Chuck Sics is a Sydney-based artist and multi-instrumentalist crafting lush, atmospheric soundscapes and weaving stories through introspective lyricism. His music is a deeply personal journey through creativity and self-discovery”

10 items on your fantasy rider

1. GTA 6 (Self explanatory. This would be difficult however because GTA 6 is not for sale, so good luck)
2. World Peace (Self explanatory. This would also be difficult, but for completely different reasons. Would be pretty amazing though. Good luck. This should probably be number 1.)
3. Beer (Seems like what people usually get.)
4. Spaghetti (In case I get hungry. Probably with bolognese sauce, but I’m not fussy. I just like pasta)
5. iPad (To watch stuff on while I eat the spaghetti. Mr. Beast probably has some new squid game themed video out where he puts working class people through demeaning situations in order to win large sums of money, so I will definitely want to watch that while I eat.)
6. Ice Bath (i get really nervous and sweat a lot, on stage. I’ve never done an ice bath before, and now that I think about it it’s probably a little overkill, but I’m committed to it now so lets do it.)
7. Mortal Kombat 11 (Me and the band have an MK league. My main is Liu Kang. When we started I was by far the worst fighter but now I am the best and nobody ever beats me. Honestly so proud of myself, but then they all stopped playing because it “wasn’t fun for them anymore”)
8. The first three seasons of “Arrested Development” (Perfect television. They had a lot of magic in that cast and the writing is insane. Best sitcom ever.)
9. Voice-over (Makes things feel cinematic and easier to understand. Exposition might be a little boring in films, but in real life I think it would be very helpful)
10. A fun thing of some sort (Perhaps a Yo-yo. A Bionicle is cool. A Tech Deck is great in theory but I never developed the skill. If you can’t get any of these things then water will do)

The plug:

Debut song “Redo” is out right now, there’s a video, me and my band have a show July 11th at the Trocadero Room in Enmore, more music coming out soon!

Today sees the breathtakingly beautiful sophomore album from Melbourne singer-songwriter Domini Forster released into the world.

Joining forces with Lachlan Carrick (Gotye, Lior, Emma Donovan) on producing, recording, mixing and mastering, along with co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Barber (Gretta Ray, Gotye) for both her latest single and album The Lonely, Domini Forster spent days with both Carrick and Barber in Barber’s converted 1860s chapel studio in Victoria’s Goldfields region, transforming a creative retreat into what would ultimately become The Lonely.

The album has already turned heads, with the second single Hard Love earning a place on the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition shortlist and playlisting by Australian taste-maker and music video institution RAGE, and ABC’s David Astle describing Hard Love as “a mesmerising, ethereal piece of music”.

Opening in sublime fashion with its title track, The Lonely coats its listener with a warm and assured knowing, reflecting the full spectrum of  life – the shadows and the light – in a cohesive pastiche that is equal parts intricate and lush. The album’s beginning is achingly resonant and relatable, tracing the patterns of modern life that see us living so close, yet lonelier than ever. Fluctuating between glistening acoustic grooves (Unconditional Love), brooding, open-vein folk (Hard Love and Magnolia), shimmering simplicity (Hunger), stripped-back storytelling (The Last Real Moment), smoky melodies delivered alongside hypnotic arrangements (Unravelling), and songs that place you between the clouds and the heavens via melancholic piano and sweeping strings (Gravity), The Lonely ultimately comes to its stunning conclusion with Breathing Out; a wistful yet cathartic folk gem that burrows the weight of the world into a sonic place of serenity and acceptance. And while constantly exploring, observing and unravelling notions of connection and disconnection, The Lonely ultimately serves as a powerful collection of songs that remind us all that we are not alone, expertly channelled through Forster’s personal lens.

Forster will also perform her new album on stages throughout June to September; including Tasmania, a special hometown show in Melbourne at the iconic Northcote Social Club, before heading to Canberra, and then diving into a short string of shows in NSW, including two with Emily Lubitz.

THURS 10 JUL | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+

Tickets available from northcotesocialclub.com

SAT 19 JUL | SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA ACT | UNDER 18s MUST BE SUPERVISED

Tickets available from smithsalternative.com

THURS 28 AUG | THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH NSW | SUPPORTING EMILY LUBITZ | ALL AGES

Tickets available from humanitix.com

FRI 29 AUG | BRUNSWICK PICTURE HOUSE, BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW | SUPPORTING EMILY LUBITZ | ALL AGES

Tickets available from brunswickpicturehouse.com

SAT 6 SEP | SECRET HOUSE CONCERT, BYRON BAY NSW | ALL AGES

Tickets available from humanitix.com

Selling out shows around Australia and racking up millions of streams, Perth indies, Cloning have emerged as one of Australia’s most singular alt-rock acts. Swirling with heartfelt, soft-spoken charisma and eerie hues, their ethereal new single, Just As You Are, expands on the quartet’s established alternative charms and is out today.

With billowing soundscapes, lush driving beats balanced with poised serenity, and calming introspection courtesy of lead vocalist Felix Parker, Just As You Are flutters with nods to the likes of Radiohead, Everything Everything, Midnight Oil, Slowdive and The War on Drugs, expertly mastered by Brian Lucey (Cage The Elephant, Royal Blood, Arctic Monkeys) while also pushing the Cloning collective into spectacular new heights. “Just As You Are is about acceptance and feeling comfortable in your own skin,” shares frontman Felix of the new single’s enchanting lyricism. The band are self-recorded, mixed and produced by bass guitarist Nic Rollo, who explains, “being able to work closely together to push through quick iterations of a song and explore sonic boundaries on a level that would be hard with an external producer has been a game changer for us, recording and mixing feels like more of an extension of the songwriting process.”

Bringing together lead vocalist and guitarist Felix Parker, guitarist Bevan Green, bass player Nic Rollo and drummer Jack Brett, Cloning began life when Bevan relocated to Perth from Kalgoorlie and met high school best mates Felix, Nic and Jack in 2019. With their immersive soundscapes, melodic songwriting and relatable lyricism, Cloning were dubbed by Tone Deaf in 2020 as “the future of indie and alt-rock in Australia”; a fact that is reflected in the band’s sold out shows across the country, millions of streams, and inclusion in coveted editorial playlists, including Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ and Apple Music’s ‘New Music Daily’.

Developing a dedicated grassroots fanbase over the years, Cloning have toured Australia nationally three times, with three EPs also in their wake in the form of 2019’s Pillars of Salt, 2021’s Wounded Healers and, most recently, 2024’s Fall Out. A perceptive and uncompromising hands-on collective, Cloning also boast a 10K-strong subscriber email fanbase and a 500 member fan Discord server, with recent sold out shows at Melbourne’s The Workers Club and Adelaide’s Grace Emily Hotel in 2024 thousands of kilometres from home also under their belts. And it’s these very shows far from home that have catapulted Cloning into burgeoning indie rock favourites across the country, including drawing praise from the likes of TheMusic.com.au, declaring of a 2023 live Cloning performance in Brisbane that “it felt less like a production and more like a group of friends experiencing life together – and every person in Black Bear Lodge was invited to join”.

With community building and fan appreciation a huge focus and drawcard for the band, they explain, “After every show you’ll find us at the back of the room taking photos with fans and signing merch for them. It’s our favourite part of the night getting to meet our listeners, it can be especially amazing on the East Coast, since it’s so far from home and we’re playing to rooms full of strangers.”

There is no doubt 2025 sees the band making waves and turning heads in the industry. Alongside the release of their latest single, Cloning have been selected to showcase at BIGSOUND 2025 in September, and Felix recently secured a coveted spot at John Butler’s highly competitive Seed Fund workshop that took place in the Blue Mountains last month, alongside some of the country’s most exciting emerging artists and managers. Armed with Just As You Are, this brand new chapter for Cloning is as thrilling for the band as it is for their ever-growing legion of fans.

Just As You Are is out now.

Listen: JUST AS YOU ARE

Soccer Mommy, supported by Asha Jefferies

The Princess Theatre, Brisbane

18th of June, 2025

Soccer Mommy returned to Brisbane this week as part of this year’s Open Season at The Princess Theatre. In its 5th year, Open Season brings together an array of artists from around the world to help warm-up music lovers over the winter months – yes, Brisbane has been cold this year!

Soccer Mommy delivered. Their beautiful and raw blend of indie, pop rock put a spell over a crowd that couldn’t get enough. Lead, Sophie Allison, pulled the crowd in with her endearing, gorgeous vocals that created an intimate atmosphere. Asha Jefferies was there to get the night started, delivering favourites from her latest album ‘Ego Ride’ to her Brisbane home crowd.

Soccer Mommy

Asha Jefferies

Photo Credit: Tim Ludlow, Astray Photography

After lighting up Palm Tree Music Festival last December alongside The Chainsmokers, Peking Duk, and Daya, American DJ & producer, Gryffin, is making his much-awaited return to Australia, this time for his first-ever headline shows down under, presented by TEG Live. Joining him on the run will be Australian electronic music producer and rising talent, Jacknife.

The classically trained multi-instrumentalist and dance music powerhouse will bring his signature energy to three major cities this September:

Thursday 18 September         Enmore Theatre                      Sydney

Friday 19 September              Fortitude Music Hall                Brisbane

Saturday 20 September         The Forum                              Melbourne

An artist presale starts Tuesday, June 24 at 10am AEST (sign up here). Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, June 25 at 10am AEST through TEG Live. Visit teglive.com.au for more information.

Following the release of his most ambitious project yet, 2024’s “PULSE”, and a massive run of North American shows and festival appearances, Gryffin is set to deliver an immersive live experience that fuses emotional resonance with euphoric, high-energy production.

Gryffin, a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, has emerged as a pivotal figure in the electronic music scene, renowned for his dynamic live performances. His journey began with a foundation in classical piano and guitar, enabling him to create music with a depth that resonated widely. His debut album, Gravity soared to the top of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart in 2019, establishing him as a leading force in music. This album, alongside platinum hits like Tie Me Down (with Elley Duhé) showcased his knack for infectious melodies and rhythms.

2022 saw the release of Alive, his second album, further highlighting his versatility. This project blended a variety of dance music genres, maintaining the emotional connection that defines his sound. It featured collaborations with notable artists such as OneRepublic and MØ, reflecting Gryffin’s ability to merge different musical styles seamlessly.

Gryffin’s junior album, “PULSE,” released in August of 2024. Having been his most ambitious and experimental project yet, the album explored new dimensions of dance music, underpinned by Gryffin’s signature melodic and anthemic approach. “PULSE” is not just an album but a journey into diverse musical landscapes, offering a fresh experience for fans. Alongside this release, Gryffin enhanced his live presence with his North American headline shows in fall of 2024 and major festivals like EDC, as well as a renewed residency at Wynn Nightlife in Las Vegas.

Find Gryffin online:

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | TikTok

Domini Forster leads you through the dusk-lit corridors of her intricate song-stories, each scene intimate and lovelorn as tea-stained lace. The Naarm-based songwriter recently came to national attention for her acclaimed duo collaboration with ARIA Award-winning artist Lior, and is now poised to release her second solo album The Lonely (out 20 June). The album is already turning heads, with the second single shortlisted for the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition and described by ABC’s David Astle as “a mesmerising, ethereal piece of music”.

10 items on your fantasy rider and why you’ve chosen each one (please be as wild as you like!) 

1. Manuka honey, lemon, ginger and fresh turmeric (what can I say, I’m a singer).
2. A bottle of nice whiskey.
3. A lighting rig and screen to facilitate shadow puppetry during the show! I’d love to collab with a brilliant shadow artist to create some interesting patterned visual accompaniments for the songs.
4. A velvet napping couch: tour days can be LOOOOONG.
5. Ok, if we’re gonna go crazy here: lino-cut materials. I’ve recently become obsessed with carving lino-cut designs and printing with coloured inks. I made these beautiful DIY notebooks as merch for my album and now I just wanna do it all the time. Carving the designs is very meditative so it’s the perfect post-soundcheck, pre-gig activity.
6. Soft cheeses, crackers, berries and medjool dates. I’m a foodie, so even if I’m gonna sing I’ll take some of that triple cream brie 🙂
7. White miso soup with spring onion and ginger for that pre-show tum.
8. A band masseuse! How indulgent…
9. On that note, maybe a bath with essential oils?! Or maybe I’m just describing a holiday? Haha.
10. A cryptic crossword.

The plug: Everything that you’d like to plug re: new releases, links to music and any show dates and info

I’ve just released a new single ‘Magnolia’ and my second album ‘The Lonely’ is coming out Friday 20 June!

Listen to Magnolia

Pre-save or pre-order The Lonely

I’m also currently touring my album, so you can grab tickets for the shows below. Come check out the full band launch in Melbourne, an intimate solo show in Canberra or Byron Bay, and some supports for the fantastic Emily Lubitz in northern NSW: 

THURS 10 JUL | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+

Tickets available from northcotesocialclub.com

SAT 19 JUL | SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA ACT | UNDER 18s MUST BE SUPERVISED

Tickets available from smithsalternative.com

THURS 28 AUG | THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH NSW | SUPPORTING EMILY LUBITZ | ALL AGES

Tickets available from humanitix.com

FRI 29 AUG | BRUNSWICK PICTURE HOUSE, BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW | SUPPORTING EMILY LUBITZ | ALL AGES

Tickets available from brunswickpicturehouse.com

SAT 6 SEP | SECRET HOUSE CONCERT, BYRON BAY NSW | ALL AGES

Tickets available from humanitix.com