Welcome To The New Ocean Road Gold Coast Music Update.

WORDS: Glen Tozer PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

For the past decade or so, Glenn Tozer has been a local advocate for our city’s original music scene, helping catalyse the Council’s support for the Gold Coast Music Awards, writing reviews for local street press, and championing local artists as a producer of events throughout the Gold Coast hinterland. Each edition, Glenn plans to bring Ocean Road readers an update of new Gold Coast music and upcoming music events, so you can experience a snapshot of the city’s flourishing music sector. Enjoy the read!

Everyone on the Gold Coast is hoping this summer we can relax by the pool instead of being plagued by the storm damage and shenanigans raining on everyone’s parade we experienced in 2023/24. And what better way to relax this summer than with a hand-picked Gold Coast music playlist and a little bit of local gossip to settle our souls?

So here’s 10 new-ish Gold Coast releases to include on your favourite streaming service, perfect for those at your next friendly gathering or relaxed afternoon, along with a little review and perhaps some gossip about the featured artists.

Jackson James Smith is one half of the surf-pop outfit Buttered but has always had his solo material simmering ready for a break from Buttered’s touring schedule. His new album “I made this on my laptop 4 U” is a 10-track romance experience, showcasing Jackson’s smooth vocals over clever pop arrangements, perfect for your holiday date night. Some have described this release as a soundtrack to intimacy… let us know what you think!

Eliza and her Delusionals might hail from just south of the QLD/NSW border but their heart is on the Goldie. “The Garden” is a melodic rock offering, complete with instrumental interludes, crafted to be listened to from start to finish, on a rainy summer’s day. Rock on!

New York pop sensations Charly Bliss are not from the Gold Coast, but their frontwoman, Eva Hendricks, just got married here in the city to a Gold Coast hinterland mountain man. I’m going to claim their latest cheeky pop tunes for the Gold Coast from now on. You should listen on a hot summer day by the pool.

Charly Bliss

“This is how I remember it” is a masterpiece from Beckah Amani, who recently got an on-stage performance opportunity with Coldplay. Her heartfelt lyrics convey an intimacy rarely found in today’s pop music, and the R&B and soul influences are perfect for a meditative holiday afternoon, or morning recovery after the New Year’s party.

Chutney

I’ve loved Chutney’s new spin this month. A lighter punk rock vibe, perfect for the hectic dashes between events and commitments during the Christmas season. This album will get played on my trips to the gym and should be in your contemporary rock playlists. Get amongst it!

Travelling troubadours Hussy Hicks are fresh off Live Act of the Year at the GCMAs but their new album “Swimming in Uncertainty” is a fun blues and roots staple, showcasing Leesa Gentz’ wonderful voice and Julz Parker’s exceptional musicianship on the guitar. This album is great for the dinner party but will prompt you for a closer listen when no-one else is around so you can really enjoy it.

Oh, I’ve got the blues for Karl S Williams. His re-released Heartwood, in its rawest solo acoustic form, is simply breathtaking. The soul in Karl’s voice, delivering lyrics as if he’s just walked the Appalachian mountains in bare feet carrying a sick loved one, crying out to God or whoever’s listening, moves the listener. Get this album on your playlist this summer.

Young talented emo-pop starlet Lyric is on a trajectory to fame. Full of catchy tunes that pull at a young (or young at heart) listener’s heartstrings, her new EP Nostalgia is an excellent snapshot of young adult life and the soap opera that surrounds relationships and love… and lust.

Ivey recently relocated from the Gold Coast to London, now plying their live performances in the UK and surrounds, on support slots and headline gigs at venues many local artists would envy. Their new pop release, Silver Linings, is excellent and is the perfect background to a summer BBQ, to impress your younger nieces and nephews.

Sadly, the boys from Peach Fur have decided to call it quits. The psychedelic surf rock vibes that are the 2023 release Earth Radio aren’t a recent release, but I’ve included the album as a testament to their valued contribution to the Gold Coast music scene over the past years. They played New Year’s at the Cooly Hotel as a farewell and will be sorely missed… but you should give their superb album a spin this summer