'It’s Hard To Push Back The Fear': Jay Watson Steps Into The Light As GUM

Mary Varvaris, Journalist

Mary Varvaris

I'm a Staff Writer for The Music and Kill Your Stereo based in Melbourne.

You can find me listening to anything from mewithoutYou, Radiohead, Northlane, Jaguar Jonze, Julia Jacklin or Paramore at any time. Outside of The Music and Kill Your Stereo, my journalism has been featured in The Age, Australian Guitar Magazine, Blunt Magazine, Chorus.fm (previously known as AbsolutePunk.net), my Substack newsletter, and more. You can view my work on my Linktree.

I'm a lifelong metalhead and all-around music lover, which stems from my childhood, where I was raised in a family of talented musos and fans of great songs. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

When I'm not writing, I'm hanging out with my dog, catching a gig somewhere in Melbourne, or just watching tv.

News / Music
'The Voice' winner Alyssa Delpopolo
How To Get Audience Tickets For 'The Voice'
Tickets are free as filming for 'The Voice Australia' continues this month.
News / Music
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden Add Extra Shows To 2026 Australian Tour
It seems that one night in Auckland and Brisbane wasn't enough for Iron Maiden fans...
News / Music
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 50th Anniversary
iOTA, Mark Williams, Jason Singh & Glenn Cunningham Team Up For 'Celebrating Queen' Tour
The singers will pay tribute to Queen with a concert tour this July and August.
News / Music
Moler
Moler Drop Their First New Album Since 1997
'69' is the long-awaited follow-up to Moler's 1997 ARIA-nominated album, 'Golden Duck.'
Industry / News
L-R: Dean Ormston (APRA AMCOS), Jennifer Brown (SOCAN), Gadi Oron (CISAC)
APRA AMCOS & SOCAN On Creative Industries & AI: 'We Believe This Moment Presents A Unique Opportunity'
Collectively, APRA AMCOS and SOCAN represent nearly 400,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers across Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
News / Music
CYRIL, Wiz Khalifa
'That's Her': CYRIL Teams Up With Wiz Khalifa For Most Ambitious Single Yet
The genre-bending track effortlessly combines CYRIL’s signature production with Khalifa’s unmistakably slick, melodic feel.
News / Festivals
ULTRA Music Festival in Melbourne
ULTRA Australia Unveils Final 2026 Line-up Announcement
The ULTRA team has announced an exclusive Gold Coast event headliner and added tons of support acts to the Melbourne and Gold Coast dates.
News / Music
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran Helps Launch Food Relief Program In Melbourne
Ed Sheeran cooked his "signature Beef Bolognese Lasagna & TinglyTeds chilli chicken with rice" alongside The Big Umbrella's chefs and volunteers.
News / Music
Hole
Courtney Love Confirms Tour Plans With Melissa Auf der Maur, Not Hole
Courtney Love has revealed that there will be "no Hole reunion," but she and bandmate Melissa Auf der Maur will be playing some shows together.
News / Music
Guns N' Roses
How To Score Tickets To Guns N' Roses 2026 Australian Tour
Find out where to find tickets so you can attend 'Paradise City' this November and December.
News / Music
Guns N' Roses
Guns N’ Roses Announce 2026 Australian Tour
Guns N’ Roses return to Australia for the first time since 2022 for an epic stadium run.
News / Music
Hilltop Hoods
Hilltop Hoods Honoured With Adelaide City Of Music Laneway
Hilltop Hoods join the esteemed company of Sia, Cold Chisel, The Angels, Paul Kelly, and No Fixed Address in having a laneway named after them.