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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

Les Miserables: The Arena Spectacular @ ICC Theatre, Eora/Sydney – 1 May 2025

10 years after the first time I saw Les Miserables on stage, I was keen to take it all in again at Les Miserables: The Arena Spectacular, a production celebrating 40 years of this revered musical. I mentioned last time I saw Les Mis that it’s much more my husband’s thing than mine. While I love musical theatre, my favourites are much more contemporary and a little less depressing. But I was psyched to see West End icons Alfie Boe and Michael Ball in the flesh. What a rare opportunity. They, and the rest of this stacked cast, did not disappoint.

That cast is really the most outstanding thing about this production. I knew Alfie and Michael would be incredible, but honestly they surpassed my expectations. Often you see people perform after decades in the business and wish you’d have seen them in their heyday, but these guys remain at the top of their game. Their vocals are simply incredible. Their intimate knowledge of the characters is evident in their performances. Their years of collaborating give them the sort of chemistry you rarely see at shows that throw together a bunch of stars. I’m sure the alternate Jean Valjean and Javert are incredible too, but I’m so glad I made a point to see these artists bringing their most beloved characters to life.

Alfie and Michael are the stars, as any artists with their storied careers, or indeed any Jean Valjean and Javert, should be, but they’re supported beautifully by the rest of this talented ensemble. Rachelle Ann Go’s Fantine drew me in with her warmth, poise, and passion. Beatrice Penny-Toure has the most angelic voice I think I’ve heard. She was perfectly cast as Cosette, and by the time he delivered a heartbreaking rendition of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” I was sold on Jac Yarrow’s Marius. James D. Gish is my newest theatre crush. I have a long history of falling for Enjolras and he embodied everything about this character that makes me swoon. I’d initially feared Matt Lucas may be stunt casting, but what an exceptional job he does as Thenardier. I love that this production gives him space to play with the role. Helen Walsh as Madame Thenardier reminded me that getting the alternate isn’t always a bad thing. I was really looking forward to seeing Marina Prior sink her teeth into a bawdier role than I’m used to, but Helen was exceptional.

The ICC is much larger than the Capitol Theatre, where I saw Les Mis all those years ago, but this production fills it. The massive set really helps you feel like you’re on the frontline of the French Revolution. The use of sound effects and lights brought the battle to life beautifully.

Sadly my husband’s eagerness to catch a train home meant that we missed the finale, where cast members from the original Australian production graced the stage. I can’t quite believe it. What an opportunity gone begging. But I refuse to let it take the lustre off what was a really special night of music, even for someone like me who isn’t a big Les Mis fan.

After completing its Eora/Sydney run, Les Miserables: The Arena Spectacular will head to Rod Laver Arena in Naarm/Melbourne and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Meeanjin/Brisbane. Good tickets are still available across the season. Trust me musical theatre fans; you don’t want to sleep on this one.

Photo credit: Lauren Katulka

Ama Releases Quirky New Single, “Metro Girl”

I’m feeling like a lot less of a weirdo after hearing “Metro Girl,” the latest single from Western Eora/Sydney singer-songwriter, Ama.

“You ever wonder if that person you miss would come visit you in the hospital if you got hit by a car?” she asked. “Yeah… ‘Metro Girl’ is that song.”

And I’ll be honest, I thought I was the only one who let my mind wander and create such insane, improbable scenarios. I feel seen. Lyrical connection aside, I also really appreciate hearing Ama stripping things back for this song. Most of “Metro Girl” sees Ama accompanied by just an acoustic guitar, so we can hear every lyric and her insanely good vocals.

“Metro Girl” showcases yet another side to Ama’s artistry and I’m here for it. Who else can’t wait to hear her next one?

Image source: Ama’s website

Aussie Expat ILUKA Releases Latest Pop Gem “Girl On the Run”

Aussie-born, LA-based singer-songwriter ILUKA has just dropped an irresistible new girl power anthem, “Girl On the Run.” If there was ever pop music in the Wild West, it’d probably sound something like this.

That makes sense because ILUKA wrote the song after being inspired by the photos she took with cacti on a girls’ trip through Tucson, Arizona. She completed the lyrics imagining herself and her friend as outlaw cowboys on the run. The story ended up becoming an ode to her journey from Australia to the United States.

“’Girl On The Run’ is my love story to myself,” ILUKA explained. “It’s about unapologetically forging your own path and following it ruthlessly even when it confuses or pisses off those around you. Ultimately being a ‘girl on the run’ is about becoming the heroine of your own life story, choosing to love yourself first and foremost, and continuing to say yes to the ride of life —no matter how crazy, wild, or uncertain the road seems.”

No matter what your gender, crank this one up if you need a little extra pep in your step today.

Photo credit: Matt Gaillet