David James Young

As we come to the end of the year and list season approaches, you’re going to see lots of familiar names.

In the last 18 months, Like a Version has signalled more than just an artist promoting a new album or tour. It’s signified some semblance of normality in the world.

James Reyne is a standard-setter. How so? Simple: If you’re in a pub cover band, rocking any dive or RSL on any given Sunday, and your set doesn’t include at least two songs sung by James Reyne? Sorry mate, you’ve not achieved the required standard.

Across 2020 and 2021, most artists coming out of lockdown and performing live again dipped their toes in with a considerable degree of trepidation – usually in front of a small, reduced-capacity crowd at an intimate venue.

With barely a half-dozen songs to his name, Kobie Dee‘s career thus far has been a living, breathing exercise in quality over quantity.

Our next guest is Jerry Cantrell, best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of grunge legends Alice in Chains.

Dianas’ second album ‘Baby Baby’ – the Melbourne trio’s first full-length in five long years – should have been a celebration.

There’s a moment where you almost can’t tell it’s them.

Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all you need.

Becoming friends with Ben Lee was not on my 2021 bingo card.

In a more predictable timeline, NME would have been speaking to Wave Racer on the occasion of his debut album maybe in 2016.

“G’day, Blackie! How are ya?” When Tim Rogers and Peter Black (the aforementioned “Blackie”) are connected together in a Zoom meeting late Thursday afternoon, they launch straight into a catch-up.

Something seems to change in Tyrone Lindqvist's voice when he's speaking to people back in Australia.

Pond aren’t all in the same place at the same time to celebrate the release of their new studio album, 9. Not for the reason you’d think, however: they’re not locked down, they’re all in different parts of the world.

When one half of Amyl & the Sniffers log on to a Zoom meeting with Junkee, the reality of their new album Comfort to Me has not yet set in.