“This is our chance to be the band that we’ve always wanted to be”
~ Shaun Diviney, Short Stack
UNFD is thrilled to announce Australian rock trio Short Stack as its latest signing, alongside the reveal of the band’s new single + video ‘Burn You Down‘ today. To celebrate the release, Short Stack will play one night in Sydney on Thursday with special guests Redhook. Full details below.
It comes after the trio caused a stir with the announce of their comeback national tour in early 2020 which saw multiple cities sold out in a matter of hours. The now rescheduled run is set to hit capital cities across April, with limited tickets still available HERE.
On reforming and creating new music together, Short Stack vocalist Shaun Diviney shares:
“Everything about how we approached this was different… where we used to find a lot of pressure to deliver something specific, we approached this with the thought that this is our chance to be the band we’ve always wanted to be.”
On the signing, UNFD General Manager Luke Logemann shares that the label has long-admired Short Stack for the intense fan culture they’ve built around their band.
“I’ve always admired Short Stack for their ability to build such a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase, and for how unapologetic they were in doing so. That’s always been the ethos of UNFD as a label and our bands, to care about the music and the fans first and approval last,” he says, adding:
“I saw them play Festival Hall over ten years ago, and I remember being overwhelmed by how passionately the fans sang every word back at them. They wrote huge bangers that you could never get out of your head, even if some people didn’t want to admit it. The best thing is, all of that still rings true – they still have crazy fans, they still sell out venues and they still write huge bangers. Based on how good the new material is, I reckon they’ll be doing this long into the future as well.”
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BLUESFEST IS 85% SOLD OUT
MARK SEYMOUR AND THE UNDERTOW (Easter Monday)
It’s only FOUR WEEKS exactly until we throw open the gates and welcome live music back. The 2021 Bluesfest will take place on April 1st – 5th at the beautiful Byron Events Farm (formerly the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just 10 minutes north of Byron Bay.
Bluesfest continues to make history – It will be the first multi-day, multi-stage camping festival in the world to be staged since the beginning of the pandemic. With our All-Aussie Talent – all itching to climb onstage – we are poised not just to bring back live music – but to do it in a thrilling atmosphere with a large audience.
Pete Murray, Mark Seymour & The Undertow and Kate Ceberano join our headline lineup to play on the final day of Bluesfest – and this will make Easter Monday a special day to be at Bluesfest. In fact, Easter Monday is shaping up now to be one of the highlight days of the Easter weekend.”
For further information on the line-up or artists please see here.
Following recent cuts with Thornhill’s Jacob Charlton and Ecca Vandal released in the lead up to its announce, the rest of Hyperdaze (Redux) finds VOV collaborating with the likes of Jamie Hails (Polaris), Jon Deiley (Northlane), Lucas Woodland (Holding Absence), Garrett Russell (Silent Planet) & more.
Void Of Vision vocalist Jack Bergin declares how the Redux release finds the intensity of the original Hyperdaze completely dialled up on a notch:
“The people I hand picked for each track not only bring their own influence on board, but also build on what was already such an emotionally heavy release. It’s fully shaken the album up and spat it out somehow even more powerful than the original. We are super proud that we could create such a bold and collaborative project and still have it translate as we originally intended it to.”
After revealing a new music video for ‘Decay’ ft. Ecca Vandal earlier this week, today’s album announcement comes alongside another taste of the release with the reveal of ‘Splinter’ ft. Loathe‘s Kadeem France. Meanwhile, fans can snatch an early listen of Jamie Hails’ feature on ‘Slave To The Name’ premiering on triple j’s short.fast.loud tonight from 10pm AEDT.
Hyperdaze (Redux) drops in full this Friday March 5 through UNFD. Fresh from being announced on The Amity Affliction‘s Australian headline tour, VOV announced two Melbourne headline shows of their own that sold in a matter of hours. The band play two nights at Sooki Lounge later this month.
PRE-SAVE ‘HYPERDAZE (REDUX)’ NOW On crafting the release throughout the throes of lockdown, Bergin shares how he curated such an epic list of guests:
“After reaching out to some of our close peers and friends in the music industry we quickly locked some names in on their respective tracks to get the ball rolling,” he explains.
“From there we looked at the 2020 Void Of Vision touring schedule that never came to be and reached out to a bunch of the names we were supposed to be sharing stages with. Overall we felt free to get creative and branch out and that lead to hitting up some people up outside of our realm (Ecca, Up Late) that could really take a track and flip it on its head.”
Throughout February, Void Of Vision began teasing the project with the release of reimagined versions of fan-favourite Hyperdaze tracks, from Jacob Charlton’s appearance on ‘Year Of The Rat’ and an unlikely team up with none other than Ecca Vandal on ‘Decay’.
The remainder of Hyperdaze (Redux) offers an epic mix of sheer chaos, pulsing EDM, lighter shades and more, as VOV and collaborators alike each flirt with the edge of possibility.
With its release in September 2019, the original Hyperdaze seized a stark brand of bleakness akin only to Void Of Vision. On top of knockout global album reviews upon its release, the band went on to support Northlane around Australia, and took to festivals including Heaven & Hell, Schemaand UNIFY before sneaking in a headliner across Australia and Japan in early 2020.
Void Of Vision now emerge with Hyperdaze (Redux), out in full this Friday.
VOID OF VISION
MELBOURNE HEADLINE SHOWS
Thursday March 18 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (SOLD OUT)
Friday March 19 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (SOLD OUT)
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Breaking – Today the highly-coveted SoundMerch Australian Music Prize has been awarded to The Avalanches for their acclaimed album We Will Always Love You for the most outstanding creative Australian record of the last year. Not only do they take out the prestigious award but land $20,000 in prize money thanks to SoundMerch.
Rising above 88 album nominations that were then carefully narrowed down to a shortlist of eight other amazing Australian albums, The Avalanches’ We Will Always Love You was chosen by the panel of 48 judges to be the most important album release of the year.
Melbourne’s own The Avalanches ambitious third album We Will Always Love You overflows with ideas, samples, and guests across their unique blend of blissed-out disco, soul, and psychedelia featuring the voices and sounds of artists such as Blood Orange, Jamie xx, Weezer, Denzel Curry, and more. Continuing to evolve and push the boundaries of their sound across each record, the group remains as forward-thinking and intriguing as they began.
The Avalanches share, “We’re so thrilled to be the winners of the prestigious AMP Award and be amongst the esteemed winners of the past. We’d love to thank everyone involved in making this award happen especially Sound Merch, also to the many people who helped us put this record together. A truly special day for us and we’re so grateful.“
2020 was another impressive year for Australian music, particularly within an industry that experienced unprecedented struggles and challenges. The art that has been produced throughout and as a result of these times has demonstrated the resilience and power in the craft, and those artists behind it including new and familiar voices bleeding out from all corners of the country, including Miiiesha’s debut record Nyaaringu, Gordan Koang’s Unity, Alice Ivy’s Don’t Sleep, and more.
The AMP has and continues to rise above genre, popularity, politics or sales, and focuses entirely on artistic merit. Discerned by a panel of over 40 judges comprised of artists, journalists, programmers and presenters, retailers, and more, the group compiles a long-list before heavily debating the AMP shortlist, and eventually finalists.
The Australian Music Prize founder Scott Murphy shares, “Winning The AMP this time is a ‘mean feat’ as there were plenty of great contenders so I congratulate The Avalanches on winning the 16th AMP, you deserve it. I’d like to thank all our judges and partners for pulling off our 16th prize during difficult times.”
As always, the AMP wishes to thank the industry support from long term champions of the coveted prize, including APRA AMCOS and Mushroom Group, the prize continues to exist not just to celebrate the album as a respected format, but to recognise and celebrate our thriving nation of musicians and their original work.
THE SOUNDMERCH AUSTRALIAN MUSIC PRIZE FINALISTS
Alice Ivy – Don’t Sleep
The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You
Blake Scott – Niscitam
Emma Donovan and The Putbacks – Crossover
Fanny Lumsden – Fallow
Gordon Koang – Unity
Miiesha – Nyaaringu
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Ziggy Ramo – Black Thoughts
THE AMP WINNERS
2020 – The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You
2019 – Sampa the Great – The Return
2018 – Gurrumul – Djarimirri
2017 – Sampa the Great, Birds and the BEE9
2016 – A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
2015 – Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
2014 – REMI – Raw X Infinity
2013 – Big Scary, Not Art
2012 – Hermitude, HyperParadise
2011 – The Jezabels, Prisoner
2010 – Cloud Control, Bliss Release
2009 – Lisa Mitchel, Wonder
2008 – Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Primary Colours
2007 – The Mess Hall, Devils Elbow
2006 – Augie March, Moo, You Bloody Choir
2005 – The Drones, Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By
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Line-up: Ben UFO, Marcellus Pittman, Matt Radovich, Merve and Adriana
Buy Tickets Now: https://linktr.ee/piknicmel
Photos from the previous Piknic: CLICK HERE!!
Check out ‘The Bowl’s’ NEW layout HERE!!
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About Piknic Électronik:
Hardware Presents and Stable Music, team up to present the local edition of Piknic Électronik to an ever-growing Melbourne fan base, within the grounds of the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl. A quintessential Melbourne music location, which is easily accessible by public transportation, a short distance from the CBD and surrounded by greenery with ample space for ALL to enjoy a great Summer’s day.
Born in Montreal, Canada, over 17 years ago, the very unique concept of Piknic Électronik has travelled the world. Now a major cultural and festive summer event in Montreal, Piknic Électronik has had successful editions in Barcelona, Lisbon, Melbourne, Santiago, Austin and Dubai. Its innovative and popular formula has evolved into a friendly international expansion that has made the event and its name, a source of local pride in each city where it has set its roots and grown.
Piknic Électronik is a fun filled day party, where everyone can experience the best in electronic music in an open-air park environment, featuring delicious local food offerings and its renowned welcoming atmosphere… happening every Sunday for three months! A vision that Melbournians have wholeheartedly embraced over the past few seasons.
About Hardware Group:
Hardware, has been synonymous with the electronic music scene in Australia for over 30 years. An innovative force when the company was established by Richie McNeill in 1990. The company’s ethos is simple; deliver memorable music events and tours for people who love dance music. Hardware launched several new events in Australia that focus on delivering artists from a number of genres to music enthusiasts across the country including: Festival X, Tell No Tales, Babylon Festival, PURE and of course Piknic Électronik. Events with musical and creative passion.
For more info, go to:
Website: piknicelectronik.com.au
Facebook: Piknic Électronik Melbourne
Instagram: PIKNICMEL
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Presented by the First Nations owned and operated Gaba Musik, two one-off, multi-act music and culture events BLAKTIVISM and PASIFIX will celebrate Australia’s proud First Nations and Pacific Islander communities at Live at the Bowl next month.
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States made headlines and proliferated around the globe. It connected with activists in Australia who have long been speaking out about our own unique history of colonialism and how this affects our modern identity as a country. These Blak voices are on the rise.
Curated by Airileke and Deline Briscoe, Artistic Directors of Gaba Musik, these two events are a direct response to the global dialogue around the Black Lives Matter movement and Australia’s response to Indigenous sovereignty. By centring Blak voices, these events address the lack of Australian Pacific and First Nations cultural representation in the Australian performing arts fabric.
“The artists across these two major events are representative of the most exciting Pacific music in Australia, and some of the most outstanding voices of First Nations Australia,” say Artistic Directors of Gaba Musik, Airileke and Deline Briscoe.
On Saturday 3 April, BLAKTIVISM will bring together living legends and rising voices of First Nations political activism. Featuring Yothu Yindi, Bart Willoughby, Tasman Keith, Emma Donovan, Deline Briscoe, Allara, Kee’ahn, Sorong Samarai and Ziggy Ramo, the line-up represents voices from across generations. BLAKTIVISM begins with a Woi Wurrong led ceremony called Mundanai which means ‘embrace’; a cleansing ceremony for the year that has been and an acknowledgement of the pain of the past 200 years.
Then on Saturday 10 April, PASIFIX is an all-ages celebration of the incredible lineage of culture, music and tradition from Pacific artists across the archipelago. Featuring the renowned vocals, tight beats and big pop sounds of Ngaiire, viral hip-hop drill crew No Money Enterprise (NME) and the new boys of Aussie-Poly rap STNDRD; Pacific artists who are having an unmistakable impact on the Australian contemporary music scene.
Opening the evening will be the PASIFIX All Stars under the direction of Airileke – one of the Pacific’s leading musical identities. Fijian multi-instrumentalist Kaivili is joined by the Pasefika Vitoria Choir, the Drums of the Pacific and more special guests to be announced. Hosts for the evening will be Efeso (Fez) Faanana (Briefs Factory International) and Thomas (Kween Kong) Fonua (Haus of Kong).
PASIFIX has been made possible by supporters of the Arts Centre Melbourne Recovery Fund and is co-presented by Asia TOPA.
Stand up and join in what will be two extraordinary performances of cultural awakening at Live at the Bowl.
Gaba Musik is a First Nations owned and operated company, launching with BLAKTIVISM and PASIFIX. In Gugu Yalanji “Gaba” means rain and in Papua New Guinea “Gaba” means drum.
Tickets will go on sale from 12pm, Thursday 4 March via liveatthebowl.com.au
We’re excited to be welcoming visitors back to our venues in line with the most recent Victorian Government guidelines on COVID-19. We have opened our outdoor café Protagonist, the Sunday Markets as well as the Australian Music Vault. These openings coincided with the Live at the Bowl season, which officially kicked off on 8 January 2021.
We will continue to offer audiences the chance to experience the wonder of the performing arts via our digital hub – Together With You. For more information including: our opening plans and related health and safety policies; bookings for free and ticketed events; and other digital content and experiences, please visit artscentremelbourne.com.
Adelaide, we hope you’re ready to go Full Tilt! That’s right, Australia’s most exciting new Alternative music festival is thrilled to announce it will be heading your way!
Following the incredible response to the sold-out Melbourne edition and over 87% of tickets sold for the Brisbane edition, we can’t wait to bring this epic line up to Adelaide Showground on July 17.
Uniting from across the nation is a who’s who of the Australian Metal, Punk and Rock spectrums, spearheaded by ever evolving metalcore luminaries and Aria Award winners Northlane.
Joining them is a cavalcade of the best hard hitters in the land including Hands Like Houses, In Hearts Wake, Frenzal Rhomb, Thy Art Is Murder, Luca Brasi, Slowly Slowly, Make Them Suffer and more to be announced.
Along with market stalls, there will be a huge variety of vegetarian, vegan and meat food trucks and Kickass DJ’s spinning tunes between the best live bands in the Nation.
So, get ready to grab you ticket to what promises to be the best day ever!
Register for pre-sale accessGeneral Public Tickets On Sale: Friday 5 March, 9am AEDT local time
Head to www.destroyalllines.com for more information.
ADELAIDE, ADELAIDE SHOWGROUND – 18+
THY ART IS MURDER | LUCA BRASI | SLOWLY SLOWLY | MAKE THEM SUFFER
….AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
SATURDAY 3 JULY
MELBOURNE, COBURG VELODROME SOLD OUT
LINE-UP:
NORTHLANE | HANDS LIKE HOUSES | IN HEARTS WAKE | FRENZAL RHOMB
THY ART IS MURDER | LUCA BRASI | SLOWLY SLOWLY | MAKE THEM SUFFER | PRESS CLUB
ALPHA WOLF | THORNHILL | YOURS TRULY | THE BENNIES | DROWN THIS CITY
SATURDAY 12 JUNE
BRISBANE, EATON’S HILL OUTDOORS – 18+
LINE-UP:
NORTHLANE | HANDS LIKE HOUSES | IN HEARTS WAKE | THY ART IS MURDER | LUCA BRASI
SLOWLY SLOWLY | MAKE THEM SUFFER | FRENZAL RHOMB | PRESS CLUB
ALPHA WOLF | THORNHILL | YOURS TRULY | THE BENNIES | RELIQA
Tickets for Full Tilt Festival Brisbane is on-sale now.
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SUPPORT FOR ‘WHITE NOISE’
“Charged bursts of captivating alt-rock-meets-punk-pop that sits in-line with long-time influences from Sonic Youth and Savages.”
Pilerats (AUS)
“Teeth bared, Second Idol standing up with some fire in the belly here.”
Dave Ruby Howe – triple j Unearthed (AUS)
“The punk spirit is strong in this one! sorry, didn’t mean to sound like Yoda, but yeah there’s a confidence and stick it to the man type attitude pulsing through this.”
Declan Byrne – triple j (AUS)
Following on from the release of their critically praised debut single ‘White Noise’, Sydney-based alternative-rock trio Second Idol have just returned with the striking accompanying video clip – directed by Olivia Costa.
Shot in an abandoned warehouse studio in Lilyfield, Sydney, the video clip follows two men wrestling, fighting and dancing, exploring the tracks’ central themes of conflict between femininity and masculinity. As the clip unfolds, the contrast between the bands uniform like outfits and the two main characters sets the stage for the growing tension and violence.
Lead singer Kate Olivia talks about the process behind the clip:
“We filmed this in 40-degree heat late last year, which is incredibly ironic given what we’re wearing in the clip. It used to be an old car factory, and the room we filmed in felt a bit like an abattoir and had a very sinister feel about it. In between takes we were running to stick our faces in front of fans and portable air conditioning units. Given the extreme circumstances, it was an insane effort by all involved and we had an amazing crew who looked after us and were absolute troopers.”
Second Idol consists of Kate Olivia, Theia Joyeaux and Maxine Gillon, who take inspiration from alternative-rock luminaires Savages, Placebo and Sonic Youth. After launching ‘White Noise’ to a rapt crowd at Frankies Pizza on February 27, the band will continue their run with a performance at Mardi Gras for Queer As Fvck in early March and supporting August Auzins at The Factory Theatre.
Since release, the track has seen support from Australian radio stations triple j, triple j Unearthed, FBi, RTR, 4ZZZ, 2SER, Edge Radio and The Faction. It’s also been embraced by blogs Pilerats, The Music, Temporary Dreamer, Something You Said and Milky.
Outside of the band, the trio are proud members of Sydney’s LGBTQIA community and work with organisations such as Queer As Fvck, as well as queer and mental health charity Baylin’s Gift, located in lead singer Kate Olivia’s hometown of Kempsey on the Mid North Coast of NSW. “I’ve experienced prejudice and negativity in relation to my gender, sexuality and cultural background, so I’m reflexively a supporter of minority groups and the pursuit of equality” Kate adds.
‘White Noise’ is available worldwide now
SECOND IDOL
WHITE NOISE LAUNCH SHOWS
FRI 5 MAR | THE FACTORY THEATRE, MARRICKVILLE NSW *
SAT 6 MAR | QUEER AS FVCK MARDI GRAS, SYDNEY NSW
* Supporting August Auzins
FOLLOW SECOND IDOL
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
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Credit: Kyle Caulfield
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“…a hugely impressive demonstration of Slowly Slowly’s craft. 4/5.”
Kerrang!
“Slowly Slowly truly are the best there is.”
Blunt Magazine
“[Race Car Blues – Chapter 2] is new, exciting, and it’s pushing our concept of what we believe Slowly Slowly sounds like. 9.5/10.”
Wall Of Sound
“Slowly Slowly amplify the vulnerability and realism offered last year… completing the Race Car Blues saga with an album void of insincerity that dances across some darker pop-punk inclinations.”
Hysteria
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2020’s Race Car Blues met an acclaimed response, debuting at #8 on the ARIA Australian Album Chart, taking out the coveted triple j Feature Album slot and clocking knockout global reviews from the likes of Kerrang!, Dead Press, Beat Magazine, Tone Deaf, The Music + more.
Alongside the release of its brother Chapter 2 today, UNFD is pleased to feature both albums on a whopping 24-track double LP collection titled “Race Car Blues Extended Edition”. Available as an extremely limited collectors’ item, fans can snag remaining copies via 24Hundred now.
Slowly Slowly now prepare to play Live At The Bowl alongside Ocean Alley, Maddy Jane & The Grogans in March, head out on their rescheduled headline Race Car Blues national release tour in June, as well as feature at Full Tilt Festival in Melbourne & Brisbane. Details below.
‘Race Car Blues – Chapter 2’ Is Out Now Via UNFD
Stream It In Full +
Order ‘Race Car Blues Extended Edition’ LP collection now:
unfd.lnk.to/RCBExtended
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“Your Girl Pho has her own thing going on and it’s a damn good thing if you ask me” – Declan Byrne, triple j
“Welcome Your Girl Pho as she joins the upper echelon of Western Australian talent, and commences her journey to becoming a fully-fledged national name” – Pilerats
“Captivating until the last second” – LEFUTUREWAVE
“”I’m a new bitch in an old habitat” – that line is exhilarating and Your Girl Pho delivers the whole package with striding confidence.” – Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Unearthed
Today, Perth based vocalist/producer Your Girl Pho serves listeners a slice of perfect pop chaos, unveiling her latest single ‘Co Star’ alongside its accompanying music video, the first taste of her upcoming debut EP.
Co-produced with Matt Bartlem (Lastlings, Boo Seeka) who conjures the track’s dreamy atmosphere, ‘Co Star’ is a sophisticated pop anthem inspired by the hyper-personalised astrology app of the same name. Specifically the app’s user specific yet totally vague push notifications, which Phoebe received one day (during a mercury retrograde) prompting the hook of the song, “someone wants what you’ve got”.
“I wanted to release an upbeat, fun song capturing that sure and confident feeling of love,” Phoebe details, “the chorus is supposed to hit you with confidence to go up to your crush and tell it how it is!”
Right off the back of her 2020 triple j premiered single ‘Surrender’ and current nominations for ‘Best Live Electronic Act’, ‘Best Pop Act’ and ‘Most Popular Live Act’ at the West Australian Music Industry Awards, Your Girl Pho shows absolutely no signs of slowing down in 2021. She’ll be playing shows in Melbourne in March at Small Time and Colour.
BIOGRAPHY
Your Girl Pho is the vivacious on stage persona of Perth based vocalist/producer Phoebe Gunson. In a short time she racked up a slew of coveted support slots with the likes of Post Malone, The Avalanches, E^ST, Kllo, Alice Ivy & spots on acclaimed festivals Groovin’ The Moo, Falls Festival, Laneway, Listen Out, FOMO, Festival Vaiven (Mexico), Music Matters (Singapore), & in 2019 performed her first North American shows when she appeared on the prestigious Canadian Music Week lineup.
The power, sass and closeness of Pho’s voice is bigger than the limitations of genre, and in 2019 Acid Stag acknowledged her ability to experiment with her sound, referring to her single ‘Don’t Wanna’ as an “extremely impressive cross-genre offering that will leave you gobsmacked.” The crown jewel in her fizzing, elasticated blend of genres, Pho’s “soulful vocals” (NYLON) have enjoyed airplay with triple j, Beats 1, FBi Radio, RTRFM, 4ZZZ and more – via her own work as well as collaborations with electronic producers Palais, Tayrell and Ukiyo.
Often backed by her 4-piece band, consisting of drums & two saxophones, Pho’s warm, dynamic vocals and playful attitude certainly command the room. Acknowledgement of her enthralling live show was received in 2019 when she won the West Australian Music award for ‘Best Live Electronic Act’. Following on from a huge year in 2019 which included acclaimed releases ‘Five-Thirty PM’ and ‘Don’t Wanna’, which sat at #1 in the AMRAP metro download charts nationally, it’s no surprise she was snapped up by Untitled Group’s tastemaker label Daily Nightly in June of 2020.
The beginning of 2021 will see Pho ready her debut EP whilst continuing to perform shows in her home state of Western Australia.
Show Dates
Thu 4 March 2021 – Your Girl Pho @ Small Time, Melbourne
Fri 5 March 2021 – Your Girl Pho @ Colour, Melbourne
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | TWITTER
