective of someone watching a loved one navigate the aftermath of loss. It explores the quiet strength in observing their journey—how over time, pain slowly shifts from an open wound to a scar. That grief never fully disappears, but it begins to hurt a little less as time goes on. It’s a reflection on how healing often comes in subtle, silent steps, and how witnessing that growth can be just as powerful as experiencing it yourself.”

Hazel have sold out plenty of headlining shows of late, so don’t go sleeping when they launch “The Void” at Mojo’s in Walyalup/Fremantle on May 16.

Photo credit: Ben Davidson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carla Webhe Releases Romantic Pop Gem, “Gentle With Me”

Carla Webhe has gotten under my skin with her gorgeous new single “Gentle With Me.” This indie-pop track is such a cool slow burner with some powerful lyrics about finding the right relationship.

“Some people teach you love by breaking you, and ‘Gentle With Me’ is about the rare kind that teaches you by staying,” she said. “It’s strange when someone doesn’t punish you for being fragile and ‘Gentle With Me’ is about learning to trust in the gentleness to feel safe being vulnerable.”

“Gentle With Me” comes from Carla’s new EP Dark in the Light, which she’ll release on June 5.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“To All The Ones That I Love” – Press Club

Naarm/Melbourne band Press Club maintain the rage with the release of their fourth album To All The Ones That I Love.

I’ve been listening all weekend and I must admit, I’m reluctant to switch gears from experiencing the music to writing my views down. Because this isn’t really music that needs intellectual analysis. They’re songs that you feel deep in those primal parts of yourself. This album appeals to my inner angsty teen, my frustrated artist, my introverted loner.

I’m not going to pretend that every song clicked with me, but that’s art, right? If the music pleases everyone, the band probably isn’t pushing enough boundaries. And when it does resonate, it can make you feel entirely seen.

Press Club recorded To All The Ones That I Love at their own studio in Western Naarm/Melbourne after writing the songs collaboratively over a few months. Guitarist Greg Rietwyk handled production and mixing duties before Kris Crummett (Closure in Moscow, Dune Rats, Currents) mastered it. That means that except for some final polishing, this is truly Press Club’s baby. The band said making this record was an incredibly fun, creative, and liberating experience, and you can hear all that in these songs. They’re defiant but jubilant, energetic and emotional. Calling out any one track feels unfair, because they all contribute to this fantastic body of work. Yes, even the ones that haven’t quite struck a chord with me.

To All The Ones That I Love is out now. Press Club will play one more local show before heading to the UK and Europe for their sixth tour. Don’t stress though Aussies; they’ll be home for more gigs from July which go on general sale tomorrow. You just know these songs will be even better experienced in a sweaty pit, so make sure you don’t miss Press Club wherever they are near you.

23 May 2025 – The Sound Doctor @ Anglesea Memorial Hall, Wathaurong Country/Anglesea
14 June 2025 – VERA, Groningen
15 June 2025 – Not Sorry Festival @ Cruise Recordstore, Hamburg
18 June 2025 – Neue Zukunft, Berlin
19 June 2025 – Bei Chez Heinz, Hannover
20 June 2025 – Luxor, Cologne
21 June 2025 – Molotow, Hamburg
22 June 2025 – Farewell Youth Fest @ Groovestation, Dresden
24 June 2025 – INmusic Festival @ Lake Jarun, Zagreb
26 June 2025 – TRIX, Antwerp
27 June 2025 – Jera on Air @ Zeilbergseweg, Ysselsteyn
28 June 2025 – Gleis 22, Munster
30 June 2025 – Im Wizeman, Stuttgart
1 July 2025 – Strom, Munich
3 July 2025 – Muk, Giessen
4 July 2025 – Rotown, Rotterdam
5 July 2025 – Fallig Open Air, Enkirch
8 July 2025 – Esquires, Bradford
9 July 2025 – Pink Room @ YES, Manchester
10 July 2025 – New Cross Inn, London
18 July 2025 – The Crown & Anchor, Tarntanya/Adelaide
19 July 2025 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Noongar Country/Scarborough
20 July 2025 – Mojo’s Bar, Walyalup/North Fremantle
25 July 2025 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
26 July 2025 – Vinnie’s Dive, Kombumerri Country/Southport
27 July 2025 – Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalla/Bangalow
31 July 2025 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong
1 August 2025 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
2 August 2025 – The Loft on Broadway, Eora/Sydney
8 August 2025 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne

Album art: Matt Cochran
Main photo credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Feel Alright Listening to Hayden Calnin’s New Single

The gloomy pre-winter weather is the perfect backdrop for listening to “Alright Now,” the latest single from local multi-disciplinary artist Hayden Calnin. This gentle acoustic folk track is a bit like a big warm blanket or cup of tea. It just wraps around you and takes you to a place of serenity. It’s gorgeous.

“This song speaks to being okay with all the weirdness around you. Rather than avoiding it, I’ve found it’s often better to accept it and ride along with it,” Hayden said. “There’s also a realisation that you can’t talk to everyone about everything – stigma is a real thing and it exists around the globe on a range of topics, but it’s nice knowing that there’s a few people with whom I can talk to about the weirder side of life. It’s a gentle song, and hopefully it brings some calm to those who hear it.”

Hayden will support Canadian indie-folk artist Leif Vollebekk on his Australian tour, which kicks off on Tuesday. Both artists are so good; if you love gentle acoustic folk you won’t want to miss these shows:

6 May 2025 – Rechabite, Boorloo/Perth
8 May 2025 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
10 May 2025 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
11 May 2025 – The Croxton, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Christine Diefenbach

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bakers Eddy Tease New EP With “Dust On My Brain”

A month writing and performing in the United States seems to have reinvigorated Naarm/Melbourne-based Kiwi outfit Bakers Eddy. Their latest single “Dust On My Brain” is a fabulous indie-rock track that deserves to be played loud.

“’Dust On My Brain’ comes from a feeling of having the walls close in around you, and being trapped in self-destructive cycles,” frontman Ciarann Babbington said. “I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t going out, seeing people. Just spinning myself out with negativity and stress and making bad coping decisions. I don’t tend to write songs when my mental health is struggling, but this one kind of poured out when I was at my lowest and ended up being the catalyst for change, which I’m very grateful for. It made me excited to make music, so most of the EP was written because of ‘Dust’.”

Bakers Eddy will release that sophomore EP called I’m Doing Better on June 6. It was self-produced alongside Vincent McIntyre (Fan Girl, Mr Industry,Elizabeth M. Drummond), mixed by Justin Gerrish (Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, Weezer), and mastered by Emily Lazar (Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Sia). No wonder the music’s sounding so good!

Photo credit: Brianna Da Silva

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sophian Release Heavenly New Single

The weekend isn’t quite here, but Sophian are bringing those laidback vibes to you with their latest single “Heaven.” It’s a gorgeous pop-rock track with feelgood vibes and a deep message about love, connection, and holding the special people close.

“This song started as a love letter, an ode to the kind of love that makes you feel like you belong,” the band explained. “But life has a way of shifting meaning beneath your feet. In the middle of writing, Michael’s best friend lost his mother to suicide. I lost two friends of my own. Grief has a way of changing everything, and suddenly, ‘Heaven’ became more than just a song about love, it became a song about absence, about longing, about the quiet hope that one day, we’ll be together again.”

Sophian will officially launch the single with a show at Gage Roads in Walyalup/Fremantle on May 23. Entry is totally free, so if you’re local there’s no excuse for missing it!

Image used with permission from Molten Media