EMILY ULMAN SHARES EVOCATIVE NEW SINGLE ‘MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS’
A longtime champion of the Australian music industry, and an equally talented artist and storyteller herself, Melbourne’s Emily Ulman today returns with a raw yet charismatic new single Mountains Mountains Mountains, which also serves as a peek into her upcoming full-length album set for release later this year.
Channelling the serene confessional qualities of Julia Jacklin with the poetic beauty of Big Thief and the folksy charm of Pinegrove, Mountains Mountains Mountains is a cinematic and tender ode to life’s juxtaposing moments, with Ulman lyrically wearing her heart on her sleeve while also delivering a mesmerising performance rooted in softly blurred indie rock, folk and pop hues. “I love the Japanese proverb: The reverse side has a reverse side”, shares Ulman. “Nothing is ever just one thing. Beneath every surface there is something else waiting to be seen; it reminds us to look deeper, to question first impressions. Mountains Mountains Mountains is about the beauty and the rot, about pleasure and grief, and how even the most pristine places carry traces of what came before. We live in the layers. In what is visible, what is hidden, and the quiet charge in between.”
“This song came out of a moment that felt both intimate and expansive,” Ulman adds. “A parked car. A sweeping view. A private undoing. It’s about renewal, about sexuality, about finding awe in the aftermath. There’s tension in it. Between what’s pristine and what’s overgrown. The beauty lives not in the separation, but in the merging of the two to become something new.”
Produced and mixed by Bonnie Knight (Amyl and the Sniffers, Angie McMahon, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers), and mastered by Simon Berckelman (Courtney Barnett, Passenger, Lime Cordiale, Cate Le Bon), Mountains Mountains Mountains expands on Ulman’s most recent single, the softly amiable Every Hillside which unveiled back in March, with the latest track also featuring contributions from Gab Strum (Japanese Wallpaper, Mallrat, Gretta Ray) on piano, bass and synth, Soren Maryasin (Stella Bridie, Chitra) on drums, and Alex Lashlie (Closet Straights, Loose Tooth) on guitar and backing vocals.
For over two decades, Emily Ulman has been a driving and defining voice in Australian music, both on stage and behind the scenes. Through her lengthy tenure championing artists, Ulman has curated and programmed lineups at some of Melbourne’s most iconic venues, including The Prince Bandroom, The Gasometer Hotel, and The Toff In Town, and has also programmed some of Australia’s most significant music events, including Brunswick Music Festival, White Night Melbourne, the CHANGES summit, and her own award-winning online festival Isol-Aid, which was awarded Best Festival at the 2021 Music Victoria Awards. Most recently, Ulman served as Executive Program Director for ALWAYS LIVE, a Victorian state-wide celebration of contemporary music that spans emerging artists through to international icons, with everything from sell-out stadiums to intimate venues playing home to these one-off, exclusive and community-focused events.
A key force motivating the Australian music scene towards a more progressive, inclusive and artist-first future, Ulman’s musical output is as revered as her work behind the scenes, renowned for her raw and evocative songwriting and infectious melodies that bewitch the soul. Releasing her first new music in over a decade in 2025, Ulman’s latest single, Mountains Mountains Mountains, is a delightful step closer to the long-awaited release of her brand-new album, with the follow-up to her 2015 album WEAR IT WELL set to release later this year.
“I think of songwriting as emotional archaeology,” says Ulman, “digging through memory and feeling to see what might still be living underneath. I’m drawn to the quiet intensity of a moment or phrase and the way a single word can unearth something you thought was long buried. I write to excavate. I sing to preserve. I make to stay awake to the mess and the magic of it all.”
“Releasing Mountains Mountains Mountains, and music again in general, is both a relief and a revelation,” Ulman concludes. “It feels like returning to a part of myself I almost forgot I missed.”
Mountains Mountains Mountains is out today.
EMILY ULMAN – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
MON 2 JUN | MERRI CREEK TAVERN, NORTHCOTE VIC
Tickets
Stream: Mountains Mountains Mountains
NARDIA SHARES SULTRY NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO IS IT YOU SINGLE LAUNCH SHOW SET FOR MELBOURNE THIS MONTH
Effortlessly smooth and laden with charm, the brand new single Is It You out today from award-winning songwriter Nardia offers a glimpse into the talented Melbourne artist’s hotly-anticipated album Own Every Scar set for release this July, with Nardia also dropping a fittingly whimsical accompanying music video today for her dreamlike new single. Nardia will also officially launch her track live in action with a special hometown show on Sunday April 13 at Brunswick Ballroom.
Drawing on echoes of Childish Gambino’s smooth R&B textures along with the heartfelt storytelling of Adele and Carole King, Is It You is a bright yet deeply raw outing, with Nardia effortlessly weaving her powerful vocals against personal narratives and a glossy backdrop of soulful R&B. A joyful fusion of soul, depth and raw emotion, Is It You ultimately details the kindling of attraction, as Nardia herself elaborates, “Is it You captures that moment of intrigue when you meet someone and feel an undeniable pull toward them. There’s an instant spark, but beneath the surface, questions linger like who are they beyond what they show the world? Is the connection real, or is it just the allure of the unknown? The song explores the tension between attraction and curiosity, the desire to uncover someone’s true essence, and the mystery that makes love both exciting and uncertain, leaving you feeling uncomfortably excited.”
Teaming up with Mat Rob at Hope St Studios, also Nardia’s main co-writer for all of her original songs, Is It You also saw Nardia work alongside Ivan Khatchoyan (Cookin’ on 3 Burners, The Traffic, Thando), with mixing and mastering by Choi Productions. And to bring the creative vision of Is It You to life in a visual setting, Nardia paired with Matthew Kelley for the accompanying music video, with the sublime concept springing to life in an extremely short space of time. “I worked closely with Matthew Kelley from Mindseye Productions,” shares Nardia, “and from the moment he heard the track, he was inspired. Within 24 hours, he had a fully formed concept and couldn’t wait to share his vision with me. His passion and professionalism were incredible—he created a detailed mood board, an animatic, and even scheduled a rehearsal before the shoot to ensure every moment was captured perfectly. The result is a visually stunning music video that brings the song’s emotions to life through cinematic storytelling. Set in a retro diner where reality blurs with fantasy, the clip transports viewers into a dreamlike world of longing and mystery. As neon lights flicker and time seems to stand still, we are left wondering—was it really him, or was she simply lost in a dream?”
Growing up with a blues guitarist father and surrounded by a family who played music, Nardia was drawn early on to music that told stories and moved people. Also drawn to the stage early on, over time Nardia would soon find her voice, both literally and figuratively, leading her to carving out a firm reputation for her breathtaking intensity and musical prowess. Imbued by music’s power to heal, connect and make people feel seen, Nardiahas captivated audiences at home and abroad over the years, previously supporting the likes of Russell Morris and Tex Perkins, and performing in the VIP lounges for Beyonce and Adele’s Australian tours, delivering soulful and memorable sets. Having also starred in the sold out musical Eulogy for a Genius, a Ray Charles tribute, Nardia also leads her own Etta James and B.B. King show with Jimi Hocking of The Screaming Jetsfame. Alongside her myriad of creative pursuits, Nardia also fronts the Melbourne-based collective Rambal, whose 2016 and 2018 releases Let Love and Live in Newcastle garnered them national attention, with the band also winning Group of the Year at the 2017 Australian Blues Music Awards and scoring a #1 on the Australian Blues Charts in 2017. Most recently, Nardia earned a Top 5 spot at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, making her the only female artist to reach the finals among 400 acts; a feat that is definitely only the beginning of some incredible things to come for this talented artist. “It was an absolute honour to be selected as a finalist in the International Blues Challenge (top 5 out of 400 in the band category and was the only female),” Nardia says. “Heading to Memphis was a dream come true! Competing on such a prestigious global stage was a surreal experience, but beyond that, it provided an amazing opportunity to connect with some of the most talented musicians from around the world. As part of this opportunity, I had the privilege of meeting Darin James and Boo Mitchell, who will now be joining me on this exciting new chapter of my music career. This experience has already opened so many doors, and I can’t wait to see where it will take my music. With this new team, I’m working on a contemporary R&B album, but rest assured, my music will always be rooted in the jazz and blues that shaped my sound. Those soulful foundations are at the core of everything I do, and I’m thrilled to continue blending those influences with fresh, modern elements. It’s a thrilling time, and I’m eager to see where this next phase will lead!”
Nardia is set to launch Is It You officially in Melbourne, with a special show locked in on Sunday April 13 at Brunswick Ballroom. And boasting Nardia with a 10-piece band joining her, this is definitely set to be a night to remember, as Nardia elaborates, “My live shows are all about energy, storytelling, and emotion. I love taking the audience on a journey. One moment, you’ll be feeling every lyric deeply, and the next, you’ll be swept up in a powerful, soulful groove. Expect big vocals, a dynamic band, and an experience that leaves you feeling something long after the last note fades. For the single launch the band will feature a 10-piece band which will include the sweet sounds of harmonies from artists Jaydean Miranda and Tyra Lewis and a horn section featuring Charlie Woods and Nathaniel Sametz.”
Locked in to travel to Nashville the day after her single launch show to finalise her new album Own Every Scar, Is It You is the beginning of a beautiful journey for Nardia in 2025; and there’s plenty more magic yet to come.
“Releasing Is it You feels like a powerful new chapter in my journey,” Nardia concludes. “This song is deeply personal, yet universally relatable—it’s about self-reflection, love, and longing. There’s always a mix of excitement and vulnerability when putting something new out into the world, but I can’t wait for people to connect with it in their own way.”
Is It You is out today.
Own Every Scar is due out this July.
SUN 13 APR | BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, BRUNSWICK VIC | ALL AGES
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
ATLAS FRANKLIN ALEXANDER SHARES EFFERVESCENT NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘NEW REMEDY’ TAKEN FROM UPCOMING NEW EP ‘FLEXIBLE NEW REPLICA’ OUT MARCH 13
An ethereal exploration into vulnerability, atmospheric whimsy and psych pop elements, the brand-new track New Remedy out today from Newcastle artist Atlas Franklin Alexander wields nostalgic modernity, while also offering glossy insight into what lies in wait at the core of his impending new EP, Flexible New Replica, due March 13, and celebrating its release with an east coast tour, set to hit Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne in March.
A raw yet resplendent outing that glimmers with touches of Peter Gabriel’s experimental 80s side, Radiohead’s atmospheric dreaminess, Tame Impala’s synth-meets-psych-pop sensibilities and a dash of Kurt Vile’s vulnerability, New Remedy also firmly showcases Atlas Franklin Alexander’s ability to balance modern hues with throwback tendencies, while also traversing extremely relatable lyrical fare in an open-veined fashion, as Atlas Franklin Alexander shares, “New Remedy is about finding clarity in the middle of confusion. It’s that feeling of wanting to fix something that feels broken, but not knowing exactly how. There’s a vulnerability in wanting to make things right, and this song explores that tension. It’s a mix of personal reflection and a kind of quiet desperation for resolution. I think it’s a universal feeling—wanting a “remedy” for what ails you, whether it’s a relationship or just your own inner struggle. In terms of inspiration, it came from a combination of personal experience and the way those emotions often feel heightened in moments of uncertainty. There’s a bit of that ‘80s energy where everything felt bigger—more dramatic—but also something modern, like trying to capture those feelings in today’s world. It’s kind of like a snapshot of a moment when you’re searching for something that feels like it could fix everything, even if you don’t know exactly what that is.”
Teaming up with long-time collaborators Harri Gilbert and Dave Fulham, the accompanying video for New Remedy perfectly encapsulates the single’s otherworldly sonics, while also channelling its lyrical content through abstract yet entirely fitting visuals. “I came up with the concept and directed the video myself with the help of two pals Harri Gilbert and Dave Fulham,” Atlas Franklin Alexander explains. “The video is a bit of an abstract reflection of the song’s themes—like an exploration of the different facets of human experience. You’ve got the green man dancing in the kitchen—he’s kind of a symbol for something that’s “other,” something outside the typical norm. There’s the girl who is in love with a robot—representing that strange tension between human connection and the things we create, I’d say in 5-10 years these kind of relationships with robots will become our reality. Then we have the fortune teller, predicting what is all about to unfold, and finally we got the gang of youths and I’m there, singing the song, trying to make sense of it all. It’s about navigating confusion and finding that piece of clarity, even in the midst of chaos.”
An immersive and holistically DIY labour of love, both New Remedy and its overarching body of work, Flexible New Replica, was written, recorded and produced entirely by Atlas Franklin Alexander, with the six tracks all simultaneously standing alone as separate creative journeys, and carrying a sharp yet cohesive creative thread. From its buoyant opener, New Remedy, Flexible New Replica unfurls into percolating 80s synth wave (Firebird), modern ambience (Crave), lolling atmospheric bliss (Dolphins), ethereal haze built for driving down dark highways at night with the windows rolled down (Young Love) and, ultimately, an uplifting cloud of smooth textures and languid-yet-driving beats via closing track Brighter Days. A deeply engaging collection of tracks that collectively celebrate a retro-future aesthetic, Flexible New Replica is also firmly helmed from start to finish by this talented artist, with the entirely solo endeavour a soaring reflection of catharsis and self-exploration, as he elaborates, “It is a true DIY project—everything from the writing to the recording to the production came from my home studio, where I’ve always felt most connected to the work. I think there’s something deeply personal and reflective in making music this way. It’s not about perfection; it’s about honesty. Each instrument is played by me, each decision made with a purpose, even if it’s an imperfect one. In a way, the song becomes an extension of my environment, my mindset. There’s a certain beauty in the DIY process, in shaping everything from the ground up, even if it’s a little rough around the edges. That’s where the real magic lies for me.”
Hailing from Mulubinba/Newcastle, Atlas Alexander Franklin has dazzled with his post-punk and indie pop wiles over the years, layering lashings of imagination across ambient synths and immersive beats in a way that is both fresh and familiar; and entirely fascinating. Releasing his debut EP ENTER ECHO in 2021, Alexander blends raw emotion into his sonic dreamscapes, offering uplifting messaging and relatability along with resplendent catharsis. And, for Alexander, his musical output is as much a therapy for himself as it is for any of his listeners who venture into his spellbinding creations. “It’s almost like writing music is my form of self-therapy,” shares Alexander. “The drive to understand, to express what’s inside through writing & recording. My song writing came from wanting to create something that was completely real & honest with no outside influences. So yes, it’s definitely like I’m counselling myself through my music lol. I just have always had and will always have this strange impulse to create stuff. Sounds a bit hippie-dippie but music’s always been my way of navigating life, and this project came from wanting to make something completely on my own terms.”
With the imminent release of Flexible New Replica, Atlas Franklin Alexander is also set to embark on a special run of shows in support of the new EP, with the Flexible New Replica Tour visiting Wollongong on March 7, Sydney on March 13 and Melbourne on March 21.
New Remedy is out today.
Flexible New Replica is due out March 13.
ATLAS FRANKLIN ALEXANDER – UPCOMING SHOWS:
Tickets available from https://linktr.ee/atlasfranklinalexander
FRI 7 MAR | TBH, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+
THURS 13 MAR | HOLLYWOOD HOTEL, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
FRI 21 MAR | LULIES TAVERN, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+