Legendary music marvel Sarah Howells, of Triple J and Double J fame, ventures off the Sunny Coast’s beaten beach tracks to unearth the hidden live music gems in our diverse communities. Here are her finds for February.

This New Light

If indie-folk is your thing then you need to check out Samuel Ayling, AKA This New Light. The local songwriter has been releasing music under this name since 2019, and just dropped his latest song, “Hinterland”. He’s started off the new year strong, not only with this fresh release but also a coveted support slot for Sunny Coast major players, The Dreggs, for their New South Wales and ACT gigs this month. If you see him playing locally, I suggest you head along as he’s indicated that he will be doing a lot less gigs this year. You can also support This New Light, and get all the behind-the-scenes goss over at his Patreon page, which he’s just gone back to after a 15-month hiatus.

Sahara Beck

The darling of the Sunshine Coast music scene, Sahara has been creating beautiful music for years. “Briefs” has been incredible for her, and she recently told me that it’s given her a whole different way of looking at and experiencing her own live shows. You’ll be able to see what that looks like on Sunday, February 11, at Solbar Playhouse, with the added bonus of AYLA as a special guest! Sahara is also dropping a new single called, “Special” just days later, which you’ll get a sneak preview of at her show, and she also has a very special live acoustic EP on the way.

Jack Raymond

I’ve been waiting to hear Jack Raymond’s debut album ever since I heard the first strum of his guitar. And now it’s here. “The Long Story Short” is released into the world this month, showcasing Jack’s smokey deep-toned voice and blues and roots acoustic groove. You can join the party at the launch, happening at Boiling Point Brewing Co in Noosa on February 23. Jack may have grown up in Harrietville in alpine Victoria, but we have embraced him as a Noosa local since he moved here years ago – you might have even noticed a mural featuring his face in Alley Way.

Bobby Alu

Our Byron Bay friend Bobby Alu is one of my all-time favourite performers, and he’s coming back to the Coast for a run of four dates in late February. Even more special is that he’s bringing his mum along for this one! Mum Foloi Iulia shared her Samoan culture with Bobby at the kitchen table when he was a child, sharing songs and language, and now they collaborate on music and dance. His music brings together roots, reggae, folk and Samoan influenced sounds for a show that is always upbeat and full of joy. His new song, “Ready For Your Love” has just been released, so no doubt we will be hearing that one at the shows. You can catch him in Maleny, Pomona, Coolum and Eudlo between February 22-25. He’s no stranger to the Coast, have recorded his music at Yama-Nui, and the incredible artwork on his albums and posters are created by a Sunny Coast native, too.

You can hear Sarah Howells on ABC Sunshine Coast each weekday between 8.30am-11am. Tune in on 90.3FM, 95.3FM or the ABC Listen app.

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