Sunset Junkies’ sophomore album ‘Darkness Visible’ is due for worldwide release in December, 2021. Building on the grandiosity and scope of debut ‘Cosmos’ (2019), ‘Darkness Visible’ explores the depths of the soul rather than the expanses of the universe and the result is a progressive metal masterpiece bringing to mind the likes of Tool, Opeth and Devin Townsend.

Soaring melodies and rich choral arrangements courtesy of dual-vocalists Ellie Jane and Byron Short are underpinned by crushing riffs and complex rhythms, while an undeniable accessibility is maintained through brilliant song craft and daring, experimental production.

Mixed by Grammy award-winning heavyweight David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson) and Ryan McCambridge, ‘Darkness Visible’ is a step up and out in every way for Sunset Junkies, a testament to endurance in the face of adversity and a spellbinding body of work that will surely see the band take its place amongst the major players on the global heavy scene.

Australian alt pop musician Ella Hooper has been releasing intense, intelligent pop music since she was 13. Yep. No slouch, Hooper is also a DJ, radio host, TV presenter and self proclaimed music junkie. Her early work with iconic heavy pop rock band Killing Heidi stormed the charts and made her one of the most successful Aus artists of the early ‘00’s. After genre twists and turns into folk and country (because why not??) Ella officially went solo in 2014 with her debut album ‘In Tongues’ where she explored spiky synth sounds and themes of occult and obsession. The singles Low High, Haxan and Wild Stallionz cementing her solo career and marking a conscious move away from the technicolour teen dream aesthetic of Killing Heidi, with their creepy cool black and white film clips. Hooper’s latest release the double EP ‘Venom/New Magic' won love from the critics, spotlighting a warmer sonic palette and the continual evolution of Ella's broad spectrum song writing skill. From rambunctious pop rock to stark folk balladry to jangly 90’s vibes, Hooper can be hard to pin stylistically but she brings an instantly recognisable voice and an authenticity to the music she makes that creates an unapologetically personal vision. She has a knack for putting you in her world, whatever that might look like today. The magical and mundane, it's all up for grabs. Next up, brand new music - a return to classic pop rock with a vintage twist - is slated for the second half of 2018. Stay tuned.

For 26 years his djing has taken him through a myriad of genres. His former years found him slinging vinyl of Nu Jazz, Lounge, Electronic Chill, Deep House and Electronic around Brisbane's local bars and restaurants - (circa 1999). A few years on and after exploring other styles he soon found a new love for Disco, House, Funk, Soul, Nu Funk, Afro Beat, Nu Disco, Techno, Break Beat, Electro, Minimal and Tech House.  Fine tuning his selecting and crowd reading skills he soon gained the experience in sourcing tracks that kept dance floors full and venue owners happy, while gaining him the respect from his peers, promoters and venues to his dance floors as a Dj that can deliver.

Throughout this time his appreciation to varying genres and cross-over styles has shaped his often eclectic yet forward thinking sets and has seen him with residencies and slots in bars and clubs around Brisbane such as: Mr. Percivals, Elixir, Felons, Riverbar, Eleven, Can You Keep A Secret, Brewhouse, Press Club, Stoke Bar, Sundaes at Watt, Empire Hotel, Moon Bar, Family, Alhambra, Uber, Chalk Hotel, Milk Bar, The Fox Hotel, La La Land (Byron Bay), Super Whatnot and many more. Which has given him the chance to play alongside and support some of this country's and the worlds finest. Including; Ewan Pearson (U.K), Damien Lazarus (U.K), Mylo (U.K), Bass Kleph (Syd), Rephrase (Syd), Pocket a.k.a Poxymusic (Syd), Disco Pussy (Melb), Goodwill (Syd) and Slam (U.K) among others.

A lover of far too many genres and unable to settle on one, the focus is now on Deep House, Soulful House, Nu Disco, Minimal, Deep Chug and Techno, Electro to Disco, Disco Edits, Funk, Nu Funk, Rare Groove, Nu Jazz, Jazz Funk, Afro and Electronic. Enabling him to play across various venues to various crowds while keeping his sanity.

Not just confining himself to the club and bar circuit, Athol's eagerness to play somewhere different has found him djing on internet radio broadcasts, radio shows, clothing stores, fashion shows and countless corporate events.

Coming full circle, in recent times, Athol can be seen occasionally accompanying himself with world percussion to add a live and interactive element to his audience. Sharing the experience together. 




Music is the universal language we all understand in different ways and Athol will continue to share and tell his story with his own interpretation. 

Enjoy.

Think Rage meets The Herd meets James Brown, and you have Vaguely Human. Rock, funk and roots infused hip hop at its finest. VH are a Brisbane based 6-piece bringing you energetic live shows, diverse musical arrangements and the phattest grooves that will make you want to question your 9-5 job and throw your fist in the air. 

mick is following