Sydney’s Jack Colwell describes himself as “an artist who enjoys breaking down barriers by performing with lots of different sorts of musicians” – and he’s certainly done that, taking to the stage with Sydney metal act Tanned Christ one minute, and crooner Sarah Blasko the next.
Having collaborated with a few of our favourite producers on his new record, we’ve taken the chance to grab his thoughts on some of the other local acts who are also pushing boundaries in the local music scene, creatively or otherwise. As expected, he’s sent us his thought on some brilliant local artists.
Jack is touring his new EP When The World Explodes in October, which features remakes of his work by electronic talent such as HEALTH and Marcus Whale. The five-date tour will have a bit of a split personality too, with the Melbourne show at The Tote featuring an array of noisy underground acts, while the following show at the Sydney Opera House will instead pack a string ensemble.
Just a little different, then! In that spirit, here are Jack Colwell’s 6 Aussie acts pushing the boundaries.
MILES BROWN
He was personally invited by Lou Reed to jam at the Sydney Opera House and has supported the notorious Goblin, of Suspiria fame, all while playing one of the world’s most obscure instruments: the theremin. To have one of the world’s best-regarded theremin players based in Australia is totally wild and unexpected.
Miles is joining me on my national tour during October and I’m so excited. If you think the theremin begins and ends with the Doctor Who theme, you’re in for a real surprise.
KARINA UTOMO
I fucking love Karina. I love her in High Tension, I love her in the pit and I love her singing at tribute performances for Chrissy Amphlett. At a time when we’re collectively discussing what needs to change for minorities, both in the arts and more broadly in society, Karina has pushed the envelope, then set fire to it and thrown it in the bin.
Not only is she an incredible vocalist and performer, she is also proud of her heritage, exploring it in her writing, and is a strong advocate for women and marginalised groups in music scenes that have long been considered exclusionary. I feel privileged that she will be joining me and Miles Brown during our sets at The Tote [devil horns emoji].
CORIN
Most electronic artists just do a lot of button-pushing on stage, but Corin is really playing those keyboard parts – arpeggios and jumps that could only be played by a virtuoso. Her compositions can sound controlled on record, but when you see her live the performance is fiery and energetic.
Corin recently signed to Wondercore Island and has been performing with different outfits across the country (such as Rainbow Chan, for whom she is synth master). She’s really stepping into spotlight with her fearless sound.
HABITS
You know what I’m really bored of? Straight white male bands with guitars who think it’s funny to dress up in lad clothing with their dumb-joke music, their dumb-joke haircuts and their dumb jokes at the expense of queer people. It is so boring and sadly it is still so ingrained in Australian culture. Every festival lineup has at least a dozen of those bands.
But you know what’s really awesome? That underneath their electronic-duo stylings, HABITS are actually a punk band countering those dumb guitar blokes with anarchic noise and arse-less chaps. Their songs are war cries for the dance floor – built to entertain but more importantly to empower.
https://youtu.be/ONFwGDpc184
LONELYSPECK
Imagine throwing Slowdive, Frank Ocean and your favourite Tumblr blog in a blender, and BOOM! You’ve got Lonelyspeck. The use of field recordings makes the music ambiguous: it’s hard to tell how Lonelyspeck is making the sounds. Is that a low bass note I hear, or the stretched-out sound of a car along a freeway? Is that a high synth melody or the sound of Sunday-morning birdsong?
I’m so lucky to have Lonelyspeck joining me for the Adelaide leg of my tour. Pass me a pillow – let’s sit on the floor and listen.
PINCH HITTER
I saw Pinch Hitter live at Blackwire Records in Sydney totally on a whim. I knew nothing about the banjo, and I knew nothing about emo music at that point – I wasn’t even sure those two things could go together. But Pinch Hitter combine emo songwriting and Huckleberry Finn’s favourite instrument as naturally as maple syrup and waffles.
I’ve since learned that the resurgence of 90s emo has led to lots of copycat bands that don’t quite hit the mark or bring anything new, but Pinch Hitter are using Australian context and the banjo’s twang to break new ground. The joy and musical communication on stage between Nick van Breda and Dave Drayton can warm warm even the coldest heart
Jack Colwell National Tour
