When Sara Storer released her single ‘Under Darwin Stars’ last year it was lyrically within the pantheon of her work – wonderful details that created a world and a story told from the heart – and musically moved things along, as did its successor, ‘Layers’.

I spoke with Storer for both releases and in the ‘Layers’ interview she mentioned that some people thought she didn’t ‘want it’ enough – didn’t want a music career as much as others did – because she had taken time to raise her four boys and, well, live life. That subject emerges in her song ‘Sing Her Heart Out’ from new album Worth Your Love, and in it Storer reaches straight out of the song and into your heart – as she always does, and as she does with each song on this album that is about the colour and darkness and joy of being alive.

There is no other artist in Australian music – in any country’s music – like Sara Storer, and while that can be said of other artists, there’s a certain magic to her songs which makes her special. Some of the clues to that are in her upbringing, which we speak about in this new interview. Mostly it’s just her and that creative flow that is so much a part of her life that she’s now an exhibiting painter. She is curious and thoughtful and always learning, always trying new things as an artist. That makes for a great experience for a listener – and for an interviewer, because there’s never a dull moment!

Listen to Worth Your Love on Apple Music

Listen to Worth Your Love on Spotify

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While they’re not currently releasing new music, McAlister Kemp remain one of the most popular acts in Australian country music, renowned for their blend of high-energy country rock with great vocals from both Troy Kemp and Drew McAlister, and songs that touch on a range of subjects that people can relate to, meaning they take those songs into their own lives.

So fans are abuzz with the news that the pair are to play a show on 22 January at the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival at one of the festival’s favourite venues, Blazes at West Tamworth Leagues Club (full details below). The show is called Night on Fire, after one of their songs, and it promises to be just that.

Kemp now lives in Nashville, and when we spoke recently he filled me in on the story of how he came to move there – during the pandemic, no less – and how it’s going for him. And the interview came during what might be the last quiet time in Kemp’s life, because his wife is due to give birth to their first child any day! Suffice to say he is beyond excited about the arrival of his daughter, who will be accompanying Dad to Tamworth in January.

It's been a while since I’ve had the chance to interview Kemp and he was, as ever, great to talk to. And I may or may not tried to cajole him into recording more duets with female singers, an artform I believe he excels at (for reasons I state). Of course, duets with McAlister are baked into the McAlister Kemp sound, and thankfully there will be plenty of those in January.

Tickets are on sale now for what promises to be an absolute festival must-see and a night on fire to remember!

McAlister Kemp | Night on Fire

Thursday, 22 January 2026, 8.30 p.m.

Blazes Showroom, West Tamworth Leagues Club

Tickets available from Wests: https://wtlc.com.au/event/mcalister-kemp/

Cost: $50 Adult, $30 Child

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Every now and again - when I have time - I like to put together an episode with new tracks I'd like to bring to your attention, and embed those songs in this podcast episode. So I hope you enjoy listening to the following tracks:

Roo Arcus – ‘Lonesome for the Lone Star State’

Loren Ryan – ‘BOUNTY’

Jay Santilli – ‘Rewind’

The Kunins – ‘One Way Flight’

Nathan May – ‘Darwin Son’

Brooke Schubert – ‘What Next’

The Pleasures – ‘Was it Something I Said?’

Lyn Bowtell ft Kate Ballantyne and Karen O'Shea – ‘I Don’t Wanna Say’

Nathan Lamont – ‘What Comes After’

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.