Our guest this week is Hemlocke Springs. With a sound that fuses 80s maximalism and 2000s pop eccentricity, she’s quickly become one of alt-pop’s most compelling new voices and has toured alongside Chappell Roan, Doja Cat and Conan Gray, while earning praise from artists like Doechii and Grimes. This week, she releases her debut album the apple under the sea, a chaotic, joyfully unhinged, genre-hopping record that sounds unmistakably like her. On today’s episode, Hemlocke Springs joins us to talk about the making of the album, the influences behind her sound, how she builds such vivid creative worlds, and the role religion and faith play in her songwriting.

Hemlocke Springs : Instagram / Spotify / Website

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Our guest this week is Iron & Wine. The beloved folk project of songwriter and musician Sam Beam, Iron & Wine has spent over 20 years crafting warm, thoughtful songs, collaborating with artists like Fiona Apple and Band of Horses, with his songs becoming deeply embedded in pop culture through films and shows, including The O.C., Garden State, and The Twilight Saga. Later this month, Sam returns with his eighth studio album, Hen’s Teeth, which incorporates small sonic influences from jazz and other genres while staying true to his signature troubadour sound. To celebrate, Iron & Wine is heading back to Australia for the first time in over eight years, with headline shows and festival appearances at WOMADelaide and Port Fairy Folk Festival. On today’s episode, we chat with Sam Beam about Hen’s Teeth, the project’s ongoing evolution, and what fans can expect from these long-awaited Australian shows.

Iron & Wine : Instagram / Spotify / Website

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Our guest this week on the podcast is The Head & The Heart. The Seattle indie-folk favourites have been crafting earnest, feel-good folk music since 2009, releasing six studio albums and touring globally with artists like Vampire Weekend and Death Cab for Cutie. Last year, they returned with their sixth album, Aperture, marking the first time they self-produced a record since their debut. While in Australia supporting The Lumineers, we caught up with Jonathan Russell and Tyler Williams from the band to chat about touring Australia, the creative freedom behind Aperture, their early songwriting journeys, and the renewed rise of indie-folk through artists like The Lumineers and Noah Kahan.

The Head & The Heart : Instagram / Spotify / Website

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Our guests this week on the podcast are These New South Whales. The Naarm-based punk four-piece have spent the last decade evolving their sound, expanding on their basement punk roots while consistently pushing themselves creatively. Across four albums, they’ve become one of Australia’s most dynamic and influential contemporary punk bands, building a world around their music with their cult Comedy Central mockumentary and the epic 500-episode run of their podcast What A Great Punk. Their latest album, Godspeed, was released late last year, and the guys will be heading out on a massive Australian tour in support of the record. On today’s episode, frontman Jamie Timony and guitarist Todd Andrews join us to talk about all things Godspeed, working with producer Ben Greenberg, the band’s songwriting process and early influences, and hitting the milestone of 500 podcast episodes.

These New South Whales : Instagram / Spotify / Website

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Our first guest of the year is Cavetown. The project of English singer-songwriter Robin Skinner, Cavetown has become one of indie music’s most cherished artists, building a devoted global fanbase and racking up billions of streams along the way. Today, Cavetown returns with a brand new album, Running with Scissors, and in just a few weeks will head back to Australia as part of St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2026. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Robin Skinner to talk about the year ahead — diving into Running with Scissors, this new collaborative chapter in their music, the role ambition plays in their songwriting, and what fans can expect from Cavetown’s Laneway performances.

Cavetown : Instagram / Spotify / Website

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This week’s episode is a very special one: our Best of 2025 countdown! We’re ranking our top 20 favourite records of the year and reflecting on what was truly a huge and varied year for music. From big-name releases to breakthrough moments from emerging and genre-defying artists, 2025 delivered across the board, making it another incredibly great year music, and a difficult year to narrow lists down. It was also a banner year for Australian music, with local artists making serious waves both at home and internationally. We’re joined by a dream team of guests to help unpack it all: Ben Lee, Yorke, Jordy from Teenage Dads, and Frank from These New South Whales, with each sharing the records that shaped their year. Have a listen to us break down our thoughts on the Best Records of 2025 and help us wrap up another huge year in music!

Ben Lee: Instagram / Spotify
Yorke: Instagram / Spotify
Teenage Dads: Instagram / Spotify
These New South Whales: Instagram / Spotify

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Our guest this week is UK pop star Mimi Webb. The loveable, high-energy singer-songwriter has spent the past few years in nonstop motion: releasing EPs and her debut album, all while touring with artists like Benson Boone, Tate McRae, and The Jonas Brothers. In September, she returned with her second full-length record Confessions, a brilliant follow-up to Amelia that leans deeper into vulnerability and shows even more of her personality. In our final interview of the year, we’re welcoming Mimi onto the podcast to chat all about Confessions, the pros and cons of being emotionally honest in songwriting, how she first found her footing in music, and what it was like writing with Meghan Trainor.

Mimi Webb : Instagram / Spotify

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Our guests this week on the podcast are Cat & Calmell. One of our favourite Aussie pop duos, they’ve spent the past few years building a sound that’s both bold and ever-evolving - releasing EPs, experimenting across genres, and sharing stages with artists like Dua Lipa and Camila Cabello. After plenty of touring, they’re now back with a new mixtape, Live Laugh Cool Star, which trades some of their glossy pop for a grittier, chaotic blend of indie sleaze, hyperpop, and electronic textures. Joining us for their third appearance on the pod, Cat & Calmell talk about what inspired this organic sonic shift, how Calmell’s DJ-ing has influenced their sound and live show, and break down one of my favourite tracks from the mixtape.

Cat & Calmell : Instagram / Spotify

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Our guest this week on the podcast is Jay Som, the musical project of LA–based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Melina Duterte. After three beloved albums and early tours with the likes of Paramore and Mitski, Melina stepped back from Jay Som in 2020, spending the past six years honing her craft behind the scenes and producing major indie records, including boygenius’ the record and Lucy Dacus’ Forever Is a Feeling. Last month, she returned with Belong, her fourth Jay Som album - a glowing evolution that pushes her sound from lo-fi beginnings into expansive indie rock, and features guest appearances from Jim Adkins and Hayley Williams. On today’s episode, we talk about the influence of 2000s indie rock, share some gentle Death Cab for Cutie fandom, and dive into how the Hayley Williams collaboration came together. 

Jay Som: Instagram / Spotify

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Our guest this week is rising pop singer, songwriter, and actor Ayesha Madon. Before becoming a household name through Netflix’s Heartbreak High, music was already at the core of her creative identity - she’s been writing songs since the age of six or seven. Earlier this year, she released her debut EP The Unanticipated Prequel, a shimmering, confident blend of pop, indie, and synth-pop that firmly establishes her as one of Australia’s most exciting new voices. In today’s episode, we chat with Ayesha about her journey toward The Unanticipated Prequel, the crossover between acting and songwriting, and how vulnerability shapes her creative process. We also dive into a special track she co-wrote with one of her Heartbreak High co-stars.

Ayesha Madon : Instagram / Spotify

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