Author: Sarah Duggan

Neck Deep’s Ben Barlow discusses their upcoming Aussie tour, self-titled record and 10 years of Life’s Not Out To Get You

Neck Deep is one of the most exciting bands in the pop-punk scene right now, and it only takes one listen to their 2024 self-titled album to understand why. From Wales, the band formed in 2012, and since then has released five albums and toured consistently, selling out massive headline shows and playing alongside pop-punk titans…

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The Fray announce Australian tour celebrating twenty years of How To Save A Life

Skyrocketing to fame with their smash-hit “How to Save a Life”, The Fray quickly became a defining voice of the early 2000s. Over the course of more than two decades, they’ve enjoyed a long but measured career, with only four studio albums, yet a steady stream of massive chart-topping singles. In 2022, lead vocalist Isaac…

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Old Mervs set the bar high with their highly-anticipated self-titled debut album

Forming in 2017, Old Mervs started garnering attention after the release of their debut EP in 2022, and the duo, consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist David House and Henry Carrington-Jones, have been kicking goals rapidly in the three years since. Hitting #38 on the most recent Triple J’s Hottest 100 with their single “What you’ve Lost”,…

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Bloodywood release their second album Nu Delhi, and it’s a wild ride from start to finish

Who would have thought that traditional Indian music and metal would make a great pair? Bloodywood, that’s who. Forming in 2016, the New Delhi group initially took to YouTube to upload metal covers of pop songs, before writing their own music. They gradually garnered attention by catching the eye of a few major online publications,…

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Album Review: Coheed and Cambria – The Father of Make Believe (2025 LP)

If there’s one thing that sets New York prog-rock group Coheed and Cambria apart, it’s their unmatched ability to tell a gripping story through their records. Their latest release, The Father of Make Believe, marks their eleventh concept album and the third instalment in their Vaxis series. With lead vocalist Claudio Sanchez also being a…

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Basement’s Alex Henery on the current state of heavy music and New Bloom Festival

In the space between chaos and clarity, you’ll find the unmistakable sound of Basement. Hailing from Ipswich, England, the band formed in 2009 with a run that saw them release two standout records— the second of which has since become a favourite within the genre—before taking a brief hiatus in 2012. Basement made their return…

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Jon Simmons of Balance and Composure talks their hiatus and reunion, and their upcoming slot at New Bloom Festival

After years of silence, Balance and Composure was restored, with the Pennsylvania-born band making a triumphant return. calling it quits in 2019, they shocked fans with the unexpected release of Too Quick To Forgive in 2023. With a studio album and multiple tours under their belt, they’re now gearing up to come Down Under and…

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Green Day rocks Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium with their first show of the Saviors tour Down Under

Rock legends Green Day kicked off the Aussie leg of their Saviors tour at Marvel Stadium last night, and what a night it was. Celebrating not only the release of their 2024 album Saviors, but also the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, with the band playing both revolutionary albums…

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Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari talks Knotfest, his musical influences and their recent number one album.

Formed in 1999, Enter Shikari have been shaking up the heavy music scene for over two decades. Known for fusing post-hardcore, electronic, and punk elements, they’ve built a reputation for their genre-bending sound and explosive live shows. Their latest album, A Kiss for the Whole World, scored them their first UK number-one, earning praise from…

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“We were never intending to play again”, Yellowcard guitarist Ryan Mendez looks back on 20 years of Ocean Avenue

Whether you consider yourself a former emo kid, or just appreciate undeniably good music, then there’s no doubt that you’re familiar with pop-punk legends Yellowcard. Formed in 1997, the band broke into the mainstream in 2003 with their massive hit “Ocean Avenue”, a track that helped define a generation of early-2000s emo and alternative rock….

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Lane Pittman

Lane Pittman chats touring with Luke Combs, writing music and the current state of country music

Capturing Australia’s attention on The Voice in 2022, eighteen-year-old country singer Lane Pittman has had a huge few years, with no plans to slow down any time soon. January saw him win a Golden Guitar for ‘New Talent of the Year’ following the release of his self-titled debut EP, and he’s just wrapped up his…

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Holy Holy

Holy Holy hiatus – Aussie duo to embark on one last tour as a farewell to fans

After more than a decade of shaping Australia’s indie music scene, Holy Holy have announced that they will be stepping away from the project indefinitely. Sharing the news on Instagram, the duo- comprising of composer Oscar Dawson and lyricist Timothy Carroll, explained that major life changes have led them to this decision. With Carroll relocation…

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LS DUNES

Album Review: L.S. Dunes – Violet (2025 LP)

Formed during the pandemic, L.S. Dunes made their debut at 2022’s Riot Fest shortly before releasing their album Past Lives, which was well-received by fans and critics. The band is made up of lead vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive , Saosin and The Sound of Animals Fighting), guitarist Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), guitarist Travis…

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“That’s what art is all about” Slowly Slowly’s Ben Stewart talks their latest album Forgiving Spree

Hailing from Melbourne, Aussie rockers Slowly Slowly have been making waves in the music scene for almost ten years. They’ve played a multitude of festivals, supported titans like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and have charted twice on Triple J’s Hottest 100, with their 2019 single “Jellyfish” coming in at #57. Today, they release their fifth…

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Slowly Slowly’s Forgiving Spree is a masterful blend of freshness and nostalgia

Slowly Slowly have cemented themselves as one of the most dynamic forces in the Australian rock scene, and their fifth studio album, Forgiving Spree only further proves this. Forgiving Spree is Slowly Slowly in all their glory, showcasing their signature emotion al depth, intricate musicianship, and a maturity that reflects their evolution as a band. With a sprinkle of…

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Dear Seattle

“It all just felt so good, like coming back home”
:
 Brae Fisher of Dear Seattle talks their third studio album TOY

Making their debut in 2013, Dear Seattle quickly gained traction within the Aussie indie rock scene, opening for and playing beside a multitude of massive acts. Their 2017 single “The Meadows” racked up almost 6-million streams on Spotify, and 2019 saw them release their highly-anticipated debut album Don’t Let Go. Fast-forward to now, and they’re…

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Dear Seattle

Album Review: Dear Seattle – TOY (2025 LP)

Dear Seattle release their third studio album, TOY, today- and it’s without a doubt their best yet. Forming in 2013, the group has made a name for themselves among the Aussie indie rock scene, and if you’re an avid gig-goer, then chances are you’ve caught them live a few times, whether it be a headline…

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Good Things Festival kicks off in Melbourne, with a great day of heavy music despite lineup changes

Melbourne kicked off Australia’s annual Good Things Festival yesterday, drawing thousands of heavy music fans for a packed day of performances. With nu-metal legends Korn and pop-punk icons Sum 41 originally headlining, the event promised to deliver an unforgettable experience. However, a significant last-minute lineup change and looming storm clouds added unexpected challenges to the…

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Yellowcard announce 20th anniversay tour for Ocean Avenue Down Under with Motion City Soundtrack and Plain White T’s

For the first time since 2017, Yellowcard are returning to Australia. Celebrating the overdue twentieth anniversary of their groundbreaking and iconic album Ocean Avenue. As exciting as that is in itself, what makes it even better is the lineup they’re bringing with them- Motion City Soundtrack and Plain White T’s. If you’re unfamiliar with Yellowcard,…

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Album Review: Ocean Grove – ODDWORLD (2024 LP)

Beloved nu-metal Melbournians, Ocean Grove, dropped their fourth studio album, ODDWORLD, this past Friday, and it’s been well-received by fans and critics alike. After the departure of vocalist Luke Holmes in 2019 and his subsequent return for this record, the band has embraced a decidedly eclectic sound. This album, true to its name, feels like…

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State Champs’ self-titled album is everything you could want in a pop-punk record

New York pop-punkers State Champs have been making waves since 2010 and on Friday, they finally released their much-anticipated fifth studio album. For a group that’s been churning out anthemic, sing-along tracks since their debut The Finer Things, this self-titled record feels like a natural progression. It’s a blend of looking back to their roots…

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Interview: Phantogram talk Memory Of A Day influences and touring with Kings of Leon

Hot off the heels of their brand new album Memory of a Day (read my review HERE), we caught up with Sarah and Jon of New York’s Phantogram. We talked about the cinematic new record, the influences behind it – as well as their recent tour in North America with Kings of Leon. Firstly, congratulations…

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Phantogram’s Memory Of A Day is a dreamy blend of electronic-pop and cinematic soundscapes

Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter met way back in preschool with their paths crossing again in 2007, when the two joined forces and started making music under the name Charlie Everywhere. In 2009, they found their own unique sound- a mix of electronic rock and dream pop, blending gritty beats with atmospheric melodies, and changed…

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Claire Tonti

Claire Tonti is breaking down the barriers of motherhood through music

Naarm-based singer-songwriter, activist, and mother Claire Tonti is breaking down barriers, using her music to normalise the complexities of motherhood. Her debut album, Matrescence, released in 2023, is nothing short of powerful. Tonti dives deep, sharing her experiences of motherhood, loss, and yearning with raw emotion. It’s a beautiful body of work that captures immense…

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Album Review: Touché Amoré – Spiral In A Straight Line (2024 LP)

With Lament crowned Pitchfork’s Best New Album in 2020, Touché Amoré set the bar high for their upcoming release, Spiral in a Straight Line. Forming in 2007, the post-hardcore group has consistently made waves in the scene, earning critical acclaim for each of their four previous studio albums. While they re-recorded and re-released their debut…

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Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo dazzles Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on night one of four (09.10.24)

The atmosphere in Melbourne was electric last night as Olivia Rodrigo kicked off the first of her four highly anticipated shows at Rod Laver Arena. Since the tour was announced earlier this year, fans have eagerly waited for their chance to see the pop sensation, with tickets selling out in minutes. By showtime, eager crowds…

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CERES

Ceres are back after five years, with Magic Mountain (1996-2022) and it’s a work of art

After five years, Ceres have made a triumphant return with the release of their sixth studio album, Magic Mountain (1996-2022). Although it appeared the band had taken a hiatus, they were, in fact, working on this double album in various forms over the past five years. Spanning a massive twenty-five tracks, this record is a…

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Drug Church’s fifth studio album PRUDE is 28 minutes of post-hardcore bliss

Post-hardcore band Drug Church drop their fifth studio album today. PRUDE is an electrifying 28-minute record full of bangers, with a blend of punk rock, post-hardcore and alternative rock. It’s short and sweet, with each track packing a punch. Drug Church’s sound has evolved over the last thirteen years, and I’m confident that PRUDE is…

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Green Day and AFI are returning to Australia for the first time in 8 years – here’s what tickets are left

After almost eight long years, punk pioneers Green Day are finally coming back to Australia, and the excitement is real. 2020 saw the cancellation of their highly anticipated “Hella Mega Tour” due to COVID, leaving Aussie fans hanging. But now, with their “Saviors Tour” set to hit Australia early next year, Green Day are more than…

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Tom Lanyon of Ceres talks Magic Mountain and their unintentional hiatus

Australian rock band Ceres are back with their first new music in five years. Their fourth studio album, Magic Mountain (1996-2022) is out on October 4th and it’s some of their most formative work yet. Laying pretty low over the last five years, it was assumed that the group was on hiatus, and when they…

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