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Melody Moko Shares Suburban Dream
Melody Moko is changing the face of country music as we know it with the release of her stunning new album “Suburban Dream”. Melding contemporary and edgy lyrical content with finely finessed Americana production, “Suburban Dream”is like no other release, and further cements the Golden Guitar Award winning artist, as an unrivalled innovator of the craft.
As a whole, “Suburban Dream”, is an exploration of life as a wife in suburbia with Melody putting her life under a microscope, magnifying the struggles and joys she’s experienced over the past two years. If there’s one thing we all know and love about Melody Moko it’s her no-holds-barred honesty and guts to frame it exactly how it is.
With the ability to reach more people after the success of her previous record, Melody set out to show what she stands for, make a stand for the issues that she faces as a mother, a member of the queer community, an activist, and a woman. The album is almost protest art, bold and emblazoned with hard-hitting, and sometimes hard to hear messages.
“Suburban Dream was born from darkness and depression, the record is a diary entry into what it looks like to hit rock bottom and documents both the downfall and the recovery, it’s equal parts hopeful and hopeless”, says Melody Moko.
Following on from her wildly successful release, “Two Kids and A Radio”, which saw Melody bring home a QMA Award, a Golden Guitar Award and a nomination for the prestigious Australian Music Prize, Melody and producer/instrumentalist husband, Michael Moko (Fanny Lumsden, Sara Storer, Kasey Chambers) finished a national tour with Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley, boarded a plane to play revered US music festival, AmericanaFest and hit Nashville to work with Grammy Award nominated producer, Neilson Hubbard (Mary Gauthier, Matthew Ryan) – this time collaborating with the whole band as producers, including Ruston Kelly’s guitarist, Juan Solorzano and Engineer at East Nashville’s Skinny Elephant Studio, Dylan Alldredge. The result is an album that starts with the strong foundations of incredible and tasteful musicians serving the songs, hits you in the guts with its unbridled honesty and leaves you with a lasting impression.
The first single,“The Outskirts”, released in late 2022, introduced us to the bold new sound with an almost indie, but always country, take on life in suburbia. The single received high rotation on ABC Country & CMT, numerous Apple Music playlists and entered the Radio Monitor charts in its second week at number #31.
“Jesus Year came about from a concept my manager (Kaz Waters) wanted me to embody. A Jesus Year is your 33rd year, a year where you are reborn in some sense. I felt that after suffering badly with Post Natal Depression after the birth of my third child, I had recovered a better person than I had been going into it. This song celebrates the idea that out of adversity comes triumph”, says Melody.
“I was shocked because when we created this clip, Jazmyn, Kaz and I wanted to make a powerful visual message to support the track, which is a song about rebirth after a mental health crisis, so in including ‘that scene’ we believe we were representing the intensity of how that situation feels – I never assumed it would be considered gory! I also strongly support art without censorship. Being part of a genre and wider industry that visually represents the objectification of women and sexism in music videos regularly, I am quite taken aback that a bit of fake blood causes a video to be banned”.
The Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards lit up Tamworth last night, celebrating the very best in Australian country music. With 17 categories recognizing work from October 2023 to September 2024, the evening was filled with historic wins and unforgettable performances.
Troy Cassar-Daley dominated the night, taking home five awards, including Male Artist of the Year, Toyota Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Some Days.” His total tally of Golden Guitars now stands at an incredible 45, cementing his place as Australia’s most decorated country artist.
Global country superstar Keith Urban added a new accolade to his collection with the prestigious Roll of Renown induction and Top Selling Australian Country Album for HIGH. Reflecting on his journey from Peel Street to global stardom, Urban described the honour as a dream come true.
Max Jackson, last year’s New Talent of the Year, added two more awards to her name, including Female Artist of the Year, while delivering a stunning performance of her winning single, “A Little More Country.”
Local favourite Ashleigh Dallas celebrated another win with Setting Suns crowned Traditional Country Album of the Year, and Casey Barnes’ upbeat album Mayday secured Contemporary Country Album of the Year.
Collaborations shone brightly as The Wolfe Brothers and Kaylee Bell’s “Beer in a Bar” earned Vocal Collaboration of the Year. Meanwhile, bluegrass queen Kristy Cox picked up her seventh Golden Guitar for Let It Burn.
Emerging talent also took centre stage. Lane Pittman, currently on tour with Luke Combs, was named New Talent of the Year, marking an exciting chapter for the former Tamworth local.
The night reflected the heart and talent of country music in Australia, wrapping up one of the busiest and most vibrant festival’s in recent memory.
Rising country music star Felicity Kircher has been named the 45th Toyota Star Maker, following an electrifying Grand Final at the 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival. Representing Tingalpa, Queensland, Kircher captivated the audience with heartfelt performances of her original songs Dear Rose and Ultimatum, securing her place as one of Australia’s most promising emerging artists.
Kircher, a seasoned performer and multi-instrumentalist, has spent over a decade honing her craft on stages across Australia. From touring with Kasey Chambers to standout appearances at festivals like Gympie Muster and Savannah in the Round, she has solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in contemporary country music. Her recent single, I Am Cry, has been making waves on radio and streaming platforms, further showcasing her versatility and talent.
The competition, held at Toyota Park, featured 10 finalists backed by the renowned Sam Hawksley Allstar Band. Each delivered two songs, but it was Kircher’s unique voice, stage presence, and artistic depth that won over the judges.
Star Maker Coordinator Cheryl Brown praised Kircher’s readiness to embrace the next phase of her career: “Felicity is an inspiring artist who continues to test musical boundaries. We are excited to see her flourish with the support of the Star Maker program.”
As the Toyota Star Maker winner, Kircher receives a prize package worth over $100,000, including 12 months’ use of a Toyota vehicle, fuel cards, and recording opportunities. The Star Maker program has a legacy of propelling its winners into the spotlight, and Kircher’s victory promises an exciting future for the young artist.
Congratulations to Felicity Kircher on this remarkable achievement!
Southwest WA’s very own country singer-songwriter, Dave Kent, is making waves with the announcement of his new single, “Fifteen Minutes to Moora”, and his debut EP, “Nannup to Nashville”. Both projects are now available for pre-save, with the single dropping on January 27, and the EP following closely on January 31 via indie label RTC Records.
Kent’s “Nannup to Nashville” is more than just a collection of tracks; it’s a heartfelt journey through life’s twists and turns, painted with the raw honesty that only someone who’s lived every note can convey. After years on the sidelines, Kent has finally stepped into the spotlight, delivering songs that resonate with dreamers, wanderers, and anyone who’s faced life’s challenges head-on.
Born during a period of upheaval in his life, this EP captures the spirit of Americana while weaving tales of chasing dreams, navigating heartbreak, and rebuilding a life from the ground up. “I hope people enjoy it as much as I enjoy playing them,” Kent shares, highlighting the personal nature of this milestone project.
The standout track, “Fifteen Minutes to Moora”, is a heartfelt anthem that speaks directly to Australia’s Fly-In, Fly-Out (FIFO) workers. With vivid imagery and an evocative narrative, Kent encapsulates the emotional journey of those final moments on the road home after long stretches away. Set against the vast landscapes of Western Australia, the song echoes the timeless sounds of country greats like Ian Moss, Cold Chisel, and Fanny Lumsden.
For fans of authentic storytelling and heartfelt melodies, Kent’s EP promises to be an unforgettable experience. From the serene landscapes of Nannup to the neon lights of Nashville, his music bridges traditional country influences with a distinctly Australian twist.
Where to Catch Dave Kent Live
To celebrate the release of his new music, Dave Kent will be hitting the stage at some of Australia’s top venues, including:
- Sat 18/1 – Riverside Stage, 6:15 pm (TCMF)
- Sun 19/1 – Big Golden Guitar, 11 am (TCMF)
- Sun 19/1 – Toyota Fanzone, 3:30 pm (TCMF)
- Mon 20/1 – JB Hi-Fi Stage, 1 pm (TCMF)
- Sun 2/3 – Froth Craft, Bunbury
- Sat 19/4 – Rocky Ridge, Busselton
How to Support Dave Kent
Pre-save “Fifteen Minutes to Moora” and the digital EP “Nannup to Nashville” at the links below:
Pre-save Fifteen Minutes to Moora
Pre-save Nannup to Nashville Digital EP
Pre-order Nannup to Nashville Signed CD
Don’t miss this rising star as he brings his stories and songs to life, proving that no dream is too distant to chase.
Golden Night in Tamworth: Winners Announced for 53rd Golden Guitar Awards
Felicity Kircher Crowned Toyota Star Maker 2025
