TALENT ON TAP // NEW MUSIC FOR AUGUST
BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURLEIGH BREWING CO.
Words by Emily Halloran | Cover: Chavez Cartel
August is bursting with new local releases covering every genre, from raw rock, dreamy pop, heavy-hitting 90s grunge, heartfelt country and dark alt-club beats…
We’ve pulled together what’s new, what’s debuting, and what deserves your next listen this August.
AUGUST SPOTLIGHT
SATELLITE MILE – THE WATER’S EDGE
The debut full-length album The Water’s Edge from Satellite Mile is moody, immersive and sonically experimental. The Water’s Edge starts with a short instrumental track (Hypnagogia) before launching hard into title-track (The Water’s Edge) – slightly sonic, slightly grungy with a big 90s feel. This carries through for the next three songs before transitioning to Limits Of Language, another beautiful and short instrumental piece. The next two tracks (Oneiric & The Weaving Sparrow) continue with a slower, instrumental base before amping up for A Vacant Gaze, with the final track Hypnapompia sending out the album. The opening and ending instrumentation tracks are intentional, to give a feel of entry and exit from a dream.
The 10-track album was produced by Ben Love and Peet Gardner at Brisbane’s So Soap Studios, and mixed by Paul Gomersall (behind Kate Bush, George Michael, Genesis, Echo and The Bunnymen).
Satellite Mile are a new band on the local music scene, having first released a track, Recurring Dreams, in November last year. The sound is reminiscent of The National and Depeche Mode, with experimental elements across electronic synth, heavy chords, and syncopation moments throughout.
NEW RELEASES
FOR THE SOFT DREAM POP LOVERS
Eryka Gray’s new track, innocent leans heavy into vulnerability… but not only with the song theme and lyrics, but from being the only self-produced track on her forthcoming and debut EP. innocent features dreamy pop/dance textures, soft anger, and lyrics that will linger. It’s a song that’s been reimagined again and again as she’s moved through different phases in life, with Eryka saying: “it’s been rewritten, reimagined, and tossed all around different projects, but the heart of it never changed”. A newcomer to the music scene, and with two singles out already in 2025, Eryka’s dreamy pop tracks are already clocking up the streams.
SOUNDTRACK SUNNY DAYS
If you’re chasing serotonin in song form, look no further than Sunny Luwe’s latest release, Blue Skies. It’s true to Sunny’s style – poppy, upbeat, bright, feel-good music for the soul. Super catchy too, you’ll find yourself singing ‘blue skies, blue skies’ after one listen. This playful track was produced by Matthew Collins at Puppy Palace Studios. There’s a music video that accompanies this one featuring Sunny’s nanna, mum, dogs and a bunch of local musicians. You can check it out here.
CHAVEZ CARTEL KNOW 90’S GRUNGE
Boasting 90’s gritty and grunge rock attitude, Feeling is the new hard-hitting track from Chavez Cartel. It’s an authentic release to the band’s style, so if you’re already a fan, you’ll love this one. The new release is off the back of Chavez Cartel’s first full Australian tour and marks the second release of 2025, following single Different Underneath in January. The band say they have plenty more music to come in the lead up to October, where they will play live for the first time at the creative industry event, SXSW Sydney.
THE RETURN OF SAN MEI
It’s been a couple of years between releases for San Mei, but the new track Weightless is worth the weight. The track is dreamy-electro pop powered with deep lyrics and stunning melody – a fresh, new sound for San Mei (aka. Emily Hamilton) who has previously fallen into the alt-indie world throughout the past 9-years of making music. Weightless is about grief; from the hurt heartache to “finding a new beauty that comes with it”. Welcome back San Mei, we’ve missed you!
BELLA’S NEW EP
After four single releases so far this year, pop darling bella amor has released a six-track EP, this is where i’m at. It starts with rocks in my pocket, immediately catchy from the first 20 seconds, and already clocking up huge streams. basement and couch are slower, stripped back numbers, while daisyfields and white rabbit are super pop-y and upbeat. this is where i’m at is honest, vulnerable, and beautifully produced. Keen to see it live? bella amor is playing a string of Australian shows to celebrate the release, including one at 3 x GCMA Venue of the Year winners, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse on Friday 8 August.
INTOXICATING, SLOWLY
Producer SOFT NYLON has dropped a euphoric new track, Intoxicated. It’s a sonically hypnotic track built on pulsing synths, ambient textures, and soulful vocals by Tori Tamki. Intoxicating captures the highs and lows of a relationship that feels like a vulnerable walk home late at night. SOFT NYLON is a project by Dylan Lindquist, who has built a name for himself for session work with artists with Eves Karadas, Emily Rink, Pure Milk and working with the live team behind big-names Cub Sport and Kita Alexander. He started producing solo work under the name SOFT NYLON in 2019 and over the years has released a bunch of tracks and EP’s worth checking out.
NEW ON THE SCENE: FELIPE BRITO
Meet Felipe Brito, a Brazilian born musician and solo artist who recently settled on the Gold Coast. Felipe has just put out his first-ever song, Prefer The Old Me. It’s an upbeat, emotive indie pop track blending mellow guitars, rhythmic sounds and a catchy melody. Felipe says it’s “an invite to a reflection on identity, change, and emotional fallout”, adding it’s an inner dialogue against the emotional erosion caused by love, memory and society, but not a breakup track. Congratulations on your debut, Felipe!
NOSTALGIC SURF ROCK NEWCOMERS
If you’re a fan of surf rock, Laurel Hill is a band you should have on your radar. The four-piece band have dropped their debut single, Rusty. Hearing it for the first time, you wouldn’t think it’s their first-ever release as it’s confident, well-structured and well-produced. Think surf indie with infectious grooves, catchy vocals and fun movement. Laurel Hill says the track is a nostalgic love letter to the simple, sun-soaked rhythm of life on the Gold Coast, and we couldn’t agree more. The band will be performing the single release at Miami Marketta on 8 August, supporting Loose Goose, if you’d like to see them play live for the first time.
NEW FROM SIR ANTON
Sir Anton has revealed a fresh new track titled Ex Nihilo, filled with hypnotic beats, catchy hooks and strong energy, drifting between pop and RNB. Ex Nihilo means ‘from nothing’ and explores the spark of connection or attraction that can emerge out of nowhere. Sir Anton, aka Anton Cornale, is a music producer, songwriter and recording artist. The track was developed at NightFall Studios in Burleigh Heads. If you’re vibing that song, you should check out Sir Anton’s other two: Don’t Worry released in 2021 and One For Love in 2024.
RAE LEIGH’S HEARTBREAK & HEALING
Rae Leigh turns up the emotion and gets vulnerable with new single, Into The Dream. This country-pop ballad is melodically graceful and boasts heartfelt storytelling lyrics – perfect for those looking to feel comfortable in heartache. The song is about struggling to accept the loss of a relationship and reliving the memories in dreams. Into The Dream is the first release from her upcoming album.
LOUD & ROWDY
New single The Door is a rowdy and bold new release from VERATIE. It’s a punchy, slick release layered with heavy guitars and edgy rifts, perfect for those who enjoy the grunge of Linkin Park or Paramore. The third single release of the year from a rock, punk and heavy band lead by singer/songwriter Sarah and guitarist/beat-maker Conner.
THE RUSTED SONS UNVEIL TWO NEW TRACKS
Garage grunge/rock band, The Rusted Sons have dropped two new songs. Boasting classic 90’s rock energy, Coffee is angry and loud about the repetition of the daily grind, while Hey Man is a punchy and energetic singalong. Not familiar with the four-piece band? The Rusted Sons are new to the music scene. They released their debut single a year ago, in June 2024, titled Nothing Left To Do. If you enjoy the heavier side of things, check them out.
SEDUCTIVE & SULTRY
Dark-pop artist clovo leans heavy into desire and self-possession on her latest single, fetish. It’s a confident, cool, and slow-burning tune that blends between pop and electronic dance. The song was produced in collaboration with Blake Malone and Graham Ritchie at 4000 Studios. clovo reflects artists like Billie Eilish and Charlie XCX, except with more edge and dance. The past four singles by clovo are clocking up streams, so we have no doubt this one will do well.
SOMETHING TO GET YOU TALKING
The Vultures return with a fresh new indie rock hit, Talk. Noisy guitar work, brooding vocals, and tight rhythm, this one is super catchy and one that we can’t wait to see performed live. The two-piece band, made up of Liam Bowditch and Joe Bon MacPhail, have been turning heads for more than a decade since they formed in 2013. Talk is the second release of the year for The Vultures after they dropped Losing Game in April – which is more punchy and rowdy than this new release.
A COUNTRY LOVE BALLAD
Country music lovers and romantics will be swooning with Kent Dustin’s newest single, Lose A Little To Love. It’s a feel-good ballad about the beauty of compromise in a relationship. Kent leans into country-folk influences with heartfelt lyrics and laid back acoustic production that will resonate with fans of Luke Combs and Gregory Alan Isakov. Kent has confidently been making hit after hit over the past couple of years. With its easy groove and singalong chorus, Lose A Little To Love is another strong release from Kent and will feature in an upcoming EP due to be released later this August.
NIGHTSHADE AND THE FATES
Nightshade and the Fates return with their second single Sly Sinner, following the hypnotic beauty of their debut in April with Fallen. Post-punk driven, NATF, a five-piece band led with a female front-woman, have a moody and immersive sound by blending noisy guitar, heavy bass, and a little bit of synth. This track melts between soft goth metal and theatrical rock – perfect for those into 90’s edgy and experimental garage rock.
RETURNING TO PARADISE
After a four-year hiatus from releasing music, country-pop singer Jessica Holbrok makes a moving return with single, Paradise Island. It’s a heartbreaking soft country meets pop track exploring grief, loss and hope. With gentle acoustics and backed with strong (and very vulnerable) storytelling, Jessica hopes this track will be a comforting ode to lost loved ones. “It’s about the people we’ve loved and lost, and the hope that we’ll meet them again one day, somewhere beautiful… somewhere like Paradise Island,” she says. A beautiful, emotion-driven track that will be adored by Taylor Swift and Kelsea Ballerini lovers.
MYLES CALLS US BACK AGAIN
If you’ve ever felt pulled back into something you know isn’t right but just can’t let go, Calling Me Back, the new track from MYLES, is one for you. A third release from the singer-songwriter, MYLES has been building a name for himself with modern rock that sounds and is lyrically deep, dark and bold. This one is no different, with a late-night confessional feel led with heavy riffs, bashing guitar and distorted amps.
POP COUNTRY CONFESSIONS
Australian/Canadian pop-country singer and songwriter based on the Gold Coast, Ashley Gall has released her first-ever EP, Pop-Country Confessions – and the title is five tracks of exactly that. It’s a confident release from the up-and-comer who has spent the past year developing her voice and songwriting, following the release of three singles in the past year. It’s a collection of songs that speak to the things we think but don’t often say. Beautiful Tragedy is gentle and led by storytelling, Brown Eyed Girl is a more up-beat singalong, and Silver Seams leans more into country guitar and vocals. Congrats on the release!
POP PRINCESS EDM
Fast, dark, super fun, Fear No Evil by Grace Luisa can only be described as pop princess EDM. It’s a 2.5-minute punch of dance energy. Since arriving on the scene in 2021, Grace has carved out a strong name for herself in the genre, with an impressive average of 6,700 streams per month from fans. She’s been releasing tracks relentlessly over the years, all strong and well-produced, and this one is no different.
MORE NEW ELLA FENCE
Bold, cinematic and reimagined, Hunter (Redux) sees Ella Fence revisit one of her most powerful tracks with a fresh sound. Known for her genre-bending alt-pop style and commanding vocal presence, Ella rebuilds Hunter into something darker, sharper, and even more emotionally charged. The redux version leans into tension and release, balancing haunting production with vulnerability and strength. It’s a raw evolution that feels both familiar and brand new.
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The Gold Coast Music Network’s Talent On Tap is brought to you by Burleigh Brewing.
ARE YOU A GOLD COAST ARTIST WITH NEW MUSIC ON THE HORIZON? WE WANT TO HEAR IT!
If you’ve released new music or have something due for release in August or September, shoot us the details for the chance to be considered for the next ‘Talent On Tap’ column. Email our new music guru Emily Halloran on newmusic@gcmusicnetwork.com.au with a link to the song (Spotify preferred), an artist press shot and a few words/media release about the track or album being released.