Created In Partnership With Mentos
Pop duo Foley are stepping onto the stage as the gritty and emboldened stars modern music adores.
Hailing from Aotearoa but currently based in Sydney, multi-talented performers Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett blend danceable tracks with boundary-pushing arrangements and deep-cutting lyrical explorations — making it no surprise that they’ve been included in the Mentos Fresh Sounds Class of ’26, curated by Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
If you’re after some fun and drama in your music, look no further than their cinematic EP Like an Actress, drawing on the nostalgia and positivity of noughties romcoms. Garnering widespread radio support, single “Honey” has already landed on top of the the NZ Radioscope Chart.
As the newest inductees in the Mentos Fresh Sounds Class of ’26, we sat down with Foley for an exclusive look behind the curtain to better understand their unique musical stylings.
Who are you and where are you from?
We’re Foley — from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa but currently based on Gadigal Land in Sydney.
Describe your Fresh Sound in three words.
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We make bouncy, bubbly pop!
Tell us about your latest release.
That would be our 2026 EP Like an Actress — we’re super proud of it. It’s a transitional EP for us, full of stories about love, travel, discovering yourself and more. We wrote it between Australia and Aotearoa with some of our absolute favourite collaborators, and experimented with a new setup in the studio and on stage — introducing acoustic guitar and a few new elements that have really cracked our songwriting wide open!
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Ash: I’d have to say Madonna! The queen of pop is back with a vengeance to remind us all that she’s the GOAT, and I am absolutely here for it.
Gabe: I’d love to write with Remi Wolf one day. Just such bombastic, zany pop music that seems really fun to write.
What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far on your musical journey?
That good things take time, and it’s OK to take it slow. Nothing is truly an overnight success — you have to celebrate the wins and enjoy the process of being creative. We remind ourselves of that all the time: don’t get stuck in a mindset of only wanting to be bigger and better — be present, stay in the moment.
What’s your dream venue to play?
Ash: I’d love to play El Rey in LA — it has this beautiful red velvet installed throughout the venue. I totally fell in love when we saw Jungle Giants and our buddy Tim Atlas play there a few years back. I just thought it was so lush and immersive!
Gabe: We don’t get many opportunities to play outside, so I’d probably say Red Rocks? Basically anything with red in it, we’re game!
What’s coming up for you in 2026 and beyond?
We’re always working on new music! We’re heads down, writing what we think is going to be our best project yet, and some exciting shows coming up too. Foley never stops Foley-ing.
What’s one thing you think the Australian and New Zealand music industry needs right now, and why?
Support for local artists and surrounding infrastructure like venues, techs and session musicians. More people attending more shows and in-person community-building events. There’s nothing better than discovering an artist, seeing them at a small venue, and then watching them grow into the big ones. You can meet so many people through your local scene, and it exists in real life, not online.
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What does it mean to you to be part of the Rolling Stone and Mentos Fresh Sounds Class of ’26?
It’s awesome being part of such a killer lineup. There’s some incredible artists we’re already fans of and love, and a few new ones we’re stoked to discover. Sitting alongside them all is a real pleasure.
Why is it important to support emerging Australian and Kiwi artists?
There’s so much talent in Australasia that I guarantee will soundtrack your life in future. They’re telling the stories that will resonate with you, that you’ll be dancing to, or maybe crying to. Your new favourite artist might live just around the corner. It’s so important to support emerging artists who are telling Australasian stories by going to shows, creating community, and supporting local initiatives.
For more Mentos Fresh Sounds Class of ’26, curated by Rolling Stone AU/NZ, head to the hub.
Image Credit: Adrianne Armida
