Today, 16-year-old Australian rock wunderkind, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur has released her highly-anticipated debut EP, Child’s Play via Warner Music Australia and In Bloom. Listen HERE. The EP follows the releases of ‘Child’s Play’, the title track from her debut EP, and ‘Big Mouth’ and the sugar charged new single ‘Ice Cream Truck’.
‘Child’s Play’ and ‘Big Mouth’ have further cemented Maple’s global presence across social media, amassing 100,000s of likes over the last month alone with an ever-expected global fanbase clamoring for Maple to make her debut international shows. Before then, Maple will hit the open seas with Hellbound, perform her first national tour with US band Waterparks and launch the EP in her hometown of Newcastle for a very special one night only show in a ‘90s cinema.
“It makes perfect sense, the whole EP has a cinematic energy, with the lead single Child’s Play we pushed a ‘90s horror angle inspired by Chucky and IT and with Ice Cream Truck I took inspiration from classics like Ghostbusters and TMNT. I’m teasing bits and pieces on my socials, we literally built a working Ice Cream Truck, and I can’t wait to share how it will become an integral piece of the Maple’s Pet Dinosaur world. Musically, Ice Cream Truck is a response to seeing a lot of girls my age making their entire personality about boys and chasing boys- I wanted to write something for girls who are more interested in chasing their dreams. For me that dream, is pushing to become the best live performer I can possibly be”
Speaking of live, Child’s Play EP was born from Maple’s experience as a teenage girl navigating adult, often male-dominated festival and club spaces. Drawing on these experiences, the EP explores the tension between youth and adulthood, challenging expectations and reclaiming a sense of agency through a sound that is as raw, rebellious and unapologetic as Maple herself.
Speaking on the debut EP, Maple explains, “Child’s Play is a playful rewind to the past but with a blood-soaked machete pointing to the future. I made this EP to tell everyone that I’m here to play – but I’m deadly serious. You either get people who are really supportive and excited to see a 16-year-old girl up there, or it’s ‘what the fuck do you think you’re doing here?’” she laughs.
The EP also features the previously viral singles ‘Lego’ and ‘Chorus.’ Closing track ‘Ice Cream Truck’ – already a live favourite – leans into Melvins-style grind and swagger, bringing the EP’s themes of female autonomy, self-assurance and pushing back against expectations into sharp focus. Built around the line, “I’ll never chase a boy like an ice cream truck,” the song transforms a maths-class daydream into a sharp-tongued anthem about refusing to chase validation, rounding out an EP that confronts the absurdities of growing up as a young woman in a world that constantly underestimates her.
The release of ‘Child’s Play’ has further fuelled Maple’s already rapid rise, with US Riff Magazine praising the song’s “aggression, genre fusion and Maple’s vocal/musical finesse”, while the UK’s Metal Hammer described the track as “unique and striking” and named it one of their Tracks of the Week. NME, The Music Network, Heavy Mag, The Soundcheck, The Music and Rolling Stone Australia have also spotlighted Maple as one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists, while Spotify placed her on the cover of its New Noise playlist and BBC Radio’s Dan P. Carter has come on board as a key early champion. Her distinctive metal-pop-horror aesthetic has also caught the attention of Ice Nine Kills, with frontman Spencer Charnas inviting Maple to their recent sold-out Sydney show.
To celebrate the release, Maple will launch the record in blockbuster fashion with a special one-off, all-ages event at Newcastle’s revamped ‘90s multiplex, Tower Cinemas. The hometown celebration will bring together some of Newcastle’s finest young talent, including Trophy Wyfe, Filthy E and the Clean Teens and Bardvarkk, for a night of live music, marking another major milestone in Maple’s rapid rise. Further information and final tickets are available here.
UPCOMING LIVE DATES:
OCTOBER 30: EP LAUNCH SHOW, TOWER CINEMA, NEWCASTLE
JANUARY 16 2027: PETERSHAM TOWN HALL, NSW (ALL AGES)
JANUARY 17-21 2027: HELLBOUND 2, CARNIVAL SPLENDOUR
FEBRUARY 14 2027: FORUM, MELBOURNE, VIC (WATERPARKS SUPPORT)
FEBRUARY 16 2027: THE GOVERNOR HINDMARSH, ADELAIDE, SA (WATERPARKS SUPPORT)
FEBRUARY 18 2027: ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH, WA (WATERPARKS SUPPORT)
FEBRUARY 20 2027: ENMORE THEATRE, NEWTOWN, NSW (WATERPARKS SUPPORT)
FEBRUARY 21 2027: THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE, QLD (WATERPARKS SUPPORT)
