backseat downunder
News: Verticoli unveil evocative single and video for ‘See You Around’ ahead of album ‘Silverlinings’, due out in November.
With a soul-infused laid back air, the new single from Tasmania’s Verticoli puts on show their musical versatility and range of expression: a little different from their harder sound. It burns intensely like a slow fuse, a touch bluesy, and born on distant warm organ sounds that oscillates under the instruments. A wild guitar solo …
News: Iconic indie giants Youth Group announce new album ‘Big Whoop’ for October and lead with the shimmering anthemic single ‘The Joke’ and tour dates.
Last year while supporting Underground Lovers and back touring after a five year hiatus, the iconic Youth Group released the single thrilling ‘Siberia’ (see my review here) as a portent of things to come. Now they have released news of an album ‘Big Whoop’ through the mighty Impressed Recordings and Cassell Records due out on …
News: The mighty Crowded House announce a series of pop-up shows across Australia
Following the release of a roundly well received album ‘Gravity Stairs’ last year and a massive tour of the major cities, the legendary Crowded House have announced a return bout of pop-shows across Australia later this year, covering areas they missed last year and targeting more intimate venues. Neil Finn says: We are very excited …
Track: Lily Jupiter debuts her single sparkling ‘Stamp Alphabet’ and gives notice of a prodigious, creative talent emerging.
For an emerging artist who is only 16, Lily Jupiter displays an incredible assurance and prodigious ability in her debut single ‘Stamp Alphabet’, released today. There are detectable elements of Lorde and Olivia Rodrigo for sure with the electronic thrum, driving pace, wry lyrics and velvet vocals. Jupiter adds George Michael as an influence and …
News: Kesha Confirms 2026 Australian Tour Dates After a Decade Away
Kesha has confirmed a February 2026 return to Australian stages for the first time in over ten years.
News: Exploding indie stars Radio Free Alice announce their third EP ‘Empty Words’ for release this month, and entice us with new single ‘Toyota Camry’ and massive tour ahead
We have been closely following the rapid ascent of Radio Free Alice ever since premiering their video for ‘I (Gotta Fall In Love)’ back in 2023. This was followed by their signing to the massive and highly prestigious WME Agency for worldwide representation after their signing locally to the illustrious Double Drummer label. It may be an unrequited love …
Premiere: Nipaluna/Hobart’s The Native Cats exclusively reveal poignant and charming video for the track ‘Aces Low’, off their 7″ double single ‘Aces Low’/’ Lose Count’, ahead of live dates.
The Native Cats are a duo who have a built up a strong reputation in the indie scene in Australia for their visceral, innovative post punk music and do-it-yourself style through their label Rough Skies. Based in Nipaluna/Hobart, they have just released a double sided 7″ single with the tracks ‘Aces Low’ and ‘Lose Count’ …
Live Review + Photo Galleries: The Black Sea Carnys at Hobart’s The Grand Poobah, 26.07.2025
The Black Sea Carnys held the launch for their latest offering, the EP (more of a mini-album, in reality) Cultland at The Grand Poobah here in Hobart on Saturday evening. As a follow-up to my EP review (here), I decided to go and listen to the band playing all of their new material at their …
Track: Sydney/Gadigal band Valley Onda release the dreamy hypnotic track ‘Minacious’
The new single ‘Minacious’ from Sydney/Gadigal band Valley Onda is shrouded in a mysterious fugue as sparkling guitars set up a hypnotic chime over the soothing vocals that have a yearning, expressive range. There are detectable elements of later period Radiohead in the delivery for sure, but infused with a soul-infused tinge and an atmospheric …
Track: Jordan Laser Shares “Holiday”, A Slow-Burning Alt-Pop Cut
Longing, solitude, and 90s textures—Jordan Laser’s Holiday invites you in.