Indie Kids: Marino, Caskey, GIFT, Pool Girl, Gareth Inkster, Lelia, Tickets To Space, Silver Lake Rodeo, Erin Greider, Mug Burgundy

Our Indie Kids playlist celebrates everything on the indie spectrum, whether that’s rock, folk or pop, because we firmly believe in taking a little walk off the beaten track every once in a while.


Marino’s new single ‘Rip Out Your Eyes’ transforms the frustration of anxiety into a vibrant, genre-bending indie-pop experience. Crisp vocals and melodic guitar establish an immediate hook, before punchy drums and a driving bassline propel the track forward. Particularly effective are the quirky 8-bit-inspired synth textures, which add an unexpected electronic edge to the rock-inflected arrangement. The standout instrumental break brings everything together, with buzzing samples and funky bass creating an irresistibly hypnotic groove. Beneath its energetic surface, the song carries genuine emotional weight, exploring the difficulty of communicating an experience as personal as panic.

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Florida artist Caskey makes a bold pivot into alt-rock with new release ‘One Eye Open’, which signals a transformative era ahead in his upcoming album, More Alive Than Ever. Produced by longtime collaborator WLPWR, the track trades tried-and-tested hip-hop beats for driving guitars, restless percussion and an aggressively infectious hook. Known for his raw, confessional pen, Caskey channels paranoia and defiance into an urgent anthem about breaking free from “the machine” and protecting creative identity. Blending his hardcore roots with singer-songwriter vulnerability, Caskey fearlessly reinvents himself while keeping the uncompromising authenticity that defines his career.

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Creating a sound that feels both urgent and hypnotic, ‘Hand To The Flame’ is a thrilling collision of heavy guitars, pounding beats and psychedelic synths. Inspired by the myth of Icarus, GIFT’s song explores ambition, obsession and the seductive danger of repeatedly chasing something that may ultimately cause pain. Its driving rhythm gives the song a relentless momentum, mirroring the reckless determination at its core, while the trippy electronic textures add an unpredictable edge. There’s something romantic in that self-destructive pursuit, and GIFT capture it with striking intensity.

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Pool Girl delivers a warm, quietly empowering ode to female friendship, shared grit and chasing big dreams beyond corporate walls in ‘Frannie You’ll Be Alright!’. As the third single from her upcoming album Melancholic Beach Town, the track envelops listener in a sun-faded, hazy dreamscape built on shimmering, lightly distorted synths, surfy guitar riffs and a steady metronomic beat. Dedicated to her best friend, Nixon’s intimate, detailed lyrics transform a personal pep talk into a universal anthem of unwavering support. It’s a luminous, uplifted indie-pop gem that honors the people who keep us afloat through life’s shifting seasons.

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Originating in a late-night encounter beneath a streetlight, ‘You Are Not Young Start Walkin’ takes that real-life moment and translates it into a sonic meditation on consciousness, decision and personal growth. Gareth Inkster’s introspective, harmonically rich piece that blends classical sophistication with an accessible pop sensibility. His thoughtful songwriting draws on philosophical ideas without sacrificing melody, creating music that feels cerebral yet immediately engaging. Intricate arrangements provide depth, while memorable hooks keep the track grounded and inviting. There’s a compelling sense of movement throughout, reflecting its central theme of choosing to move beyond unconscious habits. The result is reflective, distinctive and quietly powerful.

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London’s underground standout Lelia makes an impact with ‘Hair’, the fiercely camp third single from her upcoming debut album, Dark Disco. Melding post-disco sensuality with electro-clash bite, the track pairs thick synth bass, heavy guitars, and processed, Daft Punk-inspired production with confrontational lyrics. Fusing the dark playfulness of LCD Soundsystem with raw, PJ Harvey-esque urgency, Lelia explores sex, existentialism and ultimate liberation through a Gen Z lens. Rejecting material constraints, she turns desire into pure rhythm, delivering a raucous, dance-forward anthem that violently reclaims her agency while destroying everything in its path to achieve total freedom.

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On ‘True’, Meanjin/Brisbane indie surf-rockers Tickets to Space translate simple dreams into a wiry, high-energy anthem of youthful optimism. This is the band’s third release and it pairs a loose, rough-edged groove with a roaring, punk-leaning chorus. Singer Fraser Stott channels carefree angst and impressive vocal range into a celebration of lifelong friendship, family and simple human connection. Uncomplicated yet undeniably infectious, ‘True’ finds profound excitement in the ordinary, delivering a raucous, feel-good slice of Australian indie-rock that makes the future look bright, grounded and endlessly inviting.

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shaped by the freedom and simplicity of Silver Lake Radio’s (Sloan Dylan Walters) experience in Costa Rica, ‘La Selva’ is a warm, reflective escape from the noise of modern city life, Sung in Spanish, the track carries an intimate, homespun quality that complements its themes of travel, disconnection and longing for a more grounded existence. Folk and country influences give the song an organic character, while Sloan’s storytelling keeps the focus on personal experience rather than grand statements. There’s a gentle sense of nostalgia woven throughout, making ‘La Selva’ feel like a musical postcard from another life. This single invites you to slow down.

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Los Angeles pop-rock artist Erin Greider turns a toxic breakup into a witty, clear-eyed anthem of liberation. ‘We Could’ve Been Friends’ is from her sophomore album pairs driving guitars, easy percussion and a Liz Phair-esque chorus to detail the quiet loss of everyday intimacy. Backed by producer Topher Mohr and drummer Stephen Haaker, Erin contrasts composed vocals with sharp, devastating lyrics that name betrayal without getting dragged into the mess. Cinematic, sharp and laced with Laurel Canyon-meets-Sunset Strip edge, it’s a cathartic goodbye that trading lingering heartbreak for total clarity and a clean break.

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‘Alone and in Love’ captures the bittersweet charm of falling for someone from a distance without slipping into melodrama. Built around the contradictions of solitude and romantic longing, the song finds warmth and contentment in an experience that could easily feel lonely. Its playful writing brings a welcome sense of humour, with witty lyrical turns adding personality and keeping the emotional core light on its feet. The conversational quality makes the sentiment feel intimate and relatable, while the recurring refrain gradually transforms from a statement of circumstance into one of acceptance. ‘Alone and in Love’ is a thoughtful take on modern romance.

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