Arun Kendall, Author at Backseat Mafia

Album Review: ‘I’m In My Brain Again’ – stunning debut from Slowcoaching reveals a luscious dreamscape and soaring melodies.

Slowcoaching is the nom de plume of Naarm/Melbourne musician Dean Valentino, and his debut album ‘I’m In My Brain Again’ is a delicious collection of dreamy songs that seem to…

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Track: ‘Honey Go Home’ – Lutruwita/Tasmanian due Isle Two impress with their shimmering single at head of debut live performance supporting A. Swayze & the Ghosts.

With a debut live show supporting the legendary A. Swayze & the Ghosts on 30 January, duo Isle Two are a band going places, and impress me greatly with their…

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EP Review: Sam McMeekin unveils her stunning pop collection ‘Amelioration’, heralding a bright future.

‘Amelioration’ is Lutruwita/Tasmanian artist Sam McMeekin‘s second release following her debut EP ‘Tempest’ released last year, and it portends an important new artist from the Apple Isle. While the release…

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Premiere: Anna Smyrk unveils ethereal live performance video for her elegant and deeply personal single ‘This Is A Drill’, ahead of debut album and launch dates.

We are honoured to premiere the video for the new single ‘This Is A Drill’ from one of our favourite artists, the immensely talented Naarm/Melbourne artist Anna Smyrk, the first…

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Premiere: Eora/Sydney band Postcards from Pluto return with a thumping, stomping single ‘Arcade’ ahead of headline gig.

We’ve been following the upward trajectory of Eora/Sydney band Postcards from Pluto for a little over a year now and thoroughly impressed by both their singles and live performances (see…

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Premiere: LA’s the black watch exclusively unveil new stand alone single ‘There Are Solutions to Each & Every Problem’ ahead of new album in early 2026.

We are honoured to premiere the new stand alone Christmas single from those iconic dream pop exponents the black watch, the band headed by multi-talented John Andrew Frederick. This follows the…

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Track: Meanjin/Brisbane’s Ancient Channels unveil new single ‘Chimera’ ahead of new album and appearance at showcase label gig organised by False Peak Records.

Ancient Channels are a supergroup of sorts, consisting of members from the myriad of talented bands operating in Meanjin/Brisbane( including Terra Pines, Apparitions, and Deafcult), many of whom have been…

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EP Review: Sydney-raised, Tokyo-based artist Joey Sachi unveils the luminescent and silky tones of EP ‘Rise’.

Sydney-raised, Tokyo-based artist Joey Sachi has caught our attention with a series of mesmerising singles released over the last few years, including honouring us with the premiere of her debut…

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Music

Track: A. Swayze & the Ghosts urge you to ‘Stay Right’ in a psychedelic swirl of positivity ahead of live dates.

Andrew Swayze has been very busy over the past year releasing solo music and producing other bands (see my Lennon Wells review). As a final blast to the year, the…

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Track: Meanjin/Brisbane trio, the inimitable Fingerless, release anthemic new track ‘Grotesque’.

The magnificent Meanjin/Brisbane trio Fingerless are back after a long absence with their new single ‘Grotesque’ and it is a spectacular anthem that soars like an eagle. The band has always managed…

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