Bonus Episode 6: Our Carlson

If you've been paying attention to the Australian music scene in recent years, there's a good chance you may have come across the enigmatic majesty that is Our Carlson.Having got his start in the hardcore world over two decades ago, Carlson has spent the past few years cementing himself as a commanding figure within the world of electronic music, describing his work as "trauma doof from The Peoples Poet."In 2021, his 'A Bit Much' EP gave punters a taste of what was to come, with passionate lyricism and stellar compositions fast winning over audiences. Meanwhile, 2023's follow-up, 'A Bit 2 Much,' continued the trend, and gave us a further taste of what was still to come.This year, he's released the full-length record, 'OC Spray,' a collection of nine tracks that showcase his musical diversity and myriad lyrical focuses. Alongside doof beats and eclectic production, you can even find elements of hyperpop and raw, stark vulnerability. It's a hell of a record, and one you definitely need to hear.Alongside the recorded music, however, Carlson also uses his position to champion the causes that matter. Whether it's the likes of calling out strobes at shows, or campaigning for Indigenous rights, a free Palestine, or the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, Carlson is a man with many focuses at any given time.This week, I was lucky enough to catch up with him again and have a chat about the new record, and everything that's gone on over these past few years.Anyway, have a listen to Our Carlson's 'OC Spray,' have a listen to our chat, buy a ticket to his current tour, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Ask anyone, and there's a good chance that many Australian music fans will describe Gareth Liddiard as one of the pillars of this country's music scene.For Liddiard, his musical career began back in the '90s, entering this creative world alongside the formation of The Drones, who are often regarded one of Australia's most revered bands. Alongside numerous albums and myriad live performances, The Drones took home awards like the inaugural Australian Music Prize, while 'Shark Fin Blues' was voted the best Australian song by contemporary songwriters.While The Drones would enter a hiatus of sorts in 2016, Liddiard has kept at it, forming Tropical Fuck Storm the following year. Since then, that's been his main project, though he's also dabbled with Springtime alongside luminaries Chris Abrahams and Jim White.Weird, discordant, and ever-arresting, Tropical Fuck Storm this year released 'Fairyland Codex,' their fourth studio album, and first full-length record since 2021. It's a stellar album, and one they're about to head out on the road to support with an Australian tour.This week, I was lucky enough to speak to Gareth Liddiard once again, funnily enough, just a day after 'Fairyland Codex' nabbed a spot as a finalist for the Australian Music Prize.Anyway, have a listen to Tropical Fuck Storm's 'Fairyland Codex,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

For the past few years now, I've been watching Newcastle outfit dust rise through the ranks, ticking achievements off their bucket lists as if it's no big deal.I've eagerly watched them since I wrote their very first piece of press back in 2021, premiering their first single, and manifesting good things for them. Since then, it's been stunning to see them continuously drop stellar pieces of incendiary post-punk, deliver amazing live shows, and even find themselves supporting names like Interpol, Bloc Party, and more.Needless to say, it's always great to see a band such as dust reaching huge heights and continuing to represent Australian music on the global stage.This month, the group unleashed their long-awaited debut album, 'Sky Is Falling.' If you've not listened to it yet, you're undoubtedly in for a treat, with dust showing themselves as one of the most exciting groups in Australia today.This week, I was lucky enough to speak to vocalists and guitarists Gabriel Stove and Justin Teale from dust about their rise to fame and the release of their amazing debut album.Anyway, have a listen to dust's 'Sky Is Falling,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

If you're a fan of music from the '90s, or just the indie-rock genre in general, then the chances are probably pretty much perfect that you're aware of The Lemonheads.First formed in Boston back in 1986, the group has been fronted by Evan Dando since its earliest days, with Dando being the driving force (and only original remember) since 1989.The Lemonheads rose to widespread prominence in the early '90s thanks to records like 'It's A Shame About Ray' and 'Come On Feel The Lemonheads,' with the former being largely written in Australia when Dando became good friends with Smudge's Tom Morgan.Though The Lemonheads would split back in 1997, they've been an active presence again since 2005, with a self-titled record arriving in 2006. Since then, there's been a few archival releases and reissues, while the brilliant 'Varshons' cover albums arrived in 2009 and 2019.However, earlier this year, it was announced that The Lemonheads would finally be releasing their first new record of original material since 2006. Titled 'Love Chant,' it's a brilliant record that any self-respecting music fan needs to listen to immediately.News of the record also brought with it a return to Australia for The Lemonheads, who played their first local shows in the country since 2019 back in May. A massive return for a group who are effectively honorary Australians these days, I was lucky enough to get the chance to catch up with Dando while he was in the country, visiting him in his hotel room for his first local interview, just hours after he landed in the country.If you know me, then you'd likely know how stoked I was to have this opportunity to chat to a figure in the musical world whose legacy has been immensely impactful. But as expected, it was a bit of a wildcard experience, with Dando also giving this podcast its first live performance of… well, anything to date. We also had a couple of technical issues but it works out fairly well, I feel.Anyway, have a listen to The Lemonheads' 'Love Chant,' have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Since 2021, New South Wales quartet The Rions have been rising stars in Australia's eclectic music scene.First forming in year seven back in 2016 and releasing a few singles at the start of this decade, The Rions rose to fame four years ago when they were announced as the winners of triple j's Unearthed High competition.Winning the esteemed prize despite being unable to promote their work too strongly thanks to the ongoing pandemic, the group remained determined to keep on creating, releasing further singles and then a pair of EPs across 2023 and 2024.Now, we come to 2025 where they've finally arrived at the release of their debut album, 'Everything Every Single Day.' A stellar release from the (still comparatively) young group, it shows The Rions operating at their best, forging ahead as they continue to craft enticing music and bring it around the world.Oh, and I say the world given that their profile has risen so dramatically that they've now been performing an impressive run of dates throughout the UK and Europe alongside Australia, with further shows in these regions set to take place very soon.This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with drummer Tom Partington and guitarist Harley Wilson for the podcast.Anyway, have a listen to The Rions' 'Everything Every Single Day,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

For decades now, Dave Graney has been one of the most important names in the world of Australian music.First making his appearance in the music world in the late '70s, the South Australian-born Graney found wider fame as a member of The Moodists with partner Clare Moore, with the group's influential post-punk sound seeing them based in London as their profile grew.Following the band's split, Graney and Moore pivoted by way of forming Dave Graney 'N' The Coral Snakes. An eclectic project which lasted for around a decade, it ended up being one of Graney's most popular undertakings, resulting in myriad acclaimed records and even a famous ARIA Award for Male Artist Of The Year.That win was off the back of the brilliant album, 'The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound,' which – while actually the lowest-charting of all charting Coral Snakes albums – helped mark Graney's name in the history books with indelible ink.Though other projects would follow over the years (including The Dave Graney Show, The Royal Dave Graney Show, The Lurid Yellow Mist, solo work and others), this year, the Coral Snakes are hitting the road to give 'The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound' its well-deserved 30th anniversary treatment. Frankly, I'd be heading along just to hear one of Australia's greatest songs, 'Rock 'N' Roll Is Where I Hide,' in the live setting.This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Dave for the podcast. It was actually supposed to be both him and Clare on the call, but she had to pull out at the last minute, so I'll be sure to catch her another time.Anyway, have a listen to Dave Graney 'N' The Coral Snakes' 'The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

For well over a decade now, Jacob Banks has been enchanting listeners the world over with his immersive blend of soul and R&B. Rising to prominence following his success in a music competition in 2012, Banks quickly became a hot ticket, scoring plenty of airplay thanks to his early singles, including collaborative singles with the likes of Wretch 32 and Chase & Status.Singles soon turned to EPs, and by the end of 2018, he'd released his debut album after signing to Interscope the year prior. Alongside myriad appearances on TV soundtracks and video games, Banks has continued writing, recording, and releasing stellar music at every turn. Last year, he kicked things off with the release of 'Yonder,' a three-part series of EPs that arrived over the coming months and were eventually compiled as a full album just a few months ago.If you've not yet heard Jacob Banks, I recommend giving Yonder a spin so as to allow yourself the chance to witness just what this amazing musician is capable of when operating at his full capability.Next month, Banks will return to Australia for his second solo tour, with shows scheduled for Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and also an appearance at the Wanderer Festival in New South Wales.But before that tour kicks off, this week I was lucky enough to be joined by Jacob Banks for a quick chat about how he's less of a musician and more of a storyteller – regardless of the medium.Anyway, have a listen to Jacob Banks' 'Yonder,' buy a ticket to his upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

For the past five years now, Los Angeles has been home to the alt-rock/pop-punk outfit Beauty School Dropout. Initially being formed as a solo project from Colie Hutzler while still performing as part of the group Strangefaces, the project soon expanded with the membership of Brent 'Beepus' Burdett and Bardo Novotny. Swiftly, the group found themselves surrounded by a strong stable of supporters, including the likes of Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, who cemented their belief in the group by signing them to the Verswire label.In these past five years, it's been a dizzying rise to fame for the group. Alongside two albums – including 2022's 'We Made Plans & God Laughed' and 2023's 'Ready To Eat' – Beauty School Dropout have been touring relentlessly, playing with a list of bands that any music fan would give their right arm to support.Today, the band release their third album, 'Where Did All The Butterflies Go?.' As you might expect, it's another solid piece of work, capturing their raw energy and inimitable ability to craft some amazing songs that will undoubtedly see them going far.This week, I was lucky enough to have a brief chat with Beepus, Colie, and Bardo ahead of the new record, while they were out on tour. As a result, the audio quality is a bit rough at some points, but look, if you don't mind, then neither do I.Anyway, have a listen to Beauty School Dropout's 'Where Did All The Butterflies Go?,' have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

If you've been listening to this podcast over the last year and a half, then you'd probably be aware of how much I love to shine a light on artists from Adelaide.Maybe it's my biased nature due to being from Adelaide, or maybe there's something in the water there, but whatever the case, I reckon one Adelaide act you need to hear right now is none other than Kurralta Park.Named for the Adelaide suburb of the same name, Kurralta Park are an impressive mix of indie-rock and emo that is wholly unique in the way that it captures emotion and filters it through a lens of true sincerity in how the music is crafted and performed.Initially beginning as a solo project for Bindi McCallum, Kurralta Park has since expanded into a three-piece, and just a matter of days ago, they released their debut album, 'Powell Place.'If you're someone who enjoys music with raw power, honest songwriting, and an impassioned delivery, then I think you need to find yourself listening to Kurralta Park right away.This week, I was lucky enough to have a brief chat with Bindi about the project's launch and its journey to now. Anyway, have a listen to Kurralta Park's 'Powell Place,' have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

If you're looking for an artist to give your attention to this year, I humbly and assertively request that it be MUDRAT.MUDRAT is a project that has been going officially since December 2023, with a string of releases arriving in that first year, including the likes of 'I HATE RICH CUNTS,' 'WE DESPISE THE BOURGEOISIE,' and 'YEAR OF THE RAT.'Judging by the titles alone, you can probably ascertain that social justice is a key component to the MUDRAT experience, with tracks such as 'YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT POOR PEOPLE' helping to cement that notion.Following an impressive rise to fame, including plenty of live shows and even a support for the likes of Denzel Curry, this month sees MUDRAT releasing the 'Social Cohesion' album. A brilliant and vital piece of music that speaks to contemporary topics ranging from Indigenous rights, race, social injustice, war, and myriad other matters, I'm of the belief it's one of the best Australian releases you will hear this year.This week, I was lucky enough to be joined by Sean Thompson for a chat about the MUDRAT project, how it came to be, and the importance of speaking when you know your voice will add something to the wider conversation.Anyway, have a listen to MUDRAT's 'Social Cohesion,' have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.