Dirty Hearts are back and kicking down the doors once again with their blistering new single, ‘Slide’, released just a few days ago through long-time allies Near Enough Records. This track is the first offering from their forthcoming album, ‘Third’, due early 2026, and it’s a riff-driven, swagger-soaked statement of intent.
The Brisbane natives, Holly Maddigan (keyboards and vocals), Luke Anderson (drums), Matt Doe (vocals and guitar), and Mace McGregor (bass), continue to inhabit that sweet spot between raw power and emotional honesty, cementing their place as one of the most compelling and uncompromising bands carving their way through the Australian rock landscape.
With ‘Slide’ still taking over the airwaves, we took a moment to catch up with the band and discuss the evolution of their line-up, the live experience that drives their writing process, and the classic rock masters who still inspire them.
It’s so great to chat with you again! Last time was a blast. You’ve got a bit of a new line-up for the band; can you tell us a bit about that?
“The current incarnation of Dirty Hearts has been playing together for just under a year. Though, individually, we’ve all been around the scene for years. I guess a combination of equal parts delusion and alcohol is what prompted us to get together.”
When we last spoke, you were championing ‘Sunday Morning Anxiety’, but now you have a new single out. Can you share a bit about that?
“Following the release of ‘Sunday Morning Anxiety’ (Near Enough Records 2024), we underwent some significant line-up changes. We were really keen to commit to something representative of the new personnel specifically and give them an opportunity to get their fingerprints over as much of the new material as they can. In this moment, I think that we’re all as equally enthusiastic about the prospect of recording new material and, more importantly, playing live.”
Were there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when bring the new track to life?
“I’m amazed anytime that someone, including ourselves, listens to any track that we record. 10 people will name 10 completely different artists or bands that we pulled from. We’re unashamedly a direct product of our influences. You can’t avoid it. While we didn’t have a specific point of reference in mind, there’s definitely a ‘nod and a wink’ to a few usual suspects: ’70s British masters, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and maybe something slightly newer in Rival Sons and QOTSA.”
How would you describe the sound on your latest release?
“Rock. It may be the purest rock song we’ve committed to tape, in terms of structure and overall feel. At our core, we’ve always been more enthusiastic to play live rather than record. We were really struck with Dan’s ability to achieve the sound we were hearing on stage in the studio.”
What was your songwriting process for ‘Slide’ - how did it all come together?
“Typically, it all starts with me sifting through the multitude of voice memos on my phone that have been collated in time between our last recording and now, seeing what concept will germinate into something ‘somewhat musical’. From there, we develop as a team. Lyrics had often been an afterthought, but not in this case. We were fortunate in the respect that we had been road testing this material for a few months previously, so we had a very clear vision for what we wanted to achieve.”
Was there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release?
“I don’t think we entered into the studio with a focus on message or theme, but as is often the case, something materialises inadvertently after the fact. It may not be obvious at the time; you need some time to ruminate, [and] reflect, that definitely happened here. For me, I see some common, deeper veins of relationships, [and] prioritising what’s important or essential to me/us in this moment.”
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
I know I keep harping back to the live experience, but the question of paramount importance when writing is: ‘How will I/we feel performing this?’ If we enjoy it, if the crowd however large or small do, it’s the only litmus test for me, at least.
Do you have any advice for bands and artists who are just starting out and trying to make their mark?
“This is very much from the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ school of thinking. Embrace how bad you truly are—most of us are, initially, as a band, a musician, [or] songwriter. Ignore the detractors and negative feedback, [and] keep plugging away. Over a process of months, years, or potentially decades, you will be better.”
What has been your best moment as a musician or band so far?
“We’ve been really encouraged by the response from our nearest and dearest, [and] more importantly, the feedback from those with a bit of objectivity, who aren’t there to care about our fragile, artistic egos, have been equally effusive, lucky for us.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with and support you?
“Obviously, grab a copy, [but] of greater priority, get to a show. At the end of the day, it’s the primary driver for us doing it at all.”
The passion Dirty Hearts holds for the live show is palpable, not only in their answers but also in the sheer, unbridled energy of ‘Slide’. With a new album on the horizon and a refined line-up itching to hit the stage, the future looks loud and uncompromising for the Brisbane quartet.
If you want to experience the track that is currently acting as the band’s most important litmus test—or, better yet, see it performed live—be sure to tune into the new single, and check out the links below to follow their journey as they continue their ‘Third’ era.
You can tune into the newly released single above, and for more, be sure to follow the band on Instagram and Facebook.
