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Oni Drops Brand New EP Genesis And Shares Lyric Video For ‘Erase’ – Backseat Mafia
Breakout Canadian metal visionary Oni has dropped his highly-anticipated new EP today, titled ‘Genesis’. Following a year of single releases and skyrocketing trajectory, mastermind Jake Oni has unveiled his full vision, capping off the release with the crushing new song ‘Erase’. Produced by Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox), ‘Genesis’ is an alt-metal milestone, ushering in a new anthemic direction for the project. All killer, no filler, the EP features incendiary tracks including ‘Deja Vu‘, ‘Walk Away‘, ‘Control‘, ‘Realign‘ and the newest song ‘Erase’, which is accompanied by the lyric video below. Commenting on the release of Genesis, Jake Oni says: “The Genesis EP is a huge step up for me! This is easily my best body of work so far. I hope everyone has enjoyed the singles, I cant wait…
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Ahead of her new sixth album Wildfires, we speak with Polly Paulusma – Backseat Mafia
Polly Paulusma’s sixth studio album, Wildfires, marks a bold new chapter in her illustrious career. Released on February 28th via One Little Independent Records and Wild Sound, this expansive double album spans nearly two hours, blending folk instrumentation with spoken-word poetry and immersive natural soundscapes. Produced by the renowned Ethan Johns, Wildfires takes listeners on a deeply personal journey through love in all its forms, from youthful innocence to enduring partnerships, and from heart-wrenching loss to divine longing. With its rich textures, articulate lyrics, and seamless blend of music and storytelling, Wildfires challenges us to slow down, listen deeply, and embrace the art of the concept album. We sat down…
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The Gentle Spring / Sassyhiya / Pink Opaque – Hallamshire Hotel, Sheffield 24.01.2025 – Backseat Mafia
The Hallamshire Hotel, with its gloriously kitschy 70s charm, provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable Skep Wax Records night. Drawing a healthy crowd of indiepop fans, all eager to catch The Gentle Spring—former Field Mice bassist Michael Hiscock’s new band—it was an evening steeped in nostalgia and fresh promise. Opening the night was local duo Pink Opaque, who brought a brash, dayglo edge to indiepop. Their punky energy lit up the room, especially during a lively rendition of debut single I Wanna Be Like Lauren Laverne, which earned them raucous applause. Next, London’s Sassyhiya swept the audience into their atmospheric soundscapes. Their taut rhythm section, sprawling guitar lines, and…
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Yours & Owls Unveils Epic Day of Dance Stage for 2025 – Backseat Mafia
Yours & Owls is turning up the heat in 2025 with the debut of its Day of Dance Stage, a pulsating fusion of sound and energy set to electrify Wollongong. The lineup is a global and local mix of trailblazing talent, promising a day drenched in unforgettable beats and euphoric vibes. At the forefront is UK powerhouse Mark Blair, whose grime-and-hip-hop-infused house anthems have been setting dance floors ablaze worldwide. With a sound that’s as gritty as it is danceable, Blair is primed to ignite the festival’s energy. Joining him is Switzerland’s rising star Odymel, who has been turning heads since his 2023 debut. Known for his kaleidoscopic mix of…
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Japan’s Rock Trailblazer Kaneko Ayano Is About to Shake Up Australia – Backseat Mafia
Kaneko Ayano, one of Japan’s most electrifying and genre-defying rock artists, is set to hit our shores for the very first time. A multi-talented musician, actress, and model hailing from Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kaneko’s rise has been as unstoppable as her powerhouse performances. Keneko started her career as a frustrated pianist but turned guitar rebel during her junior high years. By the time she hit Wako University, she had found her true calling, using music as an outlet for her raw talent and introspective storytelling. Now, with a sound that weaves together the grit of rock and the vulnerability of her soul-baring lyrics, she’s become a beacon of modern…
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Go Hawaii Shines On New EP ‘Mangy’ – Backseat Mafia
Italian indie duo Go Hawaii are poised for a breakout year with the release of their highly anticipated Mangy EP. Hailing from the outskirts of Venice, the new EP highlights the duos ability to blend post-punk, dream pop, and bedroom pop into a unique, dreamy yet vibrant sonic palette. The EP opens with the dreamy, nostalgia-laden ‘Santa Barbara’ sets the tone with its lush meld of synths, tights drums and jangling guitars under the distant understated vocals, evoking the likes of Slowdive and even Joy Devision. Tracks like ‘Auburn’ and ‘Tangled To The Sun’, create sun-soaked dream-pop meets shoe-gaze and beach-indie, capturing a bittersweet euphoria tinged with an undercurrent of…
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Bonnie Trash – Hellmouth – Backseat Mafia
Bonnie Trash have shared the video for their new single ‘Mourning you’, taken from their forthcoming new album of the same name, which is set for release on February 28th on Hand Drawn Dracula. “Every reminder of what once was, feels like a sharp sword” the band comment. “But, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a path towards love. Remembering the warmth of their smile, as you scrape your nails towards the surface…” Gothic grunge brilliance from the Ontario hell-raisers. Its sinister and hard hitting with Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor once again staking a claim as one of the best voices in rock. What a chorus to blow a song up with, this band get better and…
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Dutch Producer Heijmat Announces New EP ‘Echoes of Solace’, Releases Immersive First Single ‘Horizon’ – Backseat Mafia
Dutch alternative-electronic artist Heijmat returns with the announcement of his upcoming EP Echoes of Solace, accompanied by the release of its first single, ‘Horizon’. Known for his genre-defying fusion of ambient, techno, and downtempo music, Heijmat ventures into a more cinematic and emotive soundscape with this latest release, signalling an evolution in his artistry. On ‘Horizon’, Heijmat collaborates with LudoWic, a celebrated electronic artist and master of the Trautonium—the world’s first synthesizer. This partnership gives the track a distinctive edge, blending lush analogue synths, delicate piano lines, and elegant arpeggiators to craft an expansive, reflective sonic journey. Opening with a haunting melody, ‘Horizon’ gradually unfolds into rich, textured layers reminiscent…
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Dark Nordic Folk Artist Kati Rán Celebrates The Ten Year Anniversary Of Her Debut Album ‘LYS’ With Vinyl & CD Reissue On Svart Records – Backseat Mafia
In April 2025, dark nordic, pagan folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Kati Rán celebrates the ten-year anniversary of her debut album LYS (meaning “light” in Norwegian) with a brand-new physical release, available through Svart Records. The 2025 Anniversary Edition of LYS features the album’s ten original songs and the acoustic bonus track “Vinda” (ft. Helisir). In 2015, LYS was recorded, produced, and released by Kati Rán and producer Christopher Juul (Heilung) at the renowned LAVA Studios in Denmark. Together, they shaped, recorded, and performed all the tracks, bringing Kati Rán’s inner world, voice, and historical instrumentation to life. LYS contains ten original tracks performed in Norwegian, English, German, and Old Norse, including the hit song “Suurin,” featuring Kai Uwe…
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Amyl and the Sniffers at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney 25.01.2025 – Backseat Mafia
Amyl and the Sniffers are set to make history tonight, ripping through their biggest Sydney headline show yet. It’s a far cry from the sweat-soaked chaos of 2019 when I first caught them at the Paddo RSL. Back then, it was just 150 diehards packed into a suburban hall, bracing for impact as Amy Taylor and co. unleashed their brand of pub-punk fury. Fast-forward six years, and the Melbourne quartet is gearing up for a Coachella debut and riding high on a Brit Award nomination for International Group of the Year. Not bad for a band who built their reputation on raw energy and relentless grit. They’re currently tearing up…