Rumour has it that something rad is happening in Melbourne. Alt-pop is (finally!) getting well-deserved attention.
From a niche genre made in bedrooms and basements by hugely underestimated musos, it’s slowly becoming a trendy movement in the local scene. More artists repping that aesthetic are surfacing, their tunes are getting spins on national radio, and newly gained fans are flocking to their gigs around town.
The foundation of Galaxy Music coincided with this phenomenon. And what better way to celebrate an independent record label’s launch than putting on a gig, showcasing up-and-coming artists repping that eclectic genre?
PART 220 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
There are three reasons why the launch of Galaxy Music grabbed my attention.
For starters, the new Melbourne-based record label is an independent endeavour run by people who are both dedicated music fans and passionate about supporting their local community.
As someone who listens to tons of music, I’m also super keen on sussing out artists who create in the more “niche” genres. Alt-pop definitely fits that description.
Last but not least, I applaud every project highlighting women in the music industry. And – coincidentally or not – Galaxy Music is opening its doors with a strong female-oriented roster.
The brand’s mission speaks volumes about the path it is trying to carve for itself in the Aussie music business. Lee ‘Jonesy’ Jones, the producer and founder of Galaxy Music, points out that this new venture is built on traditional, artist-first values.
“We believe in supporting natural talent, building and connecting communities and celebrating creativity. We bet on original music created by amazing humans,” he explains. “We also think that short-term wins and vanity metrics are boring. Loving the process and putting good into the world is what brings long-term results.”
Hence, Galaxy Music’s model is based on an artist development studio. The company supports promising musos with production, writing, marketing and release like any other label. The only exception is that “we don’t charge for services”, Lee adds.
At the same time, the company doesn’t want to be pigeonholed, specifying the criteria for their future collaborators. They’re more into “doing cool stuff with cool people” and seeing what happens in the future. It makes sense if you know anything about the Melbourne music scene. Everyone knows everyone there. And cross-genre productions are a common thing.
Lee also emphasises that Galaxy Music is constantly evolving. As the company grows, it will surely be shaped by the contributions of all the people involved in it, from staff to artists. Being open to new things and expanding his (musical) horizons are in Lee’s DNA.
The label’s official launch is proof of that philosophy, too.
In March 2025, Galaxy Music dropped three tracks by three unique alt-pop artists. They timed those releases perfectly, in tune with exciting happenings in the local music scene, heralding the dawn of a new movement.
Even though the first global mention of alt-pop (or alternative pop) goes back to 1994, this broad subgenre has mostly stayed on the sidelines of the music business.
It might be because it’s quite eclectic and thus considered more musically and intellectually “challenging” for listeners. It’s not as easy to listen to as mainstream pop, for example, because not all audiences are ready to embrace the experimentation, originality and sound fusion that define it.
Galaxy Music decided to test those uncharted alt-pop waters, nevertheless.
In mid-March, they dropped the anthemic “Rage” by Lovy. A week later, they followed it up with an R&B-infused hip-hop jam, “One Thing”, by ASIA. And to top it all, towards the end of the month, they shared a straight-up driving pop classic, “Ghost”, by Mia Savannah.
Don’t sweat it if those stage names don’t ring a bell (yet). That’s the whole idea. Galaxy Music is all about uncovering promising new acts and shouting about them from the rooftops.
I’m also loving the fact that – despite the genre they’ve all creatively signed up to – these three talented singers are all pretty unique.
Lovy, for instance, takes her inspiration from Billie Eilish, rap music and… Bon Jovi and 80s rock. She might be a fresh face in this whole music biz thing, but she’s not exactly a newbie.
When she announced at 6 or 7 years old that she would be a singer one day, she knew it wasn’t “just a phase”, despite what everyone else around her seemed to think. Consequently, she joined a band in high school and has taught herself to play “a little piano”.
Listening to “Rage”, I can’t get over that English is not the artist’s native language. Allegedly, she learnt it from Katy Perry’s songs. Not bad for an emerging muso who now has over 70 pages of lyrics in her notebook, hey?
But that’s not the only thing that sets this genre-defying artist apart from her peers.
She writes stories, poems and music. Her style is unpredictable and unfiltered but in an intentional way. You can tell she’s never read or followed the rule book, so nothing is holding her back.
That unapologetic bravery is clearly reflected in “Rage”. While the song’s melody is quite simple and consists of just a few chords played in a different order, there’s a more profound layer to the lyrics. Lovy tells a story of someone coming to terms with their anger issues – an experience she can relate to personally.
Contrary to what you might expect, given its title, it’s not a loud, noisy banger, though. The vocals are delivered softly, almost like a whisper in your ear. It feels like the protagonist is warning the listeners to keep a safe distance. “Better leave, before I give you a reason to,” she sings in the chorus, sending shivers down your spine.
ASIA touches on a different topic in her soulful, introspective track, “One Thing”.
“Where have you been, girl? Finally feel like you looked in the mirror”, she sings in her alternative R&B manner in the song’s opening lines. And it’s like she’s daring to share out loud what that inner voice has been trying to tell her for a while.
Actually, that feeling of confusion is present throughout the track. ASIA refers to being a bit lost when you’re 20-something, trying to figure things out and be an adult for the first time in your life. The single is a hymn to self-reflection and a reminder to back yourself and trust that the universe has a plan.
According to the singer, the solution is to focus on one thing only at a time. She experienced that serendipity moment when she moved to the Land Down Under to study law. Even though she’s Aussie and calls Melbourne her second home, she grew up in Hong Kong.
ASIA still recalls the karaoke nights and song-star shows in her bedroom as a kid. She mostly lists the R&B divas, like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, H.E.R. and Summer Walker, as the artists she still looks up to today.
So don’t be surprised if you become addicted to this soulful, rhythmic vocal delivery laid over gritty, old-school beats. ASIA surely won’t mind if you put her debut single on repeat for a while.
Sonically speaking, Mia Savannah‘s “Ghost” is another plot twist among the three releases.
The song is an instant banger with an introspective, haunting (pun intended) chorus that touches on a very relatable topic.
I’m willing to bet that you’ve also been “left on seen” at least once. Being ghosted by someone you’re interested in romantically is an all-too-familiar modern-day experience. When it happens, we all tend to beat ourselves up about it, thinking it’s our fault. But Mia is not afraid to be vulnerable by asking directly, “Is it something I did wrong? Or did I come on too strong?”
These raw, confessional lyrics are typical of Mia’s writing. Listening to her songs feels like reading a friend’s diary – intriguing, revealing and hard to forget. All of a sudden, you become her confidante, impatiently waiting for her to share more secrets and revelations. In fact, this is how she landed on the new label’s radar in the first place.
Mia is the most “experienced” out of the three artists. Her captivating voice goes hand-in-hand with her memorable, catchy style. No wonder – she quotes Billie Eilish, Rex Orange County, Benee, Lizzy McAlpine, and Sabrina Carpenter as her influences.
A prolific songwriter, her self-released singles over the last years caught Lee’s attention. So he convinced her that Galaxy Music would be the best place to work on the next phase of her artistic journey.
When asked about their thoughts on the collaboration with Galaxy Music so far, all three singers highlighted Lee’s approach to the process. They pointed out that he “lets their unique styles shine through”, adding to their artistic vibe instead of imposing a formula or a particular work style. And isn’t having creative freedom and a supportive producer every artist’s dream?
Now, here comes the best part. The triple single release was only phase one in Galaxy Music’s launch. Part two will involve alt-pop fans as well. The label’s taking off with a bang. They’re throwing a party to introduce themselves to the wider music scene community, with all three acts performing live under one roof.
Lee has dubbed this special occasion “Night 1.0 for a next-generation, alt-pop movement happening in Melbourne.” Additionally, to spice up that FOMO feeling, each attendee will receive a limited-edition, numbered and signed, triple A-side label sampler vinyl, included in the ticket price.
So go support Galaxy Music and the artists it works with. And if you’re an alt-pop muso looking for a new home for your releases, too, consider dropping Lee a line. Unless, of course, you’re not really into “doing cool stuff with cool people.”
Galaxy Music label launch party – check out the FB event
When & where: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 / The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Line-up: Lovy, ASIA, Mia Savannah + special guests Noise Business – a community of DJs bringing the spirit of Berlin to Melbourne.
Tickets are available here (don’t forget to claim your limited edition, signed 12” vinyl at the event)
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