Max Aurora & The Southern Lights are a dreamy, bittersweet indie rock band based in Naarm / Melbourne, led by intersex / non-binary songwriter Max Aurora. Blending narrative-driven songwriting with indie, folk, emo and ambient influences, Max writes songs that move between vulnerability and hope, often inhabiting different characters’ perspectives and drawing on empathy, imagery and lived experience. The project grew from Max’s upbringing in a bushy suburb of Canberra and early musical influences like Crowded House, alongside narrative records such as American Idiot by Green Day and contemporary indie acts including Middle Kids and The Beths. Their songs often centre movement, connection and resilience, treating emotion with care and curiosity. In 2026, Max Aurora & The Southern Lights are releasing two complementary singles, How I Know It’s Right and Picking Up Glass, produced by Jono O’Tooke (Cry Club). The tracks sit side-by-side as indie pop-punk anthems — one bursting with energy, the other grounded in reflection and introspection. The band are also currently working with producer Dean Tuza on a third single, supported by the Creative Victoria Music Works grant, due for release later in 2026.