Artist
Our Beyond The Valley competition winners murmurmur are this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I’ve (Will) been writing music since i was 17 and have gone through many genres. I played a lot of metal in high school so thats really what it stems from. Not that we’re playing metal but riffs are everything to murmurmur. Everyone in the band has a broad listening taste and has been playing in bands for a long time.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
My inspiration is from life experience. Obviously music inspires me to no end but how i’m feeling about things is the real inspirer. I’m eating pineapple right now and it’s fantastic.
What can punters expect from a murmurmur live show?
An intense live show with lots of hair, many riffs and our drummer Luke’s magic show.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Be patient and don’t rush into things. That’s something that resonated with us. It can be really easy to be impatient and make bad decisions.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Thats easy! Donny Benét with 'Konichiwa'.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
I made this weird Nicolas Cage remix with audio from the Wicker Man (Funniest film i’ve ever seen). Its so awful. It will definitely make people cry and fall to the ground clutching the sides of their heads. (Available on request).
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Kylie Minogue with 'Spinning Around'.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Stella Donnelly at the Northcote social club. She’s unbelievable, amazing voice, amazing performer.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
Our good friend Lena Douglas runs YOWO, a program for aspiring young women playing music. It’s so important for programs like this to exist and she is an inspiration to so many of us.
What are your plans for 2019!
We didn't get to play many shows this year so we just want to play a heap and record some more music.
Indie Rock
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Artist
Adelaide artist Ollie English will stop you in your way with his powerful, soulful voice. He will be joining The Rubens this weekend on stage as our comp winner!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I began learning Spanish classical guitar when I was very young. It was really invaluable as it helped me to understand melody and dynamics but eventually blues & soul music stole my heart as a teenager. I loved everything about blues guitar, I found myself playing along to BB King and Led Zeppelin records. At the same time, I was really inspired by soulful voices like Nina Simone and James Brown. I went through my first heartbreak when i was in year 12. I turned to songwriting as a way to process my emotions. I have fond memories of sneaking out of home on school nights and thrashing Jeff Buckley’s album ‘Grace’ through the CD player in my car. John Mayer’s album ‘Battle Studies’ had some pretty strong rotation too. This time was really important for me, I began to work out how crucial music and storytelling was for my soul. Over a long period time I worked out that this was a part of who I was and I couldn’t live without it. I’ve caught the bug and haven’t stopped since.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I’m really inspired by life, whether it's my own or others experiences. I’ve written songs about a whole spectrum of human emotions; I can be inspired by anything if it moves me. My writing is also really affected by my mood, or just listening to some really dope music. Inspiration strikes at really odd times and usually I get my iPhone out, press record, and go from there.
What can punters expect from an Ollie English live show?
You can expect a pretty diverse bunch of songs, from ballads to upbeat rock grooves. What I notice is that my live shows give people a chance to slow down and hug the person next to them, and then the next minute, i want to make them want to get up and groove. I’ve always found that people who talk to me after the shows have each had their own unique experience with the stories I had told.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
When my grandpa passed away, I went into the ward to see him for the last time and his last words to me were ‘take care of each other’. This influences how I approach everyone and everything in my life..
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'No Ordinary Life' by Matt Corby. If I could musically explain a rainbow, it would sound like this song.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Took The Children Away' by Archie Roach.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Overrated' feat LILLI by Kuji Koo! Such a banger. You can download their track on triple j Unearthed.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I was lucky enough to play and attend a brilliant local festival called Handpicked. Such a cruisy vibe out in the vineyards of Lake Breeze Wines in Langhorne Creek. I got to share the stage with amazing local artists Laura Hill, Neon Tetra and the Sundance Kids. It also featured incredible Australian talents Boy & Bear, Vera Blue, Ball Park Music and Alex Lahey.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Adelaide music community that inspire you.
Adelaide is pretty tight knit community. It feels like a big family. I’m inspired by how much quality music is being produced in SA. First up, Surahn is a big inspiration, he’s an incredible songwriter who’s made a mark on the world with his music. He’s written for Usher and toured with Empire of the Sun. Laura Hill inspires me a lot, I met her this year at a gig we played together. I was struck by her beautiful voice and relatable songwriting. Wanderers are so bloody groovy. They’re on tour right now! You gotta catch these guys live. Dusty is one of the best guitarists I’ve ever seen. Mane is another inspiration. She’s creating some really great pop music. Her new track ‘Chasing Butterflies’ really grabs you with her pipes, the strings are so dope too. I’m a big fan of Timberwolf, such a unique voice and he’s written some incredibly honest music. His new single ‘Proud Silence’ hits really close to home, I also caught mum jamming to it the other night! Neon Tetra, are bloody funksters and a ½. I have so much fun watching them at their live shows, so good! Such great tunes. Tales are beautiful musicians- recently known as ‘The Winter Gypsy’. Their song ‘Took Me By’ is one of my favourite songs. So excited for their next release. Also, Jordan Ruru. Big things. You have to check her out. Amazing.
What are your plans for the rest of 2018 / early 2019?
A lot of recording and I’ll be releasing my EP early 2019! So excited to support the Rubens this Friday with my full band. I’m also planning my first national tour for early 2019, including a festival appearance at Womad in March. I still can’t believe I’m playing WOMAD and supporting The Rubens, a dream come true. There’s a lot of hard work to go but so much to look forward to.
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Rompop
If I Die, Then I Die
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Ruby Gill
Indie, Pop, Rock, Roots ( Singer-Songwriter, Indie, Melbourne, ...)
www.rubygill.me
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jimmi Carr
Indie, Rock, Roots (Blue Mountains, # Folk # guitar # acoustic # singer songwriter # Americana #alt-country, #roots)
Sydney, NSW
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Sydney producer, rapper and vocalist, XMPLA is this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist. He's been blowing our minds with his voice munipulation techniques, delivering stories and music that's unique, clever and forward thinking.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I developed my sound from dabbling in different styles of electronic music over the past 5 years. I try to make everything from scratch and limit the amount of sound packs and presets that I use. At the moment I am feeling influenced by hip-hop, and the hybrids of r&b, soul, funk and disco.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I draw from anything that is happening in my life at the time. It might be a particular sound or interaction I've had. Anything stimulating can spark a song.
What can punters expect from a XMPLA live show?
You can expect a lot of head bopping, new and original music, mixed with live percussion and maybe i'll bust out a few dance moves.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
To keep believing in myself and remember what i have already acomplished. My mate gave me this advice when I was stuck in a rut and having doubts about my next song release.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
I would say 'Streamers' by Wave Racer. It's a straight up get happy song!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
I can speak from experience, I showed a mate 'when words fail, music speaks' by Wombat, and he cried. I think the words in the song are really relatable and struck a nerve.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Felon' by Slumberjack.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I went to see Sammi Constantine recently at the Malborough Hotel in Newtown, it was great to see Aussie artists absolutely killing it and bringing live drums and guitar to electronic music.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
There are so many people that inspire me! Kwame, Manu Crooks and The Kid Laroi are making some big waves. Great to see good hip-hop coming out of Sydney!
What are your plans for the rest of 2018 and 2019?
This year has flown by. I just want to finish a couple of tracks while I get ready for the holiday season! And for 2018, I'm aiming to release an EP mid year and working on some XMPLA merch! I want to work with more rap artists and hit up America and Japan to discover some of the culture and sounds over there!
