Tag Archives: Sydney

News

SYDNEY GUITAR SHOW ANNOUNCES FULL 2026 PROGRAM FEATURING DIESEL, PLINI, LARRY MITCHELL, HUSSY HICKS, TASH WOLF, WORKSHOPS, PANELS & MUCH MORE

The Sydney Guitar Show will spread its wings at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March, with two super-sized days of guitar gear, performances, workshops and experiences. Since its inception in 2015, the Melbourne Guitar Show has become a mecca for guitar-lovers, a flagship gathering for the industry, and a totally unique experience. This year’s Sydney event brings the same sights, sounds and excitement to Sydney for the first time. An extensive celebration of the versatility and endless possibility of the world’s most popular instrument, this all ages, all levels event is guaranteed to inspire and delight axe-slingers from all walks of life. And today, the full 2026 program for the Sydney Guitar Show has arrived, featuring performances, workshops and conversations with some of country’s most exciting and innovative guitarists, including Diesel, Plini, Hussy Hicks, Tash Wolf, as well as international guest Larry Mitchell (US).

 

Early bird tickets for the Sydney Guitar Show are on sale now until February 14 from guitarshow.au/tickets/.

 

The multi-purpose and expansive Sydney Showground Hall 5 at Olympic Park offers easy access to public transport, parking, accessibility from all parts of the city, and the perfect meeting place to check out over 120 brands, performance and workshop stages, interactive displays and other surprises.

 

MAIN STAGE: PERFORMANCES AND SESSIONS

The Main Stage at the Sydney Guitar Show will play home to an incredible lineup spanning everything from progressive rock through to blues, roots, jazz and more. Taking the main stage on Saturday 7 March, one of Australia’s most renowned guitarists Diesel will host Decoding The Dream, a gripping and immersive in conversation between Diesel and elite master builder David Brown (US), with a career spanning Billy Joel’s band through to the elite team of Fender Custom Shop Master Builders, discussing the ideas, instincts, and priorities that shape a great guitar. Meanwhile on Sunday 8 March, internationally revered guitarist Plini will wow crowds alongside long-time band member & live guitarist Jake Howsam Lowe, showcasing his distinctive and progressive instrumental rock that once had Steve Vai declare him as “the future of exceptional guitar playing”. Performing on Saturday 7 March, GRAMMY Award-winning producer, engineer and performer Larry Mitchell will ignite the main stage with a performance, along with a workshop earlier in the day in the Make Music Room. Meanwhile, Saturday’s event will boast acclaimed Australian guitarist, songwriter, producer and influencer Tash Wolf, beloved for her intuitive, blues-and-jazz-influenced style, with Sunday’s event set to dazzle with a celebration of folk, blues, country, rock and roots courtesy of Hussy Hicks, known for the infectious energy, tight harmonies and musical versatility.

 

And that’s still not all! Adding to the mastery on Saturday 7 March will be performances from Australian-Spanish guitarist, producer and composer Godriguez, as well as Big Music Bandits and Ray Beadle, while Sunday will showcase rising guitarist and singer Lil G, contemporary jazz outfit Lucy Clifford Trio, SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime, as well as virtuosic guitarist Zane Banks bringing the dawn of rock and roll to life via a story-driven journey from Delta Blues, gospel, country and swing (The Dawn of Electric Rock & Roll).

 

MAKE MUSIC ROOM: WORKSHOPS, PANELS & MORE

A full program of workshops and interactive sessions to inspire and inform music makers about playing styles, songwriting, and more awaits in the Make Music Room this March in Sydney, dovetailing between the performances and discussions taking place across the two days, promoting music-making and all things guitars with a range of workshops, panels and more.

 

On Saturday, punters can experience the Classical Guitar Workshop, as well as a workshop run by GRAMMY Award-winning producer, engineer and performer Larry Mitchell, whose career has seen him tour the world alongside the likes of Tracey Chapman, Billy Squier and more. Also on Saturday, leading session guitarist and YouTube pioneer Brett Kingman will share tone tips on optimising your tones for stage and screen, no matter what medium or tools you’re using.

 

Sunday’s Make Music Room will also boast a program curated by I Heart Songwriting Club includes two songwriting workshops, a Songwriter Roundtable, and a Meetup for songwriters to gather in a friendly and supportive environment.

 

GEAR UTOPIA
Alongside the performances and programs at this year’s event, the jewel in the crown of the Sydney Guitar Show will undeniably be the unique offering of a vast collection of guitars, pedals, amps and other gear on display, spanning everything from the biggest global brands through to local luthiers building only a handful of guitars per year. You’ll be able to see gear in action, and try and buy at the show, all while enjoying the incredible array of performances, workshops and more on offer.

 

The exhibitor list, originally announced as more than 80 brands, has continued to grow to over 120 brands ranging from iconic brands like Fender and Gibson to niche products and brands that you won’t find in your local music store. Products include the latest Fractal, Kemper, Tonex, Neural DSP and Headrush modelling and effects processors, high end electric guitars from the likes of ESP, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Ormsby, PRS, Cilia Custom Guitars and many more, amplifiers ranging from new and classic Marshalls to boutique Australian made amps, stunning acoustic guitars from Fenech, Cole Clark, Admira, Breedlove, Tanglewood and a range of Australian luthiers. There will be brands and products launching at the Sydney Guitar Show including Mestric Guitars, and Phatt Music’s Australian made pedal boards, guaranteeing that there will be something you’ve never seen before.

 

MORE EXHIBITORS & FEATURES

Much more than a guitar products showcase and music festival, the Guitar Show is evolving and introducing new elements this year including:

 

  • Quieter mornings, with no amps in the exhibitor halls until midday. If you’re not ready for the full volume experience or want to bring the family at a quieter time, get along to the show from 10am-12pm on either day.
  • The Pedal Party is a curated area featuring Australian made effects pedals and pedal accessories, in collaboration with Pedal Empire. This year’s Pedal Party features Poly Effects, Dirty Sock Effects, Vander Guitars, Cunningham Amplification, Galahcore Effects, Electron Brothers, and the launch of Phatt Music.
  • The Studio is a new addition to the Guitar Show, with a dedicated room for recording and pro audio gear and support for musicians wanting to do more with their home recording. The new and revamped offerings from Fender Studio, launched at the recent NAMM Show, will be on display here alongside mics, software, studio furniture, audio interfaces and more.
  • The Kids Room is a new collaboration with Big Music to support the next generation of guitarists. This ‘kids only’ space, run by music educators, will have a range of guitars and other equipment to try and a limited number of Group Lessons to get started or learn something new about playing guitar.

 

“We have been running a successful and popular guitar show in Melbourne for a decade and people always ask us, why not Sydney?” shares Alex Masso, Producer of the Sydney Guitar Show and CEO of the Australian Music Association (AMA). “We’re answering their question with a big debut at Sydney Showground.”

 

“We’re building on the success of Melbourne, but the Sydney Guitar Show will have a character of its own”, said Masso. “I can’t wait to give Sydney’s guitarists the same kind of experience that people have been enjoying for the past decade in Melbourne. There is really no event like this in Australia.”

 

“The goal that ties all this together is to create a place and an experience where people are excited about the guitar,” explains Masso. “Whether you want to check out gear or enjoy some live music, whether you’re one of Australia’s top professional guitarists or a total beginner, whether you’re obsessed with guitars or just curious, whether you’re ready to buy something or just want to hang out with other guitarists, the Sydney Guitar Show has something to offer.”

 

The Sydney Guitar Show will be held at Sydney Showgrounds, Olympic Park, on Saturday March 7 (10am-5pm) and Sunday March 8 (10am-4pm), 2026.

Early bird tickets are on sale now until February 14 from https://guitarshow.au/tickets/

Visit the Sydney Guitar Show site at http://guitarshow.au/sydney for the latest show announcements and information.

SYDNEY GUITAR SHOW 2026

Tickets available from http://guitarshow.au/sydney

SAT 7 MAR | SYDNEY SHOWGROUND, SYDNEY NSW | LIC AA
Featuring Performances from
RAY BEADLE
LARRY MITCHELL
BANDITS
TASH WOLF
GODRIGUEZ

And
DECODING THE DREAM WITH DIESEL AND MASTER BUILDER DAVID BROWN
CLASSICAL GUITAR WORKSHOP
LARRY MITCHELL WORKSHOP
GUITAR MAKERS (PANEL)
TONE TIPS WITH BRETT KINGMAN
TRUE TEMPERAMENT WORKSHOP
HEARING HEALTH


SUN 8 MAR | SYDNEY SHOWGROUND, SYDNEY NSW | LIC AA
Featuring Performances from
HUSSY HICKS
PLINI

THE DAWN OF ELECTRIC ROCK’N’ROLL WITH ZANE BANKS
LUCY CLIFFORD TRIO
LIL G

And
SUPERFUNAWESOMEHAPPYTIME
TAKING THE LEAP FROM COVER ARTIST TO ORIGINAL ARTIST
SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND
CRAFTING LYRICS TO TELL YOUR STORY
SONGWRITER MEETUP

 

SYDNEY GUITAR SHOW 2026 BRAND / EXHIBITOR LIST:

Abasi  |  ACS Custom  |  Adlib Music  |  Admira Classical Guitars  |  Alvarez  |  Amber Technology  |  Amplified Nation  | Australian Guitar Timbers  |  Belfield Music |  Big Music  |  Black Mountain  |  Blackstar Amplification  |  Blue Murder Pickups  |  Bonham Guitars  |  BOSS  |  Bourgeois  |  Breedlove  |  Cargill Custom Guitars  |  Carlingford Music  |  Chase Bliss  |  Cilia Guitars  |  Cioks  |  Cole Clark Guitars  |  Collings  |  Cort  |  Cunningham Amplification  |  D’Addario  |  Darkglass Electronics  |  Dean Guitars  |  Devirra  |  Diezel  |  Digitech  |  Dirty Sock Effects  |  DK Strings  |  DR Strings  |  Duesenberg  |  Eastman  |  Electron Brothers  |  Elixir Strings  |  Emerson Custom  |   EMG  |  ENKI  |  Epiphone  |  ESP Guitars |  ET Guitars  |  Factory Sound  |  Fender  |  Fender Studio  |   Fenech Guitars  |  Fishman  |  Fractal Audio Systems  |  Franklin Audio  |  Friedman  |  G7th  |  GFI Pedal Steel  |  Gibson  |  Gladesville Guitar Factory  |  Gretsch  |  Grubisa  |  Gold Tone  |  Headfirst Amplification  |  H Music  |  Hal Leonard  |  Headrush  |  Hercules Stands  |  Henriksen Amplifiers  |  Holdfast Custom Paint  |  Hotone  |  Ibanez  |  Jackson  |  Jack Spira Guitars  |  Joels Vintage Guitars  |  Katoh  |  Kemper  |  Kepler Guitars  |  K&M  |  Kinman  |  Koala Audio  |  Lollar  |  Loog  |  Lowden  |  Manuel Rodriguez  |  Marsh Insurance  |  Marshall Amps  |  Matchless Amplification  |  Masterybridge  |  Mestric Guitars  |  Mission Engineering  |  Mountain Art Guitars  |  Old Blood Noise  |  Orange  |  Ovation  |  Ormsby Guitars  |  Parekh Exports  |  Pedal Empire  |  Pennyroyal Pickups  |  Peterson Tuners  |  Phat Music  |  Poly Effects  |  Port Mac Guitars  |  Pratley Guitars  |  Presonus  |  PRS Guitars |  QSC  |  Radial  |  Rebel Custom Guitars  |  Redsound  |  Rick Falkiners Guitar Centre  |  Rip-Rac Australia  |  Roland  |  Rock and Roll Rebellion  |  RockBoard  |  Sadowsky  |  Sagework  | Santa Cruz  |  Schecter  |  Sheeran Loopers  |  SKB  |  Soldano  |  Spector Basses   |  Southern Tonewood  |  Stringjoy  |  Strandberg  |  Strymon  | Supercool Pedals  |  Sustainiac  |  Tanglewood Guitars  |  Taylor Guitars  |  TC Helicon  |  ToneGard  |  Tone King  |  Tonex  |  Toscano Guitars  |  True Temperament  |  Two Notes  |  Ultimate Guitar  |  Vander Guitars  |  VASE Amplifiers  |  Vemuram Effects  |  Walden  |  Walrus Audio  |  Wampler  |  Warwick  |  Wildwood Instruments  |  William Falkiner Lutherie  |   Zemaitis  |  Zip  |  Zoom  | + more to be announced

My Dream Rider Series

My Dream Rider: SOMA

1. Snoop Doggy, my personal roller 😉

2. A bottle 1800 Coconut Tequila! – Delish

3. Platter of the finest sushi – Gotta get that rice for sustenance  

4. Mum & Dad – I just love them so damn much 

5. Phat beats – To get hyped before the show 

6. Photobooth – Me and the fam can make some mems 

7. Key to the city – Take us anywhere in our wildest dreams after the show

8. Fresh fruits – Fruit is life! 

9. My bestie – She’s my other half

10. My Wolf 🐺 – He’s my number 1 fan  

 

SOMA’s COBRA mixtape and accompanying long-form film is set for release Friday February 21 via Mandatory Music.

SOMA – UPCOMING SHOWS:

 

FRI 7 MAR | MIXTAPE LAUNCH PARTY, TROCADERO, SYDNEY NSW | 18+

Plus Special Guests

Tickets available from: www.moshtix.com.au

 

SAT MAR 29 | GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS, MAD POET, NEWCASTLE NSW

Supported by Les Poets Pop

FREE show

 

SAT APRIL 5 | BOOTY BLOCK PARTY, LANSDOWNE HOTEL, SYDNEY NSW

Plus Special Guests

Tickets available from: www.moshtix.com.au

 

News

SOMA SHARES SULTRY NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘SAY IT’ LIFTED FROM ‘COBRA’ MIXTAPE SET FOR FEBRUARY 21 RELEASE

Bold, slick and laden with modern hip hop hues, today Sydney-based artist SOMA unveils her new single Say It, conjured alongside the legendary Danny Duke (Lizzo, Sampa the Great), and also accompanied by a cosmic music video ahead of the release of her debut mixtape COBRA, due out on February 21.

 

A sultry slice of alternative hip hop merged with futuristic soul, Say It collides SOMA’s seamless artistry alongside nods to the fearless storytelling and creativity of SZA, FKA twigs, and Outkast. Also expanding her experimental approach to music via inspiration courtesy of Björk and Missy Elliott, Soma ultimately captures edgy celestial vibes with her own unique twist in her latest masterpiece. “Say It is about an alien falling in love with a human on Earth and exploring this intense, otherworldly connection,” SOMA explains. “It’s a metaphor for feeling like you don’t belong yet finding someone who accepts and loves you unconditionally. It’s sensual, intimate, and cosmic—pushing boundaries while still remaining deeply human. The idea came from a conversation about how love transcends everything: distance, identity, and even planets. Releasing Say It feels surreal. This single represents such a bold step for me as an artist—it’s raw, emotional, and unlike anything I’ve done before. Sharing it with the world is a little terrifying, but mostly it’s empowering. It’s my way of saying, “This is who I am, take it or leave it.”

Teaming up with Danny Duke, the award-winning producer renowned for his work with Lizzo and Sampa the Great amongst others, SOMA also channelled her boundless sonic stylings into an accompanying music video for Say It, with the clip, directed by Frederick McHenry, expanding SOMA’s creative evolution as she steps into a bold new era in the lead up to the release of her mixtape, COBRA. “The video was directed by Frederick McHenry, whose storytelling ability is unmatched,” shares SOMA of the Say It music video. “He’s worked with some amazing artists and brought so much vision and expertise to the project. His Atlanta roots added a unique flair to the visuals. This video is a love story told through the lens of surrealism. Think dreamy visuals, glowing alien skin, and neon-lit cityscapes. It’s both futuristic and intimate—a visual representation of love that transcends boundaries.”

 

A mixtape set to dive into concepts of life, love, loss, self-discovery, letting go, taking control, and learning to stop caring about things that don’t matter, SOMA’s highly-anticipated debut, COBRA, due out on February 21, boasts 11 powerful tracks, each enticing you into SOMA’s creative universe while also cementing the Sydney-based artist as a genuine musical force. From the swagger of 247 through to the futuristic yet primal expanse of Burn, the raw, crystalline beauty of Sink, the humid and prowling White Silk, and the sultry emotives of Say It, SOMA’s COBRA mixtape is a sharply-polished outing that also dazzles with its immersive lyrical content, as SOMA elaborates, “COBRA explores life, love, loss, self-discovery, and empowerment. It’s about healing from trauma, letting go of pain, and reclaiming your power. Each track tells its own story while contributing to this larger narrative of resilience and growth. Writing this was an empowering and deeply cathartic experience. I chose the mixtape format because I wanted to release a cohesive body of work that truly represents my sound and my story. It feels so good to finally get these thoughts out—onto paper, into music. My own therapy sessions. My metamorphosis.”

 

COBRA will arrive on February 21, alongside an accompanying 20-minute long-form film, directed by Frederick McHenry, with the visual companion set to amplify the mixtape’s raw emotional power and creative depth, while also firmly signposting SOMA as an innovative visionary in the local scene.

Heavily inspired by honesty, empathy and “the ability to transform pain into art”, SOMA has evolved into an artist renowned for her ability to fuse timeless charm with raw emotion and modern flair. Growing up listening to hip hop, classical and everything in between, SOMA’s eclectic taste developed at a young age, has continued and ignited with each new release in her solo material, also drawing her creative moniker from the idea of nourishment for the soul, whether through music, storytelling, or connection. In this transformative moment of our world, where society stands at a critical crossroads, SOMA sees the digital age as a unique opportunity to explore, share, and collaborate across diverse voices – and music, as a universal language, plays a pivotal role in this evolution. For SOMA, it is not just a medium for expression; it is a tool for healing and connection, a way to navigate and transcend the complexities of time, fostering shared experiences that unify us all. With a voice capable of transcending time, space and emotion, she crafts music that resonates globally: “As a multicultural woman from Australia, I believe music and the arts hold profound power to dismantle barriers and pave the way toward a more inclusive and compassionate future”.

Off the back of unveiling Say It, and in conjunction with the upcoming release of her brand new mixtape COBRA on February 21, Soma is also set to perform some special mixtape launch shows, including her official launch party in Sydney on Friday March 7. And, as SOMA concludes, these performances are set to be something truly memorable both for SOMA herself as well as her fans.

“Fans can expect a transformative experience. My live shows are about energy, connection, and storytelling. It’s not just about performing the songs; it’s about taking the audience on a journey. With new visuals, choreography, and some surprises, it’s going to be unforgettable.”

Say It is out today.
SOMA’s COBRA mixtape and accompanying long-form film is set for release Friday February 21 via Mandatory Music.

SOMA – UPCOMING SHOWS:

 

FRI 7 MAR | MIXTAPE LAUNCH PARTY, TROCADERO, SYDNEY NSW | 18+

Plus Special Guests

Tickets available from: www.moshtix.com.au

 

SAT APRIL 5 | BOOTY BLOCK PARTY, LANSDOWNE HOTEL, SYDNEY NSW

Plus Special Guests

Tickets available from: www.moshtix.com.au

 

 

Stream: SAY IT

Watch: SAY IT

Interview

Album Q&A: 12 Questions with Rob Gaylard of The Nomadic

  1. Hey Rob! “Marie Antoinette” is out now—congratulations! Can you tell us a little bit about the song’s inspiration?

Marie Antoinette explores the idea of a relationship that is almost working, but not quite: You both need to go away, evolve, grow and develop individually. And in the end, although at the time you feel things are falling apart, actually it is good for you- and a blessing in disguise if you like. It is a song inspired by personal experience, and also the observations of those around me. My experience of life is that we start out quite optimistic, hopeful and almost ‘naive’ about how things work:  The hollywood/ traditional representation of romance if you will. And life doesn’t tend to work like that- people are complex, relationships are hard, past trauma is almost impossible to escape and can only be addressed through hard work and deep reflection and professional guidance. So Marie Antoinette as a song explores that part of life when things start to ‘go off the rails’ personally and in a relationship: “The revolutions coming for you.”

  1. You’ve described the song as having a balance of melancholy and optimism. Can you explain what that means?

Well it is melancholy because it is about the death of idealism and naiveté.  It marks the metaphorical evolution from an immature, romantic, idealistic view of life and relationships, into a more evolved, mature one (that is hopefully not cynical or jaundiced!). The fictional couple in Marie Antoinette cannot stay together- they need to go away and work on themselves. And their whole worlds are falling apart at that moment, but in the end “don’t you know, crisis can be good for you”.  It is inspired by the idea that “pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth” it is often in our darkest, most painful moments that we are catalysed into growth, action and personal development. Both people will go on to lead better, happier lives. So in the end there is an optimistic theme to the song. That’s a theme I have experienced myself and also seen in so many of my friends and family. So it felt pretty natural to capture it in a song!

  1. What was it like recording your upcoming album New Horizons back in Sydney after so many years in New York?

Super exciting! It was great to come home and then in the first week being back I got in touch with Dan Frizza and we met to discuss the album. So it was pretty cool how things moved so quickly! 

  1. Speaking of New Horizons, what can we expect from the album?

I hope fans will enjoy the flow of the album. We have thought pretty carefully about the flow of the album. So it definitely oscillates a bit between high, up tempo rock and more chilled, slow paced ballads. We hope listeners will enjoy that flow and balance!

  1. You’ve worked with some incredible musicians on this album. What was it like collaborating with them?

It was an awesome experience! Miles Thomas (Lior, Ronan Keating, Montaigne) on drums, Oliver Thorpe (The Whitlams, Matt Corby, Meg Mac) on guitar, and Brendan Clark (Meg Mac, Montaigne, Jack River) on bass; and Dan Frizza as producer (Tones and I, King Princess, and Gurrumul) definitely brought incredible professionalism, creativity and brilliant arrangement ideas to the tracks. 

  1. There’s a personal theme in New Horizons about feeling stuck and wanting more. Can you tell us more about how that plays out in your songwriting?

I think those are ever present themes for me. I have to really work hard to reframe things in my mind, to kind of stop and smell the roses, appreciate the here and now. Because I am always planning the next thing, the next project, and driving things forward. Which is a good thing in terms of productivity, but can have its own challenges of course!

  1. “Marie Antoinette” feels like a song that could have a big impact—what’s the message you want listeners to take away from it?

Just that whatever you are going through in life, you are doing it tough- there is always a solution. There is nothing new under the sun. a good friend of mine told me that once and it changed my life.  Life can be hard, life can be messy, but there is always a way forward, keep going, keep putting one foot in front of the other, “this too shall pass!”

  1. You’ve lived all over the world—from Burma to the UK to New York. How has this nomadic lifestyle shaped your music?

Musically, I think being exposed to different musical influences, from UK Britpop to Americana Rock/ Alt Rock, has certainly shaped my music. Lyrically, I think living all over the world has exposed me to different and interesting themes and ideas.

  1. How does your work with the UN and living in conflict zones like Afghanistan influence your songwriting?

 

I think it has helped me to see different cultures, perspectives etc, and to see the shades of grey in life; as well as the complex choices people often have to make in order to survive. And it has taught me to try to always stay humble and make an effort to understand others’ cultures, ideas and ways of doing things.

  1. You’ve mentioned that New Horizons is set against the backdrop of global changes—how do you think the current world events influence the music?

Well the last 10-15 years (and even earlier) have been pretty momentous in terms of some of the political, social and economic events that have shaped our contemporary world. From the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the Global Financial Crisis, the growing threat of climate change, to the various conflicts that have proliferated- they all provide a rich tapestry for any songwriter to explore.

  1. “Marie Antoinette” is just the beginning, with the full album due out in December. What’s next for The Nomadic after that?

We have some interesting projects in the works, including another full band album “American Dream” and an acoustic album! So yes exciting times ahead!

  1. Last one—what’s the most exciting part of releasing Marie Antoinette today?

 

It is of course incredibly exciting to see the whole New Horizons project come to life, embodied by the release of Marie Antoinette. It feels like we are crossing the line of a long marathon! Hopefully the crowd appreciates the effort and the final performance which we trained so hard for!

 

News

News: THE NOMADIC UNVEILS STIRRING NEW SINGLE ‘MARIE ANTOINETTE’ TAKEN FROM SOPHOMORE ALBUM ‘NEW HORIZONS’ DUE OUT DECEMBER 14

A haunting yet hopeful exploration of love, loss and growth, the stirring new single Marie Antoinette out today from Sydney singer songwriter The Nomadic offers a sweeping glance into the artist’s upcoming sophomore album, with New Horizons imminently beckoning for release on December 14.

 

Helmed by singer-songwriter Rob Gaylard, The Nomadic sweeps in today with a glimmering and oscillating bundle of melancholy and optimism, with Marie Antoinette stylistically nodding to the likes of early Coldplay, Radiohead, Phosphorescent, The War On Drugs, The 1975 and The National, while also fostering The Nomadic’s introspective and immersive unique flair. “Marie Antoinette is about being in a relationship with someone where things are so close to working but it’s not quite there,” explains Gaylard. “You both have work to do on yourselves, you both have hidden trauma, there’s a revolution coming for both of you! You just don’t know it yet! But over time you will come to see the silver lining in the current (painful!) cloud and realise that you grew from pain, suffering, hardship and crisis. The song is not about anyone in particular, just really inspired by the stage of life I was at and the observations of the world around me and the struggles friends and family were going through!”

 

After relocating back to Sydney in 2022 following years as a regular fixture on the New York City indie rock scene, Gaylard’s original designs for his latest body of sonic work also grew alongside working with some high-profile local talent, with an army of collaborators from around the industry joining Gaylard to grow The Nomadic journey; and, to ultimately bring both Marie Antoinette and its broader album New Horizons to full-bodied life. “I was lucky enough to work with some of the best in the business!” shares Gaylard. “I relocated home to Sydney Australia in 2022 and recorded New Horizons with Dan Frizza in Sydney at Forbes Studios. The Nomadic is the best of Aussie rock talent, with Miles Thomas (Lior, Ronan Keating, Montaigne) on drums, Oliver Thorpe (The Whitlams, Matt Corby, Meg Mac) on guitar, and Brendan Clark (Meg Mac, Montaigne, Jack River) on bass. Dan Frizza as producer lends the kind of magic touch that has seen him enrich the work of the likes of Tones and I, King Princess, and Gurrumul.”

 

Mastered by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound in New Jersey, New Horizons builds upon the foundations set by The Nomadic’s 2022 debut album My Mind is Racing. Detailing themes of loss, change and hope amongst fluctuating moments of indie hues, classic and modern rock, wistful anthems, alt-country and more, New Horizons feels instantly intimate and welcoming, with many of Gaylard’s own powerful experiences percolating throughout. “The main themes of the album are feelings of being stuck in life and having the feeling that there is ‘something out there better for you’, of not wanting to let go of dreams, going through big changes professionally and personally, loss of relationships, and generally life upheavals!” Gaylard reveals. “This personal theme is set against the backdrop of major global changes and events, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, climate change, social and societal changes, and revolutions in the west.”

 

Opening with calm melancholy, New Horizons kicks off with Treading Water, before diving into an alt-country-meets-rock charmer courtesy of All Changed. From here, The Nomadic explore more upbeat rock territory (the Led Zeppelin-inspired First Light), unbridled and driving optimism (Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams), and a Bloc-Party-esque propulsive rocker (Hearts And Minds), with the latter also traversing heartache set against a personal backdrop of political instability and crumbling security witnessed by Gaylard during his time spent with the UN in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2011. Shifting into glossy emotives via title track New Horizons, a sublime nine minute opus buoyed by violin and cello, the album’s second half oozes into wistful beauty (Luminescent View), evocative storytelling (Erasing Mental Photographs), and a nod to The Boss himself, aka Bruce Springsteen, via The Absolution; also another track heavily influenced by Gaylard’s time in Afghanistan, and in particular the mental health issues caused by America’s troop surge in 2009. And returning again to some alt-country flavours with Blood Red Sky, recalling the devastating Australian bushfires in early 2020, New Horizons ultimately closes out with a rousing call to arms (Revolution), the gentle yet equally powerful stylings of Find A Way, and, ultimately, its closing track, and also The Nomadic’s brand new single out today: Marie Antoinette.

 

Imbued with a passion for music and songwriting from a young age, Rob Gaylard’s road to forming The Nomadic stemmed from his own nomadic lifestyle, living in five different countries in the first 10 years of his life, including Australia, Burma, Singapore, the Soloman Islands and the UK. This nomadic theme continued into Gaylard’s adulthood, with the talented creative living and working with the United Nations, national governments and NGOs in Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Israel/Palestine. Also a massive sports fan alongside his musical pursuits, Gaylard’s adventures under The Nomadic moniker entices listeners to enter a world of boundless melodies and wanderlust-inspired styles, first witnessed in 2022 with The Nomadic’s debut album My Mind is Racing, and set to flourish further this December with the release of New Horizons. Commencing The Nomadic project in 2014 off the back of immersing himself in the vibrant energy during a stint in New York City, Gaylard ultimately returned to his Australian roots in 2022, teaming up with producer Dan Frizza to begin work in earnest on New Horizons in 2023; and the rest is set to be history.

 

“It’s incredibly exciting to be releasing Marie Antoinette today!” shares Gaylard. “It feels like the culmination of a long journey, from the initial conception of the songs to the development and creation of the final product in the studio, mixing and mastering! Combine that with the emotional experience of going through some rough times and coming out the other side to see some New Horizons – overall It’s been a bit of a marathon!”

 

Marie Antoinette is out today.

The Nomadic’s full-length album New Horizons is due out Saturday December 14.

 

Soundcloud: MARIE ANTOINETTE

Stream: MARIE ANTOINETTE