The music industry is undoubtedly in crisis mode at the moment, with the global pandemic that is COVID-19 causing events, tours, and festivals to be cancelled, and robbing artists, performers, and those in the creative industry of a dependable income.
While a number of initiatives have sprung up to help support artists in this current time, the most effective way to continue supporting creatives is to buy their music and merch, hold onto any postponed tour tickets, and above all, stream their music as often as possible.
Here’s a list we’ll regularly update with community radio music directors from around the country of Australian artists much loved and supported by community radio and its dedicated listeners. Their music has been a source of strength, inspiration and connection. Some of these tracks are new releases, and others from artists who would otherwise be traveling and touring at this time.
4ZZZ Brisbane’s Music Co-Ordinator, Liz Ansley, continues this series with Australian music available on Amrap’s AirIt service to help compile a playlist of the best Aussie tunes to show your support to. As Liz explains:
“A lot of communities are deeply affected by the global health crisis around COVID-19 , so maintaining the connections we have to each other is more important than ever.
“Like many others, artists need your support to come out the other side, so whatever you can do – following, sharing, adding to your playlists and staying tuned to community radio where a lot of shows are programming 100% Australian music, even purchasing music and merch if you’re able – will be helpful.”
Check out ‘Twisting Words’ by Miiesha:
The latest from Woorabinda singer-songwriter and modern soul artist Miiesha, whose nine-track collection Nyaaringu is due out May 29th – this one just won a Queensland Music Award!
The dreamy, lovesick, abandoned-fairground-esque latest single from Cloud Tangle’s album Kinds Of Sadness, just released via 4000 Records.
Due to perform at SXSW 2020 before its cancellation, Jaguar Jonze has been open about the toll the fallout of this global crisis is taking on artists, and about her own positive diagnosis of COVID-19 – amongst it all, she’s decided to drop her debut EP Diamonds & Liquid Gold – featuring country-tinged indie pop like ‘Rabbit Hole’ – on April 17.
Blue The Magi – ‘The Other Side’
A brand new emotional and gripping slice of experimental hip hop from the 26-year-old artist, who’s promised more equally raw feelings in his forthcoming music due soon.
I was scheduled to have loulou perform live on Right Here, Right Now, 4ZZZ’s flagship live music show for local artists, but we had to put a pin in it; such a shame because with its chiming guitars and splashy drums Gotta Get Better – which loulou say is about “resilience in the face of mental hardship and isolation” – would have been such a ray of sunshine live.
Check out ‘Blood On Your Shoes’ by Bianca Power:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyHQSXgnhgY
Bianca Power – ‘Blood On Your Shoes’
Smooth as shea butter RnB on this debut single from Bianca Power.
Jamie-Lee Dimes – ‘Release Me’
This alt-folk offering from Jamie-Lee Dimes (who splits her time between so-called Brisbane, the Gold Coast and California and was also scheduled to play SXSW in the lead-up to her debut album) feels like a true expulsion of the complex feelings it wrestles with thanks to those dramatic, rolling drums.
Razor-sharp hip-hop from another huge local talent Tbi$h who says he seeks to “elevate your morale” with this one. VOIID – Sour Taking plenty of cues from 90s grunge, this latest single from VOIID is a biting, unapologetic and very necessary track that (CONTENT WARNING) highlights sexual assault.
RINSE – ‘Tell Me Tell Me Tell Me’
Moody nostalgia takes the lead on this one – it’s the debut single from Joe Agius’ (The Creases) new solo project.
