Saint Lane’s Indi Rock Gem

Saint Lane has continued his vast change in musical direction with another playful indie rock gem ‘It Ain’t Soda’. Written about losing a friend to addiction, the bedroom-produced, guitar-driven narrative sees Lane draw influence from artists as diverse as Gang of Youths, Lime Cordiale, Dominic Fike and Harry Styles. With almost every element of his music uprooted and changed, Saint Lane still manages to keep his unique delivery intact which is a real testament to the local songwriter’s overwhelming talent.

Girl and Girl Set For Domination

After a huge six months of touring, complete with a recent high profile management signing, Girl and Girl seem to be set for world domination and have just released their strongest single to date. ‘All I See’ does a fantastic job of harnessing the raucous nature of the band's live show, with Kai James' infectious vocals sitting front and centre, behind low-fi slacker rock guitars and energetic drums. You can catch the Gold Coast Music Prize winners performing at SPRINGTIME in September.

Mass Sky Raid Come In Hot

Mass Sky Raid have come in hot this month with their first release since their brilliant 2022 album ‘Calm In Chaos’. ‘Tidal Wave’ is a slick, modern alt/rock head banger led by Adam Lomas’ signature euphoric vocals and driven by flawless technical drumming. With synths, soaring guitars and clever production techniques completing the picture, ‘Tidal Wave’ is a sharp reminder of just how good this local four-piece really are.

Mescalito Blues’ Swagger-Filled Return

Mescalito Blues are strutting into this month's column with their swagger-filled foot stomper ‘Hit Shot’. Released as the first taste of new music since their 2018 record ‘Tall, Tails, True’, the track features the whisky-soaked vocal of Gavin Doniger, behind a swamp-blues rhythm and muddy slide guitar. With an effortlessly cool video to match, Mescalito Blues clearly haven’t lost the touch and have picked up exactly where they left off five years ago.

Amy Elise’s Strong Return

16-year-old Gold Coast artist Amy Elise is continuing to develop her sound, with the release of her strongest single to date, ‘God Complex’. Locally produced by Benny D Williams, the punchy pop rock number is bursting with hooks and clever lyricism, taking the listener into Amy’s world of relationships and teenage angst. Accompanied by a wonderfully simple but effective video clip, ‘God Complex’ is the full package showcasing Elise’s maturity as a songwriter with a bright future ahead.

Thirst Trap Burst Onto The Scene

After whipping up a frenzy at their recent live shows, brand new local outfit Thirst Trap have finally released their debut single ‘You Know Me’. Drawing influence from bands like Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers and No Doubt, the four-piece blend 90’s Ska/Punk with contemporary alt rock, using huge reverb-soaked guitars and anthemic vocal melodies. With a string of local shows in the works and more singles to come, we’re looking forward to hearing more from Thirst Trap in the coming months.

Damien Finds Beauty In Pain

Damien is reaching into the darkness with his ominous new single ‘Hurts’. Taking a refreshing approach to 1970’s Darkwave music, the track takes derivative electro industrial elements and blends them with the modern influences of theatrical rock bands like The Killers and Panic! At the Disco. With stark lyrical content touching on the beauty in pain, Damien’s sound is truly unique and unlike anything else you’ll hear this month.

These Idle Hands’ Artistic Stunner

These Idle hands are pulling at the heart strings once again with their devastating beautiful new offering ‘Final Tide’. Written about the drowning of a close friend in the Lismore floods, the slow paced, heart throbbing music matches the sadness of the circumstance amidst natural devastation. Droning baritone vocal, acoustic guitars and emotive strings complete the picture, to create a stunning artistic expression that is certainly not for the faint hearted.

The Silencio Solidify Their Place

Off the back of their huge opening set for the The World Is A Vampire festival, local rockers The Silencio have released ‘Taciturn (Over) Talkative’. Managing to blend complex musicality with pop sensibilities, the 3:19 track twists and turns through audible emotion led by a commanding vocal, reminiscent of early noughties rock intellects Incubus. Accompanied by an excellent conceptual video featuring band members fathers, The Silencio have truly solidified their place on the big stage.

Lamu Make A Statement

Local four-piece Lamu have made a huge statement this month with their masterfully considered debut EP ‘19th Ave’. Produced locally with Michael McCartney over an intensive nine-day session, the five tracks are bursting with lush guitar hooks and catchy vocal melodies, reminiscent of the sophisticated alt-rock sounds of mid-career Kings Of Leon. Highlight moments include the heartfelt brilliance of ‘Silver’, the riff driven title track and the carefree swagger of the EP’s closer ‘Friday’. A world-class debut here from Lamu.

Felicity Lawless and MsEleneous

Local stalwart Felicity Lawless has joined forces with virtuosic clarinetist and saxophonist MsEleneous to release a beautiful debut single ‘Hold Me’. Keeping it simple with percussive guitar work, intimate vocals and a tasteful clarinet solo, the minimally produced track tells of letting go through love, beauty, and magic. Released alongside an equally introspective lyric video, ‘Hold Me’ is the first taste of a full-length record from the newly formed duo.

Ronan Maclean’s Winning Formula

Local producer/songwriter Ronan Maclean has found the winning formula on his huge sounding new single ‘Dangerous’. Taking cues from the likes of The Weeknd, Ruel, and Justin Bieber, Maclean puts his own spin on modern electro pop, incorporating layered vocal percussion and clever production to create one of the catchiest songs we’ve heard all year. Brilliant stuff here from Ronan Maclean.

Jaz Sebastian Goes Downbeat

Musical chameleon Jaz Sebastian is trying his hand at downbeat indie pop this month with his smooth new single ‘I Don’t Like You’. Drawing influence from Glass Animals and Harry Styles, the groove-driven track tells the story of being stuck in a toxic relationship, juxtaposed by Sebastian’s nonchalant vocal delivery and carefree energy. Accompanied by an entertaining satirical lyric video, ‘I Don’t Like You’ is a step in the right direction for this local genre-bender.

Boo Seeka’s Slow Burning Banger

New Gold Coast resident Boo Seeka has just dropped his latest slow burning dancefloor banger ‘Are You All In?’. Collaborating with Luke Palmer from Dead Letter Circus and Bainbridge from Golding, the trio create an effortlessly catchy electronic sound that traverses a clever line between, dance, chill and indie rock. With a subtle pulsating rhythm complemented by Bo’s hypnotic vocal, ‘You All In?’ is the type of song that feels as home in an intimate club as it does on a festival stage. You can catch Boo Seeka performing on said festival stage during SPRINGTIME in September.

Brook Chivell’s Heartfelt Ballad

Country rocker Brook Chivell is keeping things simple this month, with the release of his charming love ballad ‘Blue Eyes’. Opening with just piano and vocal, the track highlights Chivell’s diversity as an artist, effortlessly trading the full throttle energy of his previous single ‘Put Em Up’ for heartfelt storytelling and rich instrumentation. Produced and mastered locally by Jared Adlam and Paul Blakey, Brook Chivell is yet another nationally recognised country music artist putting Gold Coast on the map.