In The Spotlight

Jo Davie – “Nothing Comes Free”

Based in Brisbane, this Australian singer and songwriter graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2017. Immediately bursting onto the music scene, she was runner-up for Folk Alliance Young Artist Of The Year in 2018. Apart from playing various festivals like Woodford Folk Festival and Caloundra Music Festival, she’s also the lead vocalist for the band Cigány Weaver. Inspired by Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Laura Marling, she released her solo debut “Throw Me A Rope” in 2023.

Singing about how easy it is to get lost in worrying about something that you forget to actually enjoy it, her new single is filled with gentle nostalgia. The title track of her EP, released today, the song opens with a breezy, folk-infused melody. Combining a mellow beat with a wistful electric guitar, the notes lead us through a world of tenderness and vulnerability. And with the juxtaposition of her delicate vocals and a raging rock guitar solo, this layered song is a delightful sonic mixture.

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In The Spotlight

Seafret – “Wait”

Hailing from Bridlington, this British folk-rock duo got their start when Jack Sedman and Harry Draper met at an open mic night in 2011. Harry was playing banjo in his dad’s country band and Jack was singing. The band name is a combination of growing up by the sea and a guitar’s fret board. Now based in London, they traded in a mainstream record deal to proceed independently. Inspired by Tom Waits, The White Stripes and Bob Dylan, they debuted with their EP “Give Me Something” in 2014.

Narrating the contradiction of life of an artist on the road which on the one side opens up the world and takes you to amazing places, but on the other side takes you away from those you love, their new single captures the difficulty dealing with that duality. Wrapping their lyrics in an energetic, folk-infused melody, it’s the peppy percussion, spirited guitars and bright keys that forge a rich, vivacious tune. And with their scintillating vocals, this invigorating song is foot-tappingly infectious.

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In The Spotlight

Julie Eddy – “The Rug”

Originally from South Dakota and based in Nashville, this singer and songwriter began performing at a young age and spent her teenage years singing and playing live as much as she could. Since moving to Nashville she’s played shows at renowned venues such as The Listening Room and The Basement. She’s also written songs for other artists like Rachel LaRen and opened for the likes of Chase Matthew, Granger Smith and Dan + Shay. She released her debut “My Kind Of High” in 2021.

Singing about a relationship with idyllic dreams for the future, only to be betrayed by your loved one who pulled the rug right from under you, her new single is her trying to make sense of the treachery and heartbreak. Taken from her upcoming album “Playing House”, expected on May 2nd, she captures her harrowing tale in an emotive country-pop melody. With mighty drums, vibrant guitars and the fiery anguish in her vocals, this impassioned tune knows how to reach your heart.

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In The Spotlight

Strange Plants – “Horseshoe Smile”

Based in Halifax and consisting of Travis Flint and Matt Brannon, this Canadian duo are no strangers to the music scene. Having met 6 years ago, they’ve been in a few musical projects together, most notably the alt-country collective Hot Mondy. Realizing their musical direction was pointing elsewhere, they combined their eclectic tastes into this new retro-dipped project. Inspired by Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Tears For Fears, they released their debut “Tell Me All Your Secrets, Pt.2” in 2025.

Shining a light on a world run by phonies and narcissists, their new single shows the truth behind the surplus of fake smiles. Taken from their upcoming, self-titled album, expected on June 6th, they created a bouncy, multi-layered melody, doused in psychedelic nostalgia. From the driving percussion, 80s-dipped electric guitars and a trippy, Beatle-esque trumpet solo to Matt’s Beach Boys-influenced vocals, this vibrant tune takes the vibes of the past and moulds them into something fresh.

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In The Spotlight

Karlie Bartholomew – “Haunted House”

Born in Baltimore and based in Nashville, this singer and songwriter battled her childhood shyness by immersing herself in music. She began writing songs at an early age and performed in elementary school talent shows. In high school she taught herself how to play guitar on the six-string of her musician dad. She went on to study Professional Music at Berklee College of Music. Inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell and Elliott Smith, she debuted with “Brooklyn Park” in 2021.

Exploring the ghosts of our past that always seem to be living rent-free in our heads, her new single is an exquisite example of her folk-inspired storytelling skills. Enveloping her poetic yet relatable lyrics is a soft, melancholic melody that, for the first part of the song, consists of merely a delicate acoustic guitar. Later joined by silky strings and an electric guitar, it’s the genuine vulnerability of her velvety vocals that makes this soul-stirring tune soothing and mesmerizing Americana.

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In The Spotlight

Natalie Bergman – “Gunslinger”

Based in Los Angeles, this singer and songwriter started playing violin aged 5, but found her instrument in the guitar. She studied at Berklee College of Music and got her start as a member of her brother Elliot’s band Nomo. They later formed the successful psychedelic pop duo Wild Belle, worked with artists such as Diplo and Shawn Lee and had songs featured in various TV shows. Inspired by Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin, she released her debut solo album “Mercy” in 2021.

Singing about a lover she just can’t seem to quit and keeps coming back to after he’d done her wrong, her new single is a cinematic, 60s-infused blend of soul with a touch of country. Taken from her upcoming album “My Home Is Not In This World”, expected on July 18th, it’s the smoky percussion, retro-styled guitars and funky bass that takes us back in time to the swinging 60s. And with her hypnotic, slightly psychedelic vocals, this spellbinding, vintage-touched groove is out of this world.

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