A vulnerable pop-folk duet about the relationships that haunt you long after they’re over
Releasing on August 28, “DON'T KNOW WHY” is the latest single from pop artist Tom Nethersole, in collaboration with singer-songwriter and producer Jax Giles-Webb
Left in the silence of the studio, we often don’t hear about the pressures and compromise that come with artist collaborations.
“It took an honest conversation to fix the song… and our dynamic.” Jax revealed.
What could have been a creative rift ended up becoming a pivotal moment, turning “DON'T KNOW WHY” into one of the most honest and intimate songs either of them has released.
But behind the song is a story of two artists (both self-confessed conflict-avoiders) almost falling out over a last-minute rewrite.
Just a week to go, and the second verse suddenly didn’t feel right. “I was panicking internally, but we both kept pretending we were fine”, Tom shares.
Meeting through TikTok, Tom and Jax’s first in-person session wasn’t just about songwriting - it was hours of trading stories about childhood, relationship patterns, and being in the LGBTQIAPN+ community. Only after that groundwork was laid did the actual music start to take shape.
This isn’t a ‘queer duet’ for the sake of it; their collaboration is rooted in genuine lived experience, with Jax’s presence as a trans artist adding a much-needed visibility to the pop scene.
“DON'T KNOW WHY” is built on soft harmonies, layered acoustic guitars, and a gentle back-and-forth that feels like a conversation left unfinished. It’s a song for the late-night overthinkers, replaying moments that will never get answers.
"But instead of forcing a resolution, it sits in that uneasy middle ground - the space between wanting closure and realising you’ll never get it."
You drive 80 in a school zone
Say you don't care about the law
Even when I begged to slow down
Your foot stayed on the floor
In the loudest room in Fitzroy
You turn down all the noise
Just to speak over me
And stare at other boys
And I don't and i don't
And I don't and i don't
And I don't, and I don't know why
And I won't, and I won't try
To figure it out
To figure you out no more
This is all there ever will be
And this is all there ever was
You just stand there with your jaw shut
I can't feel what I can't touch
There's no man behind the curtain
There's no tricks up under sleeves
There's a reckless twenty-something
Is it you or is it me?
And I don't and I don't
And I don't and I don't
And I don't, and I don't know why
And I won't, and I won't try
To figure it out
To figure you out no more
Zombie,
I thought I buried you deep
At least you're dead to me
Zombie,
Why won't you let me be?
In my head when I sleep
Why won't you let me be?
And I don't, and I don't know why
And I won't, and I won't try
To figure it out
To figure you out no more
And I don't, and I don't know why
And I won't, and I won't try
To figure it out
To figure you out
no more
Tom has already established himself as a must-watch talent, performing at Midsumma’s Pride Street Party, Rockhampton River Festival, Always Live, and opening for Drax Project & RARIA.He’s been featured on Rolling Stone’s “Best Australian Music of the Week”, as well as JOY FM, FBi Radio, Rhythm Club FM, and SYN.
With over 300k streams and a growing fanbase in Australia and the US, Tom Nethersole is cementing himself as a powerful new voice in Australian pop
