Listen Here – Out Now!
Wren Arkose dropped their gripping new single, ‘Bones‘, on the 8th of May, 2025. This isn’t just a song; it’s a visceral excavation of struggle and strength, born from the ashes of an anorexia relapse and shaped by a village of believers who saw its spark.
Wren penned Bones in a feverish 40-minute burst, hunched over a notebook as lyrics and chords poured out like a confession. “Someone tried to talk to me, but I shut them down, I knew it was good,” their process reveals. Inspired by the younger souls they’ve mentored and a stark realisation that healing isn’t linear, the track hit paper fast but evolved slowly. Over the past year, it’s been a labour of love and vulnerability, refined with care. Mentor Bumpy stepped in early, helping restructure it when self-doubt crept in over its chorus-free form. Then, during The Boite’s Portfolio Project, Ellen Chen asked Wren what lit their fire. “I told them about ‘Bones,’” Wren recalls, and that nudge led to a demo session funded by The Boite with producer Bailey Judd. “Bailey just got it, he’s a creative genius,” Wren’sexcitement shines through. Together, they had a blast moulding the track into something undeniable.
The journey didn’t stop there. Through the Archie Roach Foundation’s Singing Our Futures program, Wren played Bones for mentor Candice Lorrae, and the program brought it to full bloom with a polished recording and master. Wren describes the process as “a culmination of so many people hearing it and believing it could be more”. The result is a folk-alt rock hybrid that’s as haunting as it is hopeful, a bare-bones testament to survival.
Originally hailing from Wakka Wakka Country and now rooted on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne since 2016, Wren Arkose is no stranger to the city’s creative pulse. Their musical odyssey kicked off in 2019 after an open mic night at Brunswick’s Retreat Hotel sparked an invite to jam at Bakehouse Studio. Since then, Wren’s “sad girl” songs, folk laced with dream-pop and alt-rock currents, have echoed across stages like Brunswick Music Festival, Sidney Myer Music Bowl’s Live at the Bowl, Yirramboi Festival, St Kilda Festival, and Port Fairy Folk Festival. Their past work has spun on airwaves from Triple J to ABC Melbourne, 3KND, and Triple R, cementing their place in Australia’s indie scene. Beyond music, Wren’s dipped into Melbourne’s theatre world, proving their artistry knows no bounds.
Influences
Cat Power, The Cranberries, Johnny Cash, Alice Skye
