Michael Ward

Celebrates The Good Side of Life On 'How Good Can This Get?'


Out Friday, August 28

Praise for Michael Ward


“Michael’s stage presence is unmistakable: grounded, generous, and electrifying. He doesn’t just perform to an audience — he performs with them. Every grin, every stomp, every guitar lick feels like an invitation. You’re not an observer. You’re part of the moment.”
(BTN - Gig Review)

''It's like Poison had a baby with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Keith Urban was the godfather. Scorching country rock that hits harder than a pack of Fisherman's Friend!"
[About 'No Regrets] (Gareth Bryant, Scenestr)


"Michael’s infectious energy drove the set flying on top of some damn fine country rock”
(Gidgestock Music Festival - Review)

Stream 'How Good Can This Get?' 

Ahead of an 18-date national tour, Western Australian singer-songwriter Michael Ward returns with an uplifting new single, ‘How Good Can This Get?’, a heartfelt celebration of gratitude, grit, and the embrace of life's unexpected moments, due for release on Friday, August 28.

Winner of the Homegrown Hundred National Countdown and established touring artist, Michael Ward’s career spreads far and wide across the Western coast of Australia, far from the salty swamplands of Stratham where Ward was raised.

Coming off the back of his most recent single, ‘No Regrets’, Michael Ward continues to draw from the influences of Australian rock, roots and blues, further building his reputation for writing songs that connect with real people and form authentic experiences. His latest release ‘How Good Can This Get?' continues to provide Ward’s knack for authenticity and communitas, delivering a feel-good anthem that balances reflective verses with infectious optimism.

‘How Good Can This Get?’ blends warm acoustic guitars, earthy roots-rock grooves and an instantly memorable chorus to capture the spirit of finding joy in the everyday. Driven by Ward's bona fide storytelling and honest vocal delivery, ‘How Good Can This Get?' is a reminder that even after life's challenges, there's always another reason to smile.

Speaking on the track, Michael Ward acknowledges the distraction that life's troubles and tribulations can bring, reminding us that it’s imperative to stop and breathe:

"’How Good Can This Get?’ is about appreciating where life takes you," says Ward. "Sometimes we spend so much time looking for what's next that we forget to enjoy the moment we're living in. This song is a reminder to stop, look around and realise just how good things can be."

The production allows the song's uplifting message to shine, combining organic instrumentation with a polished sound that blends quintessential country elements with a contemporary edge, further expanding Ward’s music reach to country fans old and new.

‘How Good Can This Get?’ sees Michael Ward continue to establish himself as one of Western Australia’s most genuine voices in country-roots and rock. Honest, uplifting, and full of heart, contemplate the good with Michael Ward’s newest single, ‘How Good Can This Get?’ out Friday, August 28. Then, catch Michael Ward on tour - details below.

The 'How Good Can This Get?' Australian Tour
Thu, Sep 03 - Denham Town Hall, Denham, WA
Fri, Sep 04 - Onslow Beach Resort, Onslow, WA
Sat, Sep 05 - Whalebone Brewery, Exmouth, WA
Sun, Sep 06 - Bills Bar, Coral Bay, WA
Fri, Oct 02 - Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury, WA
Sat, Oct 03 - Mandurah Country Music Festival, Mandurah, WA
Sun, Oct 04 - The River Hotel, Margaret River, WA
Sat, Oct 10 - Gidgestock Music Festival, Gidgegannup, WA
Fri, Oct 23 - Exeter Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Sat, Oct 24 - Horsham Country Music Festival, Horsham, VIC
Sun, Oct 24 - The Mallee Hen, Lascelles, VIC
Fri, Nov 13 - 459 Bar, Perth, WA
Sat, Nov 14 - King River Tavern, Albany, WA
Sun, Nov 15 - Indian Ocean Hotel, Scarborough, WA
Sun, Nov 29 - Launceston Country Music Festival, Launceston, TAS
Fri, Dec 18 - Nickel Bar, Kambalda, WA
Sat, Dec 19 - 33 Degrees, Esperance, WA
Sun, Dec 20 - Lucky Bay Brewery, Esperance, WA

Follow Michael Ward
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UNGUS UNGUS UNGUS

Prepare for a psychedelic circus ride as you enter 'The Fun House'


Album Out Friday, Aug 28

Stream 'The Fun House'

Musical contortionists Ungus Ungus Ungus return to bending boundaries with more of their signature mind-tickling tracks on their seventh studio album 'The Fun House', out August 28th.

With six full-length albums under their belt and having taken the stage at an array of internationally regarded festivals, including Woodford Folk, Port Fairy Folk and Rainbow Serpent, Ungus Ungus Ungus are back with an electrifying album that promises to deliver an unpredictable and enlivening experience, at times intentionally disorienting in its stylistic turns but always staying on track to a good time - much like the fairground ride from which the album takes its name.

With players based across three states, the Naarm/Melbourne-centred band returns with their shapeshifting, dancefloor-friendly sound. Conceptually, the album explores foundational dimensions of life together with its assorted peaks, valleys and contrasting flavours. Bandleader Max Schollar-Root says of the album:

“As a band that plays fast and loose with genre, we have held nothing back stylistically, taking the listener on a journey from our signature circus party freak folk through psychedelic dub, funky hip-hop, electro swing, drum and bass, and ambient spaciousness.”

The album opens with ‘Funlerable’, a driving, moody track featuring circus organs and haunting vocals that speak to the duality of joy and vulnerability as an oscillating feature of life. ‘Poltergeist’ follows with a theatrical lament to lost love that builds from a slow cabaret feel to an uptempo frenzy. ‘Dr Quiet’ slows down the pace, giving way to atmospheric dub and sensuous, leisurely horns, setting the scene for the conceptual funk odyssey of ‘Wishes Three’, a foray into the foundations of where food comes from through deep grooves, group vocals and character-driven lyrics.

Opening the B-side (on the vinyl version of the album) is the mysterious, mellow ‘Secret Track’, which features a verse from acclaimed local MC Flash Poetry. ‘Sauna Swing’ rebuilds to bouncing electroswing, with the momentum further amplified by ‘Move’, a drum’n’bass-infused ode to the moving body with guest vocals from FemCee. Ambient instrumental track ‘Beginnings’ rounds out ‘The Fun House’ with a meditative, uplifting resolution, with warm synth textures gently releasing the listener from the carnival ride.

With its eclectic fusion of genres and styles, Ungus Ungus Ungus’ ‘The Fun House’ captures the chaos and unpredictability of life, as well as the pleasures and soft landings to be found along the way. Overflowing with boisterous creativity, each track reinforces their commitment to making inventive dance music for live performance. The album offers a taste of the spectacle to come at their album launch at Shotkickers in Thornbury on August 29.

'The Fun House' will appear on streaming platforms Friday, August 28.

Album Release Show
Saturday, August 29th - Shotkickers, Thornbury| Tickets
With Gusto Gusto, Trickbox X Flash Poetry


Follow Ungus Ungus Ungus
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KPR

SERGE & THE CURRENTS
Channel Decades of Experience Into Debut Single
'This Too Shall Pass'


Single Out Friday, August 28

Stream 'This Too Shall Pass'

Pain can feel permanent in the moment, but even the hardest chapters eventually pass. Built around that idea, ‘This Too Shall Pass’, out Friday, August 28, the debut single from Serge & The Currents, explores heartbreak, regret and the difficult process of accepting that what hurts now will eventually ease.

Led by Naarm/Melbourne-based Latin guitarist, music educator and composer Sergio Ercole, Serge & The Currents brings together some of the city’s finest musicians, drawing on decades of lived experience through relatable storytelling and accomplished songcraft.

Marking a new guitar-driven folk and country-pop direction for the Florence-born musician, the project builds on more than 40 years of performance and composition across Italy, the United States and Australia.

Serge & The Currents' debut single sees them blend melodic country-pop with shuffling drums, bright acoustic textures, and expressive guitar work peppered by Southwestern and Latin influences. These nostalgic guitar tones sit alongside distinctly Australian vocals and melodies, giving the project a sound that feels both familiar and individual.

Despite its upbeat, playful and easygoing feel, ‘This Too Shall Pass’ carries a subtle melancholic undercurrent, capturing that sense of being caught looking back while trying to move on. Sergio Ercole speaks on the track:

“‘This Too Shall Pass’ is me arguing with myself in the wreckage of a breakup, replaying the laughs, the wine and the reasons I ran, while trying to believe the hurt won’t last forever. It’s a mid-life heartbreak song about that messy, honest moment where you choose to keep walking anyway.”

Reminisce on the past and replay the laughs with ‘This Too Shall Pass’, the debut single from Sergio Ercole’s newest project, Serge & The Currents. Bringing together decades of experience and musicianship, the track is due Friday, August 28, followed by an intimate single launch at the Wesley Anne in Northcote on Sunday, September 13.

'This Too Shall Pass' Single Launch
Sunday, Sept 13 - Wesley Anne, Northcote | From 3pm

Follow Serge & The Currents
www.sergeandthecurrents.com
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navy june

Confront the Things Left Unresolved on 'routine avoidance'


Single Out Friday, Aug 21

Praise for Navy June


"So pumped to hear what's in store for Navy June! This one's a dreamy, soaring, unravelling one that really hits the punch. An exciting band to be across for sure! EXCITING!"
4.5 / 5 (Claire Mooney, Triple J)


"such a deep, dark track that is layered so purposefully to build up to a high-class chorus"
4 / 5 (Ebony Jade, Triple J)


"Navy June are everything! feeling everything you're feeling and picking up everything you're putting down ... 'mister' is the real deal!"
4 / 5 (Anika Luna, Triple J)


'mister' - AMRAP Charts #6 Overall | #1 Indie/Alt | #1 Rock/Metal

Stream 'routine avoidance' | Download Press Images / mp3 / wav

Some situations are easier to avoid than confront, but eventually, the things left unresolved have a way of catching up. Wrestling with that uncomfortable space between holding on and moving forward, Boorloo/Perth-based band navy june return with a bittersweet single, ‘routine avoidance’, out Friday, August 21.

Following the release of ‘mister’ back in January, navy june have been on the grind. Alongside appearances at Bloom Fest, Blues at Bridgetown and Spaced Out Fest, the band has shared stages with Old Mervs, Great Gable, The Vanns, Fool Nelson, Cheeky Leash, Death By Denim, Sophian, Ruby Hoo, Nana's Pie, Devon Street and Darcie Haven, while also receiving a WAM Song of the Year nomination.

Now, with ‘routine avoidance’, navy june dance between intimate, acoustic-led folk and heart-crunching indie rock. What starts out with an understated, innocent folky bedroom softness gracefully blooms with fuzzed-out electric guitars, powerful drums topped with aching vocals and harmonies that pry at the heartstrings.

Beneath its warm melodies, the track carries a captivating aura to it. 'Routine avoidance’ lingers in the uncertainty that follows heartbreak, exploring the difficult process of growing beyond someone while remaining haunted by unanswered questions and everything left unresolved. Rather than offering easy closure, the track finds beauty in that emotional in-between, where resilience is built one step at a time. Speaking on the track, Ruby Barton-Taylor states:

“‘routine avoidance’ tells the story of heartbreak, resilience, and taking back control. It's about being torn between wanting their validation and needing to let go, spiralling through grief, anger, and obsession while searching for a way to move forward.”

Avoidance might be a coping mechanism, but it rarely brings closure. Fortunately, ‘routine avoidance’ is one thing worth confronting when it arrives Friday, August 21. Then, catch navy june launch the single at Lunar Fest in Fremantle on Friday, September 4, before an intimate acoustic performance at Sullivan Hall on Sunday, September 6.

Upcoming Shows
Friday, September 4 - Lunar Fest, Fremantle | Tickets
Supports include: Symmetrical Dogs, Jack Hamilton, Slow Horse, Oakabella Mae, Clare Perrott, Free Aviary, CNTR, Nugzy


Sunday, September 6 - Sullivan Hall, Fremantle | Tickets
Supports include: Caitlin Mias, Nadya Kadisha


Follow navy june
https://linktr.ee/navyjuneband
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