Photography: Louie Mosscrop
Photography: Josh Ma
Words: Ken Magno
Fresh off an impressive back to back festival run, Tinashe hits Sydney’s iconic Enmore Theatre with her ‘Match My Freak’ Tour; a set that was equal parts sexy and electrifying, her full talents as a performer, song writer and vocalist on full display. Coming in hot off the success of her two most recent albums and an impressive world tour, as well as the viral hot-girl-summer anthem Nasty, the hype for the Kentucky born / California Raised star was unmatched.
The set started out like something out of a WWE match, with Tinashe making an entrance to an EDM remix of her hit song Nasty complete with strobes and visuals that had some wondering if they were at the right concert (in the best way possible). The lights dimmed once more as her entourage of backup dancers made their entrance with the RNB / pop queen herself following shortly behind, starting the night off with hits ‘Getting No Sleep’ and ‘When I Get You Alone’ from her most recent release ‘Quantum Baby’ fading into her viral track ‘Needs’ from her 2023 release ‘BB/ANG3L’, perfectly setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Alongside an impressive discography, playing songs like ‘2 On’ and ‘All Hands On Deck’ from her debut release ‘Aquarius’ as well as her most iconic and popular collaborations like ‘The Worst In Me’ (with Kaytranada) and the 2015 club anthem ‘All My Friends’ (with Snakeships & Chance the Rapper), her full talents came into display through her choreography and her powerful stage presence. Her irresistible movements mixed with her backup dancers conveying a story within each song created an already theatrical experience to what would’ve been just another show, but between each beat and perfectly synced movement Tinashe still found a way to make the set more personal with every member in the crowd – her engagement with the sea of adoring fans was like nothing else, expressing her gratitude for each member of the crowd and creating a connection that felt rare within the music world.
Tinashe’s show could only be described as a perfect storm of different genres flowing together in a way that no other artist could replicate. There wasn’t a single person not taken over by her infectious energy; from the barricade of screaming fans to the couples swaying and spinning at the back of the venue, her aura could be felt through every beat that shook the walls of the Enmore. The night was a feast for the eyes and ears, a show that was both intimate and explosive down to every tiny detail, and Tinashe absolutely ate and left no crumbs.
“The Depths” explores the theme of introspection and uncovering quiet truths. Can you share the personal journey or inspiration behind this album?
“The Depths” was born from my own journey of seeking peace and meaning in life’s quieter spaces. Having lived across continents—Africa, the U.S., India, and now Europe—I’ve learned that external movement often mirrors an internal quest. In a world filled with noise, I wanted to create a space where listeners can pause, reflect, and reconnect with their own truths. This album feels like an invitation to dive deep into one’s self, embracing both the beauty and challenges of introspection.
Your music blends classical and world influences, reflecting your multicultural identity. How do your cultural roots shape your compositions, particularly on “The Depths”?
My multicultural identity is at the heart of my music. Growing up in the U.S. with roots in India, being born in Africa, and now living in Spain, I’ve absorbed a rich tapestry of sounds and traditions. Indian classical music taught me to appreciate depth, patience, and improvisation. Western classical influences brought structure and harmony. Living in Spain introduced me to the passion of Flamenco and the understated elegance of European minimalism. On The Depths, these worlds come together naturally. It’s less about representing any single tradition and more about honoring how these influences have shaped who I am and how I hear music.
You’ve described “The Depths” as both a sanctuary and a guide. What role do you think instrumental music plays in healing and offering clarity in today’s fast-paced world?
Instrumental music has a unique power to heal because it transcends language and speaks directly to the soul. In today’s hyper-connected and overstimulated world, we often neglect moments of stillness. The Depths offers that stillness—a sanctuary where listeners can step away from the chaos and find clarity. Without words, the music allows each person to project their own emotions and experiences onto it. It becomes both a personal retreat and a guide, helping them navigate their inner worlds.
Your previous albums, “Secret Garden” and “The Long Road,” were met with critical acclaim. How has your creative process evolved from those works to “The Depths”?
Each album represents a distinct chapter in my life. Secret Garden was about uncovering hidden beauty through music, a journey of quiet discovery. The Long Road became an outward expression of love, grief, and connection—raw emotions translated into sound. With The Depths, my creative process has matured and become more intentional. I’ve learned to trust the music, allowing it to flow intuitively rather than overthinking. I leaned deeper into minimalism, letting each note breathe and finding power in the spaces between them. It’s a deeper exploration of simplicity and emotional clarity.
“The Depths” flows seamlessly from one piece to the next, creating a meditative experience. How do you approach crafting such cohesion within an album?
Cohesion comes from listening to the music as a whole, rather than as individual pieces. I approach each composition as part of a broader emotional arc, ensuring that one piece naturally leads into the next. Working closely with my producer, we carefully sequenced the tracks to balance their energy and transitions. For The Depths, I envisioned the album as a single narrative—an immersive journey that unfolds gradually, inviting the listener to explore deeper emotional and introspective layers with each piece.
The album is arranged in three distinct phases, each representing a stage in the transformative journey:
The Opening Tracks: Pieces like Dreams of Zagyva and Stars set the tone through a classical lens, telling stories that evoke memory and introspection.
The Middle Section: This phase blends instrumental pieces with piano solos, delving deeper into personal emotions and meditative states.
The Final Phase: Beginning with Diamond Gaze, the music ascends into spirituality, capturing the essence of offering, transformation, and eternal truths.
Each phase takes the listener on a transformative experience—from quiet reflection to deeper introspection, and ultimately, to a sense of spiritual awakening.
Many listeners connect with your music on an emotional level. How do you translate vulnerability and personal experiences into your compositions?
For me, composing music is an act of vulnerability in itself. I approach the piano with honesty, letting it reflect what I feel in the moment—be it joy, longing, or uncertainty. I believe that authenticity in expressing my emotions allows the music to resonate deeply with others. Rather than telling a specific story, I aim to craft an emotional language that invites listeners to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the music.
Your music has been featured on SiriusXM’s Spa channel and resonates across 86 countries. What does it mean to you to have your work touch such a global audience?
It’s incredibly humbling. Growing up across cultures, I’ve always felt like a citizen of the world, and it’s beautiful to see that reflected in how my music resonates globally. Knowing that a composition created in my quiet moments can bring peace to someone on the other side of the world feels like a shared human connection—one that transcends borders, languages, and backgrounds.
With “The Depths” releasing in January 2025, what are your hopes for how this album will be received and the impact it will have on listeners?
My hope is that The Depths offers listeners a sense of peace and perspective—especially in moments when they need it most. I want it to feel like a trusted companion, whether someone is reflecting, healing, or simply seeking stillness. If it helps even one person reconnect with themselves or find clarity, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
Your work is reminiscent of the golden era of New Age piano. Which artists or movements have inspired your approach to composing and performing?
I’m deeply inspired by artists like George Winston, Yiruma, and Yanni, who masterfully blend simplicity with profound emotional depth. The New Age movement, with its focus on music as a source of healing, introspection, and mindfulness, has significantly influenced my approach. At the same time, my exposure to Indian classical ragas has taught me the power of improvisation and the importance of emotional nuance. Minimalism and world music traditions have also enriched my compositions, allowing me to explore diverse textures and moods. Together, these influences have shaped a style that is deeply personal yet universally resonant.
Looking ahead, do you see yourself exploring new themes or genres in your music, or continuing to deepen the introspective and emotional journey you’ve begun with “The Depths”?
I believe there’s always more to explore. While I’m drawn to introspection and emotional storytelling, I’m curious about blending new sounds and themes into future work. I’d love to collaborate with musicians from different traditions, bringing in instruments and influences that push my creative boundaries. But no matter the genre, my focus will always be on creating music that feels authentic, meaningful, and deeply human.
Globally acclaimed DJ and producer Young Franco returns with a new release to kick off the year today, a soothing hip-hop soulful cut, “Lose Control”, a vibrant collaboration with EARTHGANG and Jafunk, from the hotly anticipated debut album “it’s Franky baby!” out January 24, available to pre-order HERE. Young Franco also announces the North America headline tour in March, following the Australian tour kicking off next month.
“Lose Control” encapsulates Young Franco’s irresistible charm and euphoric energy, with his signature lush, rhythmic beats and infectious synth melodies. Calling on Jafunk, music producer and DJ from Perth now based in Lisbon, and Atlanta Grammy-nominated rap duo, EARTHGANG who add their rich funk, hip-hop entrancing vocals, it’s an uplifting anthem set to ignite the dancefloor this summer.
Young Franco reveals, “I had this beat lying around forever, and in this prolific summer period of 2023/24, there were so many cool artists that I wanted to work with coming to town, and EARTHGANG was one of them. We worked out the time to get it in and made it happen… I know those two boys are really loved in Australia. It was super exciting to get in, and they just smashed it out super quick. It’s sort of a representation of a lot of the older Young Franco catalogue. I think it ties well into a lot of the’ it’s Franky baby!’ songs. So, I really wanted to make sure there was a song that kind of covered all the genres and styles that I like.”
EARTHGANG shares, “we loved working with Young Franco. The energy was organic and Sydney set the best backdrop for this collaboration. Can’t wait until the world hears this one.”
The debut album, “it’s Franky baby!” drops later this month on January 24 and is a compilation of Young Franco’s genre-bending and cutting-edge productions. It’s an energetic fusion of disco, Italo-disco, dance music, rap, and punk, weaving influences from the UK, America, Italy, Nigeria and Jamaica. The 10-track album features a slew of trailblazing collaborators; Pell, Denzel Curry, Master Peace, Franc Moody, p-rallel, Dana Williams, Kah-Lo, piri, MC DT, EARTHGANG, Jafunk, General Levy, Tommy Villiers and Muroki. Young Franco has described the collection as “an accumulation of all my friends, everyone I love, and artists I’ve been privileged to work alongside.” Young Franco will be hitting the dancefloor next month with a series of outdoor day parties to celebrate the release of his debut album “it’s Franky baby!”. Each event will have a party-style atmosphere with vibrant visuals, special guests and plenty of surprises. Today Young Franco announces the North America headline tour in March. The US dates will kick off in Los Angeles at The Roxy Theatre on Friday March 14, then move on to San Francisco at Monarch on Saturday March 15, Miami at ZeyZey on Friday March 21 before wrapping up in Brooklyn at House of Yes on Saturday March 22. Tickets available Wednesday 15th January local time. Before then you can catch Young Franco at one of the Australian day parties with special guests Kah-Lo, p-rallel and Osmosis Jones. The tour will open in his hometown Brisbane at Dream Valley on Saturday February 15, Sydney at Liberty Hall Courts on Saturday February 22, Adelaide at The Fantail on Friday February 28, Fremantle at Port Beach Brewery on Saturday March 1 and a Melbourne show date to be announced soon. Get ready to groove—this isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of everything Franky baby!. |
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Young Franco ‘it’s Franky baby!’ Australian + US Tour Dates Saturday 15 February – Dream Valley, Brisbane February – To Be announced, Melbourne Friday 14 March – The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, California Saturday 15 March – Monarch, San Francisco, California Friday 21 March – ZeyZey, Miami, Florida Saturday 22 March – House Of Yes, Brooklyn, New York
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Global powerhouses Yolanda Be Cool, Trace & Benny Kane drop their euphoric anthem ‘Making My Daydream Real‘, a link up of world class talent, bound to have dancefloors moving.
Following a string of monumental achievements, Yolanda Be Cool continue their reign as global house music crusaders. Known for their iconic hit ‘We No Speak Americano’ and releases on heavyweight labels such as Black Book Records, Repopulate Mars, and Club Sweat, the duo has spent years perfecting their craft both in the studio and behind the decks. With platinum records, ARIA Awards, and Beatport chart-toppers under their belt, Yolanda Be Cool’s ability to blend the underground with the mainstream remains unmatched.
Joining them on this titanic release is Uzbekistan’s rising star Trace. A name synonymous with chart success, Trace has dominated Beatport rankings with tracks like ‘Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe’ and ‘Selecta’. Known for his infectious tech house grooves and support from industry titans such as Solomun, Pete Tong, and Jamie Jones, Trace’s contributions to ‘Making My Daydream Real’ solidify his status as one of the top-selling producers in the scene.
Completing the trio is Benny Kane, one-half of the production duo Apexape and a master of percussive house and disco. With releases on esteemed labels like Strictly Rhythm and Toolroom, and support from BBC Radio 1 tastemakers Pete Tong and Danny Howard, Benny Kane’s resume speaks for itself. From iconic festivals like Glastonbury and Snowbombing to residencies at London’s XOYO and The Box Soho, his fast-paced mixing and cutting-edge edits have cemented his reputation as an unmissable live act.
‘Making My Daydream Real‘ is a seamless fusion of the trio’s collective strengths. Anchored by its infectious melody, rapturous energy, and an irresistible groove, the track effortlessly channels feel-good summer vibes while delivering the polished production fans have come to love from these artists.
On the release, Yolanda Be Cool shared “Whatever time of year it is, it’s summer somewhere and we love summer records. Making My Daydream Real is exactly that. With the help of the internet, we got together with Benny Kane and Trace and made something that we can see soundtracking pool parties all year from our own party we’re doing all summer in Bondi to next season in Ibiza and beyond. We’re super proud of this record and can’t wait to see it grow.”
The track’s release coincides with Yolanda Be Cool’s stacked Australian Summer tour schedule, which included highly anticipated shows across the country, ensuring ‘Making My Daydream Real‘ becomes a staple of their electrifying sets.
With three global forces uniting for one unforgettable anthem, ‘Making My Daydream Real‘ is set to soundtrack the summer – a feel-good hit for the ages.
Stay connected with Yolanda Be Cool:
INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | X
Stay connected with Trace:
INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | FACEBOOK | X
Stay connected with Benny Kane:
INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | X
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PRESALE BEGINS MONDAY 13 JANUARY AT 12 PM AEDT
GENERAL ON-SALE BEGINS TUESDAY 14 JANUARY AT 12 PM AEDT
Legendary dance music pioneers GROOVE ARMADA are thrilled to announce their 2025 Australian tour, bringing their iconic sound and exhilarating DJ sets to Metro City in Perth on Thursday 27 February, and to the Roundhouse in Sydney on Saturday 8 March, presented by Untitled Group. The duo will play a further show in Melbourne as part of Live At The Gardens, presented by Roundhouse Entertainment.
Known for their groundbreaking fusion of house, big beat, and funk influences, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have been at the forefront of the global dance music scene for more than 25 years. With anthems like ‘I See You Baby’, ‘Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)’, and the Grammy-nominated ‘Superstylin’’, GROOVE ARMADA has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning three Grammy nominations, a Brit Award nomination, a string of UK Top 10 albums, and achieving five Top 40 albums in Australia. Fresh off the success of their 2022 career-spanning retrospective, GA25, which celebrated a quarter-century of dancefloor classics, GROOVE ARMADA continues to captivate audiences with their timeless sound.
GROOVE ARMADA – 2025 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
*Presented by Untitled Group
*Presented by Roundhouse Entertainment
Thurs 27 Feb – Metro City, Boorloo/Perth*
Sat 8th Mar – Roundhouse, Eora/Sydney*
Sun 9th Mar – Live At The Gardens, Naarm/Melbourne**
Renowned for their ability to craft euphoric dancefloor moments, GROOVE ARMADA’s DJ sets are a journey through iconic hits, deep cuts, and cutting-edge sounds. From unforgettable sets at Glastonbury to packed-out shows at Brixton Academy and festivals worldwide, their performances are a celebration of rhythm, soul, and the boundless energy of dance music.
Don’t miss the chance to witness GROOVE ARMADA behind the decks in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Secure your tickets and join the celebration of one of dance music’s most influential acts.
For more info on Groove Armada, visit:
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE | X | WEBSITE
999999999, Anfisa Letyago, Ben Sims, Dax J, Ellen Allien, Hector Oaks, Kobosil, Mall Grab, Vtss and many more are announced to perform at Terminal V Croatia
World renowned Scottish techno festival Terminal V returns to Tisno, Croatia, for what will be a standout second edition from July 17th to 21st 2025. The scene-leading festival once again offers four open-air stages, beachside dance floors and intimate relaxation areas by the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea at The Garden Resort for thousands of dedicated music lovers. They will assemble for another cutting-edge soundtrack that offers up the very best in techno from across the spectrum and a mix of legends, new school stars and plenty in between.
Terminal V is known for pulling out all the stops when it comes to production, and that will be the case again in summer with cutting edge light and sound across the superb Barbarella’s, the more secluded Olive Grove, the epic Main Stage and the superb Beach Stage. Tisno’s blissful Garden Resort is a natural hideaway with a sweeping bay, glistening Adriatic sea and the chance to dance under a hot sun or twinkling stars at a range of different venues as well as on unmissable daily boat parties and late night afterparties which run until sunrise. As if this wasn’t enough, there will be plenty of adrenaline-pumping water sports to enjoy by day.
Musically, there is plenty to get excited about with international stars like Hector Oaks, Kobosil, Ben Sims, Ellen Allien and Dax J joined by contemporary heroes such as VTSS, 999999999, Anfisa Letyago, Carv, Miss Bashful and DBBD and Hannah Laing amongst many more. From hard techno to euphoric trance and everything in between, all shades of sound will be catered for.
Backed by 50 years of party expertise from the legendary Pacha Ibiza, this is an unmissable event with another of the world’s most sought after DJs. Availability on the dancefloor is limited, so secure your spot now.