Adam Newling Embraces The Bloody Unknown

2026 has been a big one for singer-songwriter Adam Newling.

A former member of Ruby Field's backing band (he played guitar), Newling has found himself performing as a solo artist over the last couple of years, leading to the release of his much-anticipated debut album, The Bloody Unknown.

Almost two years in the making, The Bloody Unknown was produced alongside his good friend Fletcher Matthews (Lucky, Dear Seattle, The Buoys) and features contributions from Catherine Marks (boygenius, Foals), Josh Block (Leon Bridges) and Jorge Andre (Olivia Rodrigo).

Chock full of Newling's trademark heart-on-his-sleeve lyrics paired with his unmistakably gruff vocals and warm rock instrumentation, the Cronulla-raised songwriter says the album is his "victory lap", with Richard Kingsmill calling The Bloody Unknown "one of the strongest Australian records he has heard in years." High praise indeed.

With the album out in the world and Newling gearing up for a run of Australian dates, The Note got the chance to ask the singer-songwriter some questions about the creation of The Bloody Unknown, his favourite songs on the record, what the future holds for his career as a solo artist and more.

You've been making music since you were young, from playing in bands to touring as Ruby Fields' guitarist. What first got you into music, and when did you know that's what you wanted to pursue as a career? 

My first instances of falling in love with music came before I'd started primary school when my older sister brought home a euphonium and joined the school band. I was fascinated by the god-awful sound it made and loved it. I'd follow her to the early morning band practices and sit in the corner, amazed.

One day the conductor gave me a pair of maracas and told me to knock myself out, and I fell in love with being a part of a band. I was around about five years old. I went on to learn the clarinet and some piano, and it wasn't until I was nine that I found my mother's old guitar in the depths of the garage, and then I started writing songs. It was about then [that] I knew what my purpose was. 

You've played in several bands during the early years of your career. When did you decide to try your hand as a solo artist? 

Honestly, it was never the plan. I'd always loved being a part of a band. I'd always written songs for myself and for other people, but never as a focal point for a solo career. It was while I was playing with Ruby that she urged her team to hear the songs I had written. To cut a long story short, from there I was urged to release these songs, and that was the incidental birthing of "Adam Newling".

Looking back over your career so far, was there a pivotal moment (or moments) that helped shape the musician you've become today?

I don't think so, not in the sense of a music career. There've been several pivotal moments that I've faced in my life outside of music. I always try to be honest with myself and the songs I write. I guess you make choices in life and those choices will always spread to other facets of your life and for better or worse, you have to be able to live with them and yourself. 

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Your songwriting has a raw, honest quality to it. How has your approach to writing evolved over the years, and what do you find yourself drawn to writing about these days?

I have and always will try to keep it as me as possible, which seems counterintuitive to say because my life is always changing. But there is something in that, and I think it's the freedom to put down whatever song my life compels me to write, whether it's some gut-wrenching loss or something silly about a can of beans. For me, the goal has always been to do and be whatever I feel like within the music.

You spent two years working on your debut album, The Bloody Unknown. Now that it’s finally out in the world, how do you feel about it, along with the journey you’ve been on to get to this point? 

It feels surreal to have it out, but at the same time it feels like every other day. The process of making the album was over for me long before it came out, and I'd already moved on to the next body of whatever it is I'm going to make. This music is intertwined with my life, and life is crazy. 

The Bloody Unknown was produced by Fletcher Matthews and features both of you playing almost all the instruments on the record. What was the idea behind that, and what impact did Fletcher have on the sound of the album?

Fletch and I are very good mates and had been throwing the idea of making a record together for a really long time, and this was the time it all just felt right to do it. Fletch has a pretty different approach to the way I've recorded most of my other songs, which are mostly live. We took a very methodical and in-the-box approach to The Bloody Unknown, which resulted in the two of us doing mostly everything. 

The album title suggests a willingness to embrace uncertainty. What does that phrase mean to you, and how does it capture the themes running through the record?

You nailed it. Like I said, life is crazy, but it's still gotta be lived. 

You've a knack for writing heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics that either resonate emotionally or are incredibly humorous. Do you have a favourite song from the album?

I think 'Flannelette' is a standout for me. That is a song I think my younger self would hear and, as an aspiring poet, be proud of. That and 'Same Place, Same Time Tomorrow' – no one finds me as funny as I do, and that song is funny.

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There's often a cynicism that runs through your music, but The Bloody Unknown has a much more hopeful outlook. Is this a reflection of where you are at in your life?

Yeah, I think so. I think the older I get, the less compelled I feel to have an edge or prove anything. Music to me these days is about bringing people together through shared experience, not so much spouting my opinions to unsoliciting ears.

You've built a reputation as a compelling live performer, both as a solo artist and through years of touring with other musicians. What have those experiences taught you about getting an audience on your side, and how do you approach performing your own songs?

Fun is infectious. The winner will always be whoever has the most fun.

With The Bloody Unknown now out in the world and a national tour ahead, what's the plan for the next 12 months? Are you already thinking about the next collection of songs, or are you focused on seeing where this album takes you?

Well, I think this will be the last Adam Newling tour I do for a while. My life is changing pretty rapidly and I'd like to be devoting more of my time to being at home with family, but that being said, I'm really just seeing where the road takes me for the time being. I've already started writing the next body of work but have also been working on a few collaborations that I'm excited to see where [they] lead. I've also set up a study in my house in Newcastle and have been producing and writing for a lot of up-and-coming artists, which is ultimately, I think, where I'd like my career to end up. I'm really loving being able to be in the background of these other amazing artists' journeys. 

And to anyone reading this, if ya keen to work together, hit me up!

The Bloody Unknown is out now. Stream here or buy a copy here. Catch Adam Newling performing at the Grace Emily on Thursday 10 December. Tickets on sale now at oztix.com.au.