BRETT WOOD SHARES INVIGORATING NEW SINGLE ‘EYES’ WHILST TOURING NATIONALLY ALONGSIDE PETE MURRAY

Today prolific singer, guitarist and songwriter Brett Wood continues his ascent as a solo artist, releasing his sumptuous sophomore single Eyes from his forthcoming debut album. An undeniable pillar in the Australian music community, with his resume spanning working alongside Pete Murray for 20 years, tenure with Melbourne rock act Electric Mary, and as an in-demand session musician, including appearing on 360’s breakout 2011 album Falling & Flying, Brett Wood is the ultimate musical lifer you’ve potentially never heard of – until now. Stepping out of the shadows, and following on from his debut solo outing Real Piece Of Work, Eyes also arrives today amid Brett touring as a key part of Pete Murray’s current 56-date tour, with multiple upcoming shows across Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

Pulsing with a hypnotic grooves and a simmering blues beat, Eyes is a polished outing from Brett, building a moody yet invigorating backdrop around lashings of soul, a hooky guitar solo and Brett’s effortless vocals. Inspired by the soulful and rhythmic acoustic stylings of Bill Withers, the sharply relatable lyricism and magnetic tension throughout Eyes also found its origins in a moment of self-reflection for Brett, as he elaborates, “Bill Withers helped to shape the sound of Eyes, for his forceful rhythm playing, that’s all over the intro. Then there’s Stevie Ray Vaughan, not the fast licks, but his overlooked melodic playing. The solo in Eyes is more of a hook than a shred; it’s emotional. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers snuck in there too, you might hear echoes of Mary Jane’s Last Dance. There’s Sheryl Crow, who I used to spin constantly, and Pete Murray you hang around a guy for 20 years, you pick up a thing or two. And for the blues heads, there’s even a cheeky little nod to Blind Lemon Jefferson buried in the lyrics.”

 

“This one came from the inside,” Brett adds. “I wasn’t looking outward for inspiration; it was more of a soul-dump. I’ve gone so far down one path in my career, it felt like time for a shift. That’s what the song is about: the moment when you realise something needs to change, and you finally make the move. Eyes in the back of my head… it could be about the people who weren’t in your corner. Or it could be about watching your own back, letting go of what’s behind you so you can move forward.”

 

Self-produced (“with a small circle of trusted ears keeping me honest along the way,” says Brett), Eyes was mixed and mastered by Gavin Parker, with Brett performing the entirety of the bass, guitars, acoustics and backing vocals; and joined by a bona fide rock’n’roll icon on drums, as Brettreveals, “Eyes has Chris Layton on drums… yep, that’s Chris Layton from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having him on drums makes it extra special. I still remember being on the phone with him from Melbourne, giving him notes on how I wanted things played, producing one of my heroes remotely from the other side of the world. That’s wild. Seeing it through to the finish line has been a real moment for me.”

 

Completely consumed by music since the age of 13, Brett Wood first picked up a nylon-string on a family holiday in Rosebud; “I started picking out the melody to Tears in Heaven like I was learning a song on the recorder,” shares Brett, “That was it. Cheers, Eric”. Evolving into a soulful singer, fierce guitarist and dexterous songwriter alongside a storied career to date, Brett’s hotly-anticipated upcoming debut album is now primed to cement him as one of Australia’s premier blues acts, finally stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist.

Having spent close to two decades as a touring and recording artist for Pete Murray, including musical parts written for Pete’s hit singles Free and Always A Winner, Brett has toured locally and internationally with Melbourne rockers Electric Mary for the past 14 years, and also played guitar on beloved Aussie rapper 360’s ARA Award-winning 2011 album Falling & Flying. And whether playing acoustic guitar on viral hits like Tinpan Orange’s Dumb Ways To Die, being endorsed by Tommy Emmanuel, performing across the globe from Byron Bay Bluesfest through to Pinkpop Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and V Festival, supporting Def Leppard and Rob Thomas, appearing onstage in multiple musical theatre productions, or gracing TV screens with several high-profile performances and appearances, Brett’s illustrious journey has emboldened his creative DNA, with his guitarwork and vocals coated in raw emotion bringing a breath of fresh air to every project, including his own.

Currently on the road supporting Pete Murray on a huge national run, and also playing lead guitar in Pete’s set – just Pete and Brett on stage, Australia has been gifted a chance to witness Brett in action in a whole new light, as he explains, “It’s been eye-opening in the best way. To have a few moments alone on stage to share my songs, that’s new territory, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. Seeing people connect with the music, even stuff they haven’t heard yet, has been really special. Also, I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t eat too close to stage time. A surprise burp mid-lyric will humble you fast.”

 

“It feels natural now,” Brett continues, “but it started back in 2007 or 2008. Pete’s drummer, Andy Silvio, recommended me after Pete’s original guitarist moved on. I’d only done a couple gigs with Andy, but we clicked, so he put my name forward. I flew back to Melbourne from Sydney with borrowed gear, auditioned, and next thing I knew, I was on Rove Live and flying to Europe for a tour. Been nearly 20 years, and it still feels like a privilege every night. I’m proud to be his right-hand man… or left-hand, since I play that way.”

Working on Eyes and his upcoming debut album “in the cracks between tours and recording”, Brett’s solo journey is only just getting started. And where Real Piece Of Work came out swinging earlier this year, Eyes lingers like a delectable warning; and there is plenty more material on the way, as Brett concludes, “The album’s coming. I’m working my arse off to get it ready and out into the world. If you’re into blues, soul, rock, or anything in between, if you want music that’s got grit and heart, I’d love for you to jump on board. People at the shows have told me they feel like I’m singing from my soul. That’s the only way I know how. If I’m not doing that, I’m wasting your time and mine.”

“More is definitely on the way. And I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

Eyes is out today.

Stream: EYES

BRETT WOOD – UPCOMING SHOWS SUPPORTING PETE MURRAY:

Tickets available from www.petemurray.com

THU 17 JUL | ANITA’S THEATRE, THIRROUL NSW | AA *SELLING FAST

FRI 18 JUL | ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | AA *SELLING FAST

SAT 19 JUL | YUIN THEATRE, BATEMANS BAY NSW | AA *SOLD OUT

SUN 20 JUL | CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE, CANBERRA ACT | AA *SELLING FAST

TUE 22 JUL | GOLDFIELDS ART CENTRE, KALGOORLIE WA | AA

WED 23 JUL | CUMMINS THEATRE, MERREDIN WA | AA

THU 24 JUL | QUEENS PARK THEATRE, GERALDTON WA | AA

FRI 25 JUL | RED EARTH ARTS PRECINCT, KARRATHA WA | AA * SOLD OUT

SAT 26 JUL | ROEBUCK BAY HOTEL, BROOME WA | 18+

WED 30 JUL | MANDURAH PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, MANDURAH WA | AA

THU 31 JUL | ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH WA | AA *SELLING FAST

FRI 1 AUG | THE RIVER, MARGARET RIVER WA | AA *SELLING FAST
SAT 2 AUG | ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, ALBANY WA | AA

SUN 3 AUG | BUNBURY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, BUNBURY WA | AA

WED 13 AUG | BEER GARDEN BREWING, PORT LINCOLN SA | 18+ *SOLD OUT

THU 14 AUG | BEER GARDEN BREWING, PORT LINCOLN SA | 18+ *SOLD OUT

FRI 15 AUG | NORWOOD CONCERT HALL, ADELAIDE SA | AA *SOLD OUT

SAT 16 AUG | SIR ROBERT HELPMANN THEATRE, MT GAMBIER SA | AA *SELLING FAST

SUN 17 AUG | LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL VIC | AA

THU 21 AUG | WEST GIPPSLAND ARTS CENTRE, WARRAGUL VIC | AA *SELLING FAST

FRI 22 AUG | THE UNION THEATRE, WONTHAGGI VIC | AA *SOLD OUT

SAT 23 AUG | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE VIC | AA

THU 4 SEP | THE QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, QUEANBEYAN ACT | AA

FRI 5 SEP | GARDEN HOTEL, DUBBO NSW | 18+

SAT 6 SEP | REVESBY WORKERS CLUB, REVESBY NSW | AA

SUN 7 SEP | BLUE MOUNTAINS THEATRE, BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW | AA *SELLING FAST

SOMA PEELS BACK THE LAYERS OF LOVE, OBSESSION AND INNER CHAOS ON FIERCE NEW SINGLE ‘RAW’

After turning heads and earning critical acclaim with her debut mixtape Cobra earlier this year, breakout alternate hip-hop artist SOMA returns with her boldest release yet: RAW
– a hypnotic, beat-heavy deep dive into the brutal honesty of heartbreak, obsession, and emotional survival.

Released today, RAW explodes with the lyrical intensity and rhythmic edge that’s becoming SOMA’s signature. Backed by gritty, atmospheric production from long-time collaborator Danny Duke, the track is a raw confession set to a dangerously seductive beat, exploring a toxic relationship that’s both intoxicating and unrelenting.

“I wanted to capture that feeling of knowing something is breaking you, but not being able to pull away,” SOMA says. “It’s not just about love, it’s about the parts of ourselves we protect, and what happens when we stop hiding.”

Blending razor-sharp poetry with infectious hooks, SOMA transforms pain into power, spinning vulnerability into weaponry. RAW doesn’t just hit hard, it lingers, echoing the duality of desire and destruction, self-love and sabotage.

With RAW, SOMA continues to cement her place as one of the most compelling voices in Australia’s alternative hip-hop landscape; unapologetic, unfiltered, and completely in her lane.

Following the success of her Cobra mixtape, which was hailed for its cinematic scope and unflinching storytelling, RAW signals the next chapter in SOMA’s evolution: fearless, emotionally charged, and sonically distinct.

Raw is released today.

STREAM: RAW

JEBEDIAH ANNOUNCE THIRTY ODYEARS TOUR CELEBRATING 30 YEARS AS A BAND, WITH FIRST EVER VINYL REISSUES AND NATIONAL TOUR FOR OCTOBER + NOVEMBER

How does one fittingly celebrate three decades, zero lineup changes, six studio albums and a legacy for authenticity and colossal acclaim? For beloved Australian rockers Jebediah, their 30th anniversary celebrations in 2025 are set to be as epic as the past 30 years, today announcing a special run of headline shows this October and November, as well as the reissue of some of their most iconic albums on vinyl.

Set to celebrate a sensational snapshot of their three decades as a band, Jebediah’s THIRTY ODYEARS Tour will commence on Thursday 16 October in Adelaide, before heading to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra, and closing out with two special hometown shows in Perth on Friday 31 October and Saturday 21 November.

Tickets for the THIRTY ODYEARS Tour are on sale now.

“It feels surprisingly not that old, despite the fact we are all well into our middle ages now,” shares leader singer Kevin Mitchell. “Being in this band is like stepping in and out of a time capsule. It doesn’t matter how many years go by, every time we are on stage, or in the studio, or rehearsal room or just hanging out together, it’s somehow 1995 again, you know? Obviously, our lives have changed immensely but when you are around lifelong friends I think there is a part of you that stays the age of your youth. You still relate to each other the same way you did as teenagers. I’m sure anyone who catches up with old school friends would have experienced this a bit. So that’s how it feels. It’s not always easy but it’s also a gift.”

A fitting addition to their milestone year in 2025, Jebediah fans will also be able to get their hands on a range of the group’s classic back catalogue on translucent vinyl, with some special reissues ‘The Murmur Years’ via Sony Music, and also some albums primed for their first ever vinyl pressing – Jebediah history in the making!

“The new vinyl releases will have awesome new artwork and some of them will be getting their very first vinyl release ever, so that’s exciting,” reveals Mitchell. “I’m also really excited about the digital re-releases as we have found lots of old demo recordings that no one has ever heard before and B-sides that have never been digitally released so they are going to be really cool collections of material that hopefully long-time fans will enjoy. That is one of the redeeming features of digital music and streaming and stuff, is that it is very easy to put that kind of stuff out

for people to hear. It’s really for us and the hard-core fans to enjoy, a place for all this archival stuff to sit publicly.”

Emerging back in 1995 decked out with shorts, sneakers and blue hair, Jebediah exploded into view with singles like Jerks of Attention, Leaving Home, Teflon, Harpoon and Animal, soundtracking countless summers, car stereos and festivals with their trademark infectious pop hooks and rowdy riffs that have only gotten bigger and better over the years. With multiple ARIA Award nominations, several Western Australian Music Industry Award wins under their belts, including being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, millions of streams, two Platinum-certified albums, as well as tours in their wake with everyone from The Smashing Pumpkins through to Powderfinger, You Am I, Jimmy Eat World and countless others, it’s an understatement to declare Jebediah as national Australian music heroes. But for the band, their ongoing longevity ultimately boils down to a key fact that transcends fame and fortune. “For us I believe it’s mostly got to do with the fact that we were already friends before the band started and did it as a fun way to hang out, maybe play some shows supporting our favourite bands, but that’s pretty much it,” says Mitchell. “So at the core of it, the glue that holds it together is the relationships. It’s really not held together by success or great ambition otherwise we would have broken up in 2005. So the secret for us I think has been wanting to keep the band together for reasons that are more than just about the music, or career stuff.”

And that very secret sauce Jebediah attributes to their longevity also carries over into their advice for any bands just beginning their own band journey: “It helps if you have a strong bond with the people in your band and can easily remember the reasons why you started playing in the first place, which should be to have fun. Commercial success, if you’re lucky to experience any at all, is fleeting, just like your time on this planet. Try and have some fun.”

With eight headline shows locked and loaded this October and November, Jebediah fans can expect plenty of favourites to be making appearances as part of the 30 Odyears Tour. But longtime fans will also be pleasantly surprised with what’s in store later this year, with the 30th anniversary run guaranteed to pay homage to the present and incredible past of Jebediah. “We’ve been playing a lot of festival sets where we wheel out all the hits, so to speak,” shares Mitchell, “so it’s time for us to curate a set of songs that aren’t just a parade of singles. So hopefully the set will be different to anything we’ve done before and be more of a deeper cross section of our history that represents a bit of everything.”

And if that’s not enough to celebrate 30 wonderful years of Jebediah, the band have a final parting scoop: “there might be a Jebediah documentary released soon.” Watch this space, and don’t miss your chance to celebrate one of Australia’s most beloved live acts hit stages around the country and toast to 30 years – and beyond!

Tickets for Jebediah’s THIRTY ODYEARS Tour are on sale now. Head to https://jebediah.ffm.to/thirtyodyears for tickets and information, as well as ticket, vinyl and limited VIP (including soundcheck and meet and greet access) bundles. Plus, limited runs of special merch will be available at all shows.

Slightly Odway reissue is out August 22 and available to presave HERE.

Of Someday Shambles and Jebediah reissues are out October 10.

JEBEDIAH – UPCOMING THIRDY ODYEARS TOUR DATES:

Presented by Double J

Tickets available from https://jebediah.ffm.to/thirtyodyears

THURS 16 OCT | LION ARTS FACTORY, ADELAIDE SA | TICKETS

FRI 17 OCT | ALTAR, HOBART TAS | TICKETS

SAT 18 OCT | THE CROXTON, MELBOURNE VIC | TICKETS

THURS 23 OCT | TRIFFID, BRISBANE QLD | TICKETS

FRI 24 OCT | FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | TICKETS

SAT 25 OCT | THE BASO, CANBERRA ACT | TICKETS

FRI 31 OCT | ROSEMOUNT HOTEL, PERTH | TICKETS

SAT 1 NOV | ROSEMOUNT HOTEL, PERTH | TICKETS