Ella Hooper Unveils New Single Growing Up Is Hard To Do Ahead of Summer Tour ’26

Australian singer-songwriter Ella Hooper has closed out 2025 with a bang, releasing her brand-new single Growing Up Is Hard To Do. A rousing ode to self-reflection wrapped in heartland flavours and Springsteen-inspired energy, the track marks another bold chapter in Hooper’s ever-evolving career.

With its upbeat charm, driving beats, and saxophone flourishes, Growing Up Is Hard To Do is already shaping up to be a festival favourite and a highlight of Ella’s upcoming Summer Tour ’26, which kicks off on Saturday 10 January in Mansfield before heading through Tamworth, Sale, Archies Creek, Newcastle, Mangrove Mountain, Bathurst, Boyup Brook, Ocean Grove, and Balnarring Beach.

Tickets are available now via ellahooper.com.

🌟 A Song Born of Reflection and Joy

Described by Hooper as “playful” yet deeply rooted in self-reflection, Growing Up Is Hard To Do captures the scars, laughs, and lessons of life’s journey.

“I’m so excited to be sharing this new song!” Ella says. “It literally made me smile when it came to my mind’s ear and quickly came to life in my Nashville recording sessions. It always had a clear idea of what it wanted to be—or rather what I wanted to say.”

The track blends Nashville’s finest session musicians with Ella’s Melbourne collaborators, creating sparks across continents. “It feels like having the best of both worlds that I love so much and spend so much time in,” she adds.

🎷 Springsteen Spirit Meets Ella’s Signature Sound

Musically, Growing Up Is Hard To Do is a bona fide toe-tapper.

• Bright instrumentals and raw yet animated vocals drive the track.
• A sax solo pays homage to Clarence Clemons, echoing Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.
• A tom tom breakdown adds rhythmic punch, channelling the Boss’s stadium-ready energy.

The result is a song that feels both nostalgic and fresh, perfectly suited to Ella’s effusive live performances.

💬 Ella on Growth, Chaos, and Laughter

“This song comes from a period of self-reflection that kinda started with Small Town Temple—my last album,” Ella explains. “It finds me in a place where I can almost accept that growing pains never stop. I’m just learning to write different songs about them.”

She adds with a laugh: “Some days I can roll my eyes at the chaos of the last few years—or my whole life, actually. It’s certainly been a hell of a ride. And as they say, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry!”

🎛️ Produced with Nashville and Melbourne Talent

Growing Up Is Hard To Do was co-produced by Ella alongside Sam Hawskley (Australian-born, Nashville-based) and Jeremy Dylan (ARIA-nominated creative).

The track features an impressive lineup:

• Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow) on drums
• Tom “Uncle Larry” Bukovac on guitar
• Rachel Loy (Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton) on bass
• Mika Kohlman, Melbourne’s indie sax man, is delivering the unforgettable solo
• Co-producers LOLLIES (Clare Reynolds and Mic Hubbard) are adding extra magic

This fusion of Nashville polish and Melbourne grit underscores Ella’s ability to straddle genres while staying true to her roots.

📀 Ella Hooper: From Killing Heidi to Country Queen

Ella Hooper’s career is nothing short of iconic.

• 1990s breakthrough: Fronted Killing Heidi, catapulting from regional Victoria into superstardom with debut single Weir.
• ARIA Awards: Four wins for their debut album Reflector (2000).
• APRA Milestone: First female and youngest recipient of Songwriter of the Year in 2001.
• Rolling Stone covers, radio & TV presenting, and chart-topping singles cemented her place in Australian pop culture.

Branching into a solo career, Ella has explored synth folk, rock, country, and Americana. Her 2023 album Small Town Temple debuted at #1 on the Australian Country chart, celebrating her love of Americana while weaving personal narratives.

🎤 Recent Highlights

• Good Things Festival 2024: Killing Heidi shared the stage with Korn, Electric Callboy, and Violent Femmes.
• Reflector 25th Anniversary Tour: Sold out nationwide, with the re-release topping ARIA’s album and vinyl charts.
• Back From The Nash Tour 2025: A headline run showcasing Ella’s Nashville-inspired sound.

Her ability to pivot between solo projects and band reunions keeps fans engaged across generations.

🎪 Summer Tour ’26: Where to Catch Ella Live

Ella’s Summer Tour ’26 promises high-octane performances across Australia.

• Mansfield – 10 January
• Tamworth Country Music Festival – an iconic celebration of country music
• Queenscliff Music Festival – taste-making coastal favourite
• Boyup Brook Country Music Muster – outback tradition
• Music In The Vines (Mansfield) – vineyard vibes
• Americana on the Bellarine – coastal Americana showcase
• Ocean Grove & Balnarring Beach – summer headline outings

With festivals and headline shows spanning urban centres and regional gems, Ella’s tour reflects her commitment to connecting with fans everywhere.

🎉 Closing 2025, Opening 2026

“Closing the year with a new single feels very me and very cheeky,” Ella laughs. “I know it’s going to go off live at the summer tour shows and festivals like Queenscliff too. The band are hanging to get their teeth into the single live, and I am just charging at the bit for 2026.”

With Growing Up Is Hard To Do, Ella Hooper continues to embody positivity, warmth, and exuberance—qualities that have defined her career and endeared her to fans for decades.

📢 Final Word

Ella Hooper’s Growing Up Is Hard To Do is more than a single—it’s a statement of resilience, joy, and evolution. With Nashville influences, Melbourne collaborations, and a tour that spans the country, Ella is poised to make 2026 a landmark year.

Whether you’re a longtime fan from the Killing Heidi days or discovering her solo work anew, this release is a reminder that growing up may be hard—but singing along with Ella makes it a whole lot easier.