Hayley Grace is an Australian multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter with an unmistakably soulful sound. The Bay Collective is a raucous seven-piece big band, featuring a full horn section, guitar, bass, keys and percussion. The collective’s diverse talents make for an eclectic mix of styles that embody the spirit of 60s and 70s funk and soul, with lashings of reggae, rnb and hip hop.

Led by Hayley, The Bay Collective live shows are loud, fun, cheeky and overflowing with energy. You feel this band when they walk on stage. Featuring a roster of the Byron Bay region’s most prominent vocalists and multi-instrumental talents, The Collective’s dynamic performances are always lively and no two shows are exactly alike.

Raised on a steady diet of Hymns and Dylan, Mandy Hawkes unconventional voice is equal parts weary soul traveller and folk storyteller. She sings authentic songs that will move even the stoniest of hearts, marrying folk traditions with Australian country.

After spending years in a musical wasteland, Mandy Hawkes began to write songs again, and became preoccupied with singing about mortality, end times and other serious themes.

Whether performing at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas (twice), Woodford Folk Festival or a support act for Aussie icons Megan Washington and Troy Cassar-Daley, Yazmindi’s authentic sound and evocative stories are a far-reaching crowd-favourite. A cornerstone of her musical prowess is her ability to craft authentic stories and evocative soundscapes that build around her swelling harmonies. Yazmindi is one of the next generation of singer-songwriters that build upon the previous successes of iconic front runners, Missy Higgins, Julia Jacklin and Courtney Barnett.

Blinders Band of Rock are a four-piece Northern Rivers band playing solid rock and the harder edge of Blues Rock.

A mixed bunch of fellas coming from varied backgrounds and multiple years of experience in northern rivers bands.

Blinders started out doing covers, but during COVID began writing their own tunes which were well accepted at gigs encouraging the guys to put a few tracks down at “Nedlands Studio”

Now more focused on their original music BLINDERS blends musicianship, creativity and tradition.

The Magnificence is an almost traditional New Orleans style band. The band has been described as enthusiastic, passionate, humorous and quirky leaving audiences happily uplifted.

Since coming together, the band has played at jazz clubs and festivals from Melbourne to Far North Queensland, released an album, an e.p and a Christmas single. The band's music has been played on local and international radio including WWOZ fm in New Orleans.

They growl, they mewl, they cook – and they make audiences feel better about otherwise questionable life choices.

Based in Northern NSW, Tin Parlour got together in 2017 to perform their original songs; an eclectic mix of indie, rock, alternative & pop.

Singer/songwriter Jane Garrett writes with heart & humour - songs of love, our human experience & environmental challenges.

Sweet harmonies are a hallmark of a repertoire that spans everything from chilled ballads to edgy & melodic indie pop/rock.

Debut album All That We Are, released in October 2023, is a showcase of the band’s live sound & demonstrates impressively Tin Parlour’s dynamic & diverse musical styles.

Hauntingly beautiful vocals, poetic songwriting and an awe-inspiring stage presence, Katie Brooke is making an impact with every song she writes, and this has reflected in her chart results with every release successfully hitting within top 10 on the country iTunes Charts, including her debut EP which hit an incredible number 1.

Learn more about Northern Rivers artist Katie Brooke

Cruel Loop is an EPIC sounding 3 piece Rock Band. Cruel Loop fuse elements of jazz, rock and blues into their own hard-hitting and free-flowing style of music.

Check out their new release Wolves Of Doubt of Spotify.

NuKakadu is a Northern Rivers based Progressive Rock Band with powerful indigenous and social undertones. The four piece Band plays their energetic mix of Original Australian, Indigenous, Folk and Rock influenced songs with passion and dedication.

Check out us out @facebook/Nukakadu,

Kathleen Turner Overdrive - KTO are Southern Queensland's very own melodic punksters. Hailing from Toowoomba, KTO write, record and play their own brand of punk.

Check out KTO's latest release Ctrl. Alt. Delete on Bandcamp, Spotify and hear it on Local Sounds South Burnett.

Punk it! Funk it! Pop it! Shred it! CAN YOU DIG IT!?

Thor Phillips writes and performs songs from the heart, inspired by family, love, and challenges of artistic and hard-working life.

His many years spent as a guitarist come through in his performance and where possible is joined by his wife Jasmine Phillips with her sweet vocal harmonies.

Check out thorphillips.com to learn more.

North Coast DJ and producer, TCAT, blends genres and styles that create undeniably unique dance music.

TCAT is a star in the making. A prolific work output and an enviable list of collaborations has given him the title of "watch closely".

His 2023 single releases Vision and Know Your Product build upon his breakout debut album Power of Catalyst.

St. Dirranbandi is a collaboration between Adrian Walsh from Uralla and Mark Axiak from Studio X. The debut EP Some Town Called Redemption was recorded in Oslo and Walcha NSW. The songs were written in Scandinavia where both were longing to return to the big sky country in Australia.

There is a sense of dislocation in the songs and warm memories of the light and space in Australia. Check out St. Dirranbandi on Spotify and Local Sounds Armidale Radio.

In 2022, Amy released her first single “Sitting Pretty” which soon followed with her debut Album “Our Land”. The track “As I Ride” co-written with Peter Smokie Dawson, saw Amy reach number 1 on the Tasmanian Australian Independent Country Chart.

In January 2023, Amy received the Brumby Award for under 18 female vocalists of the year for the song “Diamantina Dreaming.”

Amy enjoys telling her stories through lyrics and playing guitar and loves performing these whenever she has the opportunity. Amy released her second Album “My Escape” 21st July 2023 and is being well received.

Straddling the line between folk, blues, country, and roots, Hussy Hicks have earned themselves a mighty reputation. Growing, from festival openers to festival favourites, seeing the group now appear at the biggest blues and roots festivals in Australia, the USA and across Europe while selling out their own tours across the three continents.

Hear tracks from Hussy Hicks's new EP Same Boat on Local Sounds Lismore Radio.

Cattle, sugarcane and country music have been staple ingredients in Alice Benfer's life. Alice joined a local country music club at the age of 7, belting out a song at every available chance and she has been unstoppable since.

With years of experience performing with bands, Alice is now performing regularly as a Solo Artist at pubs, clubs, and major festivals. Alice is thankful to have a number of chart topping singles.

The Shelly Jones Band are a husband and wife country duo from Red Rock NSW.

The two accomplished singer-songwriters are well known for delivering catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, beautiful harmonies, great musicianship and a hint of cheeky humour. Their melodic, down to earth songwriting has delivered them a string of #1 hits on the Australian Country Songs Top 40 Chart.

shellyjonesband.com.au

Pam Hata hails from the land of the long white cloud, Aotearoa, New Zealand and now residing in the Clarence Valley Region.

Her original music is a soulful blend of classic blues, R'n'B, funk & roots giving new life to the traditional music of First Nations people of the South Pacific.

Listen to the new EP "Tame The Mane" on all streaming platforms.

Paul Ricketts from Nanango describes himself as an average Australian bloke with a love of the bush and farm life. Have a listen to the songwriting and musicianship on his new track "The Ballad of Johnny Bad" and you know there is nothing average about Paul Ricketts. The country life has definitely influenced his style of music, leaning more towards the edgy side of country. Hear Paul Ricketts on Spotify.

Adam Gardiner is one of the hottest new talents from the North Coast. A former music student with honours, and now teacher and composer, Adam's works have been licensed for television, film and video games in Australia and overseas.

His brand new EP "It Gets Me Into The Groove" says it all. Check it out on Spotify now.

South Burnett's very own Lloyd Back is a multi-award winning country singer and songwriter. His songs draw on both his own and other people’s life experiences, and are songs that move people – to tap their toes, to enter into the story, to laugh and sometimes to cry.

Lloyd’s songs connect with a wide range of people of all ages from many differing walks of life. Listen for yourself and become a new fan instantly.

Fovndlings first formed in the gorge country near Armidale. They've been developing their own lyrical form of cowpunk for the past five years. They write music that explores themes of friendship, loss and landscapes. It is reminiscent of the Australia evoked by bands like the Triffids, The Birthday Party and The Drones. Don't be mistaken by the catchy gritty pub rock riffs, dig a bit deeper and you'll see the beauty.

Jesse Witney was one of those young kids you see on groovy parents shoulders at festivals. His family has a strong musical pedigree. Jesse started singing at an early age and fine tuned his talents through live performance and tertiary music studies at SCU. Jesse has released his debut single, The Darkness. Musically, The Darkness calls to mind Jeff Buckley and Ben Howard, yet Witney is just nodding in their direction as he sets off, cutting his own path.

Watling & Bates are songwriters from Unumgar on the western edge of the Northern Rivers of NSW.

Their old time Gothic hillbilly honkytonk bridges Americana and Australiana, dark folk and country.

Find out more about Watling & Bates via their website and facebook, and hear their music via your favourite streaming service.

Saije is an award-winning, contemporary folk duo from Bellingen. Their soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar-lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into heartfelt stories.

Their songwriting is crafted from the depths; stirring melodies bound together with graceful lyricism. Through multitasking techniques, the pair create a full-bodied sound enriched by flavours from their travels around the globe.

Ballina's Tracey Everingham Armstrong has been singing and songwriting for most of her life. When she's not fundraising for local charities or being awarded Ballina's Citizen of the Year, Tracey is belting out country rock with her network of local music legends.

Tracey is a past winner of the Lismore Cedar Guitar Country Music Festival and Best Senior Female Vocalist at Tamworth and Redland Bay Country Music Festivals.

Drawing from life experience, Leaving Jordan reveal a depth and relatability in their songwriting. Leaving Jordan extract their sound from the hardcore scene of Byron Bay, creating a fusion of indie punk and rock.

With harrowing melodic vocals, loud distorted riffs and driving drums, they create a wall of sound unique to only them.

Check out their latest track Gold Standard and previous releases on Spotify.

Mitch Burgess, singer, guitarist and music teacher from Woolgoolga, loves playing the blues. His three track debut EP Trio, is an engaging blues rock homage to his legends including Albert King and John Mayer.

You'll find Mitch Burgess and his band performing at venues up and down the east coast. Follow Mitch Burgess on Instagram for gig updates and new releases.

Floatface is an exciting new Lismore artist, creating his own brand of jangly psychedelic dream rock. With 5 tracks already released, this 19 year old has a bright future ahead of him.

His debut EP gives an insight into the mind of a gifted songwriter who knows the recipe for great music. Keep an eye out for gigs in the coming months

With his music featuring high on various country charts Lance has toured Australia wide supporting and headlining many events, festivals and gigs. His main stage performances include The Gympie Music Muster and Airlie Beach Music Festival. He has headlined Noonamah Rodeo, Central Queensland Bikes, Bulls, Buggies & Bands, Julia Creek Dirt n Dust and Bowen Fishing Classic just to name a few. He supported Ross Wilson and Brian Cadd and has featured alongside Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, The Radiators, Dragon, James Blundell and many more.

Byron Bay’s Sali Bracewell is a Welsh/Australian singer-songwriter becoming known for her haunting Ethereal Folk style and for singing emotive ballads in her native tongue.

Her song 'Cwch Bach Coch' (Little Red Boat) gained traction on streaming platforms for its rarity as an original track written in the ancient Welsh language.

Sali has performed in ancient castles, at festivals throughout Australia and the UK and at 5* Resorts across the globe.

From the heart of the Northern Rivers comes Human Dinosaur Machine. HDM’s birth in 2015 was the result of two strangers seeking social refuge during a house party in Lismore, sharing a guitar in a back room.

What started out as an intimate jam session soon blossomed into four close friends making music together and playing shows.

Human Dinosaur Machine is a four piece blend of 90s style Grunge and Punk with an Australian edge.

ZAM aka (Bryan Valentijn Hall) is a 20 year old musician singer-songwriter based in Lismore. The guitarist, flutist and one man indie-pop band has been been performing for 5 years throughout the Northern Rivers and around Australia.

NRC Conservatorium of Lismore Youth orchestra and Jazz as a flutist, Lismore Youth Festival 2021 (NORPA), and the ANBC (Australia National Busking Championships) on Stanthorpe Festival 2021. Bryan was part of the Top 10 contestants in the rolling stones scholarship 2022 at Southern Cross University Lismore.

The Nickeys are the combined talents of Lismore songwriters Nic Palmer and Nicholas O’Connor. Their music is inspired by indie artists such as Josh Pyke, Tori Amos and Courtney Barnett. Their lyrics are carefully crafted from everyday interactions and life experiences.

After a few listens you’ll find these catchy tunes sneaking around in your subconscious. We know you'll love it! We are pleased to present to you our Local Sounds Feature Artist, The Nickey’s. Check out their latest EP - A Different Kind Of Grunge, on all good streaming platforms.

Snez is a highly experienced and respected, multi-award winning performer and singer-songwriter from the mid north coast of NSW.

She has released several highly regarded albums over the past decade and her latest album Fisher On the Sea is no exception.

Snez is a gifted storyteller who has a magical way of connecting with her audience. She achieves this with her warm and earthy vocals and songs that talk of the challenges and joy of family life and touring across Australia.

Miles Sarma is a blues, roots and rock artist originating from the Northern Rivers region of NSW. His ongoing search to write the great music, drives his motivation for song writing and performing. If he’s not writing music or gigging at pubs and cafes, you’ll find him catching a wave on the coast at the Lennox Heads point break.

This year saw the release of his third album “Ride The Waves” which delivers a feast of warm and inviting tunes that build on the success of his previous two outings. This album is a reflection on life’s journey and love that is lost and found.

This heart felt storyteller writes and performs from the depths of his soul and once you start to listen, he will make you feel like he is singing about you and your life.

Pure, raw, human emotion pours out of his lyrics and performance, earning him awards for both vocal performance and song writing.

Matty has been in the lineup at some of Australia’s biggest festivals including the Falls Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival and

If you haven’t heard the songs of Ollie Twohill before, get ready to be impressed. His guitar based melodic indie pop and rock tunes will keep you coming back for more. Ollie Twohill is one of the bright young rising stars of the Northern Rivers Music Scene.

He has recently released five new songs and you can find them on all good streaming platforms. We love supporting local artists and you’ll hear his songs on local sounds Lismore. Check out Ollie’s latest tracks, you won’t be disappointed.

Burning Hands is a collective of experienced and established musicians based in Byron Bay. They bring their shared love of blues to the stage in a show that promises driving rhythms and soulful melodies and much musical virtuosity.

We’d like to introduce you to Burning Hands and their new album Saint’s & Sinners. Burning Hands takes Blues to a new level with their lush movie score styled arrangements, mixed with a good measure of Psychedelia. You can catch Burning Hands live at venues throughout the Northern Rivers.

Jeff is a singer-songwriter based in the Northern Rivers of NSW Australia. Known for his live solo and band performances and melodic to rocky original music. Over thirty years of song writing experience, he has honed his craft and with a long overdue first album, ‘Walking neat’, the abundance of tasty vocal melodies, sewn into well thought out lyrics will take you on a story ride and ear-worm choruses that will have you singing along very quickly.

The album ” Walking neat” features some outstanding musicians that during the COVID era found an artistic outlet to express their love of creative playing. The title of the album also is the name of the lead in track… a great guitar rocker.

Faceless Mirror are a 4 piece based in the Northern Rivers region. They are focused on writing great songs. 2 years ago they released their debut album Journey Home. Now they are back with a bunch of new singles. Their music is influenced by the greats like Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Pink Floyd. You can hear the effort and passion in their music. It’s well worth a listen. You can find Faceless Mirror on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

We regularly play the latest tracks from Faceless Mirror . Tune into Local Sounds to hear more.

Distraction is our first ever Local Sounds Feature Artist, and we love seeing them entertain audiences around the region. Distraction is a Rock Covers Duo which combines the talents of two compelling vocalists in Debi Martin and Brad Buckley. Throw in Brad’s natural flair for creating a solid rhythm on his guitar to back the pair and an awesome mix of mainstream Rock and Popular Covers from the 70s to now and the result is something that has audiences hanging out to see which song comes next.