COLLABORATIONS 2025 / 2026
MAIA TOAKLEY
EVERYTHING ON FIRE
Maia Toakley is ready to unveil a defining chapter with the raw, incandescent honesty of "Space Song" and her new, deeply moving single, “Everything On Fire”. The song captures the raw complexity of ending a relationship whilst still romanticizing the idea of co-parenting. Yearning for what once was, when the reality is mythologized by the lens of nostalgia. This sonic vulnerability is the hallmark of Toakley’s live presence, where she balances grit with visceral tenderness. Her voice acts as an anchor, grounded yet possessing a fragile, ethereal edge. It is this duality that has captivated audiences, from sold-out headline dates in Sydney and Melbourne to a standout appearance at SXSW Sydney 2025, and high profile supports with The Belair Lip Bombs, The Moving Stills, and Sophie May (UK).Credits:Maia Toakley: vocalsFreya Shack-Arnott: Cello Charles Tait: guitar, piano, organ, bass, drums, percussion, engineer, mix and master
Circuits
the bay
Ambient/Jazz/ElectronicaSam: I have this mate who insists that if he makes it to the age of 85, he will pick up a heroin habit because there would no longer be any point in denying himself the pleasure of dying in such a glorious fashion. The veracity of my friend’s logic aside, I can’t help but feel like what he is envisioning is a sensation quite similar to the sound of “check-in”, a highlight from Charles Tait and Leo Barry’s recent collaborative record as Circuits, The Bay. Here is dub techno at its most sumptuous and illusory: a massive, plodding groove set to the dangerously low tempo of an opiated breath while a piano traces twinkling, minor-key melodies through swirls of synth above. It is indisputably beautiful and dramatic music but, I would argue, more interesting for what it obscures than what it makes apparent. As “check-in” unfurls, its immediate beauty gradually morphs into something more disorienting and dissociative and the song begins to approximate the feeling of being suffocated by pleasure. The great conceit of Circuits, one of the more exciting projects to come out of the Eora underground in 2025, is how they manage incarnate dub and jazz—fundamentally human genres of music—into the non-earthly realm. And for it we are rewarded most handsomely with “check-in”, the ideal soundtrack to a gentle, substance-assisted shuffle off this mortal coil.For more phenomenal writing from Sam and his collaborators on music from Australia to the world, check out https://redshiftblog.com and @redshiftblog on Instagram.Credits:Leo Barry: piano & synthYasmina Sadiki: vocalsFinn Koslowski: saxophoneMarley Joubert: trumpetCharles Tait: drums, guitar, bass, additional synth, production, engineer, mix and master
LANNIGAn
POCKET OF DREAMS
Alternative Rock/PopPocket Of Dreams is a 5 track EP released by Sydney-based indie-rock band Lannigan, led by songwriter Ben Roach and co-writer Luke Payne. Known for its driving basslines and energetic sound, the EP features tracks like "Living On The Floor" and "Heart Attack," supported by a live lineup including Charlie Tait, Joe Goddard, and Harrison Stewart-Weeks.Credits:Benjamin Roach: lead vocalsLuke Payne: rhythm guitarJoe Goddard: lead guitar Harrison Stewart-Weeks: drums, percussion Charles Tait: bass, backing vocals additional guitar, production, piano and mix
HAROLD & THE BISHOPS
DOG
Punk Harold & the Bishops, are a spirited four-piece band hailing from Sydney's Inner West. Known for their dynamic blend of psychedelic tones and high energy punk beats, the band has captivated audiences across Sydney’s vibrant live music scene since their formation in 2017. “DOG” is a four-track EP written from a dog's perspective, exploring the human-animal power dynamic with high-energy, fast-paced, and explicit, raw punk energy.Credits:Cameron Gillett: vocals, guitarRiley Holt: guitarGeorge Denton: bassJeremy Bryant: drumsCharles Tait: production, engineer, mix and master
vertebrae
SHARKS
Led by singer-songwriter Flynn Quigley alongside Jayden Credazzi and Archie Tait, Vertebrae are a Sydney three-piece bringing a fresh take on modern alternative rock, filtered through touchstones like Pavement, Bob Dylan and The Velvet Underground.
Cutting their teeth on inner west stages and building a following through Sydney's live circuit, they've shared bills at rooms like Vic on the Park and The Warren View Hotel, pairing authentic, playful songwriting with a visceral edge.
With a growing string of live dates and an album currently in the works, Vertebrae are shaping up to be on the tip of everyone's tongue in the coming year.Credits:Flynn Quigley: vocals, guitarJayden Credazzi: drumsArchie Tait: bassCharles Tait: engineer, mix and master
MAIA JELAVIC
Backburner
Indie Folk RockMaia Jelavic’s debut album, Back Burner, emerged from an unexpected burst of creative chemistry. Recorded over three days at Powell Lane Studios by the beach in Coogee, Sydney Australia, and co-produced with engineer Charlie Tait, the record was built instinctively, with Jelavic and Tait playing all instruments between them. What began as a spontaneous recording session quickly unfolded into a complete album, shaped by trust, momentum, and shared musical intuition.Credits:Maia Jelvaic: vocals, guitar, piano, bass Jordan Wilson: backing vocals Charles Tait: backing vocals, guitar, piano, organ, bass, drums, percussion, engineer and mix
PASTE
paste
Post-PunkPaste are a four-piece made up of Maia, Vin, Archie, and Dan. Drawing on influences like CCFX, Dust, and Endless/Crazy Mike, they deliver a sharp, guitar-driven take on post-punk - punchy vocals on the edge of rap, cut with synths and jagged, precise drumming.
Archie, Vin, and Maia had been honing lyrics rooted in their own experiences of modern life, while the songs themselves had been shaped over time into something distinctive and unique.Credits:Maia Toakley: vocalsArchie Tait: bass, vocals Vin Hrdina: vocals, drums Charles Tait: guitar, additional production, engineer, mix and master
POLISH CLUB
POUND CAKE
Garage Rock/PunkSydney rock stalwart’s Polish Club recorded their album Pound Cake in the space of roughly 2 days.. It is a nine-song, 18-minute garage rock record recorded at The Confectionery in Sydney.Intended to satirise the current state of the Australian music industry - David Novak and John-Henry Pajak revert back to their original garage roots. Credits:David Novak: vocals, guitarJohn-Henry Pajak: drums, percussionWade Keigran: bass, production and mix Charles Tait: percussion, assistant
LANNIGAN
SLOW RIDE
Slow Ride is the latest release from Sydney locals Lannigan, made up of Ben Roach, Luke Payne, Joe Goddard, Harry Stewart-Weeks and Charles Tait. At the project's core is the songwriting partnership between Roach — also frontman of Slim Jimz — and producer Payne, whose credits include Lahgo and Liquid Zoo. Slow Ride extends the band's indie rock / alternative pop sound, marking a step up from Lannigan's already well-honed take on classic indie rock.
Drawing heavily on Australian, British and American guitar bands who defined the mid-to-late 2010s, Lannigan set out to build a nostalgic listen for anyone who came of age on that sound.Credits:Ben Roach: vocalsLuke Payne: guitar, editing, engineerJoe Goddard: guitarHarry Stewart-Weeks: drumsCharles Tait: bass, backing vocals, percussion, engineer and mix
THE WHIPLASH EXPERIMENT
PIROUETTE
Instrumental Post-RockThe Whiplash Experiment fronted and directed by guitarist Jeremy Nicholas was an experimentation in “open music”. With Jeremy’s open tuning, saharan blues style guitar playing leading the way, The Whiplash Experiment’s Pirouette EP is instrumental post-rock inspired by the likes of Swans, Godspeed You Black Emperor and Sunn O. Credits:Jeremy Nicholas: high tension guitarBailey Dunn: second guitarMikel Salvador: bassLeo Barry: keyboard, organ, pianoCharles Tait: drums, percussion, engineer, mix and master
CHRIS CODY CHARLIE TAIT
UNDER OCEAN
Experimental/Ambient/Noise/JazzThis exciting new project uses solo piano, sound effects, electronics and other instruments to create large soundscapes. Coming from different backgrounds, cultures and generations, Cody and Tait seek through dialogue and practice-based experimentation to create and perform new music that combines jazz and classical with contemporary electronic music. Together, they create new emotionally charged sonic landscapes that are both lyrical and expansive, evoking a range of emotions and imagined places and moods.Chris Cody is an internationally renowned jazz pianist, composer and producer. He has worked with many outstanding international musicians around the world and released over 14 albums of his music. Charlie Tait has achieved international acclaim with his solo project Cambio Sun. Currently, Charlie works as a producer and engineer, at his purpose-built studio, The Confectionery, in Newtown.Credits:Chris Cody: pianoCharles Tait: production, drums, guitar, bass, additional synth, engineer, mix and master 
DARLING HEARTS
JERK FACE
Folk Rock/CountryThe Darling Hearts are a meeting of two musicians from the creative hub of the inner west of Sydney, with a track record: Maia Jelavic (Maia Marsh, Motion Sickness, Good Side) and Jordan Wilson (Georgia Fair). They have combined their significant expertise in this new project to great effect.‘Jerk Face’ has a jingle jangle sparkle with a cinematic breadth that is more expansive than the blue skies over Australia, and with a shimmering antipodean flavour. There is undeniably a thread of alt country twang in the delivery but the scope of the track is much wider with its inherent pop sensibilities and indie insouciance. Crystalline guitars underpin the vocals with the gorgeous layered harmonies and melodies.Credits:Jordan Wilson: vocals, guitarMaia Jelavic: vocals, guitar Tom Hume: drums, vocals Georgia Mulligan: bass, vocalsCharles Tait: engineer, mix and master
darling hearts
HERE
In the heart of Sydney’s Inner West, where soulful harmonies meet with poetic storytelling –you’ll find The Darling Hearts. A mesmerizing alt-country duo comprised of Maia Jelavic (Maia Marsh, Motion sickness, Good Side) and Jordan Wilson (Georgia Fair). Captivating a fusion of nostalgia and innovation that has won over the hearts of local music lovers, their sound has been likened to the timeless warmth of Big Thief, Kurt Vile and Gillian Welch. With an extra punch of Georgia Mulligan and Tom Hume (Dovetale) on the bass and drums, The Darling Hearts music is a testament to the power of collaboration. Engineered and mastered by Charles Tait at The Confectionery, Newtown.Credits:Maia Jelavic: vocals, guitarGeorgia Mulligan: bassTom Hume: drums, backing vocals Jordan Wilson: guitar, backing vocals Charles Tait: engineer, mix and master
MAIA toakley
BEFORE I LET GO
Pop RockAfter a massive 2024, gaining love from triple j for singles “Pessimist Babe” and “House of Cards,” as well as making the Top 100 shortlist for Vanda & Young 2025 global songwriting competition (winner yet to be announced), BEFORE I LET GO positions Maia Toakley as one of Australia’s most groundbreaking songwriters.Recorded and engineered by Charles Tait at the recently built Newtown studio, The Confectionary, BEFORE I LET GO features a collection of blissful, folk-pop songs that highlight themes of fear and power under an outpouring of raw emotion and self reflection.Credits:Maia Toakley: vocals, guitar, pianoNed Olive: bassJamine Tann: drums Isaac Freeman: lead guitar Charles Tait: additional guitar, production, engineer and mix
BODY MAGNET
BWBWBlockades
Electronic/Punk/Noise/HardcoreBody Magnet are a two piece experimental noise group consisting of Joe Goddard and Vinnie O’Malley. The two create intense, powerful and immediate noise punk that seems relevant for the current chaos of our times with subtle nods to prior grunge and experimental noise artists locally and internationally. BWBWBlockades is a double single with an album set to be released in 2026.Credits:Joe Godard: vocals, production Vinne O’Malley: drums Charles Tait: mix and master
BILLY MAY
…TO FRIENDSHIP
Folk Rock/Singer-SongwriterLocal Sydney singer-songwriter Isaac Freeman writes introspective, heart warming folk rock. Billy May’s EP ..To Friendship explores the complexities of navigating intimate relationships and the difficulties of letting go. Having played in the local Sydney scene for years in a variety of projects, Billy May has generated significant interest amongst the local musicians. Credits:Isaac Freeman: vocals, guitarEbony Tait: backing vocals, pianoNed Olive: bass Jasmin Tann: drumsCharles Tait: engineer and mix