Artist Spotlight: Uplifting Acoustic Pop, Symphonic Black Metal, and Swaggering Modern Rock
By David Weddle
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
It is an exciting time for new music currently. With our regular spotlight articles, we love to highlight a massive variety of independent acts from across the musical spectrum. Today we are diving into three incredible projects that swap rigid, over-polished production for pure, raw energy: Southey, Ocularis Infernum, and MAWK3.
Having walked away from what was a stable career as a mechanical engineer, Australia's Southey traded a stable job and financial certainty for busking in the Devonshire Street tunnel. A brave move and thanks to the fact that Southey become obsessed with the creative outlet, he was inspired to build his very own studio and go head first into the world of the independent artist.
His second single of 2026, 'Got It All', is an uplifting and energetic pop-folk track. With warm acoustic guitars at the centre of the song, 'Got It All' has a nostalgic vibe and is the perfect companion on any road trip, thanks to the catchy hook. It is very sing-along-able, and has already had a great response on the live music scene on the East Coast and throughout Sydney.
Listen here
His second single of 2026, 'Got It All', is an uplifting and energetic pop-folk track. With warm acoustic guitars at the centre of the song, 'Got It All' has a nostalgic vibe and is the perfect companion on any road trip, thanks to the catchy hook. It is very sing-along-able, and has already had a great response on the live music scene on the East Coast and throughout Sydney.
Listen here
After a nine year creative hiatus, Latvian metal pioneers Ocularis Infernum has made a triumphant return with 'Strife and Ascendance'. Have been known historically as Latvia's first metal band to be fronted by an extreme female vocalist, the projected has now evolved in to a real powerhouse studio venture.
Their epic new single has continued to move in a more powerful direction, blending 2000s melodic black metal with a rather ambitious and organic integration of live classical instruments. The self produced track weaves together intricate string passages with aggressive beats and heavy guitars. Great stuff.
Listen here
Their epic new single has continued to move in a more powerful direction, blending 2000s melodic black metal with a rather ambitious and organic integration of live classical instruments. The self produced track weaves together intricate string passages with aggressive beats and heavy guitars. Great stuff.
Listen here
Finally, we have LA power trio MAWK3 have released their latest track 'Everybody Wants To Be You', a high energy rock track with real swagger. The inspirations for the their sound include bands like Royal Blood and Queens of the Stone Age and that definitely comes across with an opening riff that grabs your attention straight away and a groove that keeps you well and hooked.
They have been nicknamed the "Middle Aged Wrecking Krew' thanks to their late night Hollywood antics and there is a real sense of that attitude that gives it an air of unpredictability, keeping things exciting. A cracking track that has everything you could possibly want in a rock song.
Listen here
They have been nicknamed the "Middle Aged Wrecking Krew' thanks to their late night Hollywood antics and there is a real sense of that attitude that gives it an air of unpredictability, keeping things exciting. A cracking track that has everything you could possibly want in a rock song.
Listen here
Keep an eye out for more artist spotlights, and if you have any new music that you think deserves a shout-out, feel free to send it our way.