Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by 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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lucky Governors Release Hot New Single, “Cinders”

Eora/Sydney-based duo Lucky Governors have just released their second single “Cinders,” but they’re already gaining a reputation as one of the finest new acts around. Singer and guitarist Andrew Fischer and drummer David Shirley recently sold out their single launch show at LazyBones Lounge, and when you give “Cinders” a listen I’m sure you’ll understand why. Its lyrics are thoughtful and introspective and they’re supported beautifully by the stripped-back arrangement.

“’Cinders’ is about that ever-present internal wrestle we deal with in life and how we deal with the limited time we have here,” Andrew explained.

Lucky Governors are set to have a massive 2025 with more new music and live shows on the horizon. Follow them on Instagram to keep across everything that’s happening with the band.

Image used with permission from Lucky Governors

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe Back to Their Best With “Miracle Cure”

Since returning to the music scene in Eskimo Joe, everything the Western Australian rockers have released has been gold. Their latest banger “Miracle Cure” is so exception. From a stripped-back beginning, it builds into an epic feelgood anthem.

“‘Miracle Cure’ is about the search for redemption and how only love can pull us back from the edge,” frontman Kav Temperley explained. “It’s about hope and the vulnerability that comes with trusting someone to save you. This song is about confronting our flaws and finding strength in love and hope, even if the cure were searching for might not exist. “

The music video, shot by cinematographer David Le May, features footage of the band performing at the Old Customs House in Walyalup/Fremantle and a little Australian Gothic imagery. Think Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Nosferatu.

Eskimo Joe recently played an acoustic gig at Darwin Entertainment Centre, and I hear there may be a few more of those stripped-back gigs in the works. Follow the Eskies on Facebook to hear about all their upcoming shows as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Varrasso PR