Songwriting is a natural form of expression for some artists, and it’s no different for indie-pop singer-songwriter Alice Isabella. Since she was young, finding a way to put her feelings and experiences into a melody and lyrics was the default. Her ability to put her own truth into each song is an ability she and her audience greatly admire, as honesty is a key value she hopes to uphold as an artist. Towards the end of last year, Alice Isabella released her debut single, ‘Crawl’, beginning her journey into releasing music, marking her bright melodies, emotionally charged lyricism and raw yet sweet vocals. Learn more about her beginning as a songwriter, inspirations, competition-winning and big plans for the rest of the year through our interview.

Sebastian Haysman is an up-and-coming indie singer-songwriter in the Melbourne/Naarm music scene, blending pop music with emotionally rich, visual lyricism. Sebastian began his journey into songwriting young, using piano and singing to look back on significant and quite vulnerable moments and experiences. Honouring this with his debut single “papercuts”, released this November. Read on to hear from Sebastian himself more on his journey into songwriting, all about “papercuts” and what music means to him.

Music has always been something Pop artist, Takee, has grown up around and connected with. His experience as a songwriter and as a performer has shaped his view on music as a way to resonate with others and use that ability to create change. Takee hopes to create great music for everyone that will lead to meaningful outcomes as he continues his journey as an artist. Whether it’s through his abundance of love songs currently, or his much more personal future work underway.

Takee shares all about his debut EP, “out of my mind”, upcoming music, upcoming 90-minute headliner performance, and what being an artist means to him.

Folk artist Joshua Rognoni released his new, debut acoustic-folk album, “twenty-five in the woods”, yesterday. A very stripped-back, raw and honest emotional reflection, “twenty-five in the woods” takes listeners on a journey of grief through Joshua’s reflection of his time turning 25, discovering clarity and hope towards the end. This album was heavily inspired by the work of classic folk artists, such as early Bob Dylan, Bon Iver and Nick Drake, giving it a unique, purely acoustic sound in the Melbourne folk scene as well as showcasing Joshua Rognoni’s clear talent as an artist and passion for music. There is also an upcoming accompanying Album Release gig. Audiences can expect a very cozy and intimate gig this Sunday, 30th of November, at Creatures of Habit, Fitzroy, from 4pm-7pm, supported by other very talented indie-folk artists/musicians Letíca Keane and Jimmy Smyth. Be sure to get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on what will no doubt, be a beautiful folk-focused gig. Read on to hear more, from Joshua Rognoni, about the process of putting together “twenty-five in the woods”, the stories behind it and who Joshua Rognoni is as an artist overall.

Indie-pop/pop artist Twilson is the project of passionate songwriter, Tom Wilson. Although he only just began his journey into releasing music as of last year, Tom has been performing and writing music since 14 years old, writing well over 450 songs since then, moving to Melbourne to pursue a music career, and learning that “performing live isn’t for the weak” after a particular incident. Twilson is a key pop artist to look out for in Melbourne/Naarm’s music scene, bringing to listeners carefully curated stories and emotionally charged lyrics about his personal experiences in life and love, putting nothing but his all into his work, so you can’t help but also be taken on that journey. This is just the beginning for Twilson, who has plans to continue performing, releasing and working hard to ensure you hear his music and stories. In this interview, we talk about “Fingertips”, Twilson’s newest release and the upcoming duet version, music and lyric videos, the famous “Sex Sells” merch, how he got into songwriting and his long, fun, but also tricky journey in songwriting and performance.

Bold, unapologetic and exciting indie-pop artist Kaiyah Mercedes is journeying into their next louder and grittier rock-influenced work. Since becoming a musician and releasing her first single, “After Summer Ends” 4 years ago (now with over 85,000 streams on Spotify), Kaiyah has already released 2 albums, “Hindsight” (2022) and Trying to Hate You (2024), as well as accompanying singles and music videos. Every piece of her work as an artist really creatively invites listeners into a vulnerable and introspective journey, whether it’s exploring unrequited love, who you are or getting over a first heartbreak. Kaiyah has such a unique style as an artist, frequently sharing very vulnerable sides to her everyday life and using her platform as an indie-pop artist who is part of the queer community and has autism, ADHD, invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses to advocate for those communities. Encouraging others to do what they love no matter what, serving as an inspiration to be unapologetically yourself. Read on to learn from Kaiyah themself about how important music has been in their life, their journey as an artist, as well as the powerful platform artists have to inspire their audiences.

Dream-folk duo, Mila + Lucas, are up-and-coming indie musicians here in the local scene in Naarm/Melbourne. Words cannot express how talented Mila + Lucas are. Their music and performances never fail to enchant me with their beautiful vocal melodies and guitar arrangements. My very first article was on their Debut Single Launch Gig in August for their song ‘You and I’. I was lucky enough to be able to interview the duo and delve into their deeply personal connections to music and its very significant place in both their lives, really highlighting music’s ability to create community and connection as well as its ability to represent and reflect emotions and ideas. Mila + Lucas also share their future plans, including upcoming gigs and a little bit about an upcoming album.

Bringing a touch of magic and whimsy with her, Eadiella is forging her own path in the local folk scene and embracing this adventure with her emotionally-charged and introspective indie-pop folk tunes. Eadiella has always been writing music in her spare time, using music’s strong connection to feeling and identity as a method of processing and working through her own emotions. She began her journey into music performance and release after realising that others may benefit from music emotionally the same way she does; therefore, by publishing her feelings and music she hopes it will help other people feel understood and connected to certain experiences and ideas the same way she does. Even encouraging others to welcome reinvention and change the way she has by starting her music performance journey. So far, she has released 3 singles over the past three months that show off her enchanting magical forest aesthetic as well as her deeply personal and vulnerable connection to music.

Tiny Catastrophes is Follow The Robin’s debut haunting folk EP that explores “belonging, longing and the bittersweet transitions of life”, according to Steph, the solo singer-songwriter behind Follow The Robin. The mix of poetic heartfelt lyrics with complementary instrumental compositions encapsulates folk music’s ability for artists to create and share stories at such a depth, creating a really beautiful and bittersweet emotional journey for listeners. My journey and interpretations of the EP will no doubt be different from others, but the core themes of belonging and longing are nonetheless clear for everyone. 

This last Friday, Thom Johnston and April released their collaborative single, Shiver, a country-inspired folk indie track. I did separate interviews with Thom and April to learn more about Shiver, them as artists and their upcoming gig at Bar Open on September 4th.

The Old Bar, last Saturday evening, hosted a packed but intimate gig with a crowd fixated on all performers. The gig was contemporary folk-inspired artist Kye Arnot’s debut single release, Common Things, supported by Joely.

If you weren’t at Mamma Chens last Saturday night, you definitely missed out. The band room was overflowing with high energy and colourful streamers and stars, as well as so so many people. The gig had completely SOLD OUT during presales. The gig being COOLDAD’s album launch, supported by My Giddy Aunt and The Robbies.

I was able to sit down and talk with Will Anderson, frontman of COOLDAD, all about their new album, 1971, where the inspiration came from and the unusual stories behind the songs. But, I feel it would be crazy not to discuss the album launch night itself as well!

Saturday night, the 12th of July, the Brunswick Artist Bar was absolutely packed with an excited crowd buzzing around the fairy lights and green streamers all for Mila + Lucas’ gig for their newly released single, You and I, supported by Thom Johnston and Mekky.