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

When we started writing, we didn't really know what we we're doing, other than that we wanted to make the darkest, gnarliest rock and roll songs that we possible could. We knew we wanted to try and come up with something a little bit less rigid and limiting, and a little more diverse than the punk rock bands we'd played in before this.

We quickly figured out that we liked putting these kind of pretty sounding guitar riffs (tomato sauce) over really gritty, aggressive bass stuff (buffalo mozzarella). Together it makes for this really cool, gloomy soundtrack to Nikki's roars and howls (fresh basil and olive oil). That's sort of what makes us sound like us, I think (a perfect Margherita pizza).

As intense and grim as the songs are, we also love to make music that people can dance to, instead of playing just straight headbanger stuff all the time. So we put a lot of focus on rhythms and backbeats (the light, crispy base), and just making sure the songs flow really organically, without having to overthink or force anything. Mangiare!

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

Black coffee, black magic, black metal and Black Sabbath.

What can punters expect from a Pagan show?

Pagan shows are a celebration of all things dark. Wild, sweaty, noisy rituals with a killer dance floor! Like having your 21st birthday party and the wake after a loved one's funeral at the very same time.

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

"The longer you leave your pasta sauce on the stove to simmer, the better. The longer the sauce can simmer at a low temperature, the more the flavours of each ingredient; the herbs, the chilli, the garlic, onion and tomato will come out properly. Anything less than three hours is a disgrace to yourself and to your whole family, both living and dead. Don't you dare disappoint me." - Mama.

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

Clowns - "Destroy The Evidence" or Client Liaison - "Off White Limousine"

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

Totally Unicorn - "Dream Life" or Client Liaison "World Of Our Love"

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

Alex Cameron - "She's Mine" or Client Liaison - "Wild Life"

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

I'm not sure, but the one that comes to mind is High Tension, Clowns and Grim Rhythm at The Bendigo. It was a benefit show and launch party for an amazing compilation put together by some wonderful people to raise money for the families of a couple of their close friends who were involved in a tragic accident. Pagan were honoured to have been included in such a beautiful gesture! It was a Tuesday night and I couldn't believe how packed the Bendigo! It was a beautiful, positive and emotional evening, and true testament to just how much people within the greater Melbourne alternative/music community are willing to look out for one another as friends, as family and sometimes as people we've never even met. Every band totally slayed too!

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

Our dearly beloved cult. Anyone breaking rules, smashing expectations and creating new and interesting music. Anyone working towards making sure shows are fun, inclusive and safe for absolutely everyone. People of different cultures, girls, trans, queer and non-binary folk making angry music. Client Liaison.

What are your plans for 2017?

We're aiming to complete our collection of 13 singles by the end of the year, but we'll see... In between single releases, we're hoping to play more Pagan rituals with lots of different kinds of bands and artists, do some more touring, make more videos, further our understanding of the dark arts, destroy regular cheese and antipasto platters, and drink many more spritzers. It's gonna be a hell of a year I think!

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.

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

I've been rapping quite some time now, ever since I was a lot younger just trying to get better and better at it. Over the past few years I've developed more of a interest in actual song writing and I think that's where I found my niche or style. Once I did that it all kinda began to take shape.

You we’re one of the winners of our NIDA video clip competition, and the clip made for your track 'Ride For Me (feat. Shadow Kitsune)' just premiered on rage. In it you channel Frank Sinatra, which looks fun. How did you find the experience of filming the video?

It was great fun, seeing a team of talented students all focusing on the one goal and outcome was pretty motivating. NIDA is a great institute, world class. It was a bit overwhelming arriving on set and seeing 20-30 extra's waiting to shoot their scene, I've definitely never had that before. I'm used to driving all my sets and props around in my car boot and shooting without permits. As soon as we started shooting it I knew it was going to turn out awesome, couldn't have asked for more.

What can an audience typically expect from a Ry live show?

Twerking (jokes), me performing any of my upbeat songs, some bad jokes from me and good ones from my DJ Jimmy, me rapping over a well known song by Phoenix or doing a Drake cover, then closing it all off with a tribute to Biggie Smalls.

What are you doing when you’re not making music?

Running my clothing label RYWS with my girlfriend, using my Dad's laundry to do my washing, or at my part time job awkwardly whispering voice memo's into my phone.

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

My new EP Amnesia comes out late October and then I'm off to the USA just for November. When I come back I'd love to tour a bit more and get straight into finishing off my album that's produced by Hamley!

Australian music is…?

Currently incredible. The music coming out of this country is just as good if not better than the worldwide standard and that goes for all genres. The sense of community has built as well and it's great to see artists crossing over and pushing the boundaries. It's exciting to be a part of it.

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

Coming from different musical backgrounds (pop/soul/jazz vs hip-hop/electronic/hardcore) but with similar ambition, we developed our sound through a lot of trial and error over a cask of wine.

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

People, mates, lovers, dickheads.

What can punters expect from a Fortunes live show?

Lots of dancing (dirty dancing), hot people, personal stories.

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

Protect your heart, turn it into art. Thanks Gemma.

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

Vanessa Amorosi - Absolutely Everybody

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

Powderfinger - My Happiness

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

Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Baby

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

The Tarantinos at Luwow. It was wild, a chick got her *** out.

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

Hiatus Kaiyote - Nai Palm is explosive.

The Harpoons - Rebecca's on some high-pitched Australian Amy Winehouse level.

What are your plans for 2015?

We're looking at jumping on a couple of tours and playing some festival spots which is gonna be sweet. We’ve almost finished writing EP#2, so aiming to get that out mid-year.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound? My music came from a slow process of experimenting with electronics instead of real-life musicians. I moved to Australia at 16 and had no friends! I became kind of a recluse because I still felt the need to make music somehow.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music? For better or worse, it's usually my own mental turmoil. I think that goes for a lot of people. But more and more I am inspired by actually trying to create new sounds and new forms of expression for myself.

You’re the winner of our Field Day competition. What can punters at Field Day in Sydney expect from the Moon Holiday live show? At this point I'm aiming to make it a little more energetic than my usual live show, because it is generally pretty moody and even subdued! It'd be nice to start the New Year with a bang.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from? One of my best friends recently used actual hand-drawn diagrams in her advice to me, which I found both hilarious and extremely useful! Another of my best friends is full of gentle and comforting wisdom, so even though she is a cool young musician, a day with her can be like visiting a wise grandmother.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying? That's easy, Rainbow Chan's song 'Haircut'. It's about getting over things and moving on, and her music always creates a sense of wonder, like anything's possible. She's the best friend I mention above, cool and fresh but so wise and nurturing! https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/rainbow-chan

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry? Also easy! HTRK - my favourite Australian music, maybe just my favourite music overall. When their song 'Give It Up' came out late last year ahead of their full album I used to just whack it on repeat and cry a bunch. I was having a hard time, but it's such a beautiful track, such an unusual duality through that whole album. https://soundcloud.com/mistletone/htrk-give-it-up

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next? Collarbones - 'Turning', because it's fierce as hell. When I first heard it I constantly walked around listening to it like I was in a music video, which is how you know a song is good. https://soundcloud.com/collarbones/turning

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it? I went to see Lucy Cliche and Alba (both locals) supporting Factory Floor (from the UK) at Oxford Art Factory recently. It was great, a really well thought-out lineup and everyone impressed the crowd, especially remarkable because it was a Tuesday night and people were actually getting kinda loose.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you. It's come to the point where most people I know in Sydney are tied to the music community in some way, either directly or indirectly. Some of my close friends make music I'm floored by, every time they show me something. Most of them are involved with Sydney's Astral People, who probably need no introduction, but through being a part of that incredibly supportive family I've found room to grow as a musician and be heard properly - without ever being made to feel like the end goal is huge commercial success. I think we all feel like Sydney is an excellent place to be, and for once there aren't as many people fleeing the country to 'make it' outside.

What are your plans for 2015? Despite saying I'm glad people aren't fleeing Sydney, that's what I'm doing for a couple of months in the New Year. I decided to take a break after finishing my new EP (due out early 2015) and go live in Bangkok for a while! I'd like to be somewhere different to make new music, for another EP or an album, perhaps a side-project to get out different things. But I can't wait to come back as well - I started producing a radio show for FBI Radio recently, so I'll be continuing that job as well. I just want to get stuff out there really.

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

Our music is fast, full of catchy riffs and energy building choruses followed by a few heavy breakdowns.

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

Australian hardcore is our main inspiration for making music such as Parkway Drive which is what got us into this genre of music. Aswell as some American bands such as A Day to Remember, Trivium and Killswitch Engaged.

You’re the winners of our River Sessions competition. What can punters at River Sessions expect from a Thanartist live show?

They should expect a hard heavy sound that will be full of energy, that the crowd can involve themselves in.

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

The best advise we’ve been given as a band is from our manager Tim who said, “No matter if theres 1 person or 2000 people your playing in front of, just play the best you can and never stop trying to succeed at what you want to achieve”.

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

Dead Kelly - Dead Kelly Anthem

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

In Hearts Wake - Wildflower

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

Hilltop Hoods - Chase that feeling

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

It was in Mackay at the CBD hotel. 200 people turned up and a lot of people from the local music community were there to support the local music scene.

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

The two bands the are currently on tour with us being Red and Tooth from Gladstone central Queensland and Fifth Day of Ice from Townsville North Queensland. Aswell as our Mackay mates in Sanctum & Solace and Let’s Change History who are always there to support and help us with anything we need.

What are your plans for Thanartist in 2014?

The biggest thing for us this year would be playing River Sessions for our first time and our 16 show Australian east coast tour which started last friday. Hopefully this will build up our reputation as a band and lead us to greater things in the future

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

I grew up listening to hip-hop artists such as Naughty By Nature and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince which is why I love making upbeat, motivational, feel good and uplifting type music, I also grew up listening to a lot of country music which is a reason why I like telling stories through music and Tupac has been a huge influence on me coming up and because of that I'm also on a conscious tip, I guess with all of these elements I'm still trying to find a balance so I'm still developing as an artist but I'm finding my sound more and more each day and I will perfect my craft in the near future.

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

The greatest source of inspiration as of late has been my people and my family, when I first started making music it was just for fun but now that I've become more conscious of what my people (the Indigenous Australians) have been through and what we are still going through today it really inspires me to help any way i can and music is the best way I know how.

What can punters expect from a Philly live show?

Honestly I don't plan my set, I don't plan transitions and sometimes change the order of my tracks during my set so it's a surprise for everyone myself included but one thing I can guarantee is that you can expect a lot of energy and crowd interaction.

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

The best advice I can remember receiving was "just have fun" I can't remember who it was from because I've been given so much advice from so many people since i started but it really stuck with me.

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

A track that comes to mind straight away is Treaty by the legendary Yothu-Yindi, it has a deep message behind it but you can't help but to dance to it and I'm a bit of a clown so whoever it is that's upset will definitely get a full performance of me getting my boogy on while singing along to it.

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

An Australian track that I can think of to bring them emotions out would have to be Took The Children Away by Archie Roach, the combination of Uncle Archies voice and the message he brings with it is very heavy and you can tell from the emotion in his words that its coming from his heart, this song will definitely touch everyone.

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

Holdin On by Flume the mans a genius and that track always gets my head bumpin'

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

I actually haven't been to much gigs in Melbourne that I haven't been a part of and I've had a ridiculous amount of gigs so far this year and everyone of them were fun I definitely have to catch a gig soon though sometimes it's good just being in the audience and I'm hoping that will be my homie L-Fresh because I haven't caught any of his gigs yet but I've been meaning to.

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

Mildura has a pretty cool scene when it comes to music I've been to a couple gigs there that are mostly heavy metal which I'm not the biggest fan of but I have a lot of friends that ask me to come along and support them, our hip-hop scene is small but is growing slowly which is great. WZRDKID are dope as you might know and I have a couple other friends that are crazy talented when it comes to rap they call themselves Dismal & Grim1 they haven't released anything yet but I promise I'll push them to get something out.

What are your plans for Philly in 2014?

Release an album and go on tour they're my top priority as an artist right now, I have a long way to go so this year I want to build my fan base then take it even further next year.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

Three of the four of us have been playing music together since the time before deep voices and impressive beards. We went through many genres to get where we are today including progressive metal, pop rock and hoome (mongolian throat singing). Today we play a brand of good old fashioned melodic, indie rock that reflects the bands, melodies, grooves and sounds that the four of us all share a common love for...

You’re one of the winners of our Big Day Out competition and will be opening the Essential Stage of the Gold Coast Big Day Out - what can BDO punters expect from the Jakarta Criers live show?

Performing live for us is the best part of being in a band together. It's a feeling that's very hard to replicate. You can liken it to meditation in that all thoughts, worries and everyday shit all disappear for a while. When a crowd feeds off that energy everyone is left feeling pretty good... We also tear shit up on occasion as well ;)

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Queensland music community that inspire you?

This may sound kinda lame but EVERYONE! The common goal of all involved in the local music community is to enjoy good music in one way or another. Whether you're a manager, performer, fan or a venue owner the core is music. The atmosphere at somewhere like THE ZOO or RIC'S on a loose Friday night is so far above that of the beer barns and seedy night clubs it's not funny. It's everyone involved that creates this...

What’s your earliest memory of seeing live Australian music?

Grade 6, Suncorp Piazza Southbank, underage concert, not long after they were unearthed...GRINSPOON!

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

We really want to get touring and playing live as much as possible; until we learn to meditate on our own it's the only way. Aside from that we'll look to get back in the studio in the winter time and hopefully have a full length ready by year's end. We''re putting together songs at the moment that are really exciting us............. in and around...

Australian music is…?

...based in Australia

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

I used to record tonnes of distorted demos on my laptop and that's how the project came about. A few singles got picked up for radio play, The band got offered live shows and support slots and it all just went from there. Over the last few years since Brock and Jordan joined, our songwriting process totally evolved. After playing together for so long, our sound is just naturally super different from all the years making bedroom trash. We practice pretty regularly and naturally have honed our collective ideas for what we want our band and music to be since becoming so close. As we are great mates, we are all generally on the same page so it makes for a fun and easy creative process.

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

Music has always been a great processing mechanism for me. I’m a huge over thinker and tend to be pretty observant which is where a lot of the socially topical content for our songs comes from. Whenever I can’t understand something I have felt or experienced it helps to process that confusion by writing it out so it doesn’t just swirl around inside my head forever. Making music gives me that ability to become more self-aware by questioning thought whilst simultaneously expressing my creative, instinctive passion. I guess after all that the ultimate inspiration is the opportunity to connect with other people who might think in a similar way and understand what you are trying to say. The world can feel like a huge and lonely place, so I think it’s important to feel a sense of community in whatever capacity possible. When you connect with other people over music, it is amazing, so I guess our songs are like our own little message sent out into the airwaves trying to reach people who will understand. Hopefully, it feels like a big warm hug from a mate you haven’t seen in a while.

What can punters expect from a Bugs live show?

Jordan's sweaty torso, my mop of hair flying around, a whole tonne of bad puns and knee slides. We just really like to create a bit of a house party kind of feeling in the room we play in. It’s always important to establish the necessity for respect and a safe space in the venue we play in though. It’s a funny catch 22 and a fine line between getting wild and being an over-assertive, aggressive night ruiner. Oh, and maybe a kiss or two.

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

I think it’s the cliche of not being so hard on yourself. My mother, girlfriend and mates always try to reinforce a firm belief in myself. It’s easy to self-impose pressure when you work hard and desperately want to achieve something, but if by doing that you’re making yourself miserable it generally defeats the purpose of doing it at all. I can be a pretty intensely analytical thinker so I guess it’s important to steer that in positive directions and harness the power of it for progression, and it’s even more important to stay calm and relax when you start getting overwhelmed. I make terrible choices when I’m stressing out, so the most important piece of advice to remember for me are to chill and go with the flow. I think that goes hand in hand with a deep-rooted self-confidence, one I am yet to find.

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

Probably 'Young Drunk' by The Smiths, an infectiously cathartic anthem from my youth. Or 'Never Had So Much Fun' by Frenzal!

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

'Blood' by The Middle East gets me every damn time. It hits home super hard.

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

Either ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’ by The Angels or ‘Whats My Scene’ by Hoodoo Gurus. Straight up. Pub bangers. I am such a proud bogan.

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

We played with British India a few weekends ago at The Triffid and they absolutely blew the roof off. It was surreal to stand side of the stage and watch some of our heroes belt out tunes that soundtracked my youth and teens. The guys were super nice and we knew the other support band Eliza & The Delusionals who are super cool people too. I ran some chips out on stage cause they shouted me a free burger earlier but it hadn’t come by the time they started playing.

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

Brisbane is way too great to list all the awesome people who make it such a vibrant community. The Violent Soho guys are like royalty. Artists like Good Boy and Waax are really inspiring. It has been remarkable to watch brilliant and considerate people do incredible things this year. Jeremy Neale has been an enormous influence for me personally. The amount of carefully thought out advice, compassion and time he has afforded me since starting this band has been overwhelming. Our manager Ruby and booker Dom are like family. The venue managers and booking agents around town are invaluable and it breeds this sense of welcoming and teamwork that is conducive to shared success and makes for some ripping memes by Cael (Valley Ledge). Also, not to take away from the punters and gig patrons (one of which is myself). The frequency with which you will see full rooms in multiple venues on any given night in the valley is heartwarming. People care about and feel really connected to the music community here, because the equality and serenity in lack of competition breed a really positive connected industry.

What are your plans for 2018?

Opening Falls on New Years Day is certainly the brightest beacon on the calendar, but we’re barrelling into a busy month in Jan. We have a show with our good pals The Hard Aches at Black Bear Lodge on the 19th so that should be super fun. It’s really close to selling out already and the guys are absolute legends so it will be awesome to catch up and return the favour of a couch to crash on. Then we have a single coming out just before we play Brisbane's ‘Mountain Goat Valley Crawl’ festival in early Feb. Personally, I am so dang excited to get this next tune out, we have about 6 ready to go for an EP shortly after but we’re just tying up all the loose ends to make sure the release reaches its full potential. Valley Crawl is this amazing multi-venue night that always has the punters going wild and we’re stoked to have a nice late spot at the Foundry which should get pretttttty dang juicy to say the least.

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

We make spaced-out rap and R&B vibes for your headphones. Our sound developed really when Dyl contacted Edo to do some raps on some of his electronic music project production. We discussed some ideas we had about different vibes we were feeling at the time and then bam, the first track we wrote together was Sweater Made of Gold.

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

Our greatest source of inspiration for writing music is each other and all our friends. We've both got inspiring creative friends with heaps of different backgrounds, and they inspire us to keep doing what we’re doing and to keep pushing ourselves in our creative pursuits.

What can punters expect from a Milwaukee Banks live show?

Our live show is 45 minutes of sensory bliss. We perform our songs (and occasionally a few new tracks) to fully syncronsied motion graphic visuals made by our friend Jason Lee. You can also expect to see and hear plenty of basketball banter!

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

I’m not sure who it was but I was advised early on to just never stop writing tracks. And it is good advice, keep writing – you never know when you’ll hit gold!

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

You need those uplifting ballad vibes. So I would play Client Liaison – Feelings, every time you hear that song you feel like you can take on the world!

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

Hmm, we don’t usually want to make people cry, but if you need to hear those deep feels to let a cry out, listen to Namine – The Train, you might get a bit teary…

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

We’d drop Flight Tonight - Love me no more, from his edits EP.

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

We went to see local hip hop crew RaRa at Boney. Those dudes are awesome live. Lots of energy, rad beats, great vibes!

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

KIRA – KIRA is a collective of beat makers in Melbourne that have done some really cool work and inspire us on the regular! We worked with them on our title track Rose Water on our EP.

Fletch – Our homegirl Maquarie is a local club dj and radio host, she is always keen to hear and share new music and she always stay based.

Andrei Eremin – This guy has mad talent and an inspiring work ethic.

Nuff said. Mata and Must – These guys are possibly the hardest working artists in the Melbourne hip-hop scene. Their sound is grimey and underground. They own and run an independent label Pang Productions.

W1SP - W1SP is a producer from Melbourne. He’s a hard worker and a bit of a perfectionist. His catalogue isn't deep but what he has dropped is straight fire! Keep an eye out for him.

What are your plans for Milwaukee Banks in 2014?

We’ve released our EP which was a pretty major step for us, and now we’re looking forward to playing some shows, including BIGSOUND in September. After that we should get to work on an album!

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Tom and Rohan used to play in an improvised instrumental post-folk-rock band called Strega, and started Sparkspitter as an aside to work on when Lachy, the guitarist was out of town.  Rohan came up with the name, and we played vaguely mathy ambient music back then a la Clogs and The Necks.  After six or eight months, Matt (who was playing at the time with Bronze Chariot and Thunderclaw) joined the band and we started to experiment with the tighter, poppier structures and grooves that you hear in our current music.

In a basic sense, Rohan feeds a melodic/rhythmic idea in to a loop and the other instrumentation builds around it. We then take that idea on a bit of an excursion - superimposing whatever other melodic/rhythmic structures will fit it. The essence of what we do is that we're a novelty band :)

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
We get our inspiration from the nature of things mainly.  We're also pretty inspired by some of the art and music and coming out of Adelaide and the world in general right now.

What can punters expect from a Sparkspitter live show?
Well we actually just really love what we do and hope that translates. We'd rather not create expectation but just encourage all punters to come see for themselves.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
'Live in your paradise' - Richard LeMessurier

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
The Horses - Darryl Braithwaite
 
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Everything is Fucked - Dirty Three
 
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
! (The Song Formally Known As) - Regurgitator
 
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Wireheads played at Title to launch their LP "The Late Great Wireheads".  Was great to see some rock and roll in a public space, surrounded by pretty books and records - really inspirational stuff.
 
Tell us about the bands or people in the Adelaide music community that inspire you.
The following bands and people in Adelaide inspire us: Swimming, Robotosaurus, The Burning Sea, Psalm Trio, Dave Blumbergs, Brad Cameron, Zach Coligan, Damien Kelly, Wolfpanther, Emu, Madison Bycroft, Ashtray, Robert St, Vandalis shoot-crew, Kevin Van der Zwaag, Hilary Kleinig, Thunderclaw, Stephen Whittington, Doe, Nathan Abbott, Harriet Fraser-Barbour, Celeriak, Richard LeMessurier, Matea Gluscevic, Josef Faraone, Rule of Thirds, Hydromadusa, Chris Soole, Format, Encarta bros, Stan Mahoney, Peter Ellis, Dan V, Andy Nowell, Madeleine Parry, Dan Wills, Ross McHenry, Sam Wright Nescha Jelk, Duncan Campbell, Amy Joy Watson, Aaron and Jesse Schuppan and The Happy Motel.

What are your plans for Sparkspitter in 2014?
There are some real exciting events already taking shape for later in the year which we are really looking forward to. More immediately though we're supporting one of our favourite Adelaide bands The Shaolin Afronauts at their post-Japan pre-Glastonbury show at the Gov this Saturday (14th June) alongside Immermann 1.1 and Oisima which will be loads of fun. Mainly though we are looking forward to releasing our debut album Techne later this year, making some more film clips and probably touring to wherever we can go, although we don't have anything lined up as yet.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Our sound is still a developing thing. It is constantly changing as we change.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Listening to our favourite artists, and being bowled over every time.

What can punters expect from The Furrs live show?
Sometimes we organise our friend to walk around with cheese platters.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
It's funny we haven’t gotten advice yet… maybe you can give us some advice?

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
What a sad thing to say! Probably 'Little Boy' by The Furrs. Knock them back into action.
 
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
I would never want to do to that. But ‘Breathe Me’ by Sia does a pretty good job of that.

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We went to a gig held somewhere and I can’t even tell you how bad it was... no humour... humour is very important I think.
 
Tell us about the bands or people in the Brisbane music community that inspire you.
I absolutely love Brisbane at the moment. There is a wandering cowboy who has come into our lives and with his band ‘The Family Jordan’. He has inspired all of us to really sit around and play each others songs together. It's straight up. We record in our lounge room - the other day he scorned me for not picking my guitar up for two days, and you know what? He’s right. It's really really good to play music with your friends without these weird expectations or limitations… everyone should be singing their songs to everyone.
 
What are your plans for The Furrs in 2014?
I guess we’ll just keep on doing what we’re doing.
 

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I started out making really slow jams and trying to use as few elements as possible. It was a really new and exciting way to make music for me because at the time I was mainly producing dubstep and moombahton (as part of my group ’Surecut Kids’), which can be very busy styles. Eventually though my influences widened and I began making more danceable tunes, taking influence from Jersey Club, Future Beats and Garage. But during the evolution I’ve always been fond of using tropical sounding instruments like kalimbas and steel drums.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Plane trips. I tour a fair bit which means I have plenty of time to listen to music on planes. I like to use it as a bit of down time and soak in a good album or mixtape. Usually I end up making heaps of notes in my phone because as soon as I switch my mind off and relax to someone else’s music, the ideas come flooding in.

What can punters expect from a Paces live show?
I have stripped-down versions of my originals, remixes and bootlegs, mixed so that they flow like a DJ set, and then I play the missing elements on an MPD. So for example the first half of a song might be missing the drums, and the second half missing the kalimbas. As that tune is playing, I’ll be hitting the pads on the MPD and playing the drum sounds or kalimbas in real time. Nothing is quantised, so if I fuck up you’ll definitely hear it!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
My sound engineer is Danielsan from Koolism. I’ve been going to him for mixdowns and mastering for ages. Over the years he has been very patient with my lack of knowledge and will often call me up and drop science on me for an hour. Pretty much every time he’s done that, it’s been the best advice I’ve ever been given. I think the biggest breakthrough so far was the less-is-more lesson. I used to want my songs to have so much bass in them and I’d try to cram it in amongst everything else. He taught me that if you remove most of the other elements, it gives you more room for the bass. Seems simple now but at the time it was pretty groundbreaking for me.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Wave Racer’s tune ‘Streamers’ would cheer anyone up!
 
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Anything from Ta-Ku’s ‘Songs To Break Up To’ album. So many feels!
 
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Either Crooked Colours - Come Down (Palace Remix), or anything from Deer’s EP. Either way it’s a safe bet!
 
What was the last gig you went to? How was it?
The last time I just went to a gig and wasn’t playing was Laneway Festival in Brisbane. It was so rad. Getting to see Cashmere Cat and Daughter were both huge highlights for me.
 
Tell us about the bands or people in the Gold Coast music community that inspire you.
My homie Atticus Beats just moved here recently from Townsville. He came over the other day to borrow my studio and I was really inspired by the way he had treated some vocals in his song. It was something I hadn’t seen before and it got me gassed to try some new things.   
 
What are your plans for Paces in 2014?
I’m about to tour my current single ‘Can’t Touch Me’, so I’ll be going all over the place through June/July. I’ve got Groovin The Moo and Splendour coming up. I’ve produced a tune for Tkay Maidza’s EP. I’ve got remixes coming out for SAFIA and Sietta. Plus I’ve been working on an EP with this band from London called Youth. Heaps of stuff to keep me busy!

 

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

I was brought up as a classical violinist and pianist in Western Victoria and had no real exposure to any different types of music apart from the occasional song from the charts. When I started high school in Melbourne, I became very interested in Jazz and 'contemporary' music, I started improvising and started composing some really crap stuff. I remember watching Baz Lurhmann's 'Romeo + Juliet' and hearing the song 'Talk show Host' by Radiohead, I was obsessed with the song for so so long. It was Radiohead that really influenced me and made me start singing in my recordings, and I haven't looked back.

You are one of the winners of our PARKLIFE competition and will be playing PARKLIFE in Melbourne – what are you hoping to gain from the experience?

I still find it incredibly hard to believe that I'm playing! Really I'm just hoping for as much exposure as possible and that people will enjoy the show and my music.

What can PARKLIFE punters expect from the Albert Salt live show?

Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals, Violin, Drums and a Laptop. It's going to be the first show I'll be playing with more than 2 people on stage. I'm luckily enough to be joined by Annabelle Hayes (Vocals) and Lachie Bubb (Drums) At this rate I might eventually get a band...

You were also an Unearthed High finalist – what a year? What else has been going on behind the scenes for you this year?

Yeah, I was just talking to a friend today how if someone told me that this was all going to happen this time last year, I wouldn't have believed them. This years main focus was releasing my album 'Dearest Stranger' back in May. It took about a year to finish so I'm glad that it's finally out there. Annabelle and me just got back from the 'Kingdom of Little Empires' gig up in Brisbane where we played with Snakadaktal, Danika Smith and Stonefield, was such a fantastic day and heard some really impressive live music.

What’s coming up for you in the rest of 2011 and looking to 2012?

Well I'm currently working on EP to follow up 'Dearest Stranger' and I'm going to release that at the start of next year, and I'm also working with film maker James Vinson by doing some film scoring on his short films coming up 'Cold Showers' and 'Abraxas' and then a web series thats going to be done next year which I get to make a little cameo in!

Australian music is…?

...undiscovered.

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

The first thing I attempted to produced when I began making music was sample based hip hop instrumentals. At the time I was listening to MF DOOM and his various aliases and Wu-tang also, this was back in 2010. The year earlier I was really into hardstyle and techno music, I know right, what a complete 180. Anyhow, I picked up interest in electronic music around late 2012 and started to dabbling with a lil bit of dubstep, trap and most recently Jersey Club. All under my first project named "EP". Throughout this time I didn't have any idea of music theory, I just had a keen ear. I took the time last year in year 12 to get piano lessons which were pretty beneficial. Fast forward to March of this year, which was when UV boi was born. With my new honed skills I returned to making hip hop but with this new UV boi spice.

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

The internet, especially via Soundcloud. There's just an endless stream of cool music on there. Some of the people I've come across on there are as young as 13 and are already doing wonders.

What can punters expect from a UV boi live show?

You can expect me dressed in a full Adidas tracksuit strapped in my durag squat for 20 minutes straight during the pre of my set. On stage, I use an APC and an MPD. Launching clips with the APC on Ableton and playing stripped sounds from my track on the MPD (eg. drums or vocal cuts or instruments, whatever really).

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

"Make bangers" - Eli Marsland

"Keep making music. you're really good at this" - Lochie Riordan

Most importantly though, are the people who I showed my first crappy beats to and have always been supportive and seen something. Shouts out to Erina, Eoghan, Cheyne, Kai and Joe Joe.

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

Renz - Look Good On Me

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

Ben Lee - Cigarettes Will Kill You (Horrorshow and Jane Tyrell Cover)

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

Tkay Maidza x Battles x Conorock - Atlasaurous In Babylon (ELI Bootleg)

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

Ahhh I haven't been exposed to many local gigs that I haven't been apart. UV boi has only just become UV man, so I'm excited to experience those cool pub gigs.

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

Brisbane has a cool small community of electronic artists but not really many in the same line of my style though. I haven't connected with these other Brisbane artists yet mainly because they most likely don't even know my existence haha. In the future I'd like to get to know them. I had befriended two prior to creating UV boi. These cool dudes are ELI and Kraznov.

What are your plans for UV boi in 2014?

The plan for 2014 is to enjoy things and connect. A lot of cool things are happening very fast and all at once. I plan to work on an icy UV boi ep shortly, whilst still releasing singles here and there and maybe even some official remixes too. If you're a Brisbaner, you may see me out and about playing a few shows every now and then. Stay connected with me and we'll rock durags and squat together. SquatSquad

Shouts out LUCCIboys (Rappers Who Can't Rap Mixtape coming soon)

i l-UV u - UV boi فوق بنفسجي

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
So our music is basically what we would call experimental hip hop. We first begun working on music together with the intention of just trying to make something we would want to hear. Developing our sound was a natural process. Just basically jamming out and coming up with something we liked.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Tough one. Our inspiration comes from all sorts of different places and also we have individual influences. Some artist we like are Pink Floyd, Madlib, Ratking, Kanye West.

You’re the winner of our One Night Stand competition. What are you most looking forward to about playing the event in Mildura?
The whole thing! A chance to have our music heard by so many people who would have no idea who we are, and a chance to meet the other bands!

What can One Night Stand punters expect from the WZRDKID live show?
We've been working really hard on our live show. We are playing with a live band! So that will be tight

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Not too sure as far as advice! But the reviews we've got from the triple j dudes on triple j unearthed have been pretty awesome! Our dawg Lewi ;)

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Sticky fingers - 'Gold Snafu'
 
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Matt Corby - 'Big Eyes'

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

Tell us about the bands or people in the Victorian music community that inspire you.
Chet Faker would be one.

What are your plans for WZRDKID in 2014?
To finish our album "Black Ocean" and go on tour would be dope!
 

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

F: I would describe our music as sitting snugly in the middle of a spectrum with one end being pretty clubby, beats-oriented sounds and the other comprising of what you’d find if you searched for “beautiful, relaxing piano music” on Youtube.

M: To be frank, it took a while for us to discover our style.  When we started we were heavily influenced by so many great artists; it was hard to think for ourselves when all we wanted was to be just like them (lol).  I guess it’s like when you are in school and joining the cool kids is all that matters.  I think we’ve matured past that now and learned how to channel what we love into what we really feel.

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

F: Other music! We get really excited when we hear all the amazing and interesting music being created by the other musicians out there and that really drives us to get in the studio and make our own sounds.

What can punters expect from a Slumberjack live show?

We really enjoy doing DJ sets, which pays homage to where we started in the electronic music scene, but we also have huge respect for live bands. We’re fusing both the quick nature of DJing with the more organic approach of a live performance so Slumberjack’s live show is all about adaptability. We’ve set it up in such a way that we don’t have to stick to a set list which we feel can sometimes be too rigid.  Everything is interchangeable in the moment so we can judge the energy of the room and choose tracks accordingly. Morgan plays the MiniNova synth and sings into a talk-box and Fletch is all about wild flailing arm movements over on the drum machine.

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

F: I loved the video Emoh did for Ableton Live School and his advice which went along the lines of: whatever genre of music you’re making, use sounds and instruments which are the polar opposite of that genre. That’s why you’ll hear a lot of world music sounds and instruments coming through our beatsy and trap-esque tunes. 

M:  Best advice for me was from Mr. Carmack. We had the privilege of hanging out with him whilst he was in Perth.  His tip = no rules.  That was a real game-changer for us. Fletch and I were all about numbers, logic and precise technicality in our production work, but after seeing the man in action, we learnt to forget what we thought we knew, and just go with the flow.

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

Pretty much anything with Dofflin in the name. It’s almost impossible not to be happy listening to those sparkly records.

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

Our track, Felon. Loud.

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

Definitely Night Cruise’s “Say My Wat”.

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

Circo is a local gig right? A very impressive one too.  It was awesome to see acts like Sable, Basenji and Chiefs play out on the pretty impressive stages they had set up and getting the attention they truly deserve.

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

F: We’re surrounded by a wicked community in Perth with loads of acts doing their thang. DIE HIGH, a record label and collective which started around the same time that we did have been really supportive and have brought together a lot of the musicians in Perth - at times forcing us to collaborate on music by whipping us in the studio.

M: Lab Six for sure.  The fam there also started around the same the as us and it’s so inspiring to see them grow and give back to the community through classes, workshops and live streams.

What are your plans for Slumberjack in 2014?

Make more music and meet more awesome people. Hopefully it will be something that we can do for as long as we can; making a comfortable living off music is the dream!

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

Little Odessa started as a rock and roll covers band at a burlesque event. We started writing our own material and incorporating them into our sets. Our songs have a different flavour to the covers we were playing but we incorporate the same energy. If you listen closely enough you can hear Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly making love on the studio floor.

What can the crowd expect from a Little Odessa live show?

We pride ourselves on our live shows - we want to be as entertaining as possible. If we (and the audience) aren't drenched in sweat by the end of our set we weren't doin' it right.

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

"Weaselling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel." – Homer Simpson

What else is coming up for you in 2013 and then looking into 2014?

We’re going to finish off 2013 with a few more shows, and start preparing for a busy 2014. We plan to have a Music Vid, another Single and our EP out pretty early in 2014 and then were going to try and travel around and play to as many people as humanly possible.

Australian music is…?

…a force to be reckoned with.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

Angus and Jake Long (vocals and guitar) were keen to ditch the 8 string guitar breakdowns and pig squeals from a former band to do something more honest and relevant. This new direction took influence from the music they listen to day to day, which is more ‘Hard/Southern Rock’ like Every time I Die, Pantera & The Chariot. The addition of Eli Green and Nick Evans (Drums and Bass) helped this become a reality; their style was so well suited to this idea, it was like a match made in heaven. Not long after the recruitment of Eli and Nick, Tim Lawrence was brought in as a second guitarist to fill out the sound and bring more metal to the group. As a band we're very diverse in our influences, and we try to create a sound that resonates with people while still making music that is unique and interesting for us to write and perform. Of course, we also love bringing 'the kill' to a live show. We started out a little more straight-up southern-rock than we are now but gradually shifted into doing what felt more comfortable to us under the mantra of "being ourselves". As we found a little more metal creeping into the band it seemed to balance with the southern inspired hardcore sound we were already working with. People have said that we toe a fine line between metal & hardcore and I think that's a fair statement. We're very mindful of what "Life Pilot" sounds like, and we try to stick to it without favouring one genre or the other while keeping consistency in our sound.

You’re one of the winners of our Soundwave competition and are opening the main stage at 11am this Saturday 2nd March. What can Soundwave attendees in Adelaide expect from the Life Pilot live show?

As you can imagine we’re really excited to be given the opportunity to play such a massive festival alongside some of our biggest influences and idol bands. We doubt we’d have won if it weren’t for the support of one Triple J presenter in particular, Stu Harvey who has supported us ever since we sent him our demo. So an official ‘thanks mate’ to Stu, we owe you one. As for the show, you can expect an aggressive, high energy & very physical performance with the big sound to match. We'll be bringing the energy of our small stage show to the mammoth Soundwave main stage and we'll give our absolute all on the day. While we’re doing everything we can to show people who we are and what we're all about, we’ll be having the time of our lives. There's every chance that the show will end with broken instruments and broken band members.

Who are some other bands in the Australian heavy music scene that people should be checking out?

We've got a split coming out with Perth heavy-hitters, Statues, next month. They're a phenomenal live act, extremely talented musicians and we’ve got a lot of love for those boys. Closer to home, we're big believers in the small roster of southern-rock/hardcore bands that have arisen out of Adelaide: Mara Jade, A Ghost Orchestra & One in the Chamber are all excellent bands that deserve to be known and celebrated. In the East we’re quite fond of Safe Hands from Sydney who are stopping off in Adelaide at the end of their national tour to play our Split CD Launch on March 30 and Culprits from Melbourne who impressed everyone at Down & Dirty 2012 in October last year with some great music.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and by who?

The best advice we've been given and could possible give anyone can be reduced to three simple words: ‘be your self’. It has been said by many people but struck a chord when spoken by Petey Green on something as basic as how to eat a watermelon. This expression has been a motto of the band from the beginning and is instrumental in how we write our songs, perform our material and live our lives.

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

Obviously, Soundwave has our immediate attention, but also from early March we'll be taking pre-orders for our split with Statues (WA), entitled Compass, which will be released on 13.3.13. We'll be launching that in Adelaide on March 30 at the Crown & Anchor with Safe Hands (NSW), and the other Adelaide bands we mentioned earlier. After the launch we’re looking at touring interstate, as it's something we haven't done with this band and we're itching to do it. There are whispers of a self-funded U.S. tour at the end of the year as we’re keen to reach audiences abroad. Throughout the year we’ll be in the studio, tracking our next EP/Album. Pre-production has already started and we're really stoked on how some of the new material is sounding.

Australian music is…?

...something to be proud of, and invest in. Australian music offers a lot of diversity and talent within a wide range of genres. The heavy scene is becoming more popular than ever with ARIAs being awarded to heavy acts, and festivals like Soundwave are much more present in the public eye. There are heaps of local acts and talented artists just outside your doorstep that are hard working and more than willing to go the extra mile to make their career a reality. It's worth supporting and worth protecting. We're well aware that we wouldn't be as fortunate as we are without people getting behind independent Australian music.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

Our music blends the band dynamic with electronic sounds. Usually I (Tom) start writing songs on the guitar or keyboard, from there it's working on the computer with sounds, samples and MIDI. I like to work on my vocal melody and lyrics as the song grows and progresses. Working on the computer is great for us because we can really explore and form the song together.

You’re one of the winners of our BIGSOUND competition and will be playing the triple j Unearthed showcase event on Wednesday, September 11, at Oh Hello in Brisbane. What are you hoping to gain from your BIGSOUND experience?

We wanna have a fun night and play our best! We're looking forward to hanging out and making some new friends. You never know who you could bump into at Bigsound.

What can the crowd at the triple j Unearthed showcase expect from the MTNS live show?

Drums, guitars, vocals and synths!

What are you guys doing when you’re not making music?

Mostly we are hanging out at our jobs, working on music or spending time with our girlfriends...at least me and Robbie are ;)

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

We just started the Tigertown tour last week, so we're looking forward to some more shows. We've been working hard finishing up some more songs for our next release as well.

Australian music is…?

…the best!

Describe your music.

If I were to describe what I hope my music turns out to be, I'd say pop-driven tunes that still have an interesting musical production aspect to it. Although I am a bit of a muso nerd, I've learnt some valuable lessons about songwriting, very importantly that you can easily overdo anything when it comes to creativity. These days I'm trying to write things that are catchy, easy to memorise and easy to tap your foot to.

Who’s been a big musical influence for you?

Different artists influence different songs I write, seeing as I am a bit of a genre hopper. For example, 'Backflips' I think has a lot of Ben Folds in it, while 'Two Sides' and 'Different' show my respect for Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams. In terms of personal musical development and how its been influenced, way too many artists come to mind. Everything from Jeff Buckley to Mike Patton. Lately I've been listening to a lot of drum programming people like J Dilla, ?uestlove and the Platinum Pied Pipers -hence my increase in confidence with my own programming.

How do you start writing your songs? On the computer? Guitar?

Cool riffs usually just come out on guitar or on the keyboard when I'm screwing around, so I try to record them straight away before I forget them. I program a quick drum beat, loop it and record my idea in time with it and this becomes the central 'hook'. I tweak and build on that, adding new sections as I go.

Tell us about the local music community in Brisbane.

I don't know if I'm being socially ignorant, but I think the Brisbane music community is TINY! Everyone knows everyone so its easy to network and meet people. Its very easy to help your peers and help yourself get a name out there. It feels like the degrees of separation are very few and everyone seems to also be hooked up to Myspace... which is totally killer for being a whore.

What have you got planned for the future?

I'm studying at the moment (aiming for the stable future), but for the long-term I plan to hone my songwriting and production skills to the point where it can support me financially. Who knows what will hopefully come...the path of the poor musician is a hard one to follow. As hard as winning the lottery.

Australian music is…

...not to be underestimated. We have many world class artists in our locale that are sitting there undiscovered. Get out there and check out stuff you havent heard before! Is there anything Australian's aren't good at?

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I've been playing and writing music for pretty much my whole life. But this current Airling sound started with me writing the bones of songs with synths and Casio keyboard beats and then developing on these ideas in collaboration with Tom Iansek from Big Scary and Graham Ritchie (Emma Louise, Skinny Jean). I guess we just try to combine our individual tastes and creative colours to make a soundscape that allows the soul of the song to breathe. It's a pretty instinctual, organic and thoughtful process for us.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Other music, especially listening to a cool album while going for a run seems to really inject inspiration into my blood. As well, I seem to create and write a lot on my highs and during my lows. And my closest friends who I call family inspire me endlessly.

What can punters expect from an Airling live show?
A couple of best buds vibing out on some beats, samples, delays and a bunch of my feelings.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
To be truthful, gentle and fearless. Emma Louise gave it to me one birthday but it's a quote from Gandhi and it just resonates with the way I want to live my life

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Mobius Streak by Hiatus Kaiyote cause it's just so damn cool and sexy.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Vapour by Vancouver Sleep Clinic, this track just seems to take you to some sad but beautiful place in my opinion.

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
I'd most likely drop Holograms by Oscar Key Sung because it's one of my favourite tunes and it would probably inspire some epic sexy dance moves from people.

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I think it was probably a house party garage gig that I had in my backyard for my cousin Jack Carty. O' Little Sister supported him and they were both breathtaking, two sweet songwriters and honest humans.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Brisbane music community that inspire you.
There are so many, Brisbane has an extremely supportive and inspiring scene. Foremost my band mate Graham Ritchie aka Gray man but also my besties Emma Lou, Mikey Sheehan and Thelma Plum, Sleepy Tea and Matt Redlich (killer producer/photographer/musician/human).

What are your plans for Airling in 2014?
I just want to keep releasing and making music that I love and care about. So we'll be putting my debut EP out later in the year and touring with a couple more bands before then... Asgeir and The Paper Kites. Apart from that I'm working on writing heaps of songs for an album that I'm busting to start recording.

Tell us about your music – how did you develop your sound?

I think we got our sound from trying to sound like a bunch of really great singers and bands and sort of failing but then finding something we liked anyway. So it was all a bit of a deliberate accident. We listen to a lot of Spoon and a lot of good Australian stuff like The Go Betweens and The Drones - so something in that ballpark is what we're going for at the moment!

What should a punter expect at your show?

We have lots of male harmonies going on - people always comment on the manmonies.

Tell us about making music in the most isolated city in the world…

Perth is great because new bands always have a bunch of time to sort out their sound before anyone goes out to see them. So by the time anyone starts paying attention they're actually pretty good. And then everyone gets all excited and goes to see them and helps them out. Basically - it's a great place to hide your mistakes and a really great place to show off when you've sorted them out. It's tops!

What’s coming up in the future?

Our first EP is coming out really soon. It has 6 songs about London on it so we're looking forward to playing that to some friendly strangers. We're playing a few festivals soon too so we'll be trying to resist the urge to wear shorts on stage. We're also trying to build a studio where we can record our first album. It's really hard because we can see a brutal Perth summer on the horizon and the little garage we've built it in is almost definitely going to become a heat cauldron as soon as it gets anywhere near 30 degrees. We bought an air conditioner but it only cools half the room. I predict that we will be sweatily hanging out in that half of the room in the future. Also we don't have any money so when we say "build a studio" we mean "borrow everyone's gear and try not to break it".

Australian music is?

Pinball Les by Custard.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?
Our music is pretty diverse from song to song and it has taken us a long time to figure out the music that we really want to make. We listen to as much music as we can and spend a lot of time tinkering around on synths and whatever else we can get our hands on.

You’re one of the winners of our Laneway competition. What can the crowd at Laneway in Fremantle expect from the Crooked Colours live show?
Live drums, hard-synths and three sloppy rigs.  

Who are some other Australian bands/artists that everyone should be checking out this year?
Oscar Key Sung, Deja, PALACE, Safia, Yeo…. ect. You can pretty much throw a stick in Australia and chances are its gonna land on a talented muso right now.

What are your plans for Crooked Colours in 2014?
A fresh EP and a butt load of touring! The first of which will be an Aus tour late February with stops in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Australian music is…?
...hotter than a sausage sizzle at Bunnings on a Sunday!

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Collectively, we have a pretty wide variety of musical influences but the most important thing to us has always been the feels. For us, a song has to give you those warm, heady feelings in order for it to work. A big influence for I Know Leopard has come from a lot of the ballady, sunshine pop of the 70's like The Beach Boys, 10cc and Electric Light Orchestra. There's something about the warm, tight rhythm sections and romantic melodies that really hits home for us. So I guess we chose to engage with that vibe and try to bring a modernity to it.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Probably our friends. We are lucky enough to belong to a tight knit community of artists, musicians and filmmakers here in Sydney. Over the years, we have continued to collaborate and inspire one another. Its a wonderful thing to feel a sense of belonging to a group of like-minded people. It drives you further creatively and makes it all the more worth it. That's what 'Hold This Tight' is all about essentially. We wrote that song as a kind of ode to friendship and a vow of devotion to our little collective.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
The most memorable advice we ever received was from one of our best buddies Josh Moriarty from Miami Horror and All The Colours. We were discussing how, as an unsigned band, the music industry can be a bit of a jungle to navigate when you're starting out your career. His advice was as profound as it was succinct - "Nah, all you gotta do is keep making rad shit." True that, we all thought.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
An oldie but 'The song formerly known as' by Regurgitator has never failed to transform my day upon one listen.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Autoluminescent by Rowland S Howard. A devastatingly beautiful song by one of my favourite Australian artists ever. The melancholy in that voice coupled with the fragility evoked by the instrumentation is for me the ultimate tear-jerker.

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Probably Uncertainty by Jagwar Ma. I've lost myself on the d-floor a couple of times recently to that one. Its got such a great hook and makes you shake your ass at the same time as sending you into a psychedelic trance. Good combo.

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last gig I went to was in Sydney but the band was actually a Melbourne outfit called Jimmy Tait. It was at this super cool, intimate little venue in Newtown called The Midnight Special. Uniquely, the stage there is split so that half the band plays on one side of the room and the other half plays on the other. Jimmy Tait were wonderful. Their songs were kind of like gothic tinged lullabies. The frontwoman's vocals were so effortlessly melodic and they just floated perfectly above the conversely dark and at times noise-esque vibe of the band. They were so enjoyable! I highly recommend.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
Just as inspiring as all the amazing bands in Sydney are the venue bookers, managers and promoters who continue to put on gigs every week regardless of turnouts. It shows how much they do it for the love of music. A few years ago Sydney was experiencing a bit a lull in the live music scene but I think it's fast recovering thanks to all the new venues popping up around Sydney lately, giving more and more bands an outlet to present their work. As far as bands go, I really like it that Sydney doesn't have a signature sound. It is a city of largely disparate styles. We love Little Bastard, Battleships, The Laurels, Dappled Cities and our great comrades Rapids who have recently called it quits but have the most exciting new incarnation on the rise called 'Mossy' which is sure to blow everyone's minds.

What are your plans for I Know Leopard in 2014?
Well we just shot a clip for Daisy Eyes on the weekend so that will be out in a week or so.  Our EP, Illumina also drops on May 16th and we will be announcing a national tour to support it very soon! We have also been busy writing songs for a new record so we can't wait to bunker down in the studio once again.
 

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

We've been making music together for quite a few years, so we have slowly refined and developed our sound over that time. These days we describe our music as 'future pop', mainly because we try to make our production as progressive and experimental as possible. Because of this our sound is pretty eclectic and ranges from pop to psychedelia to electronic. We both sing and often blend our voices together to create a layered boy-girl vocal sound, but some tracks feature just boy or just girl vocals. We love heavy beats and lush synths, weird sounds and a blend of digital and organic elements.

You’ve mentioned working in home studios. What’s your creative and recording process like?

All of our work is done out of our home studio. We often start with a beat (most of the time dreamed up by haxx at 3am in the morning while he's in owl mode) and build a song from there. Once we have a beat we'll flesh out the track with cords, synths, etc, then figure out song structure and vocals. Lyrics often come last, after everything is pretty much done. We often record scratch vocals to test out vocal sounds and ideas, and then once we're happy with that we'll write the lyrics and finish recording the song, adding harmonies and little details. We're a bit manic though; sometimes we take a song all the way to the end, even get it mastered, and then never release it because we've moved on from the idea or think we can create something better. More recently instead of just ditching tracks we've been trying to think of ways to rework them, or transform them to be used in different ways for different projects.

What’s a DEJA live show like?

A DEJA live show is pretty fun; we play with some really rad musicians, and take turns in playing different instruments like guitar, keys, percussion etc. Both of us sing. Like our recorded tracks, the live set is a real blend between digital and organic.

What are you doing when you’re not DEJA-ing?

We try to chillllll. Haxx plays a lot of 'Quake Live', Rromarin is into animals and the natural world, and both of us spend way too much time watching shows like Seinfeld and Archer. We also spend a lot of time in the studio working with other bands.

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

2013 is looking pretty exciting, mostly because we're going to release our debut EP in July. We'll also be releasing more music videos, playing a bunch of shows throughout the rest of the year, and working on the side as haxx and Rromarin in different music projects and collaborations. Who knows, we might even squeeze out another EP before 2013 is through…stay tuned!

Australian music is…?

...super original, world class and kicking massive goals right now.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
My sound was developed by sitting down for countless hours and playing around. There’s no great secret or synth, just a set of guidelines that I want my music to sound like.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I'm extremely inspired by contrast between light and dark in art. Having uplifting, bright moments that progress into dark moody follow ups. I'm really inspired by artists like David Choe and Greg Simkins who manage to walk the line between the two in their own unique ways.

What can punters expect from a Golden Features live show?
The shows are going to be a lot of my own music, remixes and edits.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Best piece of advice I ever got was from Emoh Instead, he suggested that I listen to songs front to back, not just skip through. You can miss out on a lot of great music having that "skip to the drop" approach.
 
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
I would play them tapes of my manager singing Bardot - 'Poison'.
 
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Frenzal Rhomb - 'All You Friends'.

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Aston Shuffles remix of 'Goodbye Future' is a heater
 
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Last show I went to was one of the Nina Las Vegas shows, it was brilliant. Tkay Maidza was amazing.
 
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
What So Not have been really inspiring. They've made forward thinking club music that’s completely unique to them. Music that works in clubs and on iPods.

What are your plans for Golden Features in 2014?
2014 should be interesting.. A couple of remixes in the works, definitely another EP which will be substantially bigger than the first and a bit of touring in the latter half of the year. Exciting stuff!

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

Our sound has developed quite a bit just through playing together and getting better at our instruments. Certain things like the lack of hi-hats and lots of toms in the drumming have arisen simply out of necessity; we didn't actually own any hi-hats in the beginning and now we've become attached to Ashley's jungle woman drumming style. The double vocals probably have as much to do with taste as with neither of us wanting to be a lead singer, and the melodic, intertwining guitar and bass lines from neither of us being a "real" bass player. Pretty much we just do whatever we think sounds good and are hopefully evolving musically with each thing we do...

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

Red wine and seeing awesome bands play from Perth and elsewhere.

What can punters expect from a Dianas live show?

Drums like a runaway train, awkward banter and instrument swapping that doesn't quite go smoothly.

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

"Easy on the ride" - Chris Wright, local sound engineer and drummer.

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

The Saints 'Stranded'. Beaches 'Send Them Away'.

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

Rowland S. Howard 'Shut Me Down'.

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

Kylie Minogue 'I Should Be So Lucky'. Flower Drums 'Birthday Girl'

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

Runner + Antelope + Place of Indigo instrumental show at The Bird. They were all very musically amazing and the lack of vocals wasn't lacking at all.

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

Two new favourite Perth bands are Kitchen People and The Pissedcolas who have been playing a fair few shows together alongside more established acts such Laurel Fixation, Shit Narnia, Aborted Tortoise and Catbrush. They seem to have developed a special (non-exclusive) kind of scene on their own. I think the most outstanding common thread between these bands is their emotionally earnest approach of writing and playing. The Perth music community is pretty inspiring in general :)

What are your plans for Dianas in 2014?

Write some new songs and record an album. Pretty classic band things. Hopefully play some shows in other cities!

Tell us about your music – how did you develop your songs?

It started with me mucking around making some dicky little beats on GarageBand, and one day I figured out how to record my voice. I found the song writing process started to come alive for me once I was able to write and at the same time create all the instrumentation too. Rather than just trying to write a whole song solely on the guitar. I wasn't great at that… I saw Angus and Julia Stone one time at this little restaurant that only held 100 people, and was blown away by their honesty and simplicity, and watching them just being themselves. Best gig I've been to by far. I was so inspired and it really sparked something in me. I started approaching song writing with a fresh perspective. I wasn't over thinking the process, or trying to be too clever, or trying to write the 'perfect' song, more just trying to capture a moment. Whether an emotion, an incident, or just whatever was going through my head... So my songs are kind of just a sneak peek into my life. Like a diary in musical form. Maybe I could do a musical?

What can the audience expect at a live show?

At the moment it'll be me on my lonesome, singing with my lovely lady friend (my guitar). I'll also dabble in some electro beats. Some call it folktronica which I quite like (GarageBand will always have a place in my heart).

Tell us about your hometown Bensville…

Bensville is great. So much so that some people who live 10 minutes away have never even heard of it! Ha. But it's got everything you need really: A wharf, a playground, a shop that never opens… Maybe that's why I started making music. I actually don't live there anymore, but we'll pretend that I do because it would be a horrible waste to have Bensville in the question and not talk about it.

What’s coming up in the future?

"The life and times of DLK." It's a musical I've been planning for a while now. No. That would be silly. Seriously? There will be an EP coming out soon which will be great, and hopefully plenty of shows to go with it. So that'll be fun. I've also got heaps of songs spinning around my head and on my computer, so I hope to get things rolling, and do an album asap!

Australian music is?

Genius. I was just in the car with my sister and we put on a shuffle mix and we realised that all the songs that were being played were by Australian artists. We were so impressed with our country for making such good music, and so much of it! I love Aussie music.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

We originally started off as just wanting to make noisy garage tunes and stuff like that, real guitar driven without much thought for lyrics and melody. I think the major development throughout the course of our music has been maintaining this really chaotic distortion and atmosphere whilst becoming a lot more interested in pop dimensions and trying to create catchy hooks and all that jazz.

You’re the winners of Unearthed High 2013. What are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?

Too stokeddd! It's been majorly rad having our song played on the radio and being able to professionally record a song instead of just doing it in my garage (haha!). I think we're all just keen to finish the HSC and then really assess what we're going to do with the band.

What’s your favourite memory of seeing live Australian music?

Watching Dune Rats in some dudes house in Byron. Best night everrr!!!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and by who?

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me, and it'll happen to you, too." - Abe Simpson, tellin' it how it is.

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

Hopefully lots of different things. There's definitely some gnarly dates that are gonna be marked in our calendar.

Australian music is…?

…righteous!

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

I like to write pop songs, deconstruct them and rearrange them for electronics and live instruments. I play a range of instruments including saxophone, piano, guitar, synths, harp and various knick-knacks that I sample and make beats with. Often I will spend hours in my bedroom studio with a cup of tea and Asian snacks, experimenting with loops and voice, blending tape with digital things, and layering warped samples upon organic sounds.

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.

I'm constantly amazed and feel pumped when I attend friends' gigs. Sydney's creative output is really diverse. Golden Blonde, Moon Holiday, Jonti, Thomas William and Sui Zhen are some of my favourites. My newest obsession is Black Vanilla though because they make the best grinding jams and are incredible onstage.

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

I performed in Karen O's opera "Stop the Virgens" last year at the Sydney Opera House. On opening night, Karen gave us the most fierce pep talk ever. Basically, she told us to not give a damn about anyone else in the crowd because we're doing this for us and we'd become a close and empowered group of women. Many expletives were used. When I get nervous before a show, I chant Karen's words and remember that if you're putting yourself 100% out there, people are going to connect and ultimately respect what you do.

What are you doing when you’re not making music?

Besides buying too much secondhand clothing and knick-knacks, I am obsessed with cooking for people! I love baking, whipping together a delicious stir fry or making Asian desserts including "tang yuan". It's a glutinous rice dumpling with a pocket of peanut butter and brown sugar inside, served in a ginger sweet broth. Probably really bad for your teeth!

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

I'll be making a film clip, playing Bigsound and OutsideIn Festival which includes performing in a supergroup that's recreating The Avalanches' "Since I Left You" live, write an album, more collaborations. And, oh, marry James Blake.

Australian music is…?

…humble and innovative. Also, Kylie Minogue, preferably singing and riding on a novelty-sized giant thong.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

Nic: It's definitely still developing. Im genre bi-polar, I like to embrace change and movement. I think genres should be explored and maybes exploited. I really enjoy pushing for new sounds.

You’re the Melbourne winners of our Listen Out competition and will be playing the festival at the Royal Botanic Gardens on Saturday, 5 October. What are you most looking forward to about Listen Out?

Mish: Welllllll, Nic's sister is flying over from WA to cop the show. She hasn't seen a friendships set yet, so that will be pretty dope. Shoutouts to Ernie. Legitimately looking forward to copping a decent boogie. Hudmo, Lunice and talabot will be off their respective gutsses.

What can the crowd at Listen Out expect from the friendships live show?

Hopefully a full audio/visual show (still investigating the logistics). We love a groove so we will be chootzing pretty hard. got some new rhythm and vissy's to sling about. it should be a good time, it's the rap game doe.

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

"Don't be precious about your art." - Michelle Mantsio (Mish's Uni Lecturer). Never truer words have been uttered.

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

A few good parties. Few good projects. Paradise Music Festival will be off it's guts. We have a tour with Audego this October + November, Paso Bionic & Big Fella chootz hard, nuff said.

Australian music is…?

…incredibly dope! Totally inspiring. Some of the hottest grooves live right under our noses and will get the attention it deserves. Embrace community. Community is everything.

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

We just got together to play at a friend's party when the band arranged he had dropped out. We practiced once in this fridge warehouse across the road from the West End Brewery and we enjoyed it so we decided to keep going. The warehouse is really echo-y so it lends itself to loud intense songs. Everyone brought a little something to the table. We mainly just wanted to concentrate on having good songs rather than a particular new sound - just guitar music and all the sounds that come along with that. Not too many bells and whistles. After a while we didn't always practice in the warehouse and practised at one or other of our houses. So then we wrote some songs that aren't so intense. More like love songs.

What’s a Bad Dreems live show like?

We enjoy them. We hope other people do.

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

No one gave us this advice directly directly but We learned it from observing our friends who make good music or art and that is to just get out there and do it; don't sit around waiting but write songs, start bands, organise your own shows, meet other bands, make videos. Get involved lad!

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Adelaide music community that inspire you.

One of the reasons for starting the band was that there was not much going on here at all that we found inspiring. I (Alex) had moved back from Melbourne and was a bit bummed about that. But then I discovered some cool bands/artists like Hit The Jackpot, Bitch Prefect, Peak Twins and Terrible Truths. Then they all left, mainly for Melbourne :(. But easily the best band in Adelaide at the moment is Old Mate which is Pat from Bitch Prefect's band. They are a seven piece band that sound like Street Hassle-era Lou Reed if Lou had grown up in Gawler rather than New York. But Pat is moving to Melbourne too...There was a label here in the 80s called Greasy Pop that released a lot of great stuff, like Bloodloss. Because there was not much going on we just wanted to be different. A lot of the bands we are inspired by like The Clean, The Go-Betweens, The Scientists etc. developed the way they did because they didn't feel they could contribute to what was going on around them and just wanted to do their own thing. DK from The Metro (a new-ish venue) is pretty inspiring - he books the bands there and has really created a good place to play and to have bands from interstate visit.

What’s coming up for you in 2012?

We are doing a show with Wavves and then we are planning to make a couple more videos for some new songs and also record a heap of new songs with our mentor Jack Farley.

Australian music is…?

pretty good we reckon.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

The Gunns sound has had a slow and steady development. The project basically began with some electronic drum samples and a fuzz pedal. I didn't know a whole lot about recording in those early stages so it's kind of been a process of trial and error trying to get the sounds from inside of my head to come out of the speakers.

What's a live Gunns show like?

Hopefully more grunge than anything. We don't use synths or samples live so the sound is way less polished. We love the idea of having a separate vision for the live stuff. We try to keep the recordings lush and dreamy and the live sound more grunge. I love the idea of playing a beautiful melody in the dirtiest way imaginable.

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Perth music community that currently inspire you?

Besides the obvious inspiration from Kevin Parker, Cam Avery and the entire Pond family......Rabbit Island is probably my favourite Perth artist. We're working together on at least two tracks that will be on our debut album. She plays live shows with just a loop pedal and creates the most amazing soundscapes and then sings the most delicate melodies on top......flooded with reverb of course. We're also collaborating with Claque, a writer/producer/legend. He's an upright bass player who writes a lot of film scores and is pretty handy with a violin bow. We've been experimenting with string arrangements played on double bass. You get this weird kind of scratchy haunting sound and because there are no frets you can double track and get this cool slightly out of tune phaser effect. It's pretty unique and dramatic when you get it right.

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

We are playing support at Violent Soho's Perth dates this week, Oct 31 at Mojos Freo and Nov 1 at Amplifier Perth. We are launching our Live by the Sea 7" on Nov 16 at the Norfolk Hotel. We're currently working on a split 7" with Perth bros HAMJAM which is on target for an early 2014 release. We're also chipping away at a full length album which were hoping to release by mid 2014. We've just been confirmed for a festival this summer but I'm not sure if we're allowed to say too much about that yet, so stay tuned...

Australian music is…?

…some of the best in the world! ESPECIALLY in Perth. I'm so excited to be a part of the culture over here in WA. There's a whole lotta mateship going on and it's creating some amazing bands. It's inspiration at its peak. What is better than hanging out with your buds, sipping a few frothies and recording a song on a sunny afternoon? It may just be the home recording revolution but I really feel like Australia has embraced it more than any other country. I can't speak for everyone, but I believe old mate Kevin Parker has inspired an entire country (if not the world) to forget about the technicalities and just press record and go for it.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

We call it literature rock. It and we came to be through a long process of passive aggressive coercion and compromise. And here we are, in passively aggressive coerced and compromised love.

You’re one of the winners of our Laneway competition and will be opening the festival in Adelaide - what can Laneway punters expect from the Sincerely, Grizzly live show?

Three very poorly veiled ear to ear smiles, six nervous eyes and twelve flailing limbs.

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Adelaide music community that inspire you?

How much time do you have? Adelaide had and has some incredible bands; Zeta (RIP), Lumonics (RIP), Bad Girls of The Bible (RIP), Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!, Steering By Stars, The Honey Pies, Horror My Friend, Charlie Monsoon; producers Aidan Moyse (Hawks of Alba, Curses), Matt Hills (Wolf and Cub, Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!) and people Spoz (Spoz's Rant), Luke Penman (Play/Pause/Play) and Colin (I'm not actually sure what he does but he's everywhere). The industry side of things meanwhile seems to me to be moving in a positive direction too; 5/4 Entertainment, Fourwords and Cats, Clarity Records, Pilot Records, Db Magazine, By Popular Demand, all contributing to that. Those bands, people and institutions inspire us because I think they all believe in the idea that if you create something truly good and work hard, you'll be rewarded for it.

What’s your earliest memory of seeing live Australian music?

It's not my earliest memory, but the first band I saw that really moved me were a local band called Zeta. Their songs were as amazing as their live show, which included (but was not limited to) their singer/guitarist Sascha playing in a white boxing robe, shirtless with crass things written on his body in texta, smashing guitars, but always with this remarkable inability to tune his guitar. That really resonated with me.

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

We'll be heading around Australia to play some shows in March and April with our west coast connect, Dead Owls. Then we'll be doing some more recording, hopefully another video or two and then hopefully releasing said music and video/s. And shows, more shows. And hopefully more festivals too. Basically anything and everything we can.

Australian music is…?

...killing it! Emperors, Dead Owls and Mezzanine from WA, Luca Brasi from Tassie, I, A Man from VIC, Ted Danson With Wolves from NSW, Tape/Off, Violent Soho and The Medics from QLD and the aforementioned from home. It's so good!

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

I have been singing for a long time and like most people, I learned to sing by copying and trying to sound like other singers. I didn't work out my own thing really until I started writing, with no reference for my unsung songs I was forced to create a sound. But you can definitely hear all my influences I think and I love that they're always changing and so is my voice and writing. Growing up I listened to lots of soul thanks to my Dad, my Mum sings Irish folk songs and I was obsessed with pop of course. I like big voices and a bit of that drama - the ones that sing because they have to or they would die sort of thing, like Edith Piaf.

You’re the Victorian winner of our Falls Festival competition and will be playing the festival in Lorne at the end of the year. What can Falls punters expect from the Meg Mac live show?

I will be playing on New Years Eve and I am going to sing my little heart out. I play with two boys, a drummer and keys player and my little sister sings backing for me, it's pretty cute and she sounds just like me. Expect some electronic elements, big piano sounds, hand claps and lots of singing by me. We have new songs which we are going to play and help everyone get ready for the big day of music ahead and hopefully Meg Mac can help people feel ready to take on the new year.

What are you most looking forward to about the festival?

This is my favourite thing to happen to me all year and I still read the lineup every day just to give me that special feeling. Apart from actually playing, which is what I am definitely most looking forward to, it is all of the other bands and artists that are playing. Getting to watch all of their sets and then just the whole festival vibe, the camping, the photos, the people, the bands, the NYE thing - it is just guaranteed good times. And Solange.

What’s your earliest memory of performing music? How old were you?

I first started proper singing (singing lessons etc) when I was nine and once I discovered that I had a big voice, I could not get enough of Vanessa Amorosi…please don't judge me. 'Absolutely Everybody' was my favourite.

What else is coming up for you in 2013 and then looking into 2014?

I've got a few gigs coming up before the big Falls, that's what I call it now. On the 29th November I am supporting Georgia Fair at Howler in Melbourne. My 2014 is shaping up to be a pretty good year so far, it looks like my first album will be on its way! And I am looking forward to more stuff happening to me, and some more songs to happen to me too.

Australian music is…?

A lot of the time I will listen to music and not know/care where it comes from, but it is pretty awesome when I know something is Australian and suddenly I feel a little bit proud? It is weird, like I am suddenly connected to the music because the artist is Aussie just like me and my dreams become a little more achievable.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

We both have a lot of different musical influences but tend to favour the louder heavier ones for OX. Usually one of us will have a bit of an idea in our heads - either a bass riff or a beat on the drums. Then we just go with it. Usually making it as loud and hard hitting as we can. If it's fun for us to play we know we're heading in the right direction.

What can the crowd expect from an OX live show?

The two of us just bring the raw energy to the stage which seems to resonate with the audience really well. We both have a lot of fun rehearsing and what you'd see at a live show is not too dissimilar to what you'd see in the weeks leading up while we're preparing our set.

How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of each other?

We first met through a post on a musician classifieds about 8 years ago looking for a drummer for a garage punk band. I think we were both hung over and to be honest not a whole lot was said but the music did enough talking. (DAVE:) Joel had a very interesting style on the drums and I later learned that he was probably way over qualified for the music we were playing at the time. That band eventually fell apart but the two of us kept trying to put other bands together eventually giving up and going for a two piece. (JOEL:) I knew Dave's blue eyes would get him far in this business.

What Australian artists/musicians do you draw inspiration from?

The local shredders like Batpiss, Spermaids, DEAD and Bone just to name a few. Melbourne has a pretty awesome music scene going on at the moment with some amazing bands out there playing, recording and releasing quality tunes. Very inspirational to be around.

What else is coming up for you in 2013 and then looking into 2014?

Taking a bit of time to come up with some new material. Hopefully release it early in 2014 and start playing some more shows.. But anything could happen. We tend to take the band on a day by day basis but always have our eyes out for something to be part of.

Australian music is…?

...bringin' da ruckus.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

We make Lo-Fi Pop music influenced by the sounds of the 80's and 90's. Our songs juxtapose fuzzy rhythms with more clean, dreamy melodies to create upbeat, intelligent pop music. We make both fast and loud songs as well as slower introspective tracks, and are keen to establish that any two Braves songs can, and often do, sound very different from each other. Our sound was developed by trying to replicate the qualities and styles of artists we admire, particularly current artists in American music scene. Because we draw from relatively niche genres and bands, a lot of our writing and production process involves trial and error, improvisation and iteration.

What’s a Braves live show like?

Our live show is definitely more loud and brash than our recordings. We tend to distill our songs into their most core ideas and sounds for live performances to give the most entertaining performance. A good example is a song like Saw You, that, while in the recording is quite mellow, becomes much more visceral in a live context. We do a great deal of swapping around and role reversal too, in one song one of us will be playing lead guitar, in another, bass. The drummer even swaps to guitar and vocals in a particular cover we play. Everyone usually sings at least once as well. We definitely want our recordings and live performances to be two separate, but complimentary beasts.

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Australian music community that inspire you?

We're particularly inspired by artists like Bored Nothing. Fergus created a pretty uncompromising vision for his songs that didn't necessarily fit the mould of what is popular in Australia right now, and through the strength of his songwriting and ambition, received national recognition. We feel that there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between Bored Nothing and Braves.

What are you guys doing when you’re not playing in Braves?

Alex is a Graphic Designer who has worked with bands like Rainy Day Women, and created their Sleigh Bed EP cover and initial tour posters. Sean is in the last year of his Urban & Regional Planning degree. He also has a very catchy side project called Sunny. Kieran is a photographer who also studied Graphic Design. Liam is a successful painter, and studied Illustration at university. So you'd think someone, anyone, in Perth would want to give us a job, but you'd be wrong.

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

2013 will see us developing and executing our live show as often as we can, as well as releasing at least another EP. We have plenty of material lying about, so it's just a matter of getting it in a state worthy of releasing.

Australian music is…?

The Australian music scene is a unique place for artists to occupy, and can be one of the best in the world if you know how to market yourself, but at other times it can feel very segregated from the rest of the world. There's gold here if you know where to dig.

Eleanor is one of our winners from the Top Song competition! Check out the winners from each state and all the details on the competition page »

Describe your music

I cant really write about my own music, i'm a terrible self critic but if I had to describe it I would probably say its progressive as in I like to change the sounds around and I often am jumping from one melody to another quite frequently.

How do you go about writing a song? Lyrics or music first?

For the songs on the Prime EP I started out by writing lyrics and then sitting down at my piano and coming up with chords and progressions but lately when writing for my band I have been coming up with lyrics as I write the music.

Who would you most like to tour with or learn from as a songwriter?

Muse and Matt Bellamy.

What was the last CD you bought? what made you buy it?

Spoon- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga I really liked that Japanese Cigarette Case song.

What do you do when you're not making music?

Working at a media agency, hanging out with my boyfriend who is also my guitarist in Cameras, playing some social tennis, eating a lot...

What have you got planned for the future?

Well cameras have just recorded a 4 track demo and we're currently rehearsing for some up coming gigs. We plan to eventually write and record an album and tour.

Australian music is...

Largely overlooked

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

We started off making cheap imitations of the music we like at the time; Justice, Deadmau5, Bagraiders, Phantoms Revenge. We loved that stuff and we just did it for fun, we never thought music would get to the level it's gotten to. At some point we decided we had to change our sound if we were going to be taken seriously. Coincidently we were listening to some pretty cool stuff at the time that led to us making the stuff we do today. People like Flylo and Purity Ring, just to name the main influences.

You’re one of the Sydney winners of our Listen Out competition and will be playing the festival at Centennial Park on Saturday, 28 September. What are you most looking forward to about Listen Out?

Seeing the amazing acts that will be playing. We love Disclosure and TNGHT respectively they're all amazing song writers and have hit that perfect level between staying true to a genre and original, but also having pop sensibilities that make them so viable in the mainstream.

What can the crowd at Listen Out expect from the Cosmo’s Midnight live show?

A brand new live set. We've got heaps of new tunes for Listen out and we're going to be playing some of them for the first time. Should be pretty cool.

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Australian music community that inspire you?

Mitzi, Charles Murdoch, Sable, Wave Racer, Willow Beats, Leon Osborne, Collarbones, Polographia, Jonti, Tame Impala, Pond, FISHING... there are definitely more but that's all I can think of right now.

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

More singles...maybe a free EP, some more shows and lots of producing in the bedroom. 2014 is going to be a sick year and we've got to prepare for it.

Australian music is…?

…on the up and up!

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

I think the main thing that stands out with my sound are my vocals and the many layers of melodies and harmonies I put in tracks. That's something I've been doing ever since I was young so I suppose that element has been a long time in the making. I love love harmonies.

You’re the winner of our Field Day competition and will be playing the fest on New Years Day in Sydney. What can the crowd at Field Day expect from the KLP live show?

It's pretty upbeat and all electronic. I have a drummer playing an electronic kit and I'll be singing loads and triggering a bunch of samples. I'll also be debuting some visuals which have been made especially for Field Day.

What are you most looking forward to about the festival?

Besides my set (which i am incredibly excited about) I'm really looking forward to seeing Solange and London Grammer.

What are your plans for KLP in 2014?

I have so much already planned it's crazy. A bunch of new solo tunes and a tonne of collabs.

If you had to make one new years resolution, what would it be?

To take more time out to chiiiilllll.

Australian music is…?

…sooo hot right now.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

I basically began rapping from mimicking the young money crew - Nicki Minaj, Lil wayne etc - and my friends and I used to make funny videos and just chuck them up on Youtube as a good past time. From there on I just decided to write originals but they weren't anything special. I was picked for an initiative called N1 and that's how I was paired up with Badcop. After ‘Handle My Ego’ I realized there were more realms in Hip Hop and music in general and I declared myself an alternative rapper. Im still trying to find what my ‘thing’ is but I love the whole rave/craziness due to my short attention span, ha!

What were the artists or songs that initially inspired you to get into music?

Ahh there’s so many! Mostly mainstream musicians like Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Rihanna, Lil wayne, Outkast inspired me mainly. Bottoms up by Nicki Minaj and Power by Kanye West were my first ever remixes I posted on Youtube like 2 years ago.

What are the pros and cons of being an underage artist and performer?

The Cons: That it’s previously been a struggle for me to play at clubs, or to hang around after my gigs because of the licencing of the venues. Sucks. Also maybe not being taken seriously sometimes can be annoying, but its not that much of a bad thing, I just have to prove them wrong. The Pros: It would be just to have the opportunity, I guess you get treated specially because people are like ‘Ahh she’s only this young’ its a great feeling to know that I’m doing well for my age or just in general.

Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Adelaide music community that currently inspire you?

There’s so many bands, producers and people in Adelaide to name, I cant even deal. The Killgirls have the coolest light show and intensity/energy in their live show - its definitely what I’d like for my live show in the future. Bad//Dreems - they’re the coolest dudes ever, so humble, so funny and they’re so talented and they’re doing so well right now it's insane. Every rapper in Adelaide is an inspiration for me, people are so passionate for Hip Hop - I like what Allday is doing - his versatility and creativity in music is so cool, jealous. Theres so many more musicians I want to name but I’d be here all day. (see what I did there?)

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

I used to play tennis really competitively and I think the sport has taught me that once one point ends you have to carry onto the next one win or lose - if you dwell on something that happened 10 minutes ago you could/will lose. So in other words my coaches and the sport have told me not to dwell in the past but always live in the present, working onto the bigger picture (which is winning the game). Which is so relevant in music. You have to keep on moving!

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

I have my first ever tour coming up, the ‘Brontosaurus Tour’. So excited! That's during November and December. Also planning on releasing the music video for Bronto as well!

Australian music is…?

That hot chick next door that everyone has started realising is so hot and wants to know. Like seriously, give it a few more months and this chicks going to get so many inboxes on Facebook. I’m so excited to see what happens in the next few months, and I think its something so special to be a part of.

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

The electronic world is still very, very new to me! Up until quite recently I’d been focusing on writing acoustic folky stuff, which I guess is now more of a side project. After producing ‘We Washed Texas’ for the Bon Iver Stems Project, I developed this newfound appreciation for dry beats and clicks. I couldn’t get enough of it, and I slowly started turning my acoustic songs into something more ‘glitchy’ and electronic. Everything came together really quickly after that; I’ve collaborated online with some great friends from all corners of the world, and together we’re working on my first EP.

What’s a St. South live show like?

Believe it or not I’m yet to play a live show! It’s really important to me that when I start gigging, I’m completely happy with my material and live set-up. Once my EP is complete, I’ll start wrapping my head around putting together a live show, with an electronic band and a full set list of original tracks. I think I’d get lonely up there with just my laptop!

Tell us about growing up in Denmark, WA. What are your strongest memories of that time?

Denmark has to be one of the best places to be a kid: my brother and I would spend our spare time going feral on the ‘back tracks’ of the bush, we’d take our bikes out for the day, build cubbies, and come back looking like little grubs. Music was definitely a huge part of my childhood. I remember dancing around the kitchen bench to The Pogues with my dad, and singing along to an old Tracy Chapman cassette with my Mum on the way to school. My earliest memory of seeing live music is packing a picnic and heading to Albany with my family to see the Waifs and Paul Kelly - all us kids would take off our shoes and run wild. No-one does live music like Denmark hippies.

What are some of the biggest influences on your music and why?

My biggest influences were the music my parents raised me on, because no matter where I am I’ll always feel a sense of nostalgia when I hear it, and I guess that’s one of those associations that builds your creative ‘personality’ the most. Nina Simone, Elvis Costello, The Waifs, Leonard Cohen: it’s an eclectic mix but they all inspire me for different reasons. As for my more current influences, I’m loving acts like Daughter, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Tiny Ruins, Frank Ocean, and Mama Kin, and am constantly finding new obsessions here on Unearthed. And it probably goes without saying that Justin Vernon can falsetto my socks off any day.

What’s coming up for you in 2013?

I’m working really hard to finish off my EP, which involves a couple of collaborations that I’m super excited about. But I guess my main goal is just to learn as much as I can. Rather than setting deadlines for myself, I think its important that I just take my time and enjoy the process!

Australian music is…?

…Koala-tea, not quantity.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I am a Hip Hop artist from Perth, Australia – I am a beat maker and an MC. A lot of people tell me that my sound and style is really different to what is going on in Australian hip hop at the moment, and I take it as a great compliment. I grew up listening to hip hop in Primary School so it’s always been there, and as hip hop grew, I grew with it. I think the main thing for me was to take my influences and create something original and different.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I am huge music fan. I am fan before I am an artist. So other music is probably my biggest inspiration. I want to make people feel the way the same way that a de la soul song made me feel. Other than that, life’s experiences are a big influence on me – love, girls, and philosophy. For me, Hip Hop is essentially soul music, so it’s the pains and joys in my life that inspires me to create.

What can punters expect from a Coin Banks live show?
RAPS! I am a rappers rapper, an mc’s mc. My main focus is to do my job and deliver the song as well as possible. That being said, I love crowd interaction, I love the old school house party vibe of partying with the crowd. If the crowd has a good time, then im gona have good time. My favourite shows are playing with a full band. I rarely get to play these because of budgetary constraints, but the songs really come to life when there is a 7 piece band behind me.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Over the years, Homeboy Sandman has become a bit of a big brother to me. If I overstep the boundary, he is quick to step in and set me right. I love the dude for the guidance he has given me. He isn’t only one of the best MC’s in the world; he is also one of the most intelligent and nicest dudes I know.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Chet Faker – No Diggity (Cover)

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Ta-Ku – I miss you

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

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
It was a Bush Fire Fundraiser in Perth. Started with Natalie Mae and  Rae doing an acoustic set together, I love these guys and their performance is always something special. Then Marksman Lloyd played, and he killed it as per usual. I had to leave just after his set finished, but was a great night with great people.

Tell us about the bands or people in the WA music community that inspire you.
Marksman Lloyd – He is my favourite MC in WA, if not all of Australia. His work ethic and originally are really inspiring – I always tell him how jealous I am of his stuff. One of my closest homies!
Mathas – I don’t really need say much about this guy, I love everything about the music he makes – he inspires me and makes me step my game up.
Ta-Ku – I’ve worked with Ta-Ku for over the years, and am happy to call him one of my best friends. He has always supported me in music and personal life, and vice versa. Dude is an inspiration for everyone in Perth.
Empty – This guy can play every instrument, rap, sing and freestyle something incredible. I’m always watching what he is up to next, and I suggest the rest of Australia do the same.
Sable – Young, talented, humble and passionate. This guy has such a bright future ahead of him, and I am super excited to be working with him on a few songs.
Childs Play, Beckon, Cole, Strangelove – These guys are all new young up and comers in the Perth scene and are already making waves. They all have a great work ethic and I am looking forward to seeing them grow as artists in the scene. They keep me on my toes.

What are your plans for Coin Banks in 2014?
Having the HEADS EP released on March 7th was a relief, but it now means I need to move on to the next page. Im going to let HEADS do its thing for a little bit, and to follow it up I have the TAILS EP featuring two singles with video clips. The Tails EP has my most favourite song of all time on it, I love everything on the HEADS EP but one of the singles on the TAILS EP is really special, and I cant wait to release it. I am currently working on my Debut solo LP with two songs already completed – one produced by Ta-Ku and another by Nottz from Detroit. As well as my solo stuff,  UPNUP have been busy writing new material to take into the studio. I have also been working with Sable and Marksman on an EP. 2014 should be a great year.