Flashing OFF the Record

Friday, August 21, 2026

Friday Flash(back) - DMA's - DMA's

DMA's just dropped their fifth self-titled studio album. The album is the band's first to be released via Wonderlick Entertainment partnering with Sony and RCA UK following a signed global deal.

The group will promote the album with acoustic in-store shows across the United Kingdom during the week of release. The album landed after multiple singles were released. My Baby's Place was released on 20 March as the album's lead single. It is the band’s first fully self-produced single.

Heatin Park was released alongside the album's announcement on 28 April. With Music Feeds staff writer saying "The new self-titled album marks a fresh chapter for the trio, blending their signature indie anthem sound with some new textures. Heatin Park is already showing off that range, gritty, distorted and stadium-sized – a sharp left turn from the dreamy vibes of My Baby’s Place.

Hurricane was released on 5 June as the album's third single, with a Music Talkers review saying [it] feels instantly familiar while still exploring new territory. It is classic DMA's in spirit, but with fresh textures that help the song stand apart from previous releases.

Killing Time was the final single released on 3 July, ahead of the albums release.

DMA's are an iconic, Australian rock band forming back in 2012 in Sydney.

The band is composed of lead vocalist Tommy O'Dell, lead guitarist Matt Mason, and rhythm guitarist Johnny Took. They originally gained popularity for their debut single Delete and for their self-titled EP, which were both released in 2014. A long time ago now if you think about it.

The band have since gone on to release five studio albums: Hills End (2016), For Now (2018), The Glow (2020), How Many Dreams? (2023), and the below self titled release.

Their four previous albums have peaked within the top 10 of the ARIA Albums Chart, with the latter two also reaching the top five in the UK and Scotland.

Next week it's former Voice and Eurovision queen, Kate Miller-Heidke. Flashback to her Sunday Spotlight in 2019.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Friday Flash(back) - Amy Shark - Soft Pop

Soft Pop is the fourth studio album from Gold Coast native, Amy Shark. In the early days, 2008 to 2012, her early solo material was released and performed under the name Amy Cushway

Her 2016 single Adore peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was also listed at number 2 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2016. Her album Love Monster (July 2018) debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Shark has won 8 ARIA Music Awards from 29 nominations, including winning Best Pop Release three times: in 2017 for her extended play, Night Thinker, 2018 for Love Monster and 2020 for Everybody Rise.

In addition to her musical career, Shark has served as a judge on Australian Idol since 2023. She also performed new tracks from her album centre stage at my mums local Westfield recently. Westfield Tuggerah. Now that is a tough gig!

Soft Pop was announced back in March, alongside the album's lead single. The album was written entirely by Shark, with no co-writes and no collaborations. The album was recorded in a converted church in Wales with long-time producer Dann Hume (yes from Evermore!).

Some history from this week's feature. Amy Shark's birth father separated from her mother, Robyn, when Shark was just a baby. Upon the success of Adore, Shark replied to her birth father's attempt to re-establish contact.

In 2007 Shark met Shane Billings, a New Zealand-born Gold Coast financial manager; they married on 11 May 2013. The couple worked with the local National Rugby League football club, Gold Coast Titans: Shark as a video editor and Shane managing finances. She left that job in November 2016. Shane was also Shark's talent manager until she signed with Jaddan Comerford of UNIFIED Music Group, & continued as her manager for the local market.

The couple were residents of Broadbeach Waters. They relocated to Sydney by 2021.

In September 2021 Shane founded Rage More Records as a talent management company and recording label. The label's first release is a single "I'm not Giving Up" (Sep 2021) by IndyAnna Baby, which is co-written by Shark with that artist.

Shark cancelled a proposed American tour set for September 2023 due to hospitalisation for an unspecified illness in early August. The artist described having felt discomfort before seeking medical assistance and was due to undergo surgery with a month for recovery. By late September the singer performed at El Rey Theatre, LA.

Until next Friday, when we shine the spotlight on one of Australia's favourite bands. Wait till then to find out who is up next.