News: The enigmatic Hoolahan unveil the shimmering single ‘Zircon Ring’ ahead of album and gig

Signed to legendary producer Wayne Connolly’s Scenic Drive Records label (home of fellow Backseat Mafia regulars Nagging Doubts and Victoria), Hoolahan have released two highly lauded albums over the past decades but have been relatively mysterious.

In their lifetime they played at the Big Day Out Festival and performed alongside Grant McLennan and Robert Forster (Go-Betweens), The Vines, Ash, Stereophonics and Swervedriver.

Tim Kevin from the band has since worked with Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie, Knievel and La Huva whilst producing and engineering for artists such as The Apartments, Holly Throsby and Youth Group. Harry Roden has enjoyed success in Australia and Europe with The City Lights and Snakeheads.

With two singles released last year (‘Altered Days’ and ‘Holiday Row’, both sadly missed by me) they have today unveiled ‘Zircon Ring’, and it’s a stunning, shimmering slice of pop that positively sparkles like the sun off the oceans surrounding Australia.

The instrumentation jingles and jangles with a shimmer like a mirage in the desert, and the vocal are filled with a deep yearning carrying an immersive melody. This is truly gorgeous music:

‘Zircon Ring’ is out today and can be downloaded and streamed via the link above and all the usual sites.

The track was produced by Tim Kevin and David Orszaczky at Tempe River Studios and mixed by long-time collaborator Wayne Connolly.

Artwork is designed by Cameron Emerson-Elliott featuring the work of Canadian artist and natural ink maker Jason Logan.

You can catch the band launching the single on 17 July supported by long time Backseat Mafia favourites The Electorate – details below and tickets here.

Hoolahan are gearing up to release their third album ‘Bay of Chance’ in September 2026 – with Australian East Coast tour dates to follow.

Along with Kevin and Rodin, members of Hoolahan are David Orszaczky and Neil Bateman.

Feature Photograph: Lee Orszaczky