The Adelaide indie-pop four-piece The Tullamarines turn writer’s block, self-doubt and creative burnout into their latest single following a year of international touring and career milestones.
by Paul Cashmere
Adelaide indie-pop four-piece The Tullamarines have released “Flight Path”, a deeply personal new single that reflects on writer’s block, creative burnout and the uncertainty that can accompany early adulthood. The August 2026 release follows a significant year for the band, which has taken its live show from Australia to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, including appearances at SXSW and The Great Escape.
“Flight Path” marks the beginning of a new phase for The Tullamarines after the release of their second EP, Safety Blanket, in September 2025. Rather than presenting a straightforward account of creative frustration, the song draws together several strands of anxiety and self-doubt into a fragmented portrait of a period when writing had become difficult.
The song originated from two separate demos that were eventually combined. The resulting track became a way for the band to confront an extended period of writer’s block while also examining the broader emotional pressures surrounding it.
“Flight Path is first and foremost about writer’s block, but it’s framed in a few different ways,” the band explains. “It’s actually the product of two very different demos that were merged in an effort to relieve a particularly long stretch of non-writing.”
The band describes the song as addressing “losing confidence as you grow up, wanting to go home and hide from the world, struggling to be honest”. Those themes sit beneath the group’s jangly indie-pop sound, giving the track a more introspective character while retaining the melodic approach that has defined their work.
The release comes after an unusually active period for The Tullamarines. Following Safety Blanket, Lucinda Machin, Angus Purvis, Josh Thomas and Ben Waltho performed across multiple territories, building an international touring profile alongside their Australian career.
Their recent schedule has included appearances at SXSW, The Great Escape, Dot To Dot, Immergut Festival, Hyperfest and A Day In The Gully. The band also toured the United Kingdom with The Lottery Winners, undertook its own UK headline dates and returned to Australia and New Zealand for shows supporting The Jungle Giants.
The international activity has been accompanied by a series of domestic milestones. “Running On Empty” received full triple j rotation, became the station’s most played track and reached No. 91 in the 2026 triple j Hottest 100. “Idiot” also received full triple j rotation and was included in EA’s Skate.
In June, The Tullamarines made their triple j Like A Version debut with a performance of The Chain. The group’s growing industry recognition was also reflected in a 2026 AIR Awards nomination for Best Independent Pop EP or Album for Safety Blanket.
The band’s development has been accompanied by editorial playlist support from Spotify, including Fresh Finds AU & NZ, New Music Friday AU & NZ, Turn Up Aus and Indie Arrivals, as well as Apple Music placements including Amped Up and Good Times.
The Tullamarines formed in Adelaide in 2021 after the four members crossed paths through the city’s live music circuit. Their early work established a sound built around indie-pop and rock, with emotionally direct songwriting exploring vulnerability, anxiety and the complications of early adulthood.
Their debut EP, Ugly Cry, was released in November 2023 and introduced the band’s melodic, emotionally exposed approach. Tracks including “Head Roll Back”, “I’m So” and “Never Do That” established the foundation for a catalogue that has subsequently expanded through singles including “Lying”, “Idiot”, “Gimme Luv” and “Sticky Beak”.
Safety Blanket represented the next stage of that development, arriving in September 2025 before the band embarked on an increasingly international touring schedule. “Running On Empty”, released earlier in 2025, became a particularly significant track, eventually placing inside the 2026 Hottest 100.
The Tullamarines now have booking representation across the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States and Canada, reflecting the geographical expansion of their touring activity. Their international progress has developed alongside a growing Australian profile rather than replacing it, with the group continuing to tour domestically.
“Flight Path” therefore arrives at a point when the band is balancing the demands of an expanding career with the personal pressures that inform its songwriting. Its subject matter also provides a direct connection between the creative process and the increasingly demanding environment in which The Tullamarines are operating.
The next stage will be their national headline tour in November, with further new music expected to follow. “Flight Path” provides the first indication of where the band is heading after its most internationally active year to date, while keeping the focus firmly on the personal experiences that have shaped its songwriting.
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