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| Photo - Patrick Starsky Thomas |
Recently awarded BBC Horizons’ 2026 Launchpad Fund - in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and Arts Council Wales - Waterpistol return with their first release of 2026, ‘Felin’. Combining the guitar textures of ‘90s shoegaze with golden age rock ‘n’ roll, South Wales-based psych-rock ‘n’ rollers Waterpistol have been firmly set on embodying their influences in The 'Brian Jonestown Massacre', 'The La’s' and Liverpool cult favourites 'Shack' with previous singles “Shotgun” - which received airplay across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales and Amazing Radio - and October 2024 single “Où est ton âme?” which saw the six-piece playlisted by DIY Magazine.
Formed in late 2022, the band played their first show together in April 2023 as support for CVC’s sold-out hometown show. Festival season followed in quick succession, and soon enough the band had several noteworthy appearances under their belt: FOCUS Wales, Green Man, Sŵn Festival and In It Together Festival.
This new venture with ‘Felin’ touches on the highs and lows of the creative process, the first glimpse of a wider collection of material already taking shape behind the scenes.
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| Photo - Jenna-Elson |
Driven by a warm, intoxicating and upbeat groove, Boorloo-based soul/funk singer-songwriter Navisha returns with ‘You’ this weekend. Wrapped in rhythm and sensual tension, the track leans into desire, temptation, and passion. A WAAPA graduate, 19 year old Navisha has become recognised for songwriting that balances raw heartbreaking ballads and feel-good rhythms. Her previous independent releases, including ‘See Through’, reached #12 on local charts and established her presence in the Western Australian music scene alongside her headline shows throughout 2025.
‘You’ centres on the theme of intimacy, young love and lived moments. The song explores the process of finding oneself through closeness and capturing affection as something felt rather than announced. In contrast to her earlier releases, the track leans into funk-influenced grooves, allowing rhythm to carry the emotional weight. Navisha’s velvety voice remains the central piece. Navisha shares:
“I wrote ‘You’ following the journey of finding myself when I realised I was in love as a teenager, which I think we can all agree makes you blind to anything else happening around you. Carefree with only one thing on my mind, the energy of the song plays on that exact sentiment - forgetting about everything else and just being immersed in the moment, and just Dance or Groove, or whatever makes your body feel good. The goal was to create a song that you can’t get out of your head, the same way you can’t get that person off your mind when you’re in love."
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Americana music fans have reason to celebrate this weekend, as award-winning singer-songwriter Pam Ross delivers a double dose of new music with the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album, Outside The Box, and her uplifting new single, “Say It Two Times,” both arriving February 13th.
“Say It Two Times” showcases Ross’ signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and infectious, feel-good country energy. Written as a joyful tribute to love’s power to transform everyday life, the song captures the warmth of shared routines, family moments, and the reassurance that comes from hearing those three powerful words more than once.
“I wanted to write a happy love song about realizing how someone has changed your life and made it better,” Ross explains. “It’s about appreciating what you’ve got and recognizing how good things really are. I just wanted an upbeat, happy song. It was originally meant for my first album, but I decided to do some lyrical rewriting at the last minute and held onto it until it felt just right.”
The new single is featured on Ross’ second full-length album, Outside The Box, a seven-song collection that highlights her growth as both a songwriter and artist. The album blends contemporary country, storytelling-driven ballads, and upbeat anthems that reflect Ross’ authenticity and creative independence.
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Howling Bells have released their acclaimed new album, ‘Strange Life’, via Nude Records. The UK-based Australian band’s first LP in 12 years, its release is accompanied by a new video for album track 'Sweet Relief'. The trio, comprising Juanita Stein (vocals, guitar), Joel Stein (guitar) and Glenn Moule (drums), will celebrate the LP release with a stripped-back set at Rough Trade Denmark Street this evening, with further in-store shows throughout the week. They subsequently embark on a full UK headline tour in March and April. Full tour dates are listed below.
Says Juanita Stein of the newly released song, “Sweet Relief’ is a song about a friend of ours who has suffered with addiction issues. It’s about finding coping mechanisms for whatever struggles and challenges life may throw your way. Also, it’s a note to self, to remain empathic for anyone who might be struggling with this. After all, none of us is immune to life’s extreme shades. Some of us are just more equipped to respond.” On the album, she explains, “In the decade or so between our last album and now we have lived multiple lives. Starting families, working other jobs, forging new communities and experiencing huge loss. All these experiences have gifted us shades and colours to create new musical canvases. Strange Life has been a decade in the making. In this time we’ve sat quietly and watched as the world around us has shifted dramatically. A wild and fast-paced carousel of music, art and politics has taken our breath away. Yet, we have remained curiously ambitious and stalwart in our commitment to our art and our sound. Strange Life is a testament to all of this.”
Since their beginnings, breaking through with their acclaimed self-titled debut back in 2006 amidst a landscape of scrappy British indie and skinny-jeaned male dominance, the Australian trio - vocalist/guitarist Juanita Stein, her brother and guitarist Joel Stein and drummer Glenn Moule - have been something of an anomaly. They might have moved to the other side of the world in pursuit of the dreams that soon became a reality, playing at an NME Tour and then in stadiums supporting Coldplay whilst whipping up acclaim from the most credible ends of the music press. They may have seen various members come and go, but Howling Bells’ hypnotic indie rock always stood apart from the pack and was very much a reflection of their unbreakable union. Influenced by the likes of Tom Waits and Sonic Youth, as well as Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, and Björk, their recipe created a heady, immersive stew - equal parts sepia-toned romance and gritty rock 'n' roll thrills.
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| Photo - Rosie Sco |
Glasgow 5 piece Sister Madds announce their debut EP Are you Hungry? (Feb 27th) and share the vibrant new single ‘Table Manners’ out now. Sitting somewhere between the fizzing edge of alt-rock and the hooks of pop-rock, the band blend late-00s songwriting influences (think Lily Allen and Kate Nash) with hard-hitting, punk-esque musicianship. The result is a bold, bratty and fierce sound, drawing comparisons to The Beaches and No Doubt, with flashes of Alvvays and Wet Leg. Known for their boisterous live shows packed with energy, charm and a touch of chaos, Sister Madds have firmly established themselves as a force within the Scottish music scene.
Produced by Jamie Holmes (Hayley Kiyoko, Lucia and the Best Boys, Gerry Cinnamon, Bully), ‘Table Manners’ captures the band at their most confident — all punchy, glam-rock-tinged guitars and irresistibly catchy, vibrant lead vocals. It’s fun, pointed and packed with the sharp energy that defines Sister Madds’ sound.
Speaking about the single, the band explain: “Table Manners' is a tongue-in-cheek tune that uses the idea of food etiquette as a metaphor to talk about modern day relationships. It's a witty take on modern-day online dating. More and more, there's a growing lack of humanity in the dating world, and people have endless 'options,' which makes the environment pretty hard to navigate. This song doesn't hold back, calling out bad manners in the world of love and saying what we really think.”
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Singer-songwriter Ava Claire releases her new single, “Salt Mine,” out now. Solely written by Ava herself, this vulnerable, introspective ballad traces the evolution of a young woman moving from simply existing in circumstances to fully embracing her destined path.
“I was at a transition of sorts in my life. I was 16, starting to apply to colleges, graduating high school early, writing constantly, and playing as many gigs as I could book. One particularly stressful day, I just looked around and asked myself, 'What am I doing?' 'Would I be happier on another path?' 'Should I move to Montana and write songs in a cabin in the woods?' Salt Mine was born in that moment,” Ava shares.
Ava Claire has been a storyteller since she first set poems to music at age eight. After teaching herself guitar via YouTube and making her Music Row debut at the iconic Bobby's Idle Hour at just 11, she has spent the last decade carving out a space for herself in the heart of Music City.
“Salt Mine” showcases Ava Claire's ability to craft music that tells stories while connecting hearts, offering a song that is both a reflection and a rallying cry for anyone seeking their own path.
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