Indie-pop’s rising star, Jem Cassar-Daley today announces her signing to Melbourne-based label, Civilians, alongside the release of her latest single, ‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’.
Drenched in her signature indie-pop sound, the song showcases Jem’s innate and all-encompassing
lyricism. ‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’ sees Jem’s powerfully emotive vocals take centre stage, putting her vulnerability and sincerity at the forefront. As a proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman, Jem has inherited a legacy of storytelling that effortlessly flows through her music, with an ability to transform one’s intimate moments into universal experiences for all.

Speaking of the single, Jem shares: “‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’ is all about wanting passion and urgency from your partner. Over time, it’s so easy to grow complacent with each other and forget the little things that made you fall in love in the first place. I wrote this song with Msquared (Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis) and U.S based songwriter Jon Nite during a Melbourne to Nashville Songhubs in 2024. This track is high energy and fun to play live, all whilst having desperate and heartfelt lyrics about desperately wanting more from someone. It has very quickly become one of my favourite releases and a song that I am very proud to share with the world!”

‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’ also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Jem Cassar-Daley. Today Jem announces her signing to Melbourne-based label Civilians, joining the likes of King Stingray, Eliza & The Delusionals, Fanny Lumsden and more.

Speaking of the signing, Civilians co-founder Leigh Gruppetta says, “We’re honoured to have Jem and her incredible team place their trust in us. With her undeniable talent, she’s emerging as one of the most exciting artists in Australian music, and we’re fully committed to helping bring her vision to life”.

Co-founder Stu Harvey adds, “Jem is a triple threat: an emotive, ethereal voice; perfectly crafted indie-pop songwriting; and a magnetic live performer. I’m so excited to have Jem join the Civilians roster and can’t wait for the world to hear the songs she’s been working on”.

Since her debut in 2021, Jem Cassar-Daley has been captivating audiences with her heartfelt songwriting, ethereal vocals, and mesmerising stage presence. Her evocative songwriting has led to multiple accolades, including the 2022 NIMA New Talent of the Year and QMA Indigenous Artist of the Year. In 2024, she won Best Pop and Song of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards for ‘King of Disappointment’, while also claiming the AIR Music Awards’ Song of the Year title. Most recently, she was named the 2025 QMA Indigenous Artist of the Year and honoured with a place on Brisbane’s Walk of Fame.

Jem’s music has taken her to international and national stages, from electrifying showcases at The Great Escape in the UK to delivering a breathtaking triple j Like A Version of Gwen Stefani’s ‘The Sweet Escape’. She has supported industry icons including Busby Marou, King Stingray, Thelma Plum, Tina Arena, Dan Sultan, Peter Garrett and Jess Mauboy. Coming up, Jem will embark on her Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving Tour across June, performing in Sydney, Brisbane, Coutts Crossing and Melbourne. For more information and tickets, head to jemcassardaley.com.

With each performance and release, Jem Cassar-Daley reaffirms her place as a defining voice in
contemporary Australian music. With much more to come in 2025, bliss out to ‘Kiss Me Like You’re
Leaving’ today and catch Jem onstage this June.

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