Tastemakers and killer local label Deaf Ambitions celebrated their ‘official’ launch this week, and with the roster of artists they’re now working with there’s plenty of reason for celebration.
Born from the ashes of a much loved Aussie music blog, the label works with the same ethos that spawned the Deaf Ambitions blog, that’s: “to put that stuff where it belongs: out in the open, flapping about in the wind for all to swoon over and admire.”
Having worked some of this country’s most exciting new talents including Leisure Suite, Crepes, Redspencer, Tourist Dollars and Zone Out, they’re quickly creating a reputation for being serious tastemakers. To celebrate Deaf Ambitions ‘official’ introduction to the world (well, sort of) label founder Erin Felton has curated a tidy lil’ mixtape you can check out below.
For more info on upcoming shows and releases visit the Deaf Ambitions Facebook page.
CREPES – ‘COLD SUMMERS’
‘Cold Summers’ was the dark horse of Crepes’ debut EP. This was a track that really only started to come together in the latter stages of pre-production.
We put out the EP’s first single a few months prior and had already settled on a second without really even considering this one. After Mikey Young worked his magic on the track, it came out sounding pretty lush and we decided it warranted ‘single’ status.
Thankfully we did, because it’s definitely been one of our most successful single releases thus far!
REDSPENCER – ‘HAPPY SLOW RIVERBENDS’
Dave from Redspencer once told me “the meaning of life is just to have fun and hang out with your friends”. I think this sums up the Redspencer philosophy pretty nicely.
‘Happy Slow Riverbends’ really captures this sentiment well – it reminds us all to kick back and not take life so damn seriously.
I have a particular soft spot for this song, as it was an older demo version of this track that hooked me onto Redspencer a few years ago (long before I’d even considered starting a record label).
It’s been a bit of a love affair ever since.
TOURIST DOLLARS – ‘END OF TIMES’
Tourist Dollars is the musical outlet of the ultra-talented Jesse McCormack. I got onto his work through Dave and Aiden from Redspencer, who also play in his band.
I was super impressed when I first heard this song and have pretty much had it on repeat ever since. Really looking forward to getting some more Tourist Dollars out there.
LEISURE SUITE – ‘GREAT EXPECTATIONS’
I couldn’t really not include this – ‘Great Expectations’ was the first ever Deaf Ambitions release, so it holds a lot of sentimental value.
Bridg and I were at a house party I think. We’d had a few drinks and I was getting stuck into her about finally putting some music together, and she just dropped this on me. She had a whole finished EP on a USB-stick which her and Mitch had been quietly working on for the past few months.
Safe to say I was kind of blown away! This release really spurred me on to get my shit together with the label and allowed it to gain some momentum from the get-go.
ZONE OUT – ‘INSIDE’
I’ve been a quiet admirer of Ash and Dove’s music for quite some time. Scotdrakula, Ciggie Witch, Sui et Sui (Sui Zhen) – and more recently Totally Mild (I’m pretty sure the list goes on). What a talented duo. They are also two of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet, so it’s an absolute pleasure to work with them.
‘Inside’ is the first single off their debut album, which we’ll be putting out some time next year. It’s a really beautiful record and I can’t wait to share it with the world!
