So What’s Been Happening?

• EP186 - So What's Been Happening? - Dashville Skyline (Festival Preview)

  Dashville Skyline Preview: The Festival Bringing Live Music Home Episode 186 previews Dashville Skyline with an in-depth chat with Matt Johnson of Magpie Diaries and conversations with artists Ben Mastwyk, Joyce Prescher and Meghan Maike. The show covers the festival's grassroots spirit, Magpie Diaries' new album recorded at the Tractor Shed, and highlights from the 11th-year lineup (Oct 3–5, Hunter Valley). The episode blends interviews, live clips and festival-ready updates — celebrating community-driven music, emerging talent, and the intimate boutique vibe that makes Dashville Skyline a must-attend event. Dashville is a secluded bushland venue and campground, located at Lower Belford in the Hunter Valley, Wonnarua, NSW. It’s also a grass roots cultural enterprise, embracing, connecting and inspiring a community through music, art and events. A number of annual festivals and smaller events are held at the unique purpose built site, added with a wonderful wide community of people who come to enjoy, embrace, perform, create, learn and grow from them. Dashville curate and promote a number of boutique music, art and food festivals annually, along with various one off concerts and events throughout the year. Dashville Skyline is a favourite for those who like a bit of cool oozed over their country, with a myriad of artistic collaborations, family activities & laid back old-school country-inspired fun. Tickets to the festival - https://www.dashville.com.au/  

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• EP185 - So What's Been Happening? - The Valery Trails

  Valerie Trails Unveiled: Inside 'Winter Palace' — New Album & Tour Dates Episode 185 of So What's Been Happening features Andrew Bower of The Valery Trails discussing their new album Winter Palace, the recording at their Buffalo Speedway studio, singles like "Everything Is Temporary" and "First Kiss," and upcoming shows across October. The episode also covers band lineup changes, video visuals, influences and plans for U.S. radio, plus a round-up of local gigs and festival news — a concise look at the band’s creative process and live plans. For Fans Of: R.E.M, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, The Hold Steady The Valery Trails (Brisbane, QLD) return with their first new music since the release of their fourth album, The Sky Is Blue, in 2022. On the back of the album's strong airplay and positive reviews, the band toured the east coast of Australia, with new guitar recruit Tim Steward (Screamfeeder) along for the ride. Previously, as a trio, Andrew Bower (vocals/guitars), Sean Bower (bass), and Dan McNaulty (drums), released their debut album Ghosts and Gravity (2012), Buffalo Speedway (2014), and Chameleon Bones (2016). The three albums’ melodic and atmospheric indie rock received college and specialty airplay in the US, strong community radio support in Australia, and critical acclaim from outlets such as PopMatters, The Big Takeover, and many other international websites. On the new album, Winter Palace, there’s plenty of The Valery Trails’ trademark guitar jangle and crunch, but they also explore some diverse styles and genres, including synth-pop stylings, horn-driven retro flavours, and some straight-up rock and roll, across the 13 songs. Heading into the band’s second decade, The Valery Trails continue to strive towards their goal to build a body of work on their own terms. With Andrew at the helm, and through their collective experiences, influences, and musicianship, they've created another gem of an Australian indie rock album. Great to get the chance to chat to Andrew Bower from The Valery Trails LIVE on Tuesday 23rd September from 8:00pm AEST, join in the chat anytime.

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• EP184 - So What's Been Happening? - Moderate Lovers

  Crayon Shades Live: Moderate Lovers on Songs, DIY Clips & N.W.A. Surprises Aaron sits down with Mick Wilson of Moderate Lovers to discuss the band’s debut EP Crayon Shades, track-by-track stories (including “Lucy’s Gardening,” “Lost City” and a surprise N.W.A. cover), DIY video-making and songwriting influences. The episode also shares upcoming gig dates, a mental-health shout-out, and a reminder to support indie music via Bandcamp Friday. For Fans Of: Pavement, Screamfeeder, Dinosaur Jr, Swervedriver Moderate Lovers are an indie pop/rock three-piece band from Sydney who write skewed melodic tunes with a pinch of jangle, a dash of distortion, and a healthy serving of observational dry wit. Alongside musical touchstones such as Pavement and Dinosaur Jr, you can hear the rich lineage of Australian indie music, as well as various bands from Flying Nun Records, in their sonic DNA. Indeed, their own musical resume includes time spent treading the boards with local bands such as Soap Star Joe, Starky, Restless Leg, and Froggy Prinze. Forming in 2024 after a few drinks at the Townie (aka The Town Hall Hotel, Newtown), Mick Wilson, Saul Foster, and Adam Taylor began crafting Wilson's musical sketches into a full set of indie rock earworms. In short time, they started taking those songs to live stages and appreciative audiences across the inner west of Sydney. The band’s first single, ‘Lost City’, burst onto Australian community radio sounding like Swervedriver fronted by Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices, with a brilliant 'lost Sydney music scene' video in tow. They quickly followed it up with 'Lucy's Gardening Again', a song overflowing with sweet harmonies and jangly guitars reminiscent of the '60s British Invasion sound and modern exponents such as Teenage Fanclub. “Firmly grounded in a nineties-style velvet glove over a steel fist, with a sound redolent of fellow compatriots You Am I or, from further afield, Dinosaur Jnr or Pavement, ‘Lost City’ hides within its impassioned melodic delivery and wall of sound a glimmer of hope and resilience.” - Backseat Mafia We get a chance to chat to Mick Wilson from Moderate Lovers LIVE on Tuesday 16th September from 8:00pm AEST, join in the chat anytime.

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• EP183 - So What's Been Happening? - Ben Mastwyk

  Ben Mastwyk & His Millions: Let Me At The Night Lights Up Melbourne On this episode Aaron chats with Ben Mastwyk about his new album Let Me At The Night, the creative energy behind The Millions, and the collaborative videos and limited-edition release. Ben explains his festival-ready vision, family-made clips and upcoming shows across Melbourne, Dashville and Tamworth. The episode also highlights local gigs (Sweet Talk at Howler, Bernadette Novembre supporting a Black Dog Institute benefit), the busy music week and a heartfelt reminder to check in on someone — ask “Are you okay?” and really listen. Let Me At The Night is a bit of a fantasy record for Ben Mastwyk – the Australian cosmic cowboy and interstellar troubadour. He really discovered the DNA of his band The Millions over the last few records, and this time, they all wanted to push the boundaries. Mastwyk was lucky enough to receive funding through a Creative Victoria Creative Works grant, which allowed him to really lean in and record the album he wanted to make, without cutting corners. Working with producer Michael Hubbard at The Shrimp Shack studio in Melbourne, Mastwyk initially set out to make a ‘90s country-inspired record—and in a way, he did. But instead of sticking strictly to that particular sonic palette, he found himself leaning back into the genre-bending, experimental approach he first explored with his original band in the actual ‘90s. "It’s still a country record in my eyes: narrative-based songs that explore the themes I’ve been circling in my writing for years," he says. "But we’ve really dialled up the experimentalism - pushed our sonic palette further than we ever have before!" We get a chance to chat to Ben LIVE about his new release LET ME AT THE NIGHT on Thursday 11th September from 8:00pm AEST, join in the chat anytime.

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• EP182 - So What's Been Happening? - Temperate

  Behind the Music with Temperate Join us for an electrifying episode as we dive into the world of Temperate, a dynamic band from Coffs Harbour. In this engaging conversation, we explore their upcoming gigs, touring plans, and their exhilarating live performances, including a unique mix of acoustic and rock influences. Meet the band members - Finn, Levi, and Taylor - and learn about their journey, the creative process, and how Taylor's powerful voice has added a new dimension to their sound. Discover the challenges and joys of band life, from crafting memorable music videos to the thrill of live gigs. Don't miss this inside look at what makes Temperate stand out in the Australian music scene, and get ready to rock with them on their upcoming tour! Full video episode available to watch - https://bit.ly/4lVrTXp

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