This Way North Album Launch

This Way North

Years on the road, touring in Australia and abroad, gave two-piece indie pop-rock band This Way North an appreciation for open space and adventure. Landing in north-east Victoria on Dhudhuroa country when the pandemic hit, long-time friends, collaborators, and partners, Jungalwalla and Leahy traded freedom on the road for a home amongst ancient trees and high-country valleys. This unexpected move, drawing in close and giving themselves the gift of stillness, prompted unbridled creativity and culminated in their upcoming debut album, ‘Punching Underwater’, set to be released in February 2024.

This Way North has previously been named Music Victoria’s Best Regional Act, and have continued their rise across Australia, New Zealand and Canada, supporting artists such as, Vika and Linda Bull, Ash Grunwald and Kate Ceberano. They’ve enjoyed killer sets at Australia and Canada’s favourite festivals, including Queenscliff, Mullumbimby, Wanderer, Woodford, Port Fairy in Australia and Mariposa, Ness Creek and Dawson City in Canada, sharing the stage with artists from Mavis Staples to Spider Bait.

Their new album features big harmonies and strong melodies. Whilst their previous records have been about traveling on the road, Punching Underwater travels within the self. The introspective nature came about when Cat and Leisha had the time and stillness to go inward and explore their own insecurities, imposter syndromes, and self-doubts. The battle of trying not to fall in love, confidence and self-love, anxiety, the highs of being content and happy, to the lows of war, the joy of evolution as a woman… there is something for everyone.

Full of rapturous nostalgia, This Way North’s music takes you from moody, tremolo-tinged heart-tuggers to pounding driving alt-psych rock through a sonic landscape of reverb-soaked guitars and rolling rhythms. With odes to 90’s rock sitting on air-tight grooves and full, cinematic spaciousness, This Way North’s music is a portal to summer festivals, their love affair with the road, and an open invitation to turn up the volume and let loose.

“Life affirmingly super unreal!”
- Tim Rogers

“This Way North are such an impressive live duo! Their blend of genres is unlike anything else around. Great grooves, and they know how to rock!”

- Ash Grunwald

“My Love perfectly delivers This Way North's Zeppelin-esque tones and musical mastery with a catchy blues-rock banger. They are definitely my fave Australian band!”
- Abbe May

Juanita Tippins

Juanita Tippins has spent years touring and recording with some of the most accomplished Australian and international artists, lending her signature vocals to everyone from Joe Bonamassa and The Brand New Heavies, to Marcia Hines and Ian Moss. She's long been a favourite of the Sydney scene thanks to her dynamic performances with Suite Az and Professor Groove and the Booty Affair, and her warmth and mana are an undeniable crowd pleaser.

Juanita is now entering a new phase of her artistic journey, having recently released NITA (Side A), the soul half of a double EP Album of original tunes leaning into both her soul and reggae influences. Get ready to fall in love with a whole new side of Juanita Tippins.

Monstress

Carving out their own sound of jazz-infused RnB, Monstress has been dazzling crowds across NSW. Leader Sarah Homeh drops silky lines and melodic hooks mixed with spoken word and rap verses. The all-female and non-binary quartets improvised solos, lush harmonies, and jazz grooves immerse crowds in an unforgettable experience. Monstress has scheduled single release after release, starting with ‘Heather’s Diary’, a punk-funk-nu-jazz-jumptastic sonic experience.