Community radio music presenters and music directors often have an encyclopaedic knowledge of local music and an insatiable thirst to keep their ears ahead of the curve. So in this Tone Deaf series, the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) invites music directors to highlight new Aussie tunes that you might have missed.
In this edition, Paul Gough from Adelaide’s 3D Radio and APRA AMCOS’ Playback, contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.
Check out Paul’s selections below and if you’re a musician you can apply here to have your music distributed for free to community radio on Amrap’s AirIt.
This week’s 7 best Australian artists
Underground Lovers – ‘The Passer-By’
For 27 years, Underground Lovers have delivered top notch noisy melodic pop. ‘The Passer-By’ is the first single from album number ten, A Left Turn, out later in the year.
It offers their trademark urgent warm rush of guitars that will have their legion of fans excited, but they’re bound to win over new fans given recent efforts from younger bands loving to fly the flag for the shoegaze sound.
Check out ‘The Passer-By’ by Underground Lovers:
Corduroy Spaceship – ‘About Everything’
Torsten Gustavsson was gifted a vintage green corduroy shirt which inspired the name for his musical project. Where the spaceship comes in I’m not sure, but his music is definitely cosmic.
This is lush – psychedelic bedroom-pop made with absolute style. George Harrison-style guitar lines, sugar-sweet synths and Americana-style vocals make for a catchy and clever mix. Highly recommended.
Check out ‘About Everything’ by Corduroy Spaceship:
Originally a duo emerging from the ‘burbs of Adelaide, Peak Twins return with their second album, Beloved, after a six year wait. The first single, ‘Water’, throws a dummy pass with noisy dissonance to begin but then quickly morphs into sweet Aussie melancholic jangle.
Embellished with heart tugging strings and lyrics that offer the spirit of “she’ll be right”, it’s the kind of tune that you’ll happily lean on after a frustrating day.
Check out ‘Water’ by Peak Twins:
Brain Romance – ‘Honest Words’
Take two excellent songwriters in the Melbourne-based Hannah Cameron and Brian Campeau, scramble their names and they transform together into Brain Romance. The point of difference in how they work – the yin and yang of their individual musical nature – that has helped create something very special.
There’s a haunted quality to this gorgeous folk tune that features subtle touches from Clio Renner and Tamara Murphy, also out of Melbourne. There’s more to come, and I can’t wait.
Check out ‘Honest Words’ by Brain Romance:
I’ve long been a fan of Emma Russack, and her recent efforts with The Ocean Party’s Lachlan Denton have been stunning. This, the title track from her new solo album, had me immediately beguiled. It has a nostalgic touch that shares an arc with some classic piano driven melancholic tunes from the ‘70s.
That melancholy is the heart of the message – acknowledge your feelings, own them instead of finding excuses to pass the buck. On the basis of this essential song, I can’t wait for the forthcoming album.
Check out ‘Winter Blues’ by Emma Russack:
From the cover art to the rootsy boogie rock feel, Brisbane’s Dana Gerhman could have stepped out of 1974. There’s no gimmick here, however: this is an incredibly talented young vocalist who has stepped into the limelight and with a powerful presence and bluesy vocals that will stop you in your tracks.
Her debut album should be a winner. This, her second single (her debut track was with Tim Rogers), also reveals her deft guitar playing. She’s the real deal.
Check out ‘Hands Tied’ by Dana Gehrman:
The Southern River Band – ‘Chimney’
I saw Southern River Band at Waverock Festival in the West a few years back and the antics of front man Cal Kramer, blew me away. This bloke has a real rock n’roll swagger and attitude but backs it all up with incredible talent.
Now, it seems planets are aligning, the recent reboot of boogie rock, sell out shows on the East Coast and a new high octane release ready to make you feel good. The first taster, ‘Chimney’, from their upcoming album features huge riffs that will stick in your head.
Check out ‘Chimney’ by The Southern River Band:
