discover new australian music

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

I started writing in 2017 when a school friend approached me with a project he was making for his sound production diploma. In the beginning, my sound was pretty heavy and very influenced by Hans Zimmer. His music was always something to cry to for me and I wanted my sound to give me that same release. Now that I have been able to manage my mental health a lot better my music can now reflect that. The inspiration and empowerment I feel from listening to soul is creeping its way into my writing process. I feel almost a sense of relief that I am able to make music like this, because it sounds like happiness to me, which means that I'm happy...

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

I think it's a tie between my own journey with mental health and powerful female soul voices, Think Erykah Badu, Kaiit, Celeste etc...

What can punters expect from a Groovy Daughter live show?

Well before it was pretty stripped back and intimate, mostly just myself. But now that I feel myself leaning into a more distinct sound I'm ready to add some finger slappin bass (shout out to Brodie Breidthann for that beautiful bass in 'Harsh') and soul-fuelled drums. 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

It was actually from a therapist I see. She always reminds me that my music and this journey is for me, I'm here because I enjoy it. I often find myself overwhelmed with what people will think or say, or like or hate about me and my music, so to have this reminder in my back pocket really keeps me grounded.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

'Miss Shiney' by Kaiit. I LOVE EVERYTHING SHE DOES.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'When The Lights Are Out' by s.wells. His voice is mesmerizing, one of my favourites in the Canberra scene. 

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

'No Other High' by Touch Sensitive & Electric Fields.  

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

Does it count if it's online? cause the Love Divide Sessions from Kirkland were insane <3 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

Canberra's music scene is something else. The excitement and support from everyone to everyone is something to be so proud of. The pride is huge and we all wear it with honour. Citizen Kay is always someone who inspires me, his open mind and incredible creativity makes his studio a very safe space to just experiment and try new things. Billy Bianchini from Warm Water is also someone who inspires me, he has been able to make the whole process of creation to release an incredibly seamless and surreal experience. He and his team are amazing at representing and supporting the Canberra scene.

What are your plans for the rest of 2021?

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Outside of touring and playing, I would have to say finding common ground in our musical influences was massive in our development. It’s a blend of indie-rock and dance-rock, contrasted by some unsmiling themes. It’s our way of figuring out the little joys and sadnesses of life together.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
My environment, my friends and their stories. I am fortunate enough to live in a beautiful part of Sydney. However like any suburb, there are lots other things bubbling away, under the surface. The good and the bad both serve as inspiration for our music, often interwoven in the same song

What can punters expect from a STUMPS live show?
Lots of energy and lots of love. We have always put all our energy into our live shows, maybe sometimes it superseded the performance quality in the early days. Nowadays we are trying to bring the right amount of energy, passion, as well as ensure the performance is tidy too!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
"Go all the way" — Charles Bukowski

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Zimbabwe' by New Navy

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Into My Arms' by Nick Cave

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Since I Left You' by The Avalanches

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
It was actually our own show at Mona Vale Park House, to launch our debut album ‘All Our Friends’. It was such an emotional night. It was a sold-out show and the room was filled with our most cherished friends and family, all celebrating the release of the album. It’ll be a memory I’ll never forget.

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you?
There’s honestly too many to name, so I apologise to those I omit, but the few that come to mind are Dear Seattle, Johnny Hunter, Clews and Droves.

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?
There’s not a whole lot left of this cursed year, so, with any justice, we’ll be dancing all the way into 2021.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

Our music has really fluctuated since we started in June 2019. Our debut EP 'SIOIS' was written in 2018 when I felt a calling to start writing music again after a hiatus. At the time I was falling back in love with the emo music I grew up on (Saosin, My Chemical Romance etc) and it was really hitting a chord with me. I really wanted to put a modern touch on that sound I loved so much so got to work creating Bad/Love with producer Callan Orr and our friend Marcus Bridge helping with vocal production (we bonded over the idea of an emo revival and he has always understood what I was going for). After a year of looking for the right musicians to play with, we formed and put out 'SIOIS'. After a few months together we started to come together more and combine our writing skills to create something a bit different to the origin, but something that feels a hell of a lot more Bad/Love. We've continued to work with Callan & Marcus whilst adding Beau McKee (Drum Production) & Forrester Savell (Mix/Master). We feel our team really helps pull the best out of us as songwriters and performers. 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

When everythings gone, music is really all I have. It's what drives me each day. I constantly have to have music running to act as a soundtrack to my life to keep me calm and happy. I feel the most "me" when I create. It's a very therapeutic process for me. Our peers inspire us daily. We are blessed to surround ourselves with some of the most talented people in the country for alternative music and when they create something, it calls me to do the same.  

What can punters expect from a Bad/Love live show?
Our live show is one of our favourite parts of being a band. Expect a lot of theatrics, crazy lighting and everything turned up to 11. We really like to creative an immersive live experience people can really get lost in. 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Chris (#2) Barker from Anti-Flag once explained his views on an album to me and it changed the way I view my music. He talked about how a record is exactly that. We leave behind a record in time that people can come back to. You are leaving your mark on the world. So say what matters to you at the moment. Write what influences you at that time. It has really let me not focus on writing "what's hot" and write for me. It let's me be more honest and accepting that not everything needs to be perfect, it just has to be true to me at that moment in time. 

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Figure Eight' by Trophy Eyes. That always makes me smile and feel empowered. 

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Brilliant Blue' by Agnes Manners. It brings me to the point of tears every time I hear it, which makes it especially hard to play sometimes. 

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Fire' by Peking Duk. You show me a person who doesn't want to dance to this track and I'll show you a liar. 

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
This is really testing my memory given COVID. I believe it was actually our tour with The Brave & Sleep Talk, we actually had to cancel the final Brisbane show due to lockdown. 
That was a super fun tour, in fact our first tour. We have so much fun with The Brave and the Melbourne show in particular was super special for us. 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.
Northlane, Polaris & Alpha Wolf are continually carrying the flag for heavy music in Australia. What both bands have achieved in their careers are amazing influences and both bands are so lovely. Greyscale Records have been doing amazing things and are growing so rapidly. Tom Johanessen at New World Artists has to be one of the hardest people I've ever met and he always makes me want to work harder, his ethic and results are INSANE. Finally our manager Jase Clarke (No Honey), he has really come into management in a big way and is helping inspire us daily to be the best we can be. 

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?
This Sunday we are super excited to FINALLY be hitting the stage again for a few sold out shows at Stay Gold to support Beyond Blue, a great event organised by What We Did On The Weekend. Besides that, we have new music to finish putting together for a release next year that we are extremely excited about. There is absolutely no slowing down for us and we are very excited for 2021. 

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

We call our music Yolŋu Surf-Rock. Some call it sting-wave, a bit like new-wave but with a bit more sting! Our sound is definitely influenced by our environment. Living on the coast in Yirrkala North-East Arnhem Land, we have a strong love for the ocean and all that it encompasses. And being from the bush we like to play music loud and rough. And from that we made the genre of Yolŋu Surf-Rock.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Again probably our environment. We wrote and recorded most of the songs off our debut record at Roy’s parents place in Tintenbar NSW when we were playing with Yothu Yindi at Blues Fest. This shack is where we do a lot of our recording, it’s our own little studio we’ve been working on for a few years now, and it’s a beautiful little cottage on rainforest acreage. Maybe our inspiration for this record was morning swims + a surf at Lennox boaty followed up with a freshly squeezed orange juice from the garden. Another big source of inspo is having our mentor Stu Kellaway around (who is Roy’s father and original Yothu Yindi founding member). Stu is the vibe master and he was both Yirrŋa, Dimathaya and Roy’s music teacher growing up. "Loud and proud, wrong and strong” is what he always told us.

What can punters expect from a King Stingray live show?

King Stingray is a story of lifelong friendship and we feel that our music reflects the fun and joy that we have creating and playing it. The ingredients that make up our live shows include the following;

1. 1 x energetic surf-rock music with an ancient traditional twist.

2. 4 heaped tablespoons of groove

3. 90 x tablespoons of fast bush sting-wave/Yolŋu-wave ???

4. A hint of youthful antics

5. 1 x driving funky basslines

6. Lots of goosebumps

7. Lots of fun

8. Sweat

9. 30 x broken drums sticks

10. 2 broken guitar strings

11. Night to remember

12. Culture celebration

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

"Loud and proud, wrong and strong" – Stu

 What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

'Our Generation' by Yothu Yindi  

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'Bapa' by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu 

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

Oooooh we can think of so many!! That’s a hard one. Probably 'Cyclone Surf' by Horse Trank. Best band to never leave Darwin, playing scungy swamp rock NT style. It’s basically an anthem in the top end about surfing in cyclones which is largely what we rely on for good surf!

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

Our bass player Campbell Messer played a solo gig at the Archive in Birssy for our friend’s art exhibition – Cam also plays beautiful indie-folk music and is a ripping fingerstyle acoustic guitarist. 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

There is so much talent coming out of Arnhem Land it's jaw dropping really. It’s like a factory of non-stop talent. Music is synonymous with Yolngu culture really and with the support of so many incredible people within the community there is a real buzz in the area for all things art related. The inspirational legacy of Yothu Yindi definitely shines on all of us up there but there is still so much to write about and so many stories to share to the world!

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?

We actually have a very special performance in Brisbane in December, which we are very excited to announce to everyone – details coming soon via our socials. We have a clip coming out shortly, and then another single dropping in January. We now have merch to buy! And you can now buy our limited edition 7” vinyl pressing which has been released via our good mates Bargain Bin Records. Then 2021 is a big one for us, as we have our debut record to share to the world and some more video clips! As the world slowly opens back up again we will be also playing some live shows! So keep an eye out for the king sting!

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

Our sound has been shaped over the years by listening to a variety of artists and different life experiences. We haven't been shy to push the boundaries and try new things. I think we always set out to achieve a standard but as time has progressed the rules have been broken more and the standard has been raised. We started out as a four piece as teenagers, just playing the music that we felt reflected how we felt which at the time was heavily hip-hop inspired. But now we mix so many different aspects of the music we love. I think it still has elements of the beginning in it now, it's just matured as we have so as time goes on it just gets more experienced and full of life and ideas. 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

It's the moments that you take the time to notice in life that make a good song. Drawing inspiration from the past is a great source, because when you take time to reflect how you felt in that moment you can express that through music. If you're being honest, the song has integrity that is felt by others. I'm inspired by many things in life and I feel a lot. But it's usually the past that I end up digging up to find inspiration. We always hide cryptic references in our lyrics and they are usually references of things we have gone through. 

What can punters expect from a Big Words live show?

You never come to a Big Words show and leave the same as you came in. There's an energy in the room that can be felt from the stage all the way to the back of the room. We spend a lot of time creating shows for us and the fans to enjoy. It's a mutual experience. I think that's the most important thing. You really connect with everyone in the room when you experience us live. We always get people saying that you guys look like you are having so much fun up there. And they are right, we definitely are. 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

It was backstage at Laneway Festival where I met Anderson Paak. I walked up to him and his band and offered some Allen's sour snakes I had in my bum bag. I was like “yo this is my childhood here, gotta try some of these”. After talking a little I asked him. “As an aspiring artist who wants to play big stages, what should I know?” He gave it some thought and then said “Never give up, it’s that ol' Americana never give up no matter what.” I think that's some of the best advice I've ever received. I think self talk is the biggest motivator and also the biggest barrier. But if you just keep going it's the only way you will ever achieve what you really want. 

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

I have never been in this situation before but I think if I were to try to cheer someone up from crying through a song. It would have to be 'Clown Prince' by Hilltop Hoods. You try crying through that song... I don’t think you could. 

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You' by Julia Jacklin. If they really needed a cry this would do the job.

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

The obvious choice would be 'Can’t Get You Out of My Head' by Kylie Minogue. It would go off and everyone would sing the words and I would be hailed the best DJ ever the end. 

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it? 

The last gig I went to would be when we played earlier in the year at Grapevine it was lovely so alive and full of hope. But due to the pandemic we have been in lockdown this year so no live music for us sadly. 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

Really love Swell and Nasty Mars. Swell's production is unique and beautiful and Nasty Mars voice and lyricism is something to pay attention to. Both very deep thinkers and that's what I like about their music. They both share that careful thought process to their music - that's why I am inspired by them. I think we all have something to offer and I always like seeing what art they create. 

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?

We have our first show since the start of the year coming up for Melbourne Music Week. We are all really excited to play again. We've spent this year indoors itching to get back on stage so that's all we are thinking about at the moment alongside getting ready to record our debut album. 

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

My music is soul, R&B and hip-hop. I’m obsessed with love songs and exaggerated emotions. My music is confessional, it comes straight from the heart. I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember, and have always been obsessed with interesting sounds, so my style has been evolving since childhood. My Dad always used to play a lot of soul music, and I definitely think that’s contributed to way I write music. I like to pay homage to the “old”, bringing those elements into the digital era. 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

I write about my life experiences. I get inspired by moments and feelings and I turn them into relatable narratives, often with a cheeky spin. Love and lust are my biggest inspirations, sometimes my low moments too, but I always try to keep things positive. Sometimes my music is about how I want to feel, and who I want to be. At the end of the day, music is just my favourite form of self-expression and story-telling. 

What can punters expect from a Ms. Thandi live show?

You can expect an inclusive environment, somewhere you can get in touch with your sensuality, dance freely and enjoy listening to music that makes you feel alive. Also some jokes in between songs because I think I’m funny.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

Some advice I’ve always valued comes from my parents, they always remind me how important it is to surround yourself with people who are positive, inspiring, and don’t bring you down, because at the end of the day you become who you surround yourself with. 

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

I would have to say ‘Be The Love’ by Adrian Eagle - a big role model to me. It is such a joyful song and always lifts my spirits when I hear it. It’s the perfect reminder to always be the love in your life, even through the difficulties we experience.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

I would play ‘Wiyathul’ by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. It’s such a beautiful, iconic song, and always gives me goosebumps. 

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

This was a no-brainer for me, I’d play ’24k’ by my fellow Zimbabwean sis Tkay Maidza. Absolute banger. I’ve been bumping it since I’ve heard it. She’s a huge inspiration!

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

The last gig I was at was one I supported - Bread Club at Mary’s Underground last month. It was fabulous. I’m unbelievably happy that venues are starting to open up again. Live music is everything! 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

In the local music community, I’m most inspired by all my fellow young women of colour who are simply killing it and really transforming the Australian music scene. Boss women. GLO, Maina Doe, RISSA, Becca Hatch, Lara Andallo, Saskia, Billymaree, A.Girl, Maya Hirasedo, Liyah Knight… to name a few!

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?

I’m a BIGSOUND50 artist this year so that’s super exciting. There’s also more gigs on the way - I’ll be playing at a Young Henry’s event on November 13th at The Bank in Newtown. I’m working on an EP at the moment so there’s more music and visuals on the way… but I won’t give too much away ;)

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

In the beginning, I was heavily influenced by jazz music. I absolutely love artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Amy Winehouse. Over time, I started to experiment more with my sound (which at first I found pretty difficult). When writing my debut EP ‘Stellie’ and collaborating with so many unique and talented producers/ songwriters - it really helped me explore my sound more and more. At this point, I feel that this EP is the most accurate representation of my ‘sound’ right now. But i’m not afraid of change - I want to push the boundaries and keep it interesting. I want my sound to grow with me as I develop more as a singer/ songwriter.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

I like to describe the way I write music as an ‘exaggeration of my everyday life’. My life isn’t always that interesting, so I just like to push the boundaries on it a bit more. I just love to tell stories (whether they are completely accurate or not - it almost doesn’t really matter). Like for many people - music is a form of therapy for me. Letting your thoughts and emotions run free for a bit is so soothing and relaxing. I'm constantly inspired by the people I surround myself with and the stories that people share with me, or stories that I read. Even just captions on photos - or just really interesting and beautiful photos can be so inspirational when it comes to my writing - its almost like i’m trying to put the picture into words.

What can punters expect from a Stellie live show?

I like to think that when I play shows - its almost like bringing magic to life. There is such a rush that comes with finally getting to play the songs that you’ve been holding so close to you for so long, to people that actually really want to hear them. Stellie shows are very wholesome I think. I love my band, and I know they love playing with me too and it really shows. I always have the most fun on stage and really try build that connection with the audience. I also almost always manage to chuck in a cheeky cover during my set (at the moment it's Britney Spears).

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

‘You are not in control of other peoples emotions’ - I cant remember where I found this quote, I think I read it somewhere once and it’s stuck with me ever since. It especially relates to the way I like to make music. I don’t want to tell people how to think/feel when they listen to the songs I write - I want those feelings and thoughts to be pure and completely up to the listener.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

‘Its Nice to Be Alive’ by Ball Park Music

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

‘Knuckles White Dry’ by Gang of Youths

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

‘Holdin On’ by Flume.

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

TEENAGE JOANS! It was actually the first live gig I’ve seen in about 7 months and it was absolutely insane. I honestly couldn’t stop smiling all night.

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible and inspiring musos every day. There are heaps of talented musicians in Adelaide, I’m almost spoilt for choice. I spend quite a bit of time with the EAST AV3 boys - those guys are some of the most hard working and dedicated people I know. My bandmates (Max and Jarrad) are so incredibly dedicated and are an absolute joy to be around - as well as Jess Day, Timberwolf, George Alice, Mane and so many more.

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?

2020 has been an absolute whirlwind of a year in so many ways. I guess my plan is to just take each day as it comes. If I can play some more live shows that would be so fun - but one things for sure, there’s definitely lots more new music on the way.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

Being brothers we’re pretty lucky in the sense that we literally developed every aspect of being a musician together. We learned guitar together, found our new favourite bands together and wrote our first songs together. As we grew up, the music that we loved at the time always left some mark on our ‘sound’. Slowly those influences have all blurred into one and we’ve ended up with something that is our own. We had a really intense writing period last year where we ended up with 80ish demos. Most of them are trash but we experimented like mad and developed our sound so much because of it. 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Wow that’s a tough one. We listen to a looot of music, so when we come across a song that just blows our minds we get super inspired to write a song of that calibre. The type of song that makes every other song you’ve listened to that day sound dull. Know what I mean? It’s almost like the search for the holy grail trying to write that type of song -  maybe one day. 

What can punters expect from an Alt Fiction live show?

We had a bunch of shows lined up around our first single ‘All My Friends’ but due to the pandemic… well you know what comes next. So we haven’t actually had our first show yet - but we know for a fact that when we do, it’ll be a damn good time! 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

Can’t remember who said it but it always stuck! ‘If you’re not nervous it means you don’t care’. Now we embrace the nerves before all the scary stuff.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

Recently heard ‘Under The Thunder’ by Skegss on Rage at like 1am and that track (and music video) has gotta cheer anyone up.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

We don’t recommend trying to make someone cry, but if you have to - DMA’s track ‘Delete’ is the right place to start. 

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

Is there any other choice? It’s gotta be ‘My People’ by The Presets. Absolute ripper. 

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

It's been so long :( Nothing recently but we did catch Kitschen Boy’s Instagram live set which was sick! Thank God for the internet. 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

We’re super impressed with Ivey who’ve consistently been upping the bar in our local scene! We played a show together years ago in a library that next to no one came to, so we basically just performed our sets to each other and it was actually a real good time. We were psyched when ‘Midnight’ got added to rotation. Good on 'em!

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?

Praying that we can hit the road before the year is over! We’ve got some good stuff under our belt that we’re keen to get out into the world sooner rather than later. Until then you’ll find us in our bedroom trying to write that smasher. 

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

I would describe my music as moody folk. I've always had a love of melancholy. Growing up I was drawn to film scores and the atmosphere they created. I also listened to a lot of emo music at school. Vocally I admire singers that use their voice emotively and in an interesting way - I think artists like Sigur Ros, Regina Spektor and Elizabeth Fraser have influenced my vocal style. I love performances when it's just a singer-songwriter with their instrument and voice. I'm trying to lean into that minimalism and intimacy and to trust my intuition.
 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Quiet time, walking, nature, conversations and strong emotions.
 

What can punters expect from a Bec Sykes live show?

Me playing piano or guitar and singing sad songs.
 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

"You'll probably still feel anxious pursuing the things you want to do, feeling anxiety isn't a reason not to do them." - My psychologist

Also, "Be kind to yourself when you write." - Ainslie Wills

 
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

'What's the Deal with David?' by Oh Pep

 
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'If You Call' by Angie McMahon (in a cathartic way)

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

'Absolutely Everybody' by Vanessa Amorosi

 
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

I think it was Alexander Biggs, Ruby Gill & David Western at Common Rooms back in Feb. It was my birthday and I sat at the back in the corner and closed my eyes, it was the perfect introverted sad girl party. Seated gigs are my fave gigs.
 

Tell us about the bands or people in your local music community that inspire you.

There's so many! Some of my favourite Melbourne artists are Gaia Scarf, Charm of Finches, GraceJean, Low Key Crush and Half the Andes. They all have incredible voices/harmonies and they write clever songs and grab my heart and twist it in the best way.
 

What are your plans for the rest of 2020?

I was lucky enough to win the Josh Pyke Partnership which involves a grant, so I'm planning to record an EP with the grant funds.