Fresh Finds: Class Of 2025 – Aussie Acts To Add To Your Playlist

Steve Bell, Journalist

Steve Bell

Many, many moons ago Steve Bell was unassumingly writing a small fanzine for the inner-city Brisbane record store where he worked when on one otherwise normal day he was poached into the cutthroat world of street press, embarking on an eye-opening journey interviewing bands and banging on about music for the street press publication Time Off. It's an association that's now existed for well over 20 years - including a decade full-time as the print editor for Time Off/The Music - and one which still provides him with immense enjoyment and satisfaction, even though in recent times it's nestled alongside other music-related vocations such as co-owning a record store and indie label, radio broadcasting and navigating the podcast world.

Reviews / Album
Album Review: Sunnyboys - Best Seat In The House
"Jeremy Oxley's coarse vocals drip with passion and conviction and the band lock together like a well oiled machine."
Features / Music
Why They Knew They Were Onto Something Big With 'Psychocandy'
"We were aware at the time that it wasn't going to be a record that would come out in November and be forgotten in July."
Features / Music
Why They Travel To Central America For Inspiration
"I think that's part of the charm of getting to be a musician and travel, and most certainly it's a big part of what we do..."
Features / Arts
Why His Family And Fiance Make For Great Skit Material
"But every time you see a stand-up skit about a partner you've got to know that behind the scenes there's a pretty fancy holiday that has to be paid for."
Features / Music
Why Brian Wilson Tried To Be 'Effeminate' On 'Pet Sounds'
"I knew what I was after before I went in there and we did one song at a time."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Dave Rawlings Machine
"Rawlings looks all the world like a big grin in a cowboy hat as they're demanded back for an encore..."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Gillian Welch
"An incredible intersection of thought-provoking lyrics and elegant, timeless Americana."
Features / Music
High On Fire
Throwing "Some Bullshit Together" Just Isn't In The Cards
"I still listen to it, and usually I can't stand listening to myself. I knew what I was aiming for: I was just aiming to make it as epic as possible."
Features / Arts
Stephen K Amos Reckons Any Subject Can Be Tackled For A Laugh
"If I had all the right answers I'd be a politician not a comedian."
Features / Arts
Why The Umbilical Brothers Are Bringing Back 'Speedmouse'
"It was always there, which was the reason that we called ourselves The Umbilical Brothers — we were always kind of in sync."
Features / Music
How Three Nobodies Scaled The Music Industry’s Heights Using The Power Of Possibility
Spiderbait have always been unlikely icons. Just ask them.
Reviews / Album
Album Review: Various Artists - Good For You
"A fun and inclusive package by a group of friends favouring community over commercialism..."