Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lana Karlay Drops Dreamy Pop Gem, “Cross Your Mind”

After exploring a real rock edge with recent singles “Think it Through” and “For the Weak,” Djilang/Geelong-based singer-songwriter Lana Karlay is leaning back into her pop roots on her latest track “Cross Your Mind.” Lana’s pure, angelic voice is tailor-made for pop music, although there’s still a bite to the lyrics that reflects her love of rock. If Peach PRC and Ariana Grande are among your favourite artists, I know you’ll vibe with this one.

One of the biggest differences between Lana and the other acts I’ve mentioned is that while they’re around 30, she’s still in her teens. She’s not just good for an 18-year-old though; she’s simply good. Her age is a bit of a superpower, allowing her to create songs that resonate deeply with young listeners. While Peach PRC and Ariana are casting their minds back to the challenges of youth, Lana’s still living through them.

She uses that very real, recent experience as fuel in “Cross Your Mind,” a pop anthem about recognising your own value and choosing to walk away from someone who doesn’t see it too. This song is full of yearning, as the lyrics recognise that while walking away is the right decision, it’s never an easy one to make when there’s feeling involved.

“Cross Your Mind is about reaching the point where you realise you’re carrying the weight of a relationship on your own,” Lana explained. “You’re constantly thinking about the other person, making excuses for them and trying to hold everything together, while they only seem to think about you when it’s convenient or when something goes wrong.”

Lana co-wrote and produced “Cross Your Mind” alongside brothers Mason & Julez. Mark Parfitt, who’s worked with big-name acts like Justin Bieber and Meghan Trainor, managed the mastering. The team helped Lana realise the pop-rock sound she’s been working towards.

“While my previous releases have explored different sounds, ‘Cross Your Mind’ feels like the point where everything has come together. More than anything, I feel like ‘Cross Your Mind’ is the closest I’ve come to finding my own sound,” Lana enthused. “It feels authentic to who I am as both a songwriter and performer, and it’s the direction I’m really excited to keep
exploring.”

With every new release, I hear Lana becoming a more confident and compelling artist. And even though the year’s approaching an end, she’s not done for 2026. I hear there’s at least one more new song on the way. Follow Lana Karlay on Instagram to learn more about that when it drops.

Image used with permission from Dara Karlusic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Morgan Evans Releases Two Tracks to Support the Newcastle Knights

While I run a music blog, I’ve thought about little else but football over the last couple of weeks. I was born and bred in Mulubinba/Newcastle, so I’ve watched the Knights’ fairy tale run to the NRL Grand Final with such excitement and joy.

They’re not even the team I usually support – I became an Eels fan before the Knights entered the competition – but there’s something about the way these guys represent my hometown and bring everyone together that is contagious. I always jump on the bandwagon if the Knights make the finals and the Eels don’t (which happens more times than I’d like to admit!), but they rarely get this far! This year feels special, from wooden spooners to grand finalists, underestimated at every game, yet somehow finding ways to win against the odds.

If you’d like to read more about my support of the Newcastle Knights, check out my article “Confessions of a Football Bandwagoner” on Hold the News.

One man who’s a little more one-eyed about the footy is Morgan Evans. Although he’s based in Nashville these days, he’s a Novacastrian through and through. He recently released a couple of tracks celebrating his love of the home team. First up, Morgan re-recorded “Steel Town,” the title track from his most recent album. It now features the original lyric, which refers to the “sound of a Newcastle Knights crowd” instead of the more generic “rowdy home game crowd.” You can also hear the iconic “Newcastle chant” and snippets of Ray Warren’s ’97 grand final commentary. It will always give me chills hearing him call Darren Albert’s try in the dying moments of that game! Yes, I’ve been bandwagoning for a long time!

And if that wasn’t enough, he’s finally released “Long Live the Newcastle Knights.” I remember watching Morgan perform this on Good Friday in 2014, when the Newcastle Knights hosted the Brisbane Broncos. It gave me goosebumps then, and it still does today.

Both these songs are on Spotify and they feature on a little playlist I’ll be blasting all weekend as I gear up for tomorrow’s grand final. You can take a listen to that here! Go the Knights!

Photo credit: Nick Swift

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ziggy Alberts Gets Introspective With “I Blame Myself”

You can always count on Ziggy Alberts to deliver chilled-out acoustic goodness. He never tries to reinvent the wheel, but when his music sounds as good as his latest single “I Blame Myself,” why would he need to?

“Upon reflection, it’s full on, it’s really pointing the finger,” Ziggy admitted of the song’s inspiration. “I always want to make a concession for the fact that you need to see how you played into a situation. And I can see now, looking back, that I was a kid trying to do my best. But there are moments in your life where, as much as you want to take the majority of the blame, some relationships are just bloody toxic, and you’ve blamed yourself for things you didn’t need to. Reflecting on how this song came about, that moment in my life was important because I was challenged to know who I was. Giving away too much, I was asking myself, “Who are you? What sets you apart?”, because everyone can have a guitar and a felt hat. I think that’s the time I really leaned into my environmentalism, into playing all-ages shows, into my independent career. All of that was truly who I was, and the challenge of that time pushed me down that path in an important way, to ask those questions and discover the answers.”

“I Blame Myself” comes from Ziggy’s seventh studio album Twin Flames, which drops on October 16. I can’t imagine Ziggy’s going to release it without a full-scale tour, but for now he’ll showcase the new songs and some old favourites at a couple of festivals this November.

7 November 2026 – Lighthouse Festival @ Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve, Darkinjung Country/Norah Head
29 November 2026 – Scarborough Beach Weekender, Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre, Whadjuk Noongar Country/Scarborough

Photo credit: Zach Sanders via Beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LamBros. Drop Bluesy New Single, “Never Let Me Go”

Garigal Country/Northern Beaches blues rockers LamBros. have given me chills with their latest single “Never Let Me Go.” It’s a fabulous follow-up to “You Won’t Call,” with a driving hook that just won’t quit and fantastic soulful vocals. Just when you think you’ve heard everything, the didgeridoo and electric guitar kick in and take this track to its epic conclusion.

Commenting on their seemingly overnight success, Connor Lambrou noted “The response both here in Australia, and overseas has really fuelled the fire for us, and given us the confidence that what we’re doing is connecting with audiences across the globe. We are so passionate about writing real and raw music, and to have had such an amazing reaction has been really special. It just makes us want to keep giving more! More music, more shows, and more memories.”

LamBros. had a massive September playing BigSound and international shows in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. No one would blame them if they took the rest of the year to regroup, but they’re not done yet. Catch LamBros. at one of their remaining 2026 shows in the coming months.

3 October 2026 – Oktoberfest @ The Diddy, Cammeraygal Country/Longueville
13 & 14 November 2026 – Blues at Bridgetown, Geegelup/Bridgetown

Photo credit: Sasha McCarthy via On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Slowly Slowly are Back With “Sacrosaint”

Slowly Slowly’s Forgiving Spree was one of my favourite albums of 2025. Honestly, I’ve been hanging out for new music ever since its release. My patience has been rewarded with a fantastic new single, “Sacrosaint.” You’re going to want to crank this up music lovers. It’s some of the best rock music you’ll hear this year.

“‘Sacrosaint’ is about the things that we’ve taken for granted, the things that have been sacrosanct in the past, and how we always think they’re going to be there,” explained Slowly Slowly frontman Ben Stewart. “In that laziness, you’re watching the pillars of what holds up your life and society erode. The good in the world felt like it was disappearing. It felt like a big warning sign – if we stop watering those things that are so important for our happiness, it’s over. So, it felt like a warning.”

Slowly Slowly are getting amongst it with performances slated for Good Things and Great Escape. See them anywhere you can this December.

4 December 2026 – Good Things @ Flemington Racecourse, Naarm/Melbourne
5 December 2026 – Good Things @ Sydney Showground, Eora/Sydney
6 December 2026 – Good Things @ Brisbane Showgrounds, Meeanjin/Brisbane
29 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 – Great Escape @ Redbanks, Lutruwita/Nugent

Photo credit: Marcus Coblyn via Nettwerk Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods, Violent Soho, Amy Shark Headlining Castaway

Castaway Festival will be back, bigger and better than ever this year with a eclectic line-up of Aussie talent. Hilltop Hoods, Violent Soho, Amy Shark, Playlunch, Trials, Lyric, and Birdland will play three shows in coastal cities in Western Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.

“We’re so stoked to be a part of Castaway Festival with this STACKED lineup of incredible acts,” Playlunch enthused. “We’ve had the craziest 18 months and touring select markets with this festival is going to be insane! We’re such big fans of all the acts on the bill and are fresh from our overseas touring of the US and UK/EU … it’s going to be so nice being back on our home turf and kicking off festival season with the biggest party in town!”

“I’m a huge fan of Hilltop Hoods and Violent Soho, I was more than happy to join the boys on the road!” Amy Shark added. “I don’t think you could get a better lineup. Hip-hop, rock and pop – I can’t wait!”

Castaway Festival tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster:

21 November 2026 – Whitfords Nodes Park, Whadjuk Noongar Country/Hillarys
12 December 2026 – Mornington Racecourse, Bunurong Country/Mornington
20 March 2027 – Stuart Park, Woolyungah/Wollongong

Photo credit: Ashlee Jones

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meatstock Plating Up Music and Meats This March

Meatstock is serving up fantastic country music, delicious meats, and more next March. American country stars Nate Smith and Gavin Adcock will headline the events alongside local talents including Imogen Clark, Casey Barnes, Wade Forster, and Bella Mackenzie. There’ll also be a couple of performers exclusive to each location, like Kasey Chambers in Gunaikurnai Country/Gippsland and Lee Kernaghan in Giabal, Jarowait, and Jagera Country/Toowoomba.

And of course if you’re a carnivore, you’re spoiled for choice. Enjoy Brazilian barbecue, slow-cooked meats, and everything in between from some of the country’s best cooks. There’ll also be cooking and Beard & Me competitions, bull riding, axe throwing, and heaps more. If you’re planning to indulge in a few bevvies or attend both days, enjoy the convenience of on-site camping.

Meatstock will hit Lardner Park in Gunaikurnai Country/Gippsland on March 5 and 6 before travelling to Toowoomba Showgrounds in Giabal, Jarowair, and Jagera Country/Toowoomba on March 12 and 13. Tickets are on sale now from Moshtix.

Photo credit: Malte Luk @ Pexels

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Breaks New Ground With “There she goes”

Ama has got me vibing with her latest single “There she goes.” This track’s got a bit of a different vibe from Ama’s other material, with the dreamy guitars and deep groove encouraging listeners to move in time with the beat. While it takes some sonic risks, Ama hasn’t moved too far away from what she does so well. The lyrics are still so raw and vulnerable. You can always count on Ama to make you feel something with her songs.

“It’s about wanting someone all to yourself, while watching them move through life without you,” Ama explained. “It gives off laundry day vibes and I really tried leaning into the edginess of the lyrics.”

Christian Tjandrawinata of Wyre Studios shot the music video for “There she goes” at Bondi Skate Park. Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from that shoot on Ama’s Instagram page.

Image source: Ama’s EPK

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sammi Heaney Releases Stunning First Single, “Guilty”

Don’t you just love hearing those voices that stop you in your tracks? That excite you right from the jump? That’s how I’m feeling about Sammi Heaney, who recently released her debut single “Guilty.” It’s a beautiful introspective number about that familiar ache we’ve all experienced watching someone from our past move on.

“’Guilty’ was inspired by the idea of a past partner moving on and becoming intimate with somebody else. I remember being out at a bar and spotting someone that I used to see with a bunch of girls around him, and it genuinely made me want to throw up, so I caught an Uber home and wrote this song in tears on my bedroom floor,” Sammie recalled. “The song actually took me quite a while to write, going through many renditions until I was happy with the lyrics and melody. I’d say it honestly took a couple of weeks to write. I brought the track into Holly and we produced it out together, and it was so incredible to see it come to life, but also a bit of a challenge trying to find a balance of keeping it as raw as possible to encapsulate the way in which I wrote the song.”

Sammi initially thought perhaps “Guilty” wasn’t unique enough to stand out as a single, but her fans proved her wrong. She uploaded a preview that amassed 100,000 views overnight, leaving no doubt that this is a song people wanted to hear.

“Guilty” has hooked me with its vulnerability and heart. I cannot wait to hear more from Sammi Heaney. If you feel the same, make sure you follow her on Instagram.

Photo credit: Grave Galvin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Angry Anderson

The news of the passing of Gary “Angry” Anderson at 69 has left me with real mixed emotions. He hasn’t been too far from my thoughts since he was admitted to hospital in Germany during Rose Tattoo’s European tour. But his passing has also thrust his life outside music into the spotlight. Angry was an absolute icon of the Australian rock scene. But he was so much more.

“Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved bandmate, friend, and member of the wider music and entertainment community,” the Anderson family and Rose Tattoo said in a shared statement. “His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas. The family and band members are asking for privacy at this difficult time and will not be giving interviews. We kindly ask that their wishes are respected as they come to terms with this devastating loss and take time they need to grieve.”

Since the news of Angry’s passing broke, there have been plenty of media outlets that have jumped in to point out his flaws. Honestly, I wasn’t aware of his political views until that point, and I’ve been disappointed to learn of many areas where we didn’t align. They’re out there for all to see and worth reading and considering. In my opinion, they do taint Angry’s legacy somewhat, at least for me. But they also can’t change the impact of his music or his tireless charity work. And piling on right now, so soon after his passing, seems incredibly opportunistic.

RIP Angry.

Photo credit: Matt Williams