Entertainment
24 July, 2026
Driftwood’s Atlantis celebrates building a new life
LOCAL cinematic art-pop collective Driftwood will launch its debut EP ‘Atlantis’ at Tanks Arts Centre on Saturday 25 July, after two years of writing, recording and developing the project in Cairns.
Led by vocalist Phoebe Jacobs and producer Michael Godde, alongside guitarist Zane Stradling, saxophonist Matt Gerdes and drummer Leon Tussie, the band will perform the six-track release live for the first time. Fellow Cairns artists Tullara and Vid Sehgal will also perform, showcasing music released in 2026.
Ms Jacobs said the launch marked the culmination of a personal creative journey that began after leaving the Gold Coast and settling in Cairns.
“Atlantis is about leaving a previous version of my life behind and building something new,” Ms Jacobs said.
“Moving to Cairns gave me that opportunity and these songs tell that story. We started writing almost as soon as I arrived, so this EP has been about two years in the making.”
Ms Jacobs said the mythical underwater city of Atlantis became a metaphor for the past she was leaving behind, with the songs exploring themes of change, healing and new beginnings.
“I could not be more excited to share these songs with the world,” she said. “We have an incredible band, a 10-piece choir, stunning visual projections and two fantastic local support acts. It is going to be a really special night.”
Mr Godde said Driftwood’s sound combined electronic production with live instrumentation, with the performance continuing to evolve throughout rehearsals.
“We all have different musical influences, and we love using real instrumentation alongside electronic sounds, so bringing those together has really shaped the record,” Mr Godde said.
“We are still tweaking parts of the show because we know they can be even better. That is part of the creative process and it keeps things exciting.”
Mr Godde said Cairns had provided the ideal environment to develop the project.
“I discovered Cairns while travelling and was blown away by how strong the local music scene was,” he said.
“I love the rainforest and waterfalls, but finding such a supportive music community here was what made me want to stay and create music.”
The performance will also feature guest appearances by the Cairns Voice Studio Girls Choir, directed by Keesha McLean.
The Driftwood EP launch will be held in Tank 5 at Tanks Arts Centre on Saturday 25 July. Doors open at 6.30 pm and performances begin at 7.15 pm. Tickets are on sale through the Tanks Arts Centre website: www.bit.ly/4ps59kG
