Australia should be in the news because of its staggering amount of musical talent. Alas, the devastating bushfires currently dominate the headlines. Jack River (the alias of 28-year-old Holly Rankin) unites both subjects. Apart from being a successful musician, she’s been on the frontline of the climate crisis fight. She hosted a panel of climate experts in Sydney last spring. Also, she performed to 80K people there in the autumn for School Strike for Climate. Since Carte Blanche Music isn’t a political platform, I’ll just focus on her musical activities.

In March, Jack River will be one of quite a few Aussie talents to play showcase festival SXSW in Austin, Texas. In an ideal world, her new single Dark Star would be a big hit by then. The track sees her tapping into long-past feelings, when she sings of the dark obsession underlying young love. River intended it to be ‘a racy, guitar-y, sentimental song that made you feel like you’re driving past your ex’s house’. While writing it, she imagined a song that replicated the feeling of ‘having your heart dragged through the room while listening to Oasis’. This information adds a whole new dimension to enjoying the tune, doesn’t it?

Dark Star is the third and final single to be released ahead of Jack River’s upcoming Stranger Heart EP. It’ll be out on Valentine’s Day.

For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

Werner Schlosser

Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.