Miler - Bone Wars - Freyja Elsy - Gary Calamar feat. Mark Mothersbaugh - Kat Greta - Pam Ross

Photo - Archie Lawson

Miler - Betty.

Brighton-based indie-alternative rock band Miler announce their forthcoming EP Your Best, and release the haunting new single ‘Betty’ (September 11th). Led by Hastings-born songwriter and vocalist Calista Morgan, Miler make music that sits somewhere between intimacy and abandon. Their songs move through confessional indie, hazy shoegaze, brooding ’90s grunge, country-tinged slow burners and huge, cathartic crescendos. Music that can feel close enough to whisper in your ear before suddenly opening up into something much bigger.

At the centre of it all is Morgan's voice: soaring and tender one moment, raw and guttural the next. ‘Betty’ is the first glimpse into Your Best, and perhaps its most emotionally immediate one. Written about the final conversation Morgan had with a close friend before her death, it is a song about grief, warning, memory and the things that stay with us. There is weight to it, but Miler let the song breathe and move with a genuine sense of emotion whilst keeping a driving sense of purpose - gritty guitars, tight drums and grounding bass under a vocal performance that feels both exposed and intimate yet completely in control.

Recorded with Alex McCrea at his home studio in Brighton and at Hook Studios in Oxfordshire with producer Jamie Biles (Isaac Gracie, Gretel, Miles Kane, Nick Mulvey and Delilah Montague), ‘Betty’ gradually builds from its stripped-back beginnings into something much bigger. Vocal harmonies bloom around the chorus, carrying a fleeting essence of Fleetwood Mac, before the guitars and driving drums crash back in, pulling the song towards a restless, yearning climax.

Morgan explains: “‘Betty’ is about the last conversation I had with a friend before she died, in which she told me to think carefully about my life and what path I was on, before I ended up on a path like hers. This has very much shaped the EP as it is quite a personal self reflection and exploration of my experiences and how I let them shape me, and the parallels in our life that she warned me against.”

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Bone Wars - Bone Wars (Album).

Bone Wars are a fearsome psych-rock quartet from Yorkshire, blending classic psychedelia, heavy rock, funk and Turkish psych into an eclectic, high-energy sound that is as comfortable with a huge riff as it is with an eight-minute improvisational freak-out.

Named after the late-19th-century rivalry between American palaeontologists racing to uncover new dinosaur species, Bone Wars turn a fascination with prehistoric creatures into the inspiration for a collection of songs about dinosaurs, extinction, geology and the strange stories behind the science.

Their sound draws on the classic psychedelia of Pink Floyd, Hawkwind and The Zombies, the contemporary explorations of The Oh Sees and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, the funk of Parliament/Funkadelic, the electric experimentation of Miles Davis, Turkish psych from Mogollar and Altın Gün, and the heavier instincts of Led Zeppelin and The Who.

At the centre of it all is a band that thrives on improvisation and musical chemistry. Songs are mapped out with enough structure to give the music direction, then opened up to allow the four musicians to explore dynamics, texture and rhythm. The result is music that can move from a tight, hook-driven rock song into sprawling psychedelic territory without losing its sense of momentum.

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Photo - Siria Ferrer

Freyja Elsy - to stop the world turning (EP).

Freyja Elsy’s second EP ‘to stop the world turning’ is released this weekend. The record is deeply personal - exploring memory, identity, anxiety and the lasting imprints of formative experiences. Following her critically acclaimed, outward-looking 2023 debut EP ‘Modern Artifice’, ‘to stop the world turning’ turns to introspection. It reflects on Elsy's formative experiences and the choices that shaped her - asking what remains when we look back at the people we once were and understanding their impact on her future.

The four tracks move through nostalgia, emotional numbness, anxiety, regret and reflection before ending with resolution. Elsy’s signature electronic production and classically trained composition weave through fresh, organic piano, strings, guitar and double bass punctuated by intricate, entrancing vocal arrangements. The EP was self-produced, with recording taking place for the first time outside of a home studio in a remote converted chapel in West Wales alongside engineer Owain Fleetwood Jenkins (Tom Chaplin, Billie Marten, Cerys Hafana).

The project has already built strong momentum through its three singles: ‘In My Veins’ was selected as a Fresh Fave by Freshonthenet, ‘Control’ was described by the BBC's Adam Walton as “an elevating slow burn… sumptuously produced”, featuring on Record of the Day, and ‘Another Life’ crossed over to spend two consecutive weeks on the BBC Radio Wales Welsh A-List. The singles have also received support from The Line of Best Fit, Music Observer, Clash Magazine and others. The EP is rounded out by the final track 'From Within', which seeks redemption from a fractured past.

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Gary Calamar feat. Mark Mothersbaugh - I Got An Idea.

Gary Calamar has long been celebrated as a true music scene Renaissance man. You've seen his name as a renowned music supervisor in the credits to acclaimed television shows from the iconic Six Feet Under to the recent hit 3 Body Problem, and LA residents have, since the '90s, known him as a popular DJ on the influential radio program The Open Road (originally on KCRW and now airing weekly on KCSN). 

In the 21st Century, Gary has been increasingly heard as a songwriter and recording artist as well, starting with his acclaimed 2014 debut EP You Are What You Listen To on Atlantic Records and continuing ever since with a well-received series of independent singles, all produced by John Would (Warren Zevon, Fiona Apple). He's won fans with an approach that blends the literate storytelling of Lou Reed with the pop hooks of Tom Petty, the power chords of Pete Townshend and a touch of surreal whimsy reminiscent of Robyn Hitchcock, while forging an identity that's all his own.

This year, things are accelerating rapidly for Calamar, and this new version of the catalog standout “I Got An Idea” (guest vocals Mark Mothersbaugh) serves brilliantly as an emblematic starting point for this next phase. With an infectious abundance of giddy excitement over a creative breakthrough packed into its two-and-a-half-minute run time, it's nearly perfect as a statement of intent for what's to come. Veteran LA scenesters may even recall this Calamar original from its first appearance on beloved alt-rock band Eggplant's second album back in 1990 (Gary was the band's manager) or as the lead of manifesto on his own debut EP 24 years later, but the new version on this single is most certainly the definitive rendition.

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Kat Greta - I Know What This Is.

Kat Greta's new indie-pop single ‘I Know What This Is’ has her exploring the universal sting of rejection, those ‘almost’ relationships and the bittersweet, frustrating dance of it all.  ‘I Know What This Is’ and the accompanying music video is out now. Melbourne/Naarm-based artist Kat Greta released her debut Indie-pop EP ‘Rhythm and Reverie’ last year and received support across Australian community radio, with her latest single 'Audacity' reaching #1 on the AMRAP Indie/Alternative charts. She has been a guest on Introducing with Tim Blackwell (NOVA), while her music has also been featured on ABC Rage.
 
Throughout ‘I Know What This Is’, Greta balances energetic, driving beats and bright pop textures with raw, vulnerable lyrics, creating an honest and vibrant indie-pop singalong. Co-written and produced by Seetali Mack and mixed by Matt Voigt (Powderfinger, Midnight Oil, KISS), the track layers expressive instrumentation, soaring vocals and roaring electric guitar into a powerful sound that remains warm and vulnerable.  
 
Greta unravels themes of rejection and unrequited love, woven with the signature humorous energy that permeates her songwriting. The repetition of ‘I Know What This Is’ becomes a point of self-awareness, capturing the clarity and acceptance that comes with recognising when an ‘almost’ relationship isn't going to materialise.  As Kat Greta explains:
 
"‘I Know What This Is’ is about an ‘almost’, and the moment you realise that sometimes silence is the answer. It explores uncertainty, anticipation and the feeling of knowing what something is without ever having it fully defined. Bright, energetic production sits underneath a more bittersweet story, creating a contrast between how the song sounds and what’s happening beneath the surface."

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Pam Ross - Lost in Heaven.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Pam Ross released her passionate new single, “Lost in Heaven,” yesterday September 11, 2026. Blending country storytelling, Southern-rock energy, and Americana warmth, the track captures the intoxicating feeling of becoming completely lost in the presence of someone irresistible.

Set against a cinematic backdrop of towering pines, shining stars, and a full moon sworn to secrecy, “Lost in Heaven” follows two people surrendering to the electricity of an unforgettable night. Ross establishes the song’s playful, sensual atmosphere immediately, singing about loud music, faded jeans, dancing, and an attraction “hotter than a day in late June.”

“Lost in Heaven” continues Ross’ tradition of refusing to be confined by a single genre. Her music draws from country, rock, Americana, and roots traditions, creating a sound that is both radio-friendly and unmistakably her own. That artistic versatility earned Ross the title of Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards, reinforcing her reputation as a compelling and independent voice within contemporary roots music.

A dynamic performer and songwriter, Ross has brought her music to stages across the country including Nashville, and at Austin’s celebrated South by Southwest music festival. Her songs regularly combine muscular instrumentation and memorable hooks with personal, emotionally direct writing.

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Pam Ross - Brigadoon - Railcard - Maddie Lenhart - Mr. Novembre - Pain Gain

Pam Ross - Who’s Gonna Save You?

Pam Ross just released her brand-new single, “Who’s Gonna Save You?” delivering one of her most powerful and thought-provoking songs to date. Built around a driving roots-rock foundation and an unforgettable chorus, “Who’s Gonna Save You?” explores the difficult reality of self-destruction, personal accountability, and the moments when we are forced to confront our own choices. The song’s striking refrain asks a question many people spend a lifetime avoiding: “God might save you from someone else, but who’s gonna save you from yourself?”

The recording features, Pam Ross – Acoustic rhythm guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, and organ - Yvan Petit – Lead guitar and electric rhythm guitar - FJ Ventre – Bass - George Hindenach – Drums and percussion. The track was produced by Pam Ross and FJ Ventre, with mixing and mastering by Marc Frigo in Nashville, Tennessee.

Over the past several years, Pam has built a reputation as one of independent music’s most consistent and authentic voices, earning recognition for her heartfelt songwriting, compelling performances, and growing success on radio and streaming platforms. “Who’s Gonna Save You?” continues that tradition while showcasing a more introspective and emotionally charged side of her artistry.

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Brigadoon - Everyone & No One.

The new album Everyone & No One released this weekend, comes six years on from Brigadoon’s widely acclaimed debut LP, Itch Factor. The new album is more of the same, but different. Itch Factor’s intimate, late-night, melancholy feel is retained, as is the love of melody, harmony and layered vocals and guitar to create a spectral sonic mood.

But Everyone & No One is a decisive evolution: accents from keyboards and electric guitar play a greater role, for example. This is also an exercise in precision and brevity compared to the 15-track Itch Factor. For Everyone & No One, Smith gave himself a rule: if a song goes longer than three minutes it’s outstayed its welcome. That was hard to stick to, and several tracks go beyond that (particularly the experimental drone-opus, “Under the Clock Dirge”), but these songs strive for economy and elegance, as seen in leading tracks “Maya Sleeps & Dreams”, “Extra Moons” and “Master of Cobwebs”.

As with Itch Factor, the album embraces the DIY folk spirit, retaining a slightly scruffy aesthetic in keeping with its recording environment. Replacing a shack in the hills behind Byron Bay, where Itch Factor was recorded, is a freezing garage in the Blue Mountains (the scurryings of the resident possum being audible on some songs).

With Everyone & No One, Smith sticks close to his key influences – 1960s and ’70s psych-folk ranging from the Incredible String Band to David Crosby to Gary Higgins to Tim Buckley to Mark Fry. Additional inspiration for the album came from the likes of Robyn Hitchcock, Bobb Trimble, Beck, The Chills, John Grant and Richard Dawson.

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Railcard - Two Steps At A Time.

Skep Wax (who have introduced us to some fabulous artists) have just released the first single "Two Steps At A Time" by indie pop supergroup Railcard, from their debut album of the same name, featuring ex-members of Dolly Mixture and Death In Vegas and current members of Heavenly. As a taster for the album the single is gorgeous, quirky and oh so catchy, seriously this is a massive tease for the album, about which we have the following thoughts from Skep Wax.

"You have to wonder why Railcard took so long to be born: their debut album feels like it should have been in your collection for years. But it wasn’t until 2025 that Rachel Love (Dolly Mixture), Ian Button and Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly) met at a gig, realised that they were exactly the same age, and decided that this was an excellent reason to form a new band."  

"The shared history, the same pop references, the parallel lives… Railcard had to happen, and there was no time to lose. Two Steps At A Time - the album title and theme song - express exactly how quickly Railcard have worked since then - jumping over pavement cracks and whistling past graveyards to get these songs written, recorded and released while they are still sweet and fresh."

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Maddie Lenhart - Empty Room.
 
Nashville country artist Maddie Lenhart has released her second single "Empty Room" from her upcoming EP releasing October 2, 2026. As the second release from her upcoming debut EP, “Empty Room” finds Maddie Lenhart leaning further into the classic country influences that have long shaped her artistry. Produced by Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne) and written by Lenhart and Justin Cross, the song pairs warm dobro, fiddle, organ, and layered harmonies with a heartbreaking story of loving someone whose absence is felt even when they’re standing right in front of you.

Lenhart immediately transports listeners into the song’s world, opening with, “Lights come up glittering red and gold / I feel the kick of the drum echo off the back wall / Through the flickering and the smoke / I can make out just enough / To know that I’m alone.” The scene is vivid and cinematic, but it’s the following realization that gives it its emotional weight: “It’s something that I should be used to now / But hell, it still keeps burning me out.” In just a few lines, Lenhart reveals this isn’t a fleeting moment of loneliness – it’s the familiar ache of continually showing up for someone who no longer meets her halfway.

That emotional foundation makes the chorus all the more powerful: “Loving you’s like playing to an empty room / I keep pourin’ out my heart, but what good does it do? / I could walk off this stage, nobody’s listening / I could leave you, you wouldn’t ask me to stay / You don’t give a damn, and I shouldn’t like I do / ’Cause loving you, loving you, loving you / Is like playing to an empty room.”

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Mr. Novembre - Mountains, Hope.

Mr. Novembre new single “Mountains, Hope.”, is an expansive alt-folk meditation on grief, surrender, and finding peace on the other side of emotional exhaustion. Built around delicate fingerpicked guitar, sweeping strings, and a slow-burning sense of release, the song invites you to sit with life's heaviest moments rather than rush past them. It feels like the quiet after the storm. Like setting down a burden you've carried for too long. Like discovering that hope doesn't always arrive through holding on, it can begin by letting go.

At its heart, “Mountains, Hope.” offers a reminder many of us need to hear: “Love was all I had to give - But my tank is empty - There's nothing left in me”

With each verse, the song moves gently from depletion toward acceptance. What begins as a confession slowly transforms into an embrace of stillness, where healing comes not from reaching the summit, but from finding peace with where you stand. This isn't a song about giving up. It's about recognising that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop fighting what cannot be changed.  This is a taste of the album 'Petrichor'  due August 14 2026.

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Photo - James J. Robinson

Pain Gain - Pain Gain (Album).

Pain Gain, the collaborative project of Chloe Kaul (Kllo), Hamish Lefevre (SWIM), and Samuel Cooke (CRUSH3d), have released their self-titled debut album Pain Gain (via Play It Again Sam/PIAS). Formed in 2023, Pain Gain began as a deliberate left turn. Shedding their established electronic identities, Kaul, Lefevre and Cooke retreated to the beachside forests of southern Australia, armed with guitars, modular synths and a tape recorder. What began as a temporary escape soon evolved into something far more profound: a complete recalibration of sound, process and purpose. The result is Pain Gain, a debut album that trades velocity for gravity, moving fluidly between indie rock melodrama and expansive pop balladry while rejecting genre as a fixed idea.

That philosophy, that pain can be instructive and even transformative, runs throughout Pain Gain’s work. Embracing a tactile, imperfect process, the band favored single takes, analogue experimentation, and the accidental beauty of mistakes. Songs emerged organically: melodies drifting through kitchen conversations, lyrics shaped by late-night reflections, and ideas bleeding across rooms in a house that became a living, breathing studio.

Across the project, vocalist Chloe Kaul delivers lyrics that cut deep, exploring personal upheaval with unflinching honesty, while the band’s collaborative dynamic ensures no single voice dominates and each member shapes the music with equal weight and intent. It’s three distinct voices finding unity in vulnerability and shared experience as they explain: "We went away together with only the intention of starting something new, we never expected that we would end up not only with an album, but one that feels as cohesive and collectively personal as this. It's a record that looks for beauty in friction, and finding a new start in the wreckage of something past"

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Ringlets - The Legendary Ten Seconds - Pam Ross - Strawberry Alarm Clock - Young Martyrs - Rusty Shackle

Photo - Troy Davis

Ringlets - Hard Evidence.

Ringlets have just shared ‘Hard Evidence’, their sassy and supernal new single, via Flying Nun Records. Touching on labour, collapse, and stolen trousers - arriving with a music video directed by Martin Sagadin - the visual collaborator behind much of Aldous Harding’s acclaimed work - The track finds the Auckland post-punk four piece in vivid, uncompromising form.

‘Hard Evidence’ was recorded over a day at Roundhead Studios with De Stevens - more time than the band have previously been allotted for a single track. That space allowed the song to be developed fully in the room, and the result is audible: delicate, more industrial in texture, and underpinned by a melody a little sweet beneath the surface. Sagadin’s video takes that same physicality somewhere more surreal, where support and strain occasionally look indistinguishable.

Live, Ringlets are a different proposition again. Their first Australian tour culminated in eight sold-out shows, an appearance at BIGSOUND Festival in Brisbane, and festival slots at Rhythm & Vines, Twisted Frequency, and Laneway Festival. They recently opened for Black Country, New Road, and tomorrow will begin a 28-date run of the U.K and Europe including appearances at The Great Escape Festival, ArcTanGent, and headline shows at The Windmill, The Hug & Pint and Supersonic Paris.

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The Legendary Ten Seconds - Sci Fi Hi Fi (Album)

We are always on the look out for something a little different and The Legendary Ten Seconds have consistently delivered on that front both musically, lyrically and by genre. So this time we have and I quote "An album of science fiction and astronomy themed songs featuring the sounds of the Mellotron." The album comes from the South West of England, recorded at Rock Lee, Torquay. Mixed and mastered by Lord Zarquon at Rainbow Starshine Studio in Marldon, South Devon. There's something different in the water the further West you go in England, whatever it is, certainly seems to make the creative juices flow (pun intended).

The album features: Ian Churchward vocals, guitars and keyboards, Jay Brown bass guitar, six string electric guitar and keyboards on The Time Stream, Ashley Dyer trumpet, Alfred Bolt electric guitar, George Bolt keyboards and backing vocals on the Lonely Planet and Lord Zarquon on drums and keyboards.

The Legendary Ten Seconds started off as the solo music project of Ian Churchward during the time when he was the lead guitar player of The Morrisons who were featured on John Peel's radio one show back in 1987. In 2013 Lord Zarquon joined Ian's music project and since then the line up has gradually expanded and various guest musician's and vocalists have helped out in the recording studio.

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Pam Ross - That Kind of Summer.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Pam Ross returns today Friday, May 8 with her new track, “That Kind of Summer,” the first taste of her upcoming LP Wait for It. Built on sun-soaked imagery and a carefree spirit, “That Kind of Summer” captures the kind of moment you don’t plan—you just fall into. From “flip flop summer days” to “a hidden path on an old beach road,” the song leans into spontaneity and escape, pairing vivid storytelling with a breezy, radio-friendly hook: “It’s a top rolled back, that kind of summer…”

Pam wrote the track during a cold February in North Carolina, missing the warmth and freedom of coastal life. That longing translates into a song that feels immediate and transportive—windows down, music up, and nowhere you have to be.

Musically, the single blends Pam’s signature cross-genre style—country, Americana, rock, and pop—into something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The track was produced by Pam Ross alongside FJ Ventre, with a standout lineup including Yvan Petit (guitar), George Hindenach (drums/percussion), and Franchesca “Chessie” Umbrino (backing vocals).

Pam Ross continues to build momentum following her debut album When Therapy Fails, which produced multiple UK iTunes Top 10 singles and a #1 chart-topper (“Better Than a Good Thing”). A 2024 Josie Award winner for Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year, she has earned a reputation for both her songwriting and her dynamic live performances.

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Strawberry Alarm Clock - The Sky Isn't Falling.

Original psychedelic rock pioneers Strawberry Alarm Clock return with the new single "The Sky Isn't Falling," a swirling rocker laden with gorgeous harmonies and lysergic guitars that continues to built the buzz for the legendary band's new album due this Summer from Big Stir Records. Together with the recent singles "Blow Your Mind" and "Monsters," it's strong evidence that Strawberry Alarm Clock is still going strong with five original members, and may be the most vital force from their generation on the scene today.

Strawberry Alarm Clock occupies a unique place on the 21st Century psych and indie rock landscape. Few true '60s veterans can boast a lineup as close to their original roster, but here they are with fve members who've been part of their legacy since the start – Mark Stephen Weitz (keyboards), Randy Seol (drums), George Bunnell (bass), Gene Gunnels (drums/percussion), multi-instrumentalist (and Oingo Boingo co-founder) Steve Bartek, plus guitarist Howie Anderson who's been a full member for forty years. 

Even more amazingly and importantly, while they embody the spirit of their original era, they trade not on nostalgia but on pursuing the musical ambition, experimentalism and unbridled creativity that made them shine in those early years. It's on display whenever the band hits the live stage, clad in paisley and stretching out with musical chemistry incorporating not just the expected instruments but marimbas, electric sitars and wild percussion, and it's been the hallmark of the new singles that have heralded their return: the eerie, unsettling “Monsters” which debuted last Halloween and the more recent hook-heavy rocker “Blow Your Mind,” as well as the attendant B-sides “White Light and “Live Water.”

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Young Martyrs - Sugar On My Tongue.

Hot on the heels of April's 'Is There Anybody Out There?, Young Martyrs return today May 8th with their new single 'Sugar On My Tongue' and accompanying music video, the second single to be taken from their upcoming third studio album 'Might Just Be Enough', arriving this Summer. 

'Sugar On My Tongue' was recorded and produced at both Real World Studios in Bath and Indefra Studios in Frome by the band themselves, with co-production from Sebastian Brice and engineering from Ben Koch. The track was mastered by Christian Wright (Ed Sheeran, Franz Ferdinand, Blur, Laura Marling) at London's renowned Abbey Road Studios.

The song is one of three on the album written by lead guitarist Rich Beeby. It sees the band explore the desperately vulnerable yet universally relatable feelings surrounding undeclared feelings and physical longing.

Discussing the lyrical themes explored in the single, Beeby says, "The band rocks and rolls in this song so it needed a lyric that's raw and does most of its thinking from the neck down. It's about the visceral feelings of unspoken attraction and physical longing, and how those feelings might be suppressed, but can eventually develop into fantasy or obsession. It's really down to the listener to decide if surrendering to that intoxicating lustfulness should be avoided or celebrated."

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Rusty Shackle - Your Arrows.

'Rusty Shackle' are back with an explosive statement of intent. Their new single 'Your Arrows' is released today May 8th and is our first taste from the brand new album 'Mayfield' that the band will release and showcase at Caldicot Castle on Saturday 29th August with special guests Taff Rapids, Tom Jenkins and Ernie Emmanuel.

A defiant, cinematic anthem about choosing your own path, the track channels American Western imagery into a modern inner battle between self-doubt and belief. With a vivid, time-bending narrative and a rallying battlecry chorus, it captures the clarity that comes when true intentions are revealed, and the strength it takes to stand up for what you believe in. 

Musically, the track is driven by a bluesy stomp that channels the swagger of Led Zeppelin, opening with a punchy, recognisable drum intro that propels it forward. Dynamic guitar and fiddle interplay add texture and lift, while the soaring lead vocal melodies give it a wide, defiant sense of scale, and gang vocals from all six members of Rusty Shackle bring a raw, anthemic edge.

Rusty Shackle are a hard-gigging folk-rock band from South Wales, known for their infectious energy, anthemic songs, and genre-blurring sound drawn from folk, rock, and indie roots. Since forming in 2010, they’ve built a loyal following through relentless touring and a reputation for exhilarating live shows that get crowds on their feet.

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Waterpistol - Navisha - Pam Ross - Howling Bells - Sister Madds - Ava Claire

Photo - Patrick Starsky Thomas

Waterpistol - Felin.

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

Navisha - You.

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."

Navisha · You

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Pam Ross - Outside The Box (Album).

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 - Strange Life (Album).

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

Sister Madds - Table Manners.

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.”

SISTER MADDS · Table Manners

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Ava Claire - Salt Mine.

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.

Ava Claire · Salt Mine

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The Best Around - Wyldest - The Lovely Basement - Mollie Elizabeth - The Gold Needles - Pam Ross - Julian Taylor - Greenness

The Best Around - Call of The Void.

The Best Around have today released their latest single, “Call of The Void.” In the song, The Best Around juxtapose upbeat music with somber lyrics, dancing with the notion that death is always inviting us.

Opening with a synth string orchestra and an almost playful, childlike rhythm, lead vocalist Camron Rushin recalls a moment standing too close to the edge. “I was with an ex-girlfriend at the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook, and she assumed I was afraid of heights because I wouldn’t stand with her near the ledge. I said I wasn’t afraid of heights; I was afraid I would jump.” These intrusive thoughts are what psychologists call “the call of the void.”

The idea for the song came to Rushin during a School of Song class led by Phil Elverum, frontman of The Microphones and Mount Eerie. In the workshop, Elverum explored hidden messages in art—from poetry to painting—that reward those willing to look deeper. The assignment was to write a song referencing another work of art to create a shared point of meaning for listeners while leaving room for personal interpretation. In the third verse, Rushin references Edvard Munch’s The Scream, reflecting on how its frozen anguish mirrored the decorticate state of his cousin Margaret, who died in 2020. The reference quietly echoes the band’s debut single “Margaret” and closes a meaningful chapter in Rushin’s life.

The single features The Best Around’s signature blend of acoustic instruments and synth textures, with Todd Pruner on acoustic guitar, banjo, and bass. It builds toward an electric guitar solo by Jon Merz that feels like staring death in the face. Kevin Hoetger played drums. The track was recorded and mixed by Kyle Crusham and mastered by Erik Wofford at Cacophony Recorders in Austin.

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Photo - Tom Gaiger

Wyldest - The Universe Is Loading (Album).

There aren’t many records you can honestly describe as life-changing, but Wyldest’s fourth album 'The Universe Is Loading' feels precisely that. Out today (14 November) via UK tastemaker label Hand In Hive, the album is her most expansive body of work yet. 

An album of rare scope and intensity, 'The Universe Is Loading' is the product of a period of momentous personal upheaval, examining the world on both a macro and micro level. Grappling with grief, illness ('After The Ending'), estrangement ('All It Would Take Is A Phone Call') and resilience ('Wax Museum', 'Old Flame'), it pairs sci-fi dreamworlds and gothic atmospherics with shimmering, dystopian indie-rock, drawing as much from Angela Carter, Brontë and surrealist cinema as it does from Zoë’s love of gaming (The Last of Us, Zelda, Skyrim).

Across its 11 tracks, Zoë Mead (aka Wyldest) pours herself into her music more fully than ever before. It’s a universe built from contradictions, spiralling into space-theory rabbit holes - parallel universes, AI, simulation theory - before grounding itself in something far more human, as she explains: "It's ultimately an intense realisation that life and love doesn’t always go as planned and sometimes we need to take time to make sense and peace within the chaos."

Leading the release is focus single 'Foolish World', accompanied by a striking new video filmed at the nature reserve Cliff Pools in Kent. Zoë explains: "I wrote Foolish World whilst re-reading Wuthering Heights last summer whilst I walked around a place called Cliff Pools in Kent (where I ended up shooting the video). It’s now an industrial wasteland, surrounded in beautiful blue water, that is now too toxic to swim in. This means humans have now left it alone and nature is now claiming it back and thriving there. Being within this toxic natural wonderland whilst reading gothic romance novels resulted in this breakup song – two people parting in hopes they may thrive elsewhere - like Cathy and Heathcliff. This is a bittersweet love song about moving on and leaving one foolish world for another - we all live through a series of chapters and worlds, so I hope it's relatable to many."


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The Lovely Basement - Lowlands (Album).

This is a superb new album where once again I am left scratching my head and wondering why I have never heard this band before. Still never mind it's always good to have a back catalogue of songs to discover, and we will let the band tell us the rest. Post-cool or too old to care? The Lovely Basement say they set out to mix alt-country with the Velvet Underground. They also say they failed, but quite like the result. So, what do you find in The Lovely Basement? A beautiful slice of alt country-style. Americana, infused with the sensibilities of the aforementioned Velvet Underground – and a chopping guitar that wouldn’t sound out of place on an album by the VU’s British counterpart, Fairport Convention.

Since the release in 2019 of their first album, Just Because You Can, The Lovely Basement have drawn admiring glances from all over the place: “the sweetness of Yo La Tengo and the raggedness of The Pastels”; “not dissimilar to Paisley Underground veterans the Dream Syndicate”; “tossing off songs with the looseness of early Faces”.

The single Cornstalk Girl was the first offering from Lowlands and was picked up by Radio 6’s Gideon Coe, a long-time supporter of the band’s output. Mention was also given to the “excellent” B-side cover of Beat Happening’s Angel Gone. Vocals for the album were recorded by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Howe Gelb, Eels) who stumbled across the band playing live locally and stayed!

Like all Lovely Basement records, Lowlands eloquently covers a range of subjects. From musings on sentience, inequality, globalisation, even theology, to the deep need to hunker down with good friends when the world outside gets too much, all find an often wry voice in this shimmering collection of lovingly crafted songs.

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Mollie Elizabeth - The Disappearing Girl.

Following her debut EP Dirty Blonde, Mollie Elizabeth shares a first glimpse into her next phase, “The Disappearing Girl”. Written by Mollie Elizabeth, Madison Love and Christopher J Baran, it was produced by CJ Baran, and recorded at VAMP studios in Los Angeles. Towards the end of the month, on November 25th, she’ll play Seattle’s Cloudbreak Festival.

Mollie Elizabeth adds: “This song came from a very personal place, where in my life I found my struggles to be turned into a spectacle by friends and family rather than acknowledged as a strain. It’s always easier to put someone in a pretty box than to come face to face with the reality of what they are going through.”

Gearing up to deliver more subtly penned story songs, the 21-year-old Washington State-based artist Mollie Elizabeth only introduced herself last January, and has already delivered a stunning debut EP Dirty Blonde via Neon Gold / Virgin Music. Known for her whimsical, melancholic, and empowering songs, the Pacific Northwest artist describes her music as “tiny worlds”, a refuge shaped by her upbringing in the Washington woods, suffused with old-Hollywood elegance and emotional depth. Mollie co-produced her newest song, including music video for “Doe Eyed” (dir. Maya Sassoon).

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The Gold Needles - Crescent Moon.

Big Stir Records is very proud to announce the December 12 release of a new album from England's own The Gold Needles on CD and Streaming worldwide. Mood Elevator, the fourth full-length release from the Kingston-Upon-Hull-based indie rockers and their first for BSR, features no fewer than four indie hit singles released across the past year including last month's “Turns To Gold” and their 2024 label bow “I Don't Know About That.” 

With Mood Elevator, The Gold Needles (Simon Dowson, lead vocals, guitar; Dave Burbage, lead guitar; Mark English, keyboards; Carl Slaughter, bass; Will Jones, drums) have taken a definitive leap forward in an already acclaimed career. There's a new polish to the production that retains all the band's energy, and the tunes are the catchiest the Needles have ever crafted. 

The strength of the singles –the pure power pop of “I Don't Know About That,” the lush textures of “Supernature,” the hooks of the acerbic “Turns To Gold” and the sheer beauty of the current “Crescent Moon” (already taking the global indie rock airwaves by storm) are evidence enough that an already exciting group has leveled up, but the depth of the album is still a revelation.

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Pam Ross - Reading Your Text.

Award-winning Americana and country-rock artist Pam Ross releases her powerful new single, “Reading Your Text,” today November 14th, 2025. The song fuses the emotional wreckage of heartbreak with the all-too-real dangers of distraction behind the wheel—proving once again that Ross is one of the most fearless storytellers in modern Americana music.

The inspiration struck, as so many of Ross’s songs do, in an everyday moment that became something more. “I was driving down the road when the person in front of me started swerving all over,” Ross recalls. “I thought she was drunk. When I passed her, I saw she wasn’t—she was texting. I drove away thinking, what makes someone act so stupid? Being a songwriter, I went home and wrote about what would make a person text and drive.”

That spark became “Reading Your Text,” a hauntingly cinematic song that turns a literal danger into an emotional metaphor. Behind its catchy hook and rock-infused Americana groove lies a deeper message about grief, distraction, and the way love can cloud our judgment long after the goodbye.

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Julian Taylor - Don’t Let ’Em (Get Inside of Your Head).

Fresh off a string of acclaimed releases, 5x JUNO-Award and Polaris Music Prize–nominated artist Julian Taylor returns with “Don’t Let ’Em (Get Inside of Your Head),” a soulful new single that brings together alt-country grit and blues rock urgency with one of modern music’s most distinctive voices: Jim James of My Morning Jacket.

Recorded at Gold Standard alongside Aaron Goldstein, David Engle, Tony Rabalo and Anna Ruddick, the track carries both raw spontaneity and emotional weight. What began years ago as an electronic-leaning demo that Taylor and Engle wrote for film/TV sync has evolved into a fully organic, groove-driven anthem that feels as natural as it is powerful. “This song came together in such a special, innovative, and exciting way,” Taylor recalls. “It just seemed to flow out of everyone in the room.”

The connection with James came about in true serendipitous fashion. A chance encounter at the LA Forum, where Taylor was performing at the Robbie Robertson Tribute (directed by Martin Scorsese) at the invitation of longtime friend Allison Russell, sparked a friendship between the two artists. Years later, Taylor decided to send James the track.

“When this song was almost done, I thought to send it to Jim and see what he thought of it. He loved it, so I asked if he’d be down to sing on it, and he said yes,” Taylor shares. “I love how our voices blend together – it’s effortless and natural. Jim brings a tender urgency to the track, and it’s an honour and real gift to have him singing on it. He’s a true gem of a human and one of the world’s great unique talents.”

juliantaylorband · Don’t Let ‘Em (Get Inside of Your Head)

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Greenness - Honeymoons (Album).

Three years in the making, this new collection of songs playfully intertwines the theatrical energy of art-rock with orchestral, folk, jazz, retro pop, electronic and ambient influences. The result is a lavish cornucopia of sounds led by driving beats, layered guitars and powerful vocals, with lyrical themes ranging from love to loneliness, gratitude to greed and desire to death.

In stark contrast with the duo's debut Sunrooms (an intimate and ethereal affair, recorded as a two-piece in isolation), Honeymoons ushers in an eclectic troupe of creative collaborators, including multi-instrumentalist Charlotte Glasson (Nick Cave, Graham Coxon...), double bassist Tom Bailey (Buffo’s Wake, Nine Dead Mice...), harpist Fíor Anderson (Sekinue, Ultimate Tigerfrog...), cellist Robin Squirrell (Night House, Bee & Jackrabbit...) and classically-trained clarinettist, Emily Lamb. On stage, the band is joined by drummer Jeremy Noble (Lunatic Calm) and bassist Dom Hall (Code South).

Lead singer and songwriter Cess Greenness explains: "I think of this record as the final episode of a trilogy that started with Florilège - a compilation of our earliest recordings - and continued with Sunrooms, which explored ideas of growth, unfolding and blossoming. Honeymoons incarnates the next natural stage, the harvest season, so it is full of ripe fruit imagery and symbolism around temptation, abundance and decadence... we're bringing all the drama with this one!"

The 12 songs of Honeymoons were written, arranged, recorded and produced by Greenness in their home studio, including singles Hilltop, Meltdown and Psychopomps. "This hands-on approach allows us to enjoy complete creative freedom", says Graham Greenness, who mixed and mastered the record as well as playing most instrumental parts, including guitars, electric bass, mandolin, synth, organ, flute, piano and percussion. "It's a DIY mindset that also extends to the visual narrative of our work, such as the music videos, which we co-directed and edited. It's been amazing to craft this project together and see our vision flourish!"

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