REDD. Is Everything a Modern Music Star Should Be

This interview is part of our Future of Music 2026 series. Follow all the coverage here.

REDD. is moving like an artist who knows exactly how fast things are changing around them.

The Melbourne artist has gone from underground favourite to industry radar mainstay in the space of a breakout year, racking up more than 2.2 million global streams, building a fiercely loyal online community, and landing major gaming syncs across titles including Skate and NHL, and most recently the US TV Series Off Campus.

National tours alongside Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and glaive have only strengthened the case, proving REDD.’s live show can hit just as hard as the records.

Their 2025 mixtape RAUNCH. made that range impossible to ignore. Recorded across Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles, and New York, the project swerves between pop-punk, indie-R&B, hip-hop, and blown-out party music, held together by REDD.’s elastic vocal instincts and razor-edged lyricism.

Recent single “Juliet” found them joining forces with Brisbane’s ixaras for a sugar-rush collaboration that feels like a late-night joyride with your new crush.

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Playful, loud, and built on restless momentum, it’s REDD. at a thrilling point in their rise: still raw around the edges, but already moving like one of Australia’s most versatile young voices.

Read an exclusive interview with REDD. below.

Rolling Stone AU/NZ: What does it mean to you to be included in Rolling Stone’s Future of Music series?

REDD.: It means a lot! It’s super special to be part of such an amazing list and acknowledged for my art. That’s a dream come true. I’m so thankful and so lucky.

How did you first get your start in music?

I’ve been making music since I was a kid. I started getting piano lessons when I was five. I picked up ukulele and recorder in grade 3 and started teaching myself guitar in year 8. The first time I ever learned about music production was in 2019 — my friend Sirak had Ableton and we stayed up all night making music and ever since then I’ve been hooked.

Describe your sound to a new listener in three words.

Fun, explosive, raw.

Tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is a song that I made with my friend ixaras! She’s one of the coolest, most captivating artists. We’ve been friends since [being] on Unearthed High, and ever since we met we’ve always wanted to do a song together so that’s exactly what we did! We made “juliet” back in 2024 — it’s a song about love and trying to find real connection in the new digital age.

What’s your favourite career memory so far?

Probably opening for Glaive! I ended up meeting so many new people. The shows were unreal. The crowds were crazy. It was like I was a famous artist for two days.

What are the positives and negatives of being a musician in 2026?

A big positive is how easy it is to connect with fans and audience. Social media makes [it] really easy! A negative would be AI and how openly used it is in the industry. That makes me really sad.

What’s one thing you’d change about the ANZ music industry?

I would love to make live music more accessible for all ages. I think where the music industry is currently, putting on all ages events are really difficult. The youth create culture, the scene, and dictate what is cool. Let them go to shows!!!

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Are you hopeful for the future of music in ANZ?

For sure. I think Australian music is competitive, global, and readily accessible. I’ve had the privilege of hosting a segment [on] Unearthed radio and I’ve heard so many amazing young artists.

Name one other ANZ act you’d like to see make our Future of Music series in the future.

I would love to see 200kay!

What’s coming up for you this year?

A lot of really amazing things! I can’t say too much just yet, but plenty of music, shows, travelling around the world, and hopefully making some new friends 🙂