Electronic Press Kit
PRESS RELEASE
2026 Group / Duo of the Year CountryTown Award nominees Zac Cross Band are back with a vengeance on their blistering new single ‘Give Me a Break’. Following on from the success of their previous release ‘Promise’ which cracked the Top 10 on the AMRAP Airplay Charts and landed editorial playlist support across Apple Music’s New In Country, Aussie Country and Country Risers, the Queensland outfit continue to carve out their lane with a track that’s equal parts cathartic and chaotic. A gritty, tongue-in-cheek anthem wrapped in crashing guitars and modern country swagger, ‘Give Me a Break’ captures the feeling of life kicking you while you’re already down - only instead of spiralling, Zac Cross Band throw their hands in the air and laugh through the madness. It’s angsty, empowered country rock with dirt under its nails and a grin on its face. “‘Give Me A Break’ was never intended to be a serious song,” shares frontman Zac Cross. “It was written to kind of be sarcastic and make light of when things are just going wrong for you and you’re looking up at the sky like ‘c’mon!’. We all go through those periods when nothing seems to be going your way. Even the little things like someone snagging the last parking spot or you getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, and it’s raining, and your spare tire is flat too, and there’s no phone service or your jack is buggered and then your car battery dies! But, you’re not mad, you just have to laugh. It’s a ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’ kind of song. We’ve all been there.” Recorded on the Gold Coast with acclaimed producer Jared Adlam (Lee Kernaghan, James Johnston) at Machine Lab Recording, the single continues the long-running creative partnership that has helped shape the band’s signature collision of country storytelling and rock intensity. “Recording this song was probably the most excited we’ve been at the studio for a long time,” Zac explains. “I think now that the album has been out for a while and that collection of works is done, we don’t have to make whatever song we’re working on fit into a certain spot within the project or sound a certain way. This time it just felt like there were no expectations and we could just do whatever we like.“ The release arrives as Zac Cross Band continue an unstoppable rise through Australia’s country scene. Since launching onto the circuit, the four-piece have become festival favourites at events including Gympie Music Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Baralaba Bash and Country Fest Queensland. They’ve shared stages with massive acts including The Wolfe Brothers, Jon Stevens and Dragon and kept the party going at the official Midland afterparty, following the US giant’s international tour. This year the band garnered recognition as nominees for Group/Duo of the Year at the 2026 CountryTown Awards off the back of their debut album The Music Lives On. The band are now gearing up for a massive touring run across Queensland. “We’ve had a little time off from touring as my wife and I have just got back from a big trip through the States but now we’re back and ready to rumble,” Zac says. “We’re kicking off ‘ZCB Live ROUND 2’ at the end of May and are looking forward to packing out the rest of the year with as many shows as we can. We live for playing live shows and can’t wait to party with everyone.” Away from the stage, the band continue balancing full-time work with the relentless demands of life on the road, all while remaining heavily involved with the Our Rainbow House Foundation - a charity close to their hearts that supports orphaned children in Zambia. Alongside ambassador Kasey Chambers, Zac Cross Band have proudly performed at the organisation’s annual fundraiser for the past four years. At its core, ‘Give Me a Break’ is exactly what Zac Cross Band do best - turning life’s messiest moments into something loud enough to scream along to with your mates. Equal parts pressure valve and pub-floor anthem, it’s a reminder that sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh, crack another beer and keep rolling.
MUSIC
ABOUT
With a genre-bending sound and stories that contour the full spectrum of life's highs and lows, Zac Cross Band redefine the heartbeat of Country Rock on their stunning debut album, ‘The Music Lives On’. Born from the rugged cattle country of Rockhampton, Zac Cross Band are the genuine article. Members, Zac Cross (lead vocals, guitar), Lachlan Plant (lead guitar, backing vocals), Bailey Connor (percussion), and Jaymon Bob (bass) each live and breathe their songs. “I think when the songs are really personable to you, they will be relatable and emotive for your listeners,” shares frontman, Zac Cross. For Cross, music isn’t just a creative outlet, it’s the rawest form of connection. It's this ethos that drives the band’s storytelling. Growing up, music was in their bloodstreams and it was only a matter of time until the 4- piece came together. “Music has always been a part of each of us. It was just a few lucky twists of fate that brought us all together at different times and moulded us into what we are today.” “Our influences are so vast it's not funny,” chuckles Cross. From Morgan Wallen and Keith Urban to Greenday and Linkin Park, the boys’ brand of Country music is a sonic melting pot. Loud guitar riffs, stadium-shaking drums, and lyrics that don’t just tell stories—they shout them out. The result? A ground-breaking style that captures everything from the party anthems to the heartfelt reflections on life. When they first burst onto the scene in 2020, the world was on the verge of lockdown. The global pandemic could have easily derailed their plans, but instead, they hunkered down and went to work. With award-winning producer Jared Adlam (Matt Cornell & Adam Brand, Travis Collins, James Johnston) at the helm, the band recorded their debut EP, Times Like These —a blend of raw storytelling and larger-than-life soundscapes. It wasn’t long before people took notice. Amassing close to half a million streams, the band have appeared on Spotify’s Fresh Country and New Music Friday editorial playlists as well as Apple Music’s Country Lovin’, Aussie Country, Lil Bit Country, Country Caffeine, Back Porch Country, Country Risers and 5th Gear. Add to that, rotation on several of Australia’s major Country music radio programs - Kix Country, Triple M Country and ABC’s Saturday Night Country, to name a few – it’s clear their innovative sound has found its audience. The band have also become familiar faces at some of Australia’s biggest country music festivals - Country Fest QLD, The Gympie Music Muster, Boon Lane Country Fest, Baralaba Bash and Tamworth Country Music Festival as well as having opened up for likes of Dragon, Lee Kernaghan, Jon Stevens and The Wolfe Brothers. 2025 saw the boys return to Adlam’s sun drenched, Gold Coast studio to finish recording their debut album, ‘The Music Lives On’. The 12-track debut is a raw and powerful reflection of Zac’s journey from rock bottom to redemption. Released in May of 2025 the record earned generous playlisting on Apple Music, alongside CMT rotation and radio features across Kix Country, Triple M Country, and Good Morning Country. It slingshotted their streams to 850k across DSPs and formed the springboard for their biggest headline tour yet. Fast forward to 2026, the boys are back with the release of brand new single ‘Give Me A Break’. The raw and energetic track is a gritty yet lighthearted number that blends modern country and rock sounds. “It’s a ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’ kind of song. We’ve all been there.” From cutting their teeth in local pubs to sharing stages with the industry’s best, their rise has been meteoric. But for Cross, it’s always been about more than the spotlight. “I’ve always wanted to be able to tell a story or have the ability to take someone out of their problems,” admits the frontman. “If we can use our music to help someone deal with that or get through something, then we have a genuine purpose in what we are doing.” That mission extends beyond the stage. Every year, the band plays a pivotal role in raising awareness for Our Rainbow House, a charity supporting orphaned children in Africa. Teaming up with country icon Kasey Chambers, Zac Cross Band performs at their annual benefit concert, using their platform to give back. “This talented group of musicians is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with” (Bored City) With songs that are infinitely relatable and equally headbang-able, Zac Cross Band are carving out their space.
SHOWS
