The recording industry can be a pretty tough place. Sometimes we see musicians sign deals with labels as soon as they step onto the scene whilst other hardworking artists battle their guts out and unfortunately never get the opportunity to ink a deal with any label, and then there are of course those who are bold enough to step out on their own, and release their music independently.
We here at Tone Deaf know this story all too well, and as such we decided to piece together some of our favourite Aussie musicians who are absolutely smashing it at the moment completely off their own merits, touring and releasing records without the assistance of a label.
From straight-laced rock and post-punk to folk, soul and hiphop, please allow us to introduce to you 15 insanely talented homegrown musicians that you need in your life right now.
Gold Class
If you call yourself a fan of post-punk and thought-provoking rock, look no further than this four-piece hailing from Melbourne. Running hot from the release of their double single ‘Michael’/‘Gone’ in 2014, Gold Class are beginning to receive the accolades they deserve, with warranted comparison to the dreary haunts of Ian Curtis from Joy Division. A huge statement, yes, but once you give these guys a spin, you’ll totally get it.
You can follow the band here: www.facebook.com/goldclassmusic
Yeo
As far as electronica-based artists go, one of, if not the finest unsigned Aussie has got to be Yeo. The Melbournian has continually reached dizzying new heights, having supported the likes of Glass Animals, Peking Duk and Kimbra, not to mention his epic tune ‘Girl,’ (which if you don’t mind, has clocked over 40,000) taking over the internet, the youngster is definitely one to chase in 2015.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/yeoyeoyeoyeo
Food Court
Chances are you’ve probably seen at least one person donned in a Food Court t-shirt, and boyo, if you’d caught their live show, you’d be suiting up in one too. Bashing their way through their signature fuzzy-garage tunes like ‘On The River’, there’s a helluva lot of buzz surrounding the cantankerous quartet.
You can follow the band here: www.facebook.com/foodcourtbandsydney
Broadway Sounds
Coaxing every last punter up onto their feet a grooving set at 2015’s Let Them Eat Cake festival, the pysch-pop meets funk-dance trio have already cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with this year. The Melbourne three-piece have comfortably slotted into a gap needed to be filled in Aussie music, appealing to lovers of everything from world music, to dance to psychedelica.
You can follow the band here: www.facebook.com/broadwaysounds
Keep On Dancin’s
This Brizzy four-piece are one of the finest purveyors of the smoky, sonic wall of sound that we call shoegaze and dreampop. Their mind-bending LP Hunter was one of Tone Deaf staff’s favourite releases for 2014, igniting the spirits of both Beach House and Coctau Twins. It’s beyond us how a label has snapped these guys up.
You can follow the band here: www.facebook.com/keepondancins
Moana
Perth songstress Moana Lutton, more formally recognised under the simple moniker of Moana, is one of the most interesting up-and-coming artists in the country.
Her latest single ‘Echo’ saw the WA songstress step away from her grungier efforts, moving toward a more chilling gothic aesthetic, as she creates a sonic nightmarish atmosphere of haunting layered guitars and a flurry of post-punk strings, howling like PJ Harvey a la her Rid Of Me days. If you’re after provocative, dark sounds, Moana’s your girl.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/moanamusic
Fait
After just one listen of this WA native’s slow-burning track ‘Slow Glow’ we knew we were seeing an a massive artist in the making. Right we were, Fait generated a shitload of buzz from critics across Australia in 2014 and this year this talented musician will drown the masses with her beautiful and haunting sonic soundscapes.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/thisisfait
Indigo Daze
It’s a rather difficult task for an up-and-coming electro-pop artist to shine brightest in Australia’s strong scene, however Brisbane’s star Indigo Daze is burning red hot. Producing a meld of ambient and electronica with celestial vocal shimmers, the young Indigo Daze creates an encompassing angelic aura that is highly intriguing.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/Isiissounds
Baro
It’s beyond us how this young dude hasn’t been snapped up by the biggest label in Australia. Crowned one of the best musicians under 18 in Australia last year, Baro has only just come of age and is already being championed as an emcee that’s giving Aussie hiphop a whole new face. Blending chilled-out lounge electronica with funk and jazz samples, the Melbourne teen produces sensual, laid-back jams and is equipped with the vocal registry to confidently dip into RnB.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/waterboybaro
Friendships
A Friendships live show is an experience any live Aussie music lover needs to encounter at least once. The boundary-pushing Friendships are dedicated to the seamless pair of their sonic delivery and visual display, creating an aesthetic not alike anything else in Australian music right now.
You can follow the band here: www.facebook.com/friendships.aus
Oscar Lush
This young man may just be Australia’s best-kept secret. Before he even reached the age of 21, Lush had already independently released his debut record The World Is Round So I’ll Go Round an absolutely draw-dropping 10-track of dark folk that fearlessly told stories of death and faith, the young troubadour’s vocal delivery scarily close to the late and infinitely great, Johnny Cash.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/oscarlushmusic
Stella Angelico
The stunning songstress from Melbourne has dazzled audiences with her mournful soul and jazz inspired vocals, drawing comparisons to the late Amy Winehouse, Stella Angelico has a mighty voice and the ultimate stage swaggin’ presence to match. Having dropped her roaring track ‘Prey’ late last year, the Aneglico army is only growing, Tone Deaf most certainly marching to the beat of her drum.
You can follow the artist here: www.facebook.com/Stella-Angelico
RaRa
Ah…how does it feel for a hiphop group to be asked to open for an iconic outfit like De La Soul? Just ask the squad of four that make RaRa, they’ll tell ya all about it. Creating sounds that are palatable for fans of both old and new-school hiphop, grime, trap, pop, and rock alike, if there were a hiphop crew to ink a deal with a label, it’s these dudes.
You can follow the group here: www.facebook.com/RaRa.izm
The Walking Who
The three talented minds of Rohin Brown, Jay Bird and Paul Mclean come together to form one of the most exciting and innovative sounds to emanate from Aussie shores. Piecing together elements of psychedelica and low-fi with sprinkles of dream pop and shoegaze coupled with breezy, high-toned vocals akin to the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the band garnered high praise for their debut EP Mansions last year.
Just dig ‘’With Roses’ and you’ll understand how the trio have toured with the likes of the rowdy surf-psychers The Growlers and homegrown heroes King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
You can follow the band here: www.facebook.com/thewalkingwho
