Community radio music directors often have an encyclopedic 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, Miri Carter and Luke Warlow – co-Music Directors at SYN FM Melbourne – contribute with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.
Check out Will’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
‘Entice Me’ is filled with all the goodness of what makes a wonderful punk track. It’s got a slow build at the beginning with soft guitars, drums and vocals, that really pulls the listener in, and what’s to come, will blow your mind!
Just like what their debut single ‘Water’ did, one min into the track, and those gang vocals and heavier guitar tones come out of nowhere, and pulls you in with those emotion driven heavy vocals, and a wall of noise just explodes!
The vocals have the perfect blend of raw emotion and aggression, and those guitars coupled with the drums in this track, make for EPIC hooks and riffs, which creates a perfectly well put together punk / rock! This track is definitely one of my favourite releases so far of 2018. (Miri)
Remi & Raiza Biza – ‘Runner’ (feat. Baro)
This Trans-Tasman connection brings together two heavyweights of their scenes. ‘Runner’ is the single off their joint EP, Black Hole Sun. It’s an upbeat hip-hop song about a humble past and brighter future.
‘Runner’, as well as the whole EP, is produced by renowned American Rapper/Producer, Black Milk, who provides a polished sound and extremely funky bass line. Local collaborator and friend, Baro, completes the picture with an expressive yet relaxed verse – my favourite performance on the song. (Luke)
Adelaide locals Pinkish Blu have been one of the most captivating bands of the year, and their second single ‘Capricorn’ showcases once again, why they are ones to keep an eye out for, in the Local up-and-coming Aus music scene.
Even though Pinkish Blu’s second single ‘Capricorn’ was released a few months back, I just had to include it in this article, as it’s an absolute anthem!
Filled with vocals and instrumental elements that ooze ’80s inspired sounds, beautiful bold synths, pop guitar tones that flow throughout, and lyrical content that references Greek mythology to star signs and the bible, everything in this track just works so effortlessly.
There’s not many bands that have grabbed my attention, but Pinkish Blu are up there with one of my most favourite bands of this year! (Miri)
https://soundcloud.com/user-166613806/capricorn
From the final EP in the three-part Sick Of What I Don’t Understand series, ‘We.’ is a rarer look into LUCIANBLOMKAMP’s life in a relationship. Dedicated to his girlfriend, Rosebud (who features in the second and third EP), the song is a rich and swelling ballad.
‘We’. is a rejuvenating, meditative escape. I encourage anyone to take two minutes out of their day, and listen to this without distraction. (Luke)
Melbourne punk outfit Clove are back, with their latest single ‘Sober’. A different sound from previous Clove tracks, having a slow build up at the start with Mark’s vocals gracing the beginning of this track with a slow beat behind, really captures the listener with those emotive and hard hitting lyrics.
Get to two mins in, and those roaring powerful guitars and drums that Clove are best known for, come out of nowhere and really packs a punch. The lyrical content in this track is heart wrenching, but in such a beautiful way. (Miri)
Yù Yī – ‘Jello’ (feat. Jackdylan)
The Brisbane electronic duo release only their second single, but their sound already seems established. The happy-go-lucky song has a casual delivery from New Jersey producer/vocalist, Jackdylan.
This, combined with the novel metaphors (The Flintstones, cheesy pasta & cereal, and of course, ‘Jello’) provides a message about the comfortable and familiar aspects of love. The tropical and bright production further highlights the light and fun mood of the song. (Luke)
‘Show Off’ is Triple One’s first release since their celebrated EP, The Naughty Corner. The song features the quintessential marks of the hip-hop quartet – soulful vocals, hard-hitting lyricism, and big production.
‘Show Off’ is perfectly complimented by it’s music video, and revolves around the solidarity of their inner circle, giving a message of self-assuredness, and that being yourself is sufficient. (Luke)
An up and coming Melbourne band, who are taking over the local scene right now. With just having dropped their debut EP a few weeks back, the lead single ‘Time’ is one of my absolute favourites! There is this raw gritty sound to Shelby’s voice, that works so perfectly with the guitars in this track, and the added extra of a lo-fi soulful sound is a perfect element.
There is also a little breakdown around 3:30 mins, which I absolutely living for as well! I love all the different layers in this track, and it’s got so much groove that you will be up and dancing along to this track in no time! (Miri)
