Artist info
Genre
Indie, Pop, Rock
Sounds like
Jimi Hendrix, Primal Scream, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, T-Rex and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band
band members
Naomi Robinson Conor Barton
Website
Bio
Naomi Robinson and Conor Barton make sun-bleached, guitar-driven dream-pop under the moniker of Mosquito Coast.
Sound influenced by their hometown Perth, Western Australia, Mosquito Coast have had over four million streams on Spotify, five singles added to rotation on triple j, completed three national headlining tours, toured the country with Northeast Party House on their sold-out Calypso Beach tour and appeared at festivals such as BigSound, Southbound, Lost Paradise, NYE on the Hill and Groovin the Moo.
Naomi and Conor were still in high school when they caught the attention of fans and tastemakers after winning triple j’s Unearthed High in 2015, from a pool of more than 850 artists and 1200 songs. Their breezy pop single, Call My Name just missing out on the Hottest 100, coming in at #101 - a huge achievement, given their newcomer status.
Not ones to rest on their laurels, they released their next single Commotion - a kaleidoscopic groove recorded at ABC studios in Sydney by ARIA-winning producer Greg Wales. In 2016, a six-track EP Television Love, produced by Carl Fox and mixed by Jack Moffitt (The Preatures) was unleashed onto the world, featuring singles Let’s Be Friends and Television Love.
In early 2018, Naomi and Conor travelled to New York City to record their debut album with renowned French producer Nicolas Vernhes, who’s worked with some of the world’s most inspired artists including Moodoïd, The War On Drugs, Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors and Deerhunter.
Nicholas and his now closed Rare Book Room in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Mosquito Coast were one of the last bands to record in this legendary studio) had a huge influence on the album’s sound, the duo spending and intense 12 out of 14 days recording.
Following on from their single Skipping Girl released in August 2018 came Sweet Talking in January 2019. The third track from the album, Scorpio, will be released alongside their highly anticipated album titled, Kisses; an independent release out on 18 October 2019 via The Orchard.
Their debut album is an ode to every person they’ve kissed; a warm and dreamy coming-of-age story designed to be listened to from start to finish, as all great albums arguably should be.
Featured Artist
2015
6
Oct
Mosquito Coast
(- Jimi Hendrix ,
- Primal Scream ,
- The yeah yeah yeahs , ...
Perth, WA
Our Unearthed High winners Mosquito Coast follow up the release of their new tune 'Commotion' with a triple j Unearthed Feature Artist gold star.
You've just released your new single 'Commotion'. Tell us a little about the genesis of that song and what it was like to be writing again, after the recent success of 'Call My Name'?
We came up with the song at band practice and we quickly recorded all the parts on the Tascam. We've been writing stuff since 'Call My Name' but it was cool to see how the song developed this time around. I always leave the lyrics to the last minute because it's just easier and sometimes when you have them sitting around you just want to keep changing things, but we are pretty happy with how it panned out.
You recorded 'Commotion' at the triple j studios in Sydney. What was that recording process like compared to how you usually lay your tracks down?
The recording process was pretty similar to 'Call My Name'. With both songs we had quite clear ideas about what we wanted each aspect to sound like. We always have extra bits though that we add in while at the studio. Nothing's set in stone. We normally get the drums and guitar rhythm down and then we build like jam on a bass line, keyboard and stuff.
What's your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Watching other musicians play. Whenever we are at a gig together you just feel so inspired and want to get home and try and make something just as cool. Other music is obviously a pretty huge inspiration as well, especially when we both have such differing tastes.
What's your go-to snack when making music?
We have a lot of breaks in between long jams and they usually consist of tea, coffee and toast - usually because that's all we can find in the kitchen. We also sometimes get treated to Japanese.
What's your vision for the ultimate Mosquito Coast live show?
Lots of funky beats, crazy guitar and cult outfits. Extended jams that people can really vibe with.
What's the best advice you've been given and who was it from?
Naomi: My brother in law once said just to do what your heart tells you and don't listen to other people, if music is something you wanna do, then do it.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Take Me Over by Cut Copy because how can you not want to dance?
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
My Happiness - Powderfinger or Under the Milky Way - The Church.
You're the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing, INXS- I Need You Tonight or Pond - Moth Wings.
What are your plans for the rest of 2015 and into 2016?
We both are focussing on school at the moment but as soon as we're finished, we will be able to write more and start gigging. We are really excited to develop our live set and start playing more often.
View Profile Hide InterviewUnearthed in 2015

MOSQUITO COAST win Unearthed High 2015!
Review
i feel like i'm staring up at the stars and everything is slowly spinning around my head. it's a waltzy treat.
i feel like i'm staring up at the stars and everything is slowly spinning around my head. it's a waltzy treat.
Review
You got me all starry-eyed and ready for Scorpio SZN.
You got me all starry-eyed and ready for Scorpio SZN.
Review
Legends! What a great song you've made.
Legends! What a great song you've made.