Holy Balm have had a great year so far, releasing their single ‘Fashion’ in May to significant acclaim and love from the music community, and following it up with their excellent new album Activity.
Now that the “wonky house” act are firmly on our radar, we thought we’d ask them to shed some light on the next wave of emerging Aussie talent we should be keeping our eyes on – and they certainly came through for us here, with eight new acts that definitely demand some attention.
You can give their selections a spin below, along with Holy Balm’s new record. If you like what you hear, you can catch them finishing off their album tour in Sydney this Saturday at the Newtown Social Club, and in Canberra the following night, dates below.
LA Suffocated
Sydney based group that create a tense thumping space to move or generally go deep & zone out! Distorted and shrill vocals create tension amongst the drum machines & sequences – they never fail to create a hypnotic soundtrack live. Always want them to play longer sets.
Nicky Crane
James Vinciguerra’s solo work – exploratory, textured songwriting nodding across a few electronic music eras, cultural references & approaches. Pieces feel realised whilst creating even more curiosity with every release. Deep knowledge of rhythm and dynamic is his composition & touch.
Ela Stiles
New directions of Stiles’ solo work always keeps us guessing – there is always an interesting treatment of vocals and rhythm, and risk taking with form, durations & song structure. Bringing in flavours of folk, pop, experimental & even outsider sounds, abstract narratives take you somewhere else.
Video Ezy
Sydney / Melbourne duo, who are always moving towards a space synth cinematic paradise. Live – they really riff of each other and create a contemplative semi-instrumental space for listeners.
Enderie Nuatal
Originally Brisbane – now Sydney artist that has a curious approach to music making with others as ‘Cured Pink’ and solo as Enderie. Big sounds – samples of synth and vocals and drums, become a big, sweaty conversation. Sometime hard edge, always percussive – electric!
https://soundcloud.com/aphoniceuphoricresearch/what-do-you-think-of-the-tppa
Phone
A newish quad / trio in Sydney that features reunited members of Onani, and Bed Wettin’ Bad Boys / Table. Modular wayward synths, effected guitar, direct vocals, live percussion with electronic drum sequences…they create some kind of transcendental sentiment – still to be named, a peculiar combination – keen to see the evolution of their dynamic.
No music online – yet!
Lucy Cliche
New chapters exposed recently at the Melbourne show. Cliche’s songwriting is always pushing against your expectations, whilst keeping you informed and safe in the warm analogue bangin rhythms and synth textures. Not without tiny hints of humour at times, there is a honoring of club music structures – but it’s the fluidity in the way she delivers the composition that gets you there.
Greta Now
Sydney artist emerging from a community hall with some kind of electronic boogie heart. A refreshing pop sound, keen to see where this goes!
HOLY BALM – ACTIVITY ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR
Saturday September 24 – Sydney, Newtown Social Club
with Enderie + Phone + Sex Havers DJs
Tickets here
Sunday September 25 – Canberra, Lobrow Gallery & Bar
with California Girls + Honey + Playful Sound
More info here
