Heirloome. Photo supplied. Hearing queer/nonbinary artist Heirloome’s new single Flesh To Flower is a poignant reminder of the power of music to turn personal events into a message to be shared with the world. Heirloome is based on Gumbaynggir land, also known as Dorrigo, in New South Wales, Australia, where the music video for the track was filmed. Flesh To Flower is a tribute to their late little brother, and while the word “ethereal” can often be used in places where it’s not appropriate, I can’t think of a more fitting description of the track. Every note glistens, and while it is heavy w ..read more

Johnny Hunter. Photo by Tom Wilkinson. I’ve always felt like Australian bands make world-class post-punk. Acts like Gold Class, Autosuggest and early Black Cab have all released excellent post-punk projects, and it’s a genre that stirs a lot of emotions up in yours truly. Post-punk bands are also (usually) incredible live - I think it’s in part thanks to the basslines that post-punk bands create. While I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Sydney’s Johnny Hunter yet, their take on post-punk (which they combine with elements of new wave and pop) captivated me from the moment I first heard one o ..read more

Yasmina Sadiki. Photo supplied. Sydney-based singer Yasmina Sadiki is undoubtedly authentic, which means her songwriting feels like you’re being welcomed into her life. She’s just released her new single, June, which captures the grief of losing a loved one over the last two years. The song captures the pain that distance can cause (something everyone can relate to given what’s transpired in recent years), as well as the ways people cope with pain, both healthy and unhealthy. Yasmina’s voice is undoubtedly the standout of the track, and I’m really impressed by the way her vocals and the produ ..read more

Drest. Photo by Jack Craig, styling by Tahlia Weir. Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Drest has just released his groovy new single, ex4ya, featuring production from Gutterboy. If you’ve ever wanted to build a relationship with someone, but they’ve been keeping you at arm’s length, then you’ll relate to Drest’s annoyance. However, rather than choosing to wallow in self-pity, Drest’s feeling good, all things considered, and ex4ya is an upbeat tune that might just ward off some winter chills. I’m also a sucker for sports references in songs, and I really enjoyed the Ángel Di María bar - “Well girl t ..read more

YAAK and Z.Lewis. Photo supplied. I’ve always been fond of collaborations between rappers and electronic producers. Flume’s collaboration with T-Shirt, On Top, holds up to this day - I feel like when rappers and electronic producers get together, the resulting tracks often have a timeless quality to them. I felt the same way when I heard Melbourne-based producer YAAK’s collaboration with Hackney-born, Melbourne-based MC Z.Lewis, and I’m pretty confident the future will prove me right. The pair have both developed a signature style over a string of releases - YAAK’s discography is full of drop ..read more

AVA. Photo supplied. South-East Melbourne musician AVA’s debut track Business Man is a powerful statement, and her voice is captivating. Taking influence from a range of genres, while being grounded in R&B, Ava’s soaring vocals tell a story about how it’s important to reject the forces that seek to objectify women, and instead embrace the power that’s within. Business Man also uses visuals very well to further the message within the music. Playing with the idea of corporate culture, which can often seek to turn people into commodities, the video takes place in an office - and that’s all I ..read more

Dugong Jr. Photo supplied. Naarm/Melbourne producer Dugong Jr recently released his new EP, Polite, and I was immediately drawn to the lush soundscapes spread across the project. I’ve always been a fan of Dugong Jr’s music, and I feel like this is a level-up in terms of the polished nature of the project, as well as the topics explored (more on that later). I spoke to Dugong Jr about the project, as well as adopting a greyhound, which is super cute. Give the EP a listen below, and read on to learn more about the world of Dugong Jr, and why it’s so rewarding to make music for yourself, rather ..read more

Caitlin Min Fa. Photo supplied. Melbourne pop artist Caitlin Min Fa has just released her new single, I Need U, and it’s a love letter to the people that are always there for her. It’s important to recognise those around you that help you become the best version of yourself, and this song is a great way to let them know how you feel about them. Caitlin’s vocal performance on I Need U conveys a sense of gratitude but also demonstrates her strength. Her success is driven by herself, and facilitated by those around her. When she’s amongst her circle, she’s unstoppable. It’s not an easy thing to ..read more

Luna Vexa. Photo supplied. When Melbourne pop artist Luna Vexa released her album, King Of Eve, last year, she couldn’t have imagined that she’d finally be playing the launch show for the project all the way in June 2021. However, that’s exactly what’s happening, and she’ll finally be launching the album at the Prince Bandroom, Melbourne, on June 25th. I spoke to Luna about preparing for the show, as well as how the last 12-18 months have affected her. She’s also sent me some behind-the-scenes photos from rehearsal, so you can get a sense of what it’s like to prepare for such a huge gig! Firs ..read more

Erin Foster. Photo supplied. Gold Coast/Sydney musician Erin Foster has just released her second single, Sometimes, and it’s a track that is for those who dream of love, but don’t quite go about chasing it in reality. It’s a song for the dreamers and one that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to - especially if you love electro-pop! I spoke to Erin about the track, as well as how she’s found being an independent musician in an increasingly commercialised world. It’s a really illuminating chat for anyone looking to get into the music industry, so read on to learn about Erin’s jour ..read more