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, Luke Penman from Radio Adelaide contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.Check out Luke’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
God God Dammit Dammit – ‘Soul Dice’
God God Dammit Dammit have been one of Adelaide’s best-kept secrets for nearly a decade now. Not that we don’t all constantly rave about them, but being a 10-piece band prevents them from touring too much.
They’re one of the best party-starting bands in history with that big punk-funk-soul sound. Collaborating with Abbey Howlett on their latest album was a genius move, and the title track, with Howlett getting a verse herself, is the stand-out.
Horror My Friend – ‘Stay In’
Heavily inspired by New Zealand’s Die! Die! Die!, Horror My Friend have slowly been finding their own voice, leading to this sound that’s at once laidback yet frenetic.
It’s intelligent slacker-punk. Their debut album came out in January, followed by a national tour. They’re about to head to the UK to play the Great Escape and more.
Grenadiers – ‘Live Fast, Diabetes’
There was five years between the first Grenadiers album, ‘Songs The Devil Taught Us’ and their second, ‘Summer’.
I spoke to Jesse [vocals/guitar] soon after ‘Summer’ was triple j’s Feature Album and he told me he expected to have another one out again within 12 months or so. I couldn’t believe it.
Surely you should drag out the singles for a few tours, really maximise the coverage of that big album? Nope. No need. There’s heaps of new music ready, and it’s just as good as ‘Summer’. Maybe even better. [It’s even better.]
L-Fresh the Lion – ‘1 in 100,000’
Aside from being recognised as one of the nicest and most humble people in the game, L-Fresh The Lion has always been known to tackle serious topics in his rhymes.
Between that piercing-yet-banging electronica in the chorus and dismantling of Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers, he’s never been more on fire and on-point than in this one.
The Timbers – ‘The Plan’
“High-energy” and “folk” don’t often go together in the magical world of music genres, but The Timbers make it work. With three songwriters, their music often swings between delicate and introverted to cheeky and/or raucous.
Regularly touring and playing small festivals all over the country, they’re now up to their second album and more than ready to break through to the next level.
A.B. Original – ‘2 Black 2 Strong’
It’s 2016 and people are still going to parties in blackface. A.B. Original feels like a project that was fated to happen.
There’s millions of kids around the country who will first begin to understand the issues facing Indigenous Australians thanks to the power of hip-hop – particularly, thanks to Trials and Briggs.
Conchillia – ‘Snorkel Face’
A playful, upbeat and irresistible tune from a band who always go above and beyond with stage decorations and costumes for their live shows. Many members have jazz backgrounds and it’s clear they’re having a great time in this band.
Koral & The Goodbye Horses – ‘Pony (Nocturne For A Night Drive)’
One of Adelaide’s hardest-working music industry people, Koral is also a publicist for numerous venues and other artists. That’s on top of being a kick-ass muso herself. She’s crafted this dark noir-rock sound that works so well.
Oisima – ‘Take Your Time’
Most of Oisima’s live sets are improvised, feeling the vibe of the room and going along with it. I’ve seen him perform down-beat, ambient sets, and I’ve seen him headline a cranking Halloween party after No Zu.
It all just comes naturally to him. So expectations were pretty high for his debut album, ‘Nicaragua Nights’. While the whole album is amazing, there’s something special about Take Your Time. He told me this was one of his favourite to record, including samples of people slamming doors, dropping keys and other random stuff. But more important than that, it’s a slow burner that really takes off.
His singles featured vocals from Mei Saraswati and Annabelle Weston, and he’s produced Weston’s first single as Annie Bass. Expect many more collaborations in Oisima’s future.
