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, Simon Winkler from Triple R in Melbourne contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.
Check out Simon’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 8 best Australian artists
Lisa Salvo started as a solo artist, writing rich and intricate folk music. As the songs grew so did Lisa’s band, and patiently On Diamond took shape.
Featuring members of Jaala, Grand Salvo, Jazz Party and Hannah Cameron, On Diamond combine improvisation with folk, pop, blues and rock.
Lisa’s lyrics explore grief, disconnection, growth and recovery from trauma – themes reflected in this sharp, luminous song.
Check out On Diamond’s ‘How’:
Although Megahalaya is the debut EP from Brisbane’s Tiana Khasi, the artist has long been celebrated for her collaborations and performances with peers such as The Kite String Tangle, Golden Vessel and Sampology.
These new songs explore self-empowerment, family and heritage. Tiana Khasi describes this release as both “geographic and spiritual. It’s a place I creatively resort to seeking affirmation of my identity and for true holistic inspiration.”
“I felt the growing pains of being a young woman, mixed race/Australian born and studying jazz. I was neither here nor there.”
Check out Tiana Khasi’s ‘They Call Me’:
Rainbow Chan – ‘Love Isn’t Easy (feat. Moldy)’
‘Love Isn’t Easy’ blends Rainbow’s strong interest in club, experimental electronic and pop styles. The sounds here tie together elements from her debut album Spacings as well as her side projects Chunyin and DIN (with Alex Ward).
The lyrics depict struggle between lovers, and features a memorable guest rap from Korean MC Moldy.
Check out Rainbow Chan’s ‘Love Isn’t Easy (feat. Moldy)’:
Hemm is formed by the Melbourne duo of Juice Webster and Robert Downie, both accomplished solo artists as well as collaborators. Their intimate electronic songs look at connections, made and missed, in life and love.
‘Skin’ reflects Hemm’s striking, often minimal, sonic palette: drawing on ambient, pop, folk and deep bass-driven sounds.
Check out Hemm’s ‘Skin’:
Huntly are a trio known for playful and poignant electronic tracks. Describing their recently released debut album, lead singer and lyricist Elspeth explains. “The feelings driving these songs range from the unsettling and existential, to the hopeful and emancipatory, to guilt, rage and pain.”
“They tell stories of queerness and identity, of relationships shifting or dissolving, of trying to do good in the world, of navigating emotions, power and responsibility.”
‘Wiggle’ is an addictive example of their songwriting powers, spanning minimalist club beats through to maximal pop melodies.
Check out Huntly’s ‘Wiggle’:
Sweet Whirl is the project of Melbourne artist Esther Edquist, also known for work in her previous band Superstar. ‘Ray C’ is taken from her six-song EP, Love Songs And Poetry, her debut for Chapter Music.
The plaintive guitar picking and languid country chords are a perfect accompaniment to Esther’s reflections on the agony of romance.
Check out Sweet Whirl’s ‘Ray C’:
An instant classic, mixing modern soul and vintage disco with powerful funk and jazz elements. ‘Real Love’ is taken from local singer-songwriter/producer/broadcaster Chelsea Wilson’s second album, Chasing Gold, out through her own label House of Valerie Joan.
Check out Chelsea Wilson’s ‘Real Love’:
Sunbeam Sound Machine – ‘Talking Distance’
Talking Distance signals the welcome return of Nick Sowersby’s acclaimed Sunbeam Sound Machine project after several years away.
‘Talking Distance’ is an urgent burst of guitar, vocals and beats, forming a psychedelic Balearic anthem. It’s the first track released from Sunbeam Sound Machine’s second album, Goodness Gracious, out in early May.
Check out Sunbeam Sound Machine’s ‘Talking Distance’:
