Episode 100: Jack Parsons – The Pretty Littles

Episode 100: Jack Parsons – The Pretty Littles

For about 15 years now, the Australian music scene has been home to The Pretty Littles, arguably one of the best rock bands this country has produced in quite some time. From humble beginnings with a batch of albums that largely flew under the radar, it was in 2016 or so that The Pretty Littles began to experience wider fame.  Albums like 2016's 'Soft Rock For The Anxious' and 2018's 'Skeleton Run' helped cement them as staples of the independent rock scene, and there's a very good chance that 2020's 'Weekend Away' would have continued that trajectory, had it not arrived against the backdrop of COVID. That album was very close to being the last for the band, with The Pretty Littles effectively ceasing to exist after its arrival.  Thankfully, the story doesn't end there, and frontman Jack Parsons kept the group going, enough to release 2025's 'Force' album, which was my favourite Australian release of 2025, and third-favourite record of the year overall. Given that Force took a while to arrive, one could have reasonably expected another few years to elapse before The Pretty Littles dropped a new record, but thankfully, we're celebrating today with the release of 'Mulga Wire', a fresh new album that shows that this is a band that don't just offer up some slick songs with stellar songwriting (try saying that five times fast), but commands your attention because of it. This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Parso, just days after he returned from the latest edition of Guts Touring up in the Northern Territory. Thankfully, he was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed enough to take part in what would be this podcast's 100th episode celebration (or as I'm calling it, the 'Trusty Chords 100th Episode Extrava-Spec-Ganza-Tacular'. Catchy, right?) Anyway, have a listen to The Pretty Littles' 'Mulga Wire', grab a ticket to their upcoming tour, listen back through that impressive discography, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping and some words about this podcast's 100-episode run.

Episode 99: Jimmy Kyle – Chasing Ghosts

If you're someone who has a penchant for music which is a little bit ferocious, a little bit honest, and a whole lot of impactful, then you might have come across Chasing Ghosts over the years. Originally, Chasing Ghosts was formed as a solo act by Jimmy Kyle, a Thungutti man who also happens to be a musician, storyteller, and educator up there with the best of them. Following Chasing Ghosts' arrival, albums arrived in due course, and soon enough, it expanded into a full-band affair. Records like 'Confessions From A Phone Booth' and 'I Am Jimmy Kyle' were followed by the 'Homelands' EP, and in 2025, we received the Therapy album. I'm going to editorialise a little bit when I say that 'Therapy' is a stunning record and one that is definitely worth your time. Early this month, however, Chasing Ghosts revealed that they were going on an indefinite hiatus. Noting that "family has to come first," Jimmy reflected on the impact that the band has had on both him and the wider community, and revealed that they wouldn't be going out with a whimper, but with a bang. Indeed, they announced one final show to take place at the Northcote Social Club this June, with the massive attention soon necessitating a second show.  This week, Jimmy was kind enough to join me for a wonderful chat, discussing his musical history, the story of Chasing Ghosts, and the impending hiatus. As a bit of a peek behind the curtain, my band will actually be supporting Chasing Ghosts at their second Northcote Social Club show, but this hadn't been locked down while we were chatting. Anyway, buy a ticket to Chasing Ghosts' upcoming farewell show, listen back through that impressive discography, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Episode 98: Aaron Perrino – The Sheila Divine

I daresay that The Sheila Divine are one of those great examples of a band who deserve much more attention than they've received over their career. Forming in Boston back in 1997, most casual fans of the group would've come on board around the release of 1999's 'New Parade' record, which spawned the likes of 'Hum', 'Like A Criminal', and more. If you're a fan of music from the late '90s (and frankly, if you're listening to this podcast, I daresay you are), 'New Parade' should be required listening. Go ahead, take 46 minutes and give it a run. I'll wait right here. (That was great, wasn't it?) But their story doesn't end there. Following another record a couple of years later, the group would split, with a pair of reunions eventually resulting in a constant stream of records since 2012 as an independent act. An acclaimed group of musicians, songwriters, and performers, the band's fanbase is strongest in the US northeast, as well as Belgium. And with good reason, too, because they are a stellar band who are still operating at full capacity, decades down the line. This week, they return with their latest album, the fantastic 'The Middle Ages.' If you're a fan of alternative rock with soaring choruses, frenetic energy, and a viscerally-earnest approach to the craft, you'd do well to check this one out. Since The Sheila Divine's inception, Aaron Perrino has been up the front, serving as vocalist and guitarist. This week, he was kind enough to join us for a chat (well, we actually spoke back in March) to chat about the band's history, their new record, and his familial link to another friend of the show. Anyway, have a listen to The Sheila Divine's 'The Middle Ages,' have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Episode 97: Ruby Jones

Ruby Jones is one of those musicians whose whole life has largely been spent in the pursuit of music, with a calling to the craft as a youngster soon finding itself following her for the entirety of her life. If her name isn't one that's familiar, there's a very good chance you might have seen her as part of Melbourne soul outfit Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes, which existed until 2015 and boasted Ruby as a member. Since then though, she's been very active as a solo artist, having launched her career a few years later, and releasing the stellar 'The Woman Who Loves You' album in 2021. There was a bit of a gap between releases after that, however, and it's taken us a little while to receive her new record, 'Souvenir.' Arriving last week, it's one of those records which definitely falls into the category of 'worth the wait', because Ruby has crafted an 11-track collection of tunes which showcase her stunning approach to folk and rock. Touching upon myriad topics such as creativity, heartbreak, toxic relationships, a love of place, and even climate catastrophes, it's a record which is varied in its approach, though anyone would be consistent in their opinion that it's a wonderful release. You might have guessed by now, but this week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Ruby about her musical career, and how it led to the release of her new record. Anyway, have a listen to her 'Souvenir' album, buy a ticket to her upcoming launch show, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Episode 96: Nick Manuell – Bodyjar, Luca Brasi, Raging Hormones

Hello and welcome to Trusty Chords, the podcast which aims to celebrate music and those that create it. Spend just a few minutes chatting to Nick Manuell, and it's pretty clear that he's one of the hardest-working folks in the Australian music scene. Having been interested in music since his early years, a number of bands gave way to The Sinking Teeth, who were a staple of live stages for quite some time – close to a decade in fact. However, Nick's current list of bands can be traced back to 2013, when The Sinking Teeth went out on tour with punk icons Bodyjar for their 'Role Model' tour. Performing alongside Luca Brasi as fellow supports, it was just six years later that he'd be asked to join Bodyjar as their bassist. Since then, he's served as a member of the legendary rock group, starting another band – Raging Hormones – along the way. Most recently, Nick went back to that 2013 tour, because in 2024, he also joined Luca Brasi, this time as their rhythm guitarist. Needless to say, if you're in a band right now, be careful chatting to Nick, or else he might just be coming for your job. Alongside his stellar work in his numerous bands, Nick's work also extends to the worlds of photography, videography, recording, and so much more. I've been lucky enough to share stages with him, record in the studio with him, and have his camera pointed at my face, and he's a dedicated professional in every aspect. Next week, Nick is hitting the road with Luca Brasi as they kick off their 'If This Is All We’re Going To Be' tenth anniversary tour, but before he does that, he was kind enough to join for a lengthy chat about his musical history. Anyway, buy a ticket to Luca Brasi's upcoming Australian tour; listen through the discographies of The Sinking Teeth, Bodyjar, Raging Hormones, and Luca Brasi; and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.