Aussie breakout risers FOOL NELSON sign to AWAL and release new EP 'Bad Dreams'

19 October 2025 - Press release

Hailing from Perth, Australia, indie rock trio Fool Nelson have signed a global record deal with AWAL and today release new EP 'Bad Dreams'. Through blistering riffs, heart-on-sleeve lyricism and rollicking choruses, 'Bad Dreams' cements Fool Nelson's place as one of Australia's most exciting young bands. The five tracks channel the anxieties of growing up with a restless, big-hearted energy - songs written first and foremost for the live stage, where they hit hardest. 

The EP arrives hot on the heels of their debut national tour, where they sold out every single capital city in Australia, quickly followed by a full tour of Aus/NZ supporting Skegss. 

Widely embraced by Australian radio, the EP's lead single 'Don't Feel Right' was the most played song on triple j for four weeks running, with its follow up 'Bad Dreams' also hitting top 5 most played songs on the station for another three weeks.

Consisting of brothers Tom Broadbent (guitar and vocals) and Ned Broadbent (drums), with the trio completed by best friend Darcy Steven (bass and guitar), Fool Nelson have played music together since they were kids. Their sound is urgent, melodic, and unapologetically direct, reflecting both their upbringing in Perth’s surf and skate culture and the 90s/2000s rock they grew up on.

‘Bad Dreams’ finds the band at their most assured - moody and angsty yet hopeful and sun-soaked - weaving nostalgia, grit, and modern indie sensibilities into a grungey, emotive sound defined by big choruses and heavy-hitting instrumentation.

Speaking on the release of their 'Bad Dreams' EP, the band said:

"Overall, the EP is about sticking close to the people you love. Often we've found ourselves pushing away those relationships when things are difficult or uncertain, but we're learning to put those things first amidst anxiety, ambition, and uncertainty. For us, the EP definitely serves as a bit of an outlet for our anxieties, but hopefully also serves as a reminder of what's important."

Since their formation, Fool Nelson have nailed their position as support favourites, joining numerous acts on extensive tour runs, including supporting Spacey Jane, Ball Park Music, Old Mervs and The Rions.

The band were appropriately noted as 'Ones To Watch' by triple j and have won triple j's Unearthed competition twice - the only band in the station's history to do so - and have played iconic Australian festivals including Groovin the Moo, BIGSOUND, HYPER FEST, Out & About Festival, Tone City Records Festival, triple j's One Night Stand and NYE On The Hill along the way. 

The band are now represented by Harry Young at Pure Represents for worldwide bookings (excluding AU/NZ, N. America), marking a sign of UK and European club and festival dates to come in May 2026.

Fool Nelson's new EP 'Bad Dreams' is out now, released 17th October. Fool Nelson are currently in the middle of a nationwide headline tour across Australia (with their U18 show in Perth selling out in 48 hours), and will make their debut in the UK, May 2026.