The Women of Soul

“Only 23% of APRA members are women, male directors dominate music boards, men are winning more awards and the ARIA Hall Of Fame has only 11 female artists among its 75 inductees”, with statistics like this it’s clear that Women are not being seen or represented enough in Australia’s music industry. We spoke to Chelsea Wilson, the Executive Director of the Women of Soul project about WOS’s new album ‘Feel Good’, the issues faced by women in the industry and ways we can try and change the narrative for the future.

Partying with Ghost Care

Indie - Altrock band, Ghost Care are making some big moves early in 2023, with the release of a new song titled ‘Partying’ and joining their mates Spacey Jane on their regional NSW & Qld tour as main support. MFA interrupted the trio to ask them about the tour, what goes into making their set lists and about some of the funny things they have seen happen backstage while being on the road.

Michelle Symes27 May 2023@ghostcare, @spaceyjane, @beehivepr

Josh Allen is ready for KickAss

This September will see the 2nd edition of the KickAss Music & Camping Festival kick off at Kenilworth on the Sunshine Coast, KickAss is a family friendly, camping festival with a sound-track supplied by a selection of the best Australian rock you could hope to find on one lineup. MFA caught up with Festival Director Josh Allen to ask him about the events origins, what makes KickAss so special and what punters can look forward to at this event that will run from the 8th - 9th of September.

Sydney’s Sooks

Sydney, Indie rock band, The Sooks have released their brand new song ‘Burn Me Out’. A song filled with a driving rhythm, punchy guitar riffs and captivating vocals, ‘Burn Me Out’ sums up the feeling of alienation and disconnection from the world, and the frustration that come with feeling stuck in a rut. We caught up with Corey from The Sooks to ask him about the new single, the band’s formation and that name.

Michelle Symes17 May 2023@thekooks, @beehivepr, @jacknigro, @sonorastudios, @lyallmoloney

It's all Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir at The Espy

The iconic Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir have announced a special 3 show residency at the equally iconic ‘Gershwin Room’ at The Espy. The Disco Faith Choir was the brainchild of Sunshine, one of Melbourne’s most renowned DJ’s and producers, with the choir fusing her infectious club-ready house and techno vision, with a live gospel choir to create a uniquely epic sound. We caught up with Sunshine to ask her about the creation of the Disco Faith Choir, The Espy residency and her dream to collaborate with Adele or Roisin Murphy one day.

LÂLKA the creator

Borneo-born, Meanjin/Brisbane-based artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ LÂLKA has released the glossy but "hyperintense" Romance + Rebellion, the title track from her forthcoming mixtape. The mixtape will be released independently on Friday the 2nd of June, launching with an accessibility-minded hometown show on the 18th of next month. We got the opportunity to talk to LALKA and ask her about Romance + Rebellion, her upcoming launch and the many labels she carries proudly.

Michelle Symes10 May 2023@lalka, @specialinterest, @aphir, @triplej, @quivr

Siobhan Cotchin is Miss Reckless

Siobhan Cotchin has returned with a fierce and empowered new single ‘If God Is A Man’. This latest single tells of her opposition to the discrimination and hatred she has witnessed across the globe. ‘If God Is A Man’ comes from Siobhan’s sophomore EP ‘Miss Reckless’, which also features previously released singles ‘How Does It Feel’ & ‘When The Curtains Close’. Siobhan took a break in her hectic touring schedule to chat to us about the new track, touring with Kingswood and that time she met Phoebe Bridgers at the Laneway Festival.

See you at The Boogie Bar

A brand new place to go on a Saturday night is opening in Melbourne. Your new home of House, Disco and Classics, The Boogie Bar located Chapel Street launches on the 6th of May with 2 levels, free entry, happy hour from 8pm-10pm and even an open-fire cocktail bar. Perfect for those winter Saturday nights in Melbourne. We caught up with The Boogie Bar’s owner Mark James to ask him about the new venture and what people can expect when heading to the new place to be.

Michelle Symes27 April 2023@xposedmedia, @theboogiebar, @markjames

AUS VRS VIBES's new live stage concept

AUS VRS VIBES is a new concept for live music performance in Australia, with two acts on one stage. In this original presentation, bands will play song for song as opposed to the traditional “battle” model, there is no competition, this is more of a showcase of talent, a comradery of musicians banding together to just play music. We caught up with some of the artists to ask them about this special concept and what fans can expect.

The Incredible Tiger

Sydney quintet, Tiger have just released the band’s self-titled debut Ep, which includes all the previously released Tiger singles including ‘Innocent Look’, ‘Style At Night’, their latest track ‘Incredible’ and a few brand new tracks. We wanted to know more about the “Neon Rock” group so we caught up with lead singer and songwriter Silvas to ask him about the history of Tiger, the “Neon Rock” genre label and of course the new EP.

Michelle Symes24 April 2023@tiger, @jamessilvas

The Gum Ball's LES POETES POP

The 2023 edition of the long running The Gum Ball Festival kicks off this weekend at Lower Belford, NSW at the home of great Australian indie family-friendly festivals Dashville. LES POETES POP will take to the stage straight after the Welcome to Country at 4pm so as the band makes the last of the preparations for their The Gum Ball debut, we chucked a few questions at the band’s Gary Seeger and asked him about all things Gum Ball and who he’s excited to see from the extensive local and international lineup.

What the F…it’s Ferry Corsten!

Dutch superstar DJ, Ferry Corsten has landed in Australia for his up and coming performance at Ultra Australia this Saturday and he is so glad to be back in the country especially on behalf of the international touring brand Ultra. While he is here he is slatted to play a string of headlining sideshows including Elysium’s Roof Top Party on Sunday in Sydney. We had the absolute pleasure to be able to ask the trance master about Ultra, his views on a changing industry and of course when we can expect a new Ferry Corsten album.

ACRAZE is ULTRA excited

The countdown is on now for Ultra Australia happening in Melbourne this weekend. This 3 stage, one-date-only event is a not to be missed event. Joining internationals like Hardwell & Darren Styles will be Stanton Island heavyweight DJ, ACRAZE and we caught up with him to ask about Ultra, Australia and what attendees can expect.

Capturing Scarlet Page

International photographer, Scarlet Page is heading to Sydney in May for her debut exhibition in Australia. Scarlet who grew up around the music industry, has gone on to photograph some of the world’s most recognised artists. Scarlet’s ‘Captures’ exhibition which will be on display at Behind The Gallery in Darlinghurst, NSW is going to have an Aussie focus and will include some of her favourite shots as well as pictures have never been published. Before Scarlet heads down under we were privileged to be able to ask her some questions about the ‘Captures’ Exhibition, her ‘Resonators’ Exhibition which focused on game-changing Guitarists and who she still has on her wish list to photograph.

Nicholas Brown is Coming Up

Nicholas Brown has released his debut single titled ‘Up And Coming’, a playful, soulful and buoyant track, that is accompanied today by a music video, filled with psychedelic flourishes and Bollywood disco nods. Nicholas Brown’s new song also coincides with his exciting lead role in the new ABC musical four-part TV series In Our Blood, which premiered on Sunday, 19th of March. We got the chance to chat to Nicholas were we asked him about the new ‘Up and Coming’, the mini series and the advantages of attending entertainment based educational facilities.

Great ~ Falls is all about the Positives

Melbourne indie quintet Great ~ Falls have just released their gorgeous debut EP, Negatives Into Positives and it’s a record that demonstrates the strengths of the band’s individual & intelligent dynamic, We caught up with vocalist, Lillian Albazi to ask her about the new single Aprils Child , what the writing process involves for the band and how they label themselves in the world of categorization.

Chavez Cartel are UK bound

Gold Coast rockers Chavez Cartel have released their brand new single ’Dead Weekend’ which serves as a teaser for their soon to be unleashed EP. The new EP is due out before the band embark on their first overseas tour where Chavez Cartel will be playing venues in the UK, but before the drop or the jet setting we caught up with Chavez Cartel’s Tom to ask him about ‘Dead Weekend’, its accompanying video and the history of the band.

Michelle Symes1 April 2023@chavezcartel, @idles, @roxymusic, @govindadoyle, @aria

Vibing Out with Darude

Not only is Darude kicking off 2023 with the new music single ‘Vibing Out’ but the Finnish music legend is also debuting his latest creative project with the launch of his audio and visual record label Vibing Out. Born of Darude’s weekly #VibingOut live-stream party hosted on Twitch. We caught up with Darude to ask him about ‘Vibing Out’, his long spanding musical career and his love of skateboarding in his downtime.

Frente celebrates Marvin’s 30th

30 years after Frente burst onto the Australian music scene, the Melbourne indie-pop icons are hitting the road to celebrate the anniversary of their iconic debut record, Marvin The Album. We caught up with Simon & Angie from Frente to ask them about the special milestone, that famous street and to get thoughts on how the scene has changed in the last tree decades.

Michelle Symes23 March 2023@frente, @onthemappr

It’s Storyland time

Storyland is a brand new festival set to take place on the picturesque Park Beach Reserve in Coffs Harbour on the 20th of May and is being promoted as the festival to go to if you want to “immerse yourself in your love of movies, music, food, and partying”. MFA caught up with Festival Director Dave Horsley to ask him about the creation of Storyland, what punters can look forward to and what it takes to bring a new festival to life.