Chloe Marks & The Mayhem Release 'Don't Make Me Choose' Ahead of Forthcoming Debut Album 'Bright Lights Late Nights'
Brisbane country outfit Chloe Marks & The Mayhem return with their honky tonkin' new single 'Don't Make Me Choose' – a freewheeling slice of classic country and americana that explores the impossible choice between chasing a dream and holding onto the people you love.
Lifted from the band's highly anticipated debut album Bright Lights Late Nights - due for release on 11 September - the track was inspired by a first-hand experience.
"'Don't Make Me Choose' is an incredibly personal song to me and the whole band," admits Chloe. "It was one of the very first songs I ever wrote for Mayhem, inspired by watching one of my bandmates' relationships fall apart after their partner gave them an ultimatum: music or the relationship."
Through the lens of twanging guitars and an energetic barroom beat the song tussles with the sacrifices that often accompany a life devoted to music. While it's deeply personal for the band, the heartache is universal.
"It's a situation that's sadly relatable, not just for musicians, but for anyone whose passion leads them down an unconventional path. Chasing music takes an incredible amount of commitment, sacrifice, and resilience, but it's also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Through this song, I wanted to honestly capture both the drive that keeps us pursuing this dream and the desperation of wanting someone you love to understand why it matters so much. It's a feeling every member of this band has experienced in one way or another."
Produced by Michael Muchow and recorded between RagTag Studios and Hunting Ground Studios, the track was intentionally captured with the raw chemistry that has become a hallmark of Chloe Marks & The Mayhem's live performances.
"We brought the song to life in true Mayhem fashion by recording it live. The foundation was tracked together in the same room, just as we perform it on stage. Every musical moment was intentional, almost as if we were answering the song's message through the music itself."
The accompanying music video, directed by Connor Sharpe of Deliverance Collective, combines genuine behind-the-scenes studio footage with professionally shot performance scenes at one of the band's spiritual homes, Chattahoochee Joes in Brisbane.
"We wanted the video to portray the themes of the song, showing why musicians are so passionate about their craft, and also those fun moments that add joy to all the challenging moments where we sacrifice so much for our music."
The new single follows 'Ayodele', which reached #46 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart, continuing the band's impressive momentum. Both singles are set to appear on the band's soon-to-be-released debut album, which also features previous singles that secured national airplay support and editorial playlisting on Apple Music.
Written across three transformative years, the forthcoming album documents heartbreak, resilience, friendship, healing and hope, drawing from real-life experiences shared by Chloe and her bandmates. Each song tells a different chapter, collectively forming an honest portrait of a band that has weathered life's toughest moments together.
Since forming in Brisbane, Chloe Marks & The Mayhem have become one of Australia's most exciting emerging country acts, performing at Town & Country Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Urban Country Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, and Lasso CMF, while also supporting artists including James Blundell and Tori Forsyth. The band is also set to appear on the Toyota Park stage during the 2027 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
With 'Don't Make Me Choose', taken from their forthcoming album Bright Lights Late Nights, Chloe Marks & The Mayhem deliver an authentic country anthem that celebrates the people willing to risk everything for the thing they love most.
"Turning such a painful experience into something we're all so proud of has been incredibly healing. I hope this song not only tells our story but also resonates with anyone who's ever been asked to choose between the life they love and the people they love."
Pre-order Bright Lights Late Nights here
SHOW DATES:
Lifted from the band's highly anticipated debut album Bright Lights Late Nights - due for release on 11 September - the track was inspired by a first-hand experience.
"'Don't Make Me Choose' is an incredibly personal song to me and the whole band," admits Chloe. "It was one of the very first songs I ever wrote for Mayhem, inspired by watching one of my bandmates' relationships fall apart after their partner gave them an ultimatum: music or the relationship."
Through the lens of twanging guitars and an energetic barroom beat the song tussles with the sacrifices that often accompany a life devoted to music. While it's deeply personal for the band, the heartache is universal.
"It's a situation that's sadly relatable, not just for musicians, but for anyone whose passion leads them down an unconventional path. Chasing music takes an incredible amount of commitment, sacrifice, and resilience, but it's also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Through this song, I wanted to honestly capture both the drive that keeps us pursuing this dream and the desperation of wanting someone you love to understand why it matters so much. It's a feeling every member of this band has experienced in one way or another."
Produced by Michael Muchow and recorded between RagTag Studios and Hunting Ground Studios, the track was intentionally captured with the raw chemistry that has become a hallmark of Chloe Marks & The Mayhem's live performances.
"We brought the song to life in true Mayhem fashion by recording it live. The foundation was tracked together in the same room, just as we perform it on stage. Every musical moment was intentional, almost as if we were answering the song's message through the music itself."
The accompanying music video, directed by Connor Sharpe of Deliverance Collective, combines genuine behind-the-scenes studio footage with professionally shot performance scenes at one of the band's spiritual homes, Chattahoochee Joes in Brisbane.
"We wanted the video to portray the themes of the song, showing why musicians are so passionate about their craft, and also those fun moments that add joy to all the challenging moments where we sacrifice so much for our music."
The new single follows 'Ayodele', which reached #46 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart, continuing the band's impressive momentum. Both singles are set to appear on the band's soon-to-be-released debut album, which also features previous singles that secured national airplay support and editorial playlisting on Apple Music.
Written across three transformative years, the forthcoming album documents heartbreak, resilience, friendship, healing and hope, drawing from real-life experiences shared by Chloe and her bandmates. Each song tells a different chapter, collectively forming an honest portrait of a band that has weathered life's toughest moments together.
Since forming in Brisbane, Chloe Marks & The Mayhem have become one of Australia's most exciting emerging country acts, performing at Town & Country Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Urban Country Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, and Lasso CMF, while also supporting artists including James Blundell and Tori Forsyth. The band is also set to appear on the Toyota Park stage during the 2027 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
With 'Don't Make Me Choose', taken from their forthcoming album Bright Lights Late Nights, Chloe Marks & The Mayhem deliver an authentic country anthem that celebrates the people willing to risk everything for the thing they love most.
"Turning such a painful experience into something we're all so proud of has been incredibly healing. I hope this song not only tells our story but also resonates with anyone who's ever been asked to choose between the life they love and the people they love."
Pre-order Bright Lights Late Nights here
SHOW DATES:
Friday 4th September - Leftys Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 5th September - Honky Tonks – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 11th September – Chattahoochee Joes – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 12th September - Laidley Spring Festival - Laidley, QLD
Sunday 4th October – Album Launch Show @ Brooklyn Standard – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 14th November – Country Festival - Distillery Road Market – Beenleigh, QLD
Friday 20th November - Chattahoochee Joes – Brisbane, QLD
Monday 18th January 2027 - Americana in the Park – TCMF – Tamworth, NSW
Saturday 5th September - Honky Tonks – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 11th September – Chattahoochee Joes – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 12th September - Laidley Spring Festival - Laidley, QLD
Sunday 4th October – Album Launch Show @ Brooklyn Standard – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 14th November – Country Festival - Distillery Road Market – Beenleigh, QLD
Friday 20th November - Chattahoochee Joes – Brisbane, QLD
Monday 18th January 2027 - Americana in the Park – TCMF – Tamworth, NSW
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