Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Southern Dukes Usher in New Chapter With “Free Man”

Award-winning Boorloo/Perth-based act The Eagleton Brothers are back with a brand new name and a brand new song. Now known as The Southern Dukes, they’re making their presence felt with their fabulous debut country-rock track “Free Man.”

All the right ingredients are here for me. Brandon Poletti’s roughened, heartfelt vocal delivery are on point. You can hear the chemistry between Brandon and his drummer Miles Gilbert, bassist Riley Burrows, and lead guitar and organist Justin Gimm, who also produced “Free Man.”  

This is how you start a new musical chapter. Follow them on the socials to see what’s next for The Southern Dukes.

Photo credit: Isabelle Haubrich

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Odlaw Release Sweet New Single, “Dads Love ACDC”

Boorloo/Perth indie-rock act Odlaw have just dropped their nostalgic new single “Dads Love ACDC.” Rock music isn’t usually what you’d call sweet, but I’m struggling to find a more appropriate adjective for this ode to dad rock!

“Dads Love ACDC” comes from Odlaw’s upcoming fourth album, MI(L)D LIFE CRISIS, which drops next month and can currently be preordered through Bandcamp. The release marks a new chapter for the band which has grown from a solo project for songwriter Mark Neal to a sprawling collective performing on big stages with acts like Kisschasy and Sly Withers. Expect 2025 to be a big one for Odlaw!

Image used with permission from Odlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angie Colman Gives Me Chills With “Alps of Victoria”

I know you’re busy. It’s Friday morning and you’ve probably got a million things to do so that you can enjoy your weekend. I get it. But take three minutes to just stop, breathe, and properly listen to “Alps of Victoria,” the sublime new single from emerging Walyalup/South Fremantle artist Angie Colman. It’s a gorgeous understated, introspective song, and I know you’re going to miss its subtle beauty if you just put it on in the background.

“It’s about getting older and being unsure. It’s a quarter-life crisis,” Angie explained. “Have I just been making stupid decisions this whole time? The pressure to be successful and positively contributing to society, and not knowing what that looks like with my life.”

“Alps of Victoria” comes from Angie’s forthcoming EP How Do I Make My Life Slow Down, which she’ll release in May.

“It’s the middle track on the EP, a tune where I’m looking at my life and reevaluating things,” she explained. “This is a song that acknowledges how I feel sometimes about where my life is headed, where my life has been. It made sense to put it on the EP because it’s about the quarter-life crisis I’ve been having.”

If this song is any indication, Angie’s EP will be really something special.

Image used with permission from Blue Grey Pink

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rhys Tolhurst Releases Beautiful New Ballad, “Lie To Make U Smile”

If you love a pop ballad with real depth, I think “Lie To Make U Smile,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Rhys Tolhurst will be right up your alley. Rhys has been sitting on this one for a while, but it’s finally out there for us all to enjoy.

“I wrote ‘Lie To Make U Smile’ three years ago about the quiet heartbreak of lying to keep the peace,” Rhys said. “It’s about that moment when you know the truth will hurt, but you say what’s needed to hold things together—at least for a little longer.”

I’ve just added “Lie To Make U Smile” to my Sounds of Oz Loves Pop playlist. If you love pop music too, make sure you’re following it!

Image used with permission from Rhys Tolhurst

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Curtain Shares Incredible Story of His Birth With “Bucket Baby”

Tom Curtain has claimed multiple Golden Guitars and earned a spot in the Tamworth Country Music Festival Hands of Fame for his authentic storytelling and dedication to his craft. He showcases his skills in his gorgeous new single “Bucket Baby,” which shares the tight-knit community that helped ease his transition into the world.

“Bucket Baby” is the fourth single lifted from Tom’s upcoming sixth studio album. He’s currently on the road, clocking up his ninth consecutive Aussie tour. He’s got just a few weeks left on his seven-month Good Life tour, which sees him sharing the stage with Laura Frank, Chris Matthews, and Nick Morrissey. Here are all the remaining dates.

4 April 2025 – Broome Horse Riders Club, Rubibi/Broome
5 April 2025 – Derby Rodeo Ground, Warrwa/Derby
12 April 2025 – Kununurra Rodeo Ground, Goonoonoorrang/Kununurra
18 April 2025 – Katherine Outback Experience, Nitmiluk/Katherine
20 April 2025 – Freds Pass Sport and Recreation Reserve, Garramilla/Darwin

Image used with permission from Tom Curtain

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Vincent McMorrow Returning to Oz For Debut Album Shows

My husband often jokes about my love for what he calls “whisper music.” He refers to that gentle folk music that wraps around you like a blanket, instantly making you feel calm and comforted. Or at least that’s what it does to me. So I’m pretty excited that James Vincent McMorrow is coming out to Australia to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album, Early in the Morning.

James promises to play this album in its entirety solo with just a guitar, which sounds like my idea of heaven. He’ll also treat audiences to some new music and choice covers.

“Honestly, when the idea of these shows was pitched to me I wasn’t really into it. I make music in order to push myself forward, the idea of looking backwards at something I made at the very beginning felt a bit odd,” he said. “Then late last year I was in the studio working on some new ideas and I found myself sitting playing songs off Early in the Morning, ones I hadn’t played in over 10 years. I sat in front of the mic and recorded the entire album from memory, just to see how it felt. I’d forgotten how much I loved that record. I had no clue what I was doing when I made it, it wasn’t profound, it was just someone hanging on for dear life and trying to will it into existence. The naivety of it all came flooding back to me, I didn’t realise how much I missed the naivety.”

It remains to be seen whether I can convince my husband to indulge me with a night of “whisper music” … I’ve got a couple of months to work on him. Tickets are on sale now for these shows in June.

3 June 2025 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
5 June 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
7 June 2025 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daphnie Releases Latest Pop Bop, “Alive (not dead)”

Daphnie has got me buzzing with his latest single “Alive (not dead).” Daphnie mastermind Alistair Hayes cowrote and produced this poppy gem with Vera Blue bassist Ross James before giving it the final mix in his bedroom.

“This one touches on the classic burnout and being ground into the capitalist machine of constant output, driving out actual feelings and relationships,” he said. “I’m someone who has to actively pay attention to my feelings or I don’t feel them and just exist. I’d rather not be boring, and try being alive.”

“One of my fav things about writing it, was that the guitar part in chorus 2+3 is so ridiculously fast and just isn’t humanly possible, so I’m strumming as fast as I can higher on the guitar neck, while Ross also strummed at the same time but lower down. Absolutely ridiculous.”

I’ve just added “Alive (not dead) to my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. If you love pop music too, make sure you give it a follow!

Image used with permission from Alistair Hayes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brave Mistakes Release Two-Track EP, Heavy Idle

Tarntanya/Adelaide DIY band Brave Mistakes are back with a fabulous new mini EP, Heavy Idle. It features just two tracks: “Lie For My Love” and “Lines Around Colour.”

It’s a smart release which shows us a couple of different sides of this exciting act. “Lie For My Love” is a dark and brooding. It reminded me a little of early Nick Cave with its raw, post-punk intensity. “Lines Around Colour” is much lighter and more melodic. With more tenderness in Garrett R. Cooper’s vocals, it reminded me a little of a lost Roxy Music tune.

I was drawn to “Lines Around Colour” instantly, but now I’ve sat with Heavy Idle for a little while Lie For My Love has gotten under my skin. Listen to both songs on your favourite streaming platform now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Shows Her Teeth With “Bite”

There’s something so special about hearing an artist step into their power. I’ve been a long-time fan of Ama’s music, but she takes it up a few notches with the release of her latest single “Bite.” Just wait until that beat drops and you hear her unleash on this angsty tune.

This song is a bit of a different vibe for Ama. Her previous releases have seen her squarely in the pop lane, but “Bite” has much more of a rock edge. Something tells me we’re just starting to get a taste of everything this talented local artist is capable of. Follow Ama on her socials to learn more about her new music as it drops.

Image source: Ama’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Deadshowws Impress With “I Should”

Hit that volume and take a moment to rock out to “I Should,” the latest single from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast alternative-rock act Deadshowws. This is an anthemic single which takes its cues from 2000s emo music but reinterprets the sound for modern listeners. In short, it’s bloody good.

“It’s a song about battling yourself to get better,” the band explained. “It’s a short version, recounting my experience with the people I love begging me to seek help and my struggle in doing so while wallowing in a self-made pit of hopelessness.”

Deadshowws will launch the single with a string of shows around their home state this April. Here are all the dates you need music lovers:

11 April 2025 – Lass O’Gowrie, Mulubinba/Newcastle
12 April 2025 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 April 2025 – La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Good Intent