The Music Lives On — and So Does the Story Behind It
On this week’s episode of Unfiltered & Undiscovered, we sit down with frontman Zac Cross — the driving force behind one of Australia’s most exciting emerging country rock bands. And spoiler alert: this isn’t your typical radio-friendly promo tour.
Zac came ready to tell the truth. About heartbreak. About healing. About turning pain into a 12-track debut album that slaps harder than a pub jukebox on Friday night.
Welcome to the world of the Zac Cross Band — where the lyrics are raw, the guitars are loud, and the music… well, it absolutely lives on.
🎧 Who Is Zac Cross Band?
Straight outta Rockhampton and built on resilience, the Zac Cross Band is a four-piece with deep roots and wide ambition. Think country rock meets alt-rock grit, with influences ranging from Keith Urban to Linkin Park.
The lineup:
- Zac Cross – vocals, guitar, and emotional wreckage turned songwriting gold
- Lachlan Plant – lead guitar and backing vocals
- Bailey Connor – percussion and energy
- Jaymon Bob – bass and backbone
Their debut album, The Music Lives On, isn’t just a collection of songs. It’s a chronicle of heartbreak, hope, and heavy riffs — written during some of Zac’s darkest days and produced by country heavyweight Jared Adlam (Travis Collins, Adam Brand).
🔥 Highlights From Our Interview with Zac
🎤 “It all started with one comment from my old man.”
That’s how Dear God — the deeply personal cornerstone track of the album — came to life. It was the spark Zac needed after a decade-long relationship ended and his world crumbled. That single moment launched a songwriting journey that turned pain into power.
We talk about:
- How Dear God became therapy
- The surprising influence of Zac’s grandfather “Big Pop” on the title track
- Why Country Got It Right tweaks Harlan Howard’s famous quote just the right amount
- The grind of going from heartbreak to festival stages
- Blending country soul with heavy rock spirit
Zac doesn’t hold back — and neither do we.
🎶 The Album: The Music Lives On
It’s not every debut that hits this hard. From the fierce anthem Who I Am to the ironically titled A Happy Song, every track reflects a piece of Zac’s life — and by the time you reach the final notes of The Music Lives On, you’ll feel like you’ve lived it with him.
Track standouts:
- If You Have to Know – a love letter and a playlist magnet
- Take The Blame – alt-rock edge meets country confessional
- Too Far Gone – featured on Spotify’s Fresh Country
- When I Found You – a moment of light in a heavy set
🗺️ Where You Can Catch Them
Zac Cross Band is hitting the road hard in 2025, with shows across Queensland including:
- 🔥 Album Launch Party – June 27, Flamingoes, Rockhampton
- 🎸 Gympie Music Muster – August 31
- And many more dates listed at zaccrossband.com
If you’ve never seen country rock in full flight — this is the year to fix that.
🎤 Why We Loved This Interview
At Unfiltered & Undiscovered, we don’t do fluff. We do real stories and real artists — and Zac Cross Band delivered on both.
Zac’s honesty, grit, and the sheer emotional weight behind the album made this one of the most powerful interviews we’ve hosted. It’s proof that Aussie country music isn’t slowing down — it’s evolving, and Zac Cross Band is helping shape that sound.
▶️ Watch & Listen Now:
🎧 Listen to the full interview on Spotify, Apple, or your favourite podcast app
đź“ş Watch the full video episode on YouTube
🎵 Stream the album: The Music Lives On
And don’t forget to follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for the latest.
đź“» Final Word: Why It Matters
This isn’t just another band. And The Music Lives On isn’t just another debut.
It’s a reminder that even when life gets messy, the right song at the right time can change everything. Zac Cross Band is living proof.
And we’re proud as hell to help tell their story.