#airling

Airling // By Thorns

March Soundtrack

Having lost our beloved Evie on the 9th of this month, I’ve been – in a word – sad. In more words: bereft, devastated, guilt-ridden, lost, heartbroken, depressed, a total fucking mess.

I’ve had just over a week to indulge my grief, but I have deadlines and an empty bank account to worry about, so I have no choice but to look to the future. I don’t think I’ll feel consistently happy or generally okay for a very long time, and I feel the tendrils of my usually-dormant depression caressing the weakest areas of my brain, trying to convince me it would be easier to just fall in a heap. But I know that’s not the answer. I don’t want to be miserable, and so back to work I go, grabbing whatever sunshine happens to break through the melancholia with an iron fist.

My March soundtrack may appear objectively depressing, but it’s really been therapeutic. The last thing you wanna listen to when you’re feeling like shit is people talking about how happy or in love they are or how fun their life is. I have a pretty demanding tendency to go numb, so it’s important for me to have things that bring my true emotions to the forefront. Not necessarily to be ‘dealt with’, but simply to be felt. I think we underestimate how vital it is to feel our feelings.

These songs are like medicine to me right now, and collectively this playlist is nostalgic, existential, emotive, sad and maybe even a little bit hopeful. And that’s March Holly in a nutshell.

I hope this playlist might be healing to someone else, too. Enjoy.

While you listen, here are some words about a few standout tracks…

“Chelsea Hotel No. 2” by Leonard Cohen – This is so much more than a song about an ex. Chelsea Hotel is about the places – both in the world and in your mind – you can’t go without thinking of that one person. The verses are fond remembrances of a youthful affair, while the chorus dwells somewhat bitterly on the subject’s faults. Lyrically this song is just stunning, and the simple arrangement really lets them shine. I discovered Chelsea Hotel through Lana Del Rey’s cover, which is hauntingly beautiful but unfortunately only available on her Vevo channel. Check out that version if you haven’t already!

Favourite Line – And clenching your fist, for the ones like us, who are oppressed by the figures of beauty // You fixed yourself // You said “well, never mind. We are ugly, but we have the music.”

Feels Like – Some things aren’t meant to be.

“Mama You Been on My Mind” by Jeff Buckley – Originally penned by Bob Dylan, this song is thematically incredibly similar to Chelsea Hotel No. 2. Both are a kind of sweet and undemanding nostalgia over lovers long gone, admitting both “you’ve been on my mind” and “I don’t want you back”. These songs are perfect depictions of the way we romanticise the past, even when we know we’re better off having moved on.

Favourite Line – I’m just whispering to myself so I can’t pretend that I don’t know // Mama you’ve been on my mind

Feels Like – Stinking hot day, sparkling water with lemon, deck chair, birds singing, mind wandering.

 “Not a Fighter” by Airling – International Women’s Day on Triple J was just fantastic (apart from all the douchebags on Facebook claiming that ‘bringing girls to the front’ for one fucking day was special treatment. Snore.) Airling’s Not a Fighter was just one of the many great songs by female artists that blessed my ears when I tuned in to support my fellow lasses. I honestly just think this song sounds beautiful and has good lyrics. It’s nice and relaxing. It aint that deep, fam.

Favourite Line – You know I love you but I’m not a fighter

Feels Like – Lazy Sunday morning, slow-dancing and making pancakes.

 “Autumn in New York” by Billie Holiday – I’m crazy about Billie Holiday, and this is probably my favourite song of hers (though with so many to choose from, don’t hold me to that). A change of pace and scenery has seemed mighty appealing lately, and New York and Paris are top of my list, hence: Autumn in New York and April in Paris.

Favourite Line – Autumn in New York is often mingled with pain // Dreamers with empty hands may sigh for exotic lands

Feels Like – A stroll through Central Park; a perfect cliché.

 “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Nina Simone – There’s this unique quality to Nina’s voice that I can only describe as honest, and my god it’s beautiful. It’s terrible that she endured so much pain in her life, but it made her voice exquisite; raw and full of anguish. Art, to me, is about connection, and I feel deeply connected to both Nina and myself when I listen to her music. To transform such dreadful heartache into something so beautiful is an invaluable gift.

Favourite Line – Ya know sometimes baby I’m so carefree // With a joy that’s hard to hide // Then sometimes again it seems all I have is worry // And then you’re bound to see my other side

Feels Like – A universal desperation.

 “Mother Earth” by Banks – Oh man was it hard not to cry with this song blasting into my ears 30,000+ feet in the air, nestled among the clouds and the setting sun on the way home from Tasmania, leaving my family and still grieving Evie intensely. I swear to god Mother Earth is a like giant warm cuddle from queen Banks herself, and it’s really taken on a new life for me recently. It’s profoundly comforting, and a reminder to both care for others and allow yourself to be taken care of.

Favourite Line – I know I’m Mother Earth, I see the weather // So I’m not gonna cover up the freckles on my faces // I covered all the bases

Feels Like – Coming home.

 “Golden” by Kingswood – This song is just really bloody nice. You could have a lil bop to it or you could fall asleep to it. It’s calming and soothing and smooth and I’ve been obsessed with it from the first listen. Get around it.

Favourite Line – I can feel you beat // Deep breath // In breath // Out breath // Don’t stop until there’s nothing left

Feels like – A long, late-night drive on a quiet freeway

 “Sam Malone” by City and Colour – I’m at my realest when lying in the dark for hours, blasting the entire City and Colour discography (excluding the 2015 release I wasn’t a fan of). I adore the self-awareness of his lyrics, his beautiful, warm voice – which, I was lucky enough to verify in 2014, is just as amazing live. There’s a lot of City and Colour on this playlist, but Sam Malone in particular always gets me. It’s a pretty simple track, but I have a rather fierce obsession with anonymity and the freedom attached to it. The theme of this song is like a dream to me.

Favourite Line – I know, there is someplace I can go // Where no one knows my name

Songs To Brush Your Teeth To (22nd March) So I’m finally starting to get into a good routine with this again after what feels like weeks of disruption. There was my usual last minute scramble to make some final cuts to the list, and as usual I’m writing this too late, but most of the decisions were actually made by my self-imposed Thursday deadline! I’m also really happy with the mix this week, I…

Retrieve (EP | 2026) by Airling - OUT NOW

Produced / Mixed by Tom Iansek

Recorded by Graham Ritchie and Tom Iansek

Mastered by Andrei Eremin


R e t r i e v e /rɪ’triːv/
To find and bring something precious back.
To retrieve what was lost.
To go forth and recover.

Returning with a collection of sophisticated dream-pop songs that pair crisp RnB production with crystalline vocals, Retrieve explores experiences of loss, recovery, infatuation and power. It was written and recorded with long time collaborators Tom Iansek (#1 Dads, Big Scary) and Graham Ritchie (Holy Holy, Scenes) - the same team as her debut EP Love Gracefully, and LP Hard to Sleep, Easy to Dream - at her home in Brisbane, 4000 Studios and BellBird Studio, Melbourne. Each moment played, spoken, sung or programmed by Graham, Tom and Hannah together. The first instalment of the EP, 'Mona Lisa', is a vibrant declaration of trust and leaps of faith.


Direct from Airling: "I’ve always had a fascination with the human body and the human condition… our fragility and astounding depth of resilience. My voice has evolved with me and my life. Connecting with people through music isn’t the same as helping the most vulnerable, but I find it weirdly similar. It’s a different energy but there’s this familiar warmth. And when writing the songs on Retrieve, I found myself in my favourite state... a song comes to me and I just play."

‘𝙋𝙞𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡’ 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠

(send us a song or tell your friend)

Have your track mixed and learn how to release it, for free!

This year we'll run things a little differently, 𝗦𝗢 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚, but we're still keen to help. Tom Iansek is living in London, Joanna Syme is on maternity leave, and Tom Fraser holding it down in Aus. 

2024 - ??????

2022 - Mood Spill

2021 - Altai

2019 - Bec Sykes

2018 - Slow Turismo 

2017 - Maple Glider

We’re back to give an artist a leg up. Over the past few years Pieater - myself (Tom.F), Joanna and Tom.I have learnt from the ground up. We’ve had some great fun, learnt from mistakes, and been guided by many generous people in our supportive music industry. We still have plenty to learn, but now it’s our chance to pass on what we can.

Send us your 𝙐𝙉𝙍𝙀𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀𝘿, 𝙍𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙍𝘿𝙀𝘿 𝙎𝙊𝙉𝙂 (𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙉𝙊 𝘿𝙀𝙈𝙊𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍) to win remote time with Tom Iansek providing additional production, mixing and mastering the track. Plus business mentoring and release strategy with Tom F.

We feel that providing a safe, comfortable and inspiring creative community is important to the success of any artist, and we’d love to share a couple of days with you.

We encourage submissions from artists with a diversity of backgrounds and experience.

Email your song to [email protected] and we’ll choose one artist/band/producer as the winner.
•Submit ONE song: streamable link to [email protected], tell us a little about yourself too.
•Deadline: Midnight November 30, 2024.
•Winner Announced: Mid December, 2024.

Much love & thanks for the support

From 5pm AEST Friday June 18, for 24h, the Pieater family will be donating all profits from our online shop pieater.bandcamp.com to Change The Record.
This 24 hour fundraiser has been inspired by our online shop host Bandcamp, who are donating their sales share to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the US.

We plan to make a commitment to raise funds for an Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander organisation each year alongside Bandcamp. Something the label and each artist is keen to do.
Change The Record is a national, Aboriginal led justice coalition working to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.

Hit the shop for your fav music, merch & positive vibes.

💖miss going to a gig with your love?💕got a crush you wanna impress?💞feel like spoiling yourself?💝 give the gift of music (or merch) & we'll help you on your quest.💘

step1. buy any physical product from our pie shop between now & Valentine's Day.

step2. leave a ‘love letter’ to the reciepient when you checkout.

step3. we’ll handwrite the card to include in your package.

PLUS we'll choose our 5 fav 'love letters' & match your spend with another store credit! Our gift of love, to you and your love.