You know your career’s going places when you get booked to support the one and only Good Charlotte.
When the Madden brothers and their band swung into Australia recently, Gold Coast artist Parker was one of their tour support acts.
“Playing in four major cities in sold-out arenas is something I am so so grateful for and was genuinely the best experience of my life to date — maybe playing golf with the brothers second,” he says.
Parker released his new single “The End of Everything” last month, announcing his signing to US label MDDN Records at the same time.
Co-written with Noah Chardran, Melkin, and Austen Healey (Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan) and produced by Grammy Award winner Matt Koma (Hillary Duff, Zedd, Britney Spears) and Brian Phillips, the song is the 20-year-old’s first release on his new label home.
“’The End of Everything’ is a new-age 2000s song that makes you want to bring your own headphones into a club and start dancing in tears. This song is super raw and emotive, really capturing the struggle with my relationship, and the struggle of growing out of a past version of yourself. Which is a human experience everybody has to deal with,” he explains.
Following a hugely memorable career period for the rising star, we caught up with Parker as part of our Up-And-Coming Australian Artists series. Read the full conversation below.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
Parker’s “The End of Everything” is out now via MDDN Records.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How did music influence you in your early life?
Parker: Growing up in a family that didn’t play instruments but loved music, I think I could sing every lyric to the whole James Taylor and The Smiths catalogue. I’ve always listened to vinyl and the old MP3 players since I can remember, which I think subconsciously sprouted a seed to love and make music when I grew older.
I persuaded my mum to buy me a $20 ukulele when I was around 9 and slowly started adventuring into songwriting pop songs at primary school under mentorship of my ukulele teacher Dale Norton who really taught me the basics on which I build my songs now.
What artists influenced you growing up?
My biggest inspirations revolve around mostly three people: Chris Martin (Coldplay), Isaac Slade (The Fray) and Brandon Flowers (The Killers).
Chris Martin has probably had one of the biggest influences on my songwriting. His lyrics and song structure prove that you don’t need complicated language or a million different chords to make people feel something deeply, and that’s something I constantly strive for in my own writing. He’s 100% inspired me to tell stories that listeners can make their own.
The way Brandon Flowers took one breakup and turned it into an album that has lasted for decades is crazy. I love how there’s always a huge, catchy chorus, but you can still get the whole story without it feeling rushed. The Killers’ music showed me how powerful melody and emotion can be together. That balance is a base I try to build most of my songs with.
The Fray (in my personal top 3 bands of all time) are a band that just sends me to a different dimension every time I put my headphones on. A lot of Isaac’s writing builds around very direct, almost conversational lyrics, but the repetition and melody make them hit harder over time.
I just love the 2000s SOOO much — it makes life feel like a rom-com sometimes, even though I’ve been single for two years.
What are some career highlights so far?
My favourite career highlight to date has to be opening for Good Charlotte on their Australian leg of the Motel Du Cap tour. Playing in four major cities in sold-out arenas is something I am so so grateful for and was genuinely the best experience of my life to date — maybe playing golf with the brothers second.
Working with Austen Healey and Matthew Koma on my latest single (and hopefully future singles) was a mental experience. Working with producers who mixed and mastered some of my favourite artists is still insane to me.
What kind of personality traits and values do you believe it takes to succeed in the music industry?
I think to make it in music, you have to be a little bit stubborn. You have to believe in the songs before anyone else does, even when they’re sitting on your laptop with barely any plays and you’re not sure if you’ve just been wasting your time.
With my writing I try to be messy, specific, a little embarrassing, and honest enough that people can hopefully hear a little bit of themselves in it. I don’t really want to chase whatever’s working for everyone else. I’d rather take longer and build something that feels like mine but resonates with people.
I think you need patience too. There are so many moments where it feels like everyone else is moving faster, but I’m trying to trust that the right people will find my music if I keep working hard at developing my craft and keeping it real. You have to care a lot, but also be tough enough not to let every bad day convince you to quit.
View this post on Instagram
How would you describe your music to a potential fan?
Imagine being in a club your friends dragged you to straight after a breakup. You’re stuck in the middle of the dancefloor and you just plug in headphones. That’s the feeling I envision in my writing. If you’re a fan of Sombr, 1975, or Daniel Seavey, picture all of them with an Australian accent.
I’m definitely in the realm of that 2000s-inspired emotional pop that blends nostalgic production with honest storytelling and infectious melodies. With cinematic production, emotionally raw lyrics, and euphoric choruses, it’s made for late-night drives, last dances, and anyone trying to find music in the middle of the chaos.
What are your goals for 2026 and beyond? What can fans expect from you this year?
Future goals include more touring, more shows, getting out on the road properly, and locking in some big support slots. Playing in front of real people, not in front of a screen. I want the live side of it to really hit where the songs feel bigger and heavier in the room. I really believe these new songs will really connect with people and start building more momentum for my music, especially in Australia. Just showing up, playing more, and putting myself on the map in a real way. PARKER 2027 SUMMER!
