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, Jasmine Alavuk & Bec Grech – music directors from Melbourne’s SYN FM – contribute with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.
Check out Jasmine & Bec’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.
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This is Akosia’s first ever release? You don’t say?
There’s a pulse nestled in the trickle of water pattering in the first few seconds of the track; the heartbeat of soulful articulation. Her influences string up Badu and Sade and anyone else you can think of that matches the smooth, melty vocals that she dollops heavy-handed. A neo-soul- lover’s dream.
She’s Melbourne-based, which means I have a duty to see this song performed live. Cancel the Uber, I’ll walk there. (Jas)
Check out ‘Don’t Say’ by Akosia:
‘Upmarket’is the debut output from Poison Abbey, a NSW duo consisting of classically-trained pianist, Jess Rogleff and collaborator Thomas Studans.
While the groovy rhythms, guitar licks, bassline and emotive saxophone can’t keep your limbs from playing along, Rogleff’s smokey and lush vocal lines whisk you right away.
The more I listen to this track the closer I get to needing a visit to the physiotherapist… I feel like I’m about to throw my neck out from bopping along to the mega-funky bassline.
What a real treat. (Bec)
Check out ‘Upmarket’ by Poison Abbey:
Oisima – ‘Lovin’ You Was Easy (feat. Wallace)’
Lovin’ is hard sometimes. Lovin’ this song wasn’t.
But first, that opening! Sooooo silky. The delicacy of those staccato notes, the quiver of a horn, Wallace’s voice riffing like a fluffy cloud passing over the sun.
Can you tell I listened to this on a recent flight? I don’t even like flying and this song immediately soothed the spike of anxiety at any hint of turbulence. Each foot of air we climbed, I let my head jog to the beat, my white knuckles relaxing as the plane angled itself further from the comforts of solid ground.
Adelaide-based Oismia waited a year before delivering this smooth combination of electronic, funky jazz. He produced every instrument that you hear throughout its duration, honing a groove that cannot be dismissed. Put simply, you must let it move you. (Jas)
Check out ‘Lovin’ You Was Easy’ by Oisima:
Calming and serene, ‘Perfect Place’ evokes a sense of comfort and familiarity. The polished production on this track leaves space for all of the elements to breathe and settle. Released alongside a video and interactive website ‘Perfect Place’ explores the idea of digital selfhood and documentation.
Blissful synth lines, echoing percussive embellishments and robotic lyric delivery sparks curiosity in Sui Zhen’s new persona, Linda, which she has taken on for her upcoming album Losing, Linda.
Dropping on the 27th of September Losing, Linda is about “missing people after they are gone and trying to pre-empt loss – not only loss of life, but memory and information.” (Bec)
Check out ‘Perfect Place’ by Sui Zhen:
This song belongs in the trailer of a very tasteful rom com. Somewhere there’s a girl on a bus, alone and watching the world pass her by in a blur. Another heart broken. Another sad soul searching for reprieve through the bars of a synthesiser. The lyrical swathes of the electric guitar like a warm hug. I suddenly have the urge to call my mum.
This track, much like her former single, ‘Closer To You’, features the production chops of The Preatures’ Jack Moffit. Together, they’ve carved a dreamy, head-swaying symphony of bittersweet endings. There’s retro flashbacks, more goodbye’s, a hug, a kiss and a tear. The trailer ends with two people parting, fall apart agaaaaaain.
ILUKA is here for you, her voice billows like silky curtains over an open window, sharing a piece of her own romantic grief so you can heal yours. (Jas)
Check out ‘Fall Apart Again’ by ILUKA:
Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice – ‘Who Knew’
From the debut album of Dougal Shaw’s solo project, featuring members of Hideous Sun Demon and Claws And Organs, ‘Who Knew’ is a blast of jarring post punk.
Jolty, piercing, and a little bit frazzled, the band builds tension in the track, drawing attention to last years unfruitful royal commission into the banking industry.
If post punk, and sharp, witty lyricism get you excited, you should wrap your ears around ‘Who Knew’ and the album that goes along with it. (Bec)
Check out ‘Who Knew’ by Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice:
The Bambuseae Rhythm Section – ‘Slinky Begonia’
“SLINKY BEGONIA”
Hahaha, my favourite pairing of words to throw at any social interaction. Hope you like THAT. What’s going on? Who’s Slinky? And Where’s Begonia? More horns, who’s surprised?
Are you the kind of person that enjoys whistling indoors? I have a feeling you’ll find pleasure in a nice toe-tap to this jangly bop. There’s something sneaky about it, the bass crawling and sprawling between the beat and the spicy tickling of the keys. Turn up the volume in your car because quiet drives are overrated anyway.
The band formed in 2016 and hails from Fremantle, WA, churning a much beloved reputation on the westside and bringing their sizzling sonic march of boogie temptation to our miserably cold Melbourne shores.
They proclaim that, “The people must dance”, which I am highly inclined to do, however, sadly, I still can’t write the word ‘rhythm’ without spell check correcting me. (Jas)
Check out ‘Slinky Begonia’ by The Bambuseae Rhythm Section:
Porpoise Spit – ‘Middle Of The Night’
Self-described “Melbourne dorks”, more commonly recognised as our leading jangly-punk, stadium-anthem crafters, Porpoise Spit have released their latest track ‘Middle Of The Night’.
Rife with piercing, reverby lead guitar lines, and soul bearing vocals, Porpoise Spit seemingly effortlessly toy with our heartstrings, as easily as they command the dynamics in this track.
Listen to this once and spend the rest of your week belting out the chorus… but don’t say I didn’t warn you! (Bec)
Check out ‘Middle Of The Night’ by Porpoise Spit:
