Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Rowena Wise has rewarded the patience of fans with a fabulous new single, “Blood Ties,” her first solo effort in two years. It’s so cool and bluesy, with superb lyrics that explore family bonds and the costs of emotional restraint.
“I wrote ‘Blood Ties’ after a close friend experienced a mental health crisis,” Rowena shared. “In the aftermath, I watched his father struggle to respond, not because he didn’t love his son, but because he didn’t know how to meet him emotionally… In Australia, especially, emotional restraint has long been normalised… But that silence creates space for shame to grow, particularly within families where unspoken pain lingers beneath the surface.”
Rowena will play intimate shows in the East Coast capitals in May and June to celebrate the release of “Blood Ties.” Tickets are on sale now through the links.
29 May 2026 – The Junk Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
5 June 2026 – Low 302, Eora/Sydney
6 June 2026 – Shotkickers, Naarm/Melbourne
Photo credit: Nick Mckk