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.
Will Backler, Music Coordinator of 6RTR-FM in Perth, 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 Will explains:
“While the last few months have been the hardest for musicians and artists in living memory, showing the resolve we have come to know from our hard working Australian music scene, this has not stopped the release of amazing music!
With potentially a bit of extra time on our hands as we patiently wait to get out and enjoy live music again, there’s never been a better time to dig deep into the plethora of amazing new Australian music being released, most of which you can hear on Community Radio stations all around the country.”
Check out Andrew Tuttle’s ‘Sun At 5 In 4161’:
Andrew Tuttle – ‘Sun At 5 In 4161’
A beautiful slice of instrumental ambience from Brisbane musician Andrew Tuttle’s new album ‘Alexandra’, pairing fingerstyle guitar with gorgeous wind and string instruments.
Donny Benet – ‘Mr. Experience’
‘Mr. Experience’ himself, Donny Benet is back with the title track from his new record – an irresistibly funky slice of disco-infused indie-pop.
Pulsating, experimental yet catchy synth-lead sounds on the fourth single of fresh sounds for veteran Perth musician Felicity Groom’s hotly anticipated forthcoming album Magnetic Resonance Centre.
Fourth State Turiya – ‘Omniverse’
Channelling the likes of Bonobo and Zero 7 are Perth local’s Fourth State Turiya, as heard on their new single of driving electronic infused pop, ‘Omniverse’.
Check out Key Out’s ‘Chorus’:
Nostalgic-yet-fresh post-punk sounds from Sydney’s Key Out, packing angular guitars, a propelling rhythm section and dreamy, wistful vocals.
Lachlan R. Dale – ‘Death Envelops All’
The head honcho of the influential Art As Catharsis label delivers a moody, brooding, entrancing slice of instrumental post-rock, made almost entirely from guitar passages and a healthy use of effects like delay and reverb.
The first taste of Melbourne’s Laneou’s forthcoming ‘Elsewhere’/’Flawless’ double single is an addictive fusion of jazz, modern R&B, soul and pop, in the form of a groove-laden jam.
Noah Dillon – ‘Matthew McConaughey’
Perth star on the rise and all around nice human, Noah Dillon has given us another energetic, intense, addictive slice of indie rock, an ode to the actor of the same name while exploring the idea of living up to perfect role models.
Check out Rebel Yell’s ‘Anti Club Music’:
Rebel Yell – ‘Anti Club Music’
Sydney-based Grace Stevenson reprises her Rebel Yell alias, announcing her second album Fall From Grace with new banger ‘Anti Club Music’ – a bass heavy slice of techno featuring Stevenson’s hypnotic vocals… that, ironically, would definitely go off in a club.
Ribs – ‘The Long Walk Back To Free Parking’
A gorgeous slice of piano-led folk leaning indie-pop from emerging Perth singer-songwriter Ribs, capturing the vulnerable, often scary, experience shared by so many folks alone at the end of a night out.
Solo Career – ‘I.M.R.’ (feat. Poison Abbey)
Solo Career is the aptly named solo project of Body Type’s Annabel Blackman, who during this pandemic-imposed isolation recorded a fantastic take on ‘In My Room’ by the Beach Boys, retaining the originals vocal harmonies while fleshing out the instrumentation.
Check out The Buoys’ ‘WAH’:
With nods to the riot-grrrl movement, Sydney’s The Buoys new one ‘WAH’ is a fast and furious slice of indie-punk, clocking in at one minute and forty-nine seconds… the perfect length to hit replay a few times!
Continuing to show why she is one of Australia’s most exciting talents, Maidza gives us her first new music of 2020 with ‘Shook’ – a cut of bouncy hip-hop, featuring Maidza’s rapid-fire tongue twisting lyrics front and centre.
Vape Dadz – ‘A Trillion Midnights’
The coolest fathers in Sydney, Vape Dadz are back with their new record of experimental electronic leaning jams, featuring the elastic ‘A Trillion Midnights’, pairing noodling synths with swinging drums and interesting samples.
