While living in Australia for the last three years, I’ve looked for cool local music–the best young songwriters who sound poised for an international breakout (if they haven’t done it already). In recent weeks, I’ve highlighted a few of my top picks–mostly in my favorite genre, rock ‘n roll.
In case you missed any of them, here’s a quick video roundup! Click the names of the musicians to read my full post.
That’s it for now! There’s a lot of other great bands in Australia, but I didn’t have time to name them all. Sound off in the comments with your favorites! I’ll be sure to check ’em out.
Welcome to final edition of Best Music from Australia, highlighting some of the best young musicians from the land down under.
You may have heard that I’m leaving Australia. After spending three amazing years in the land down under, my wife and I are moving back to the United States. While I’ve been here, I’ve tried to check out as much of the local rock scene as I can.
I only found out about Wolf & Cub recently, and regret to say I won’t see them live before we fly back to the US. This band from Adelaide just rocks, period. The closest band in sound I can think of is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, but Wolf & Club doubles down on the psychedelia. And when I say double I mean that quite literally–there are two drummers!
They’ve got three albums. My favorite is their latest, Heavy Weight for its variety but their sophomore release Science and Sorcery is also pretty trippy, and a lot of people like debut Vessels for its balls-out rock.
Here’s how you listen to Wolf & Cub. Start out by closing your eyes and shaking your head slowly to the bass. As the music builds, open your eyes and start jumping. Fist pumping optional.
I mean, dance however you want to. But that’s how I’ll be doing it.
Check out the video for “I Need More” to see what I mean. And yes, you will need more.
Hey! It’s part three of my series on top Australian music!
You may have heard that I’m leaving Australia. After spending three amazing years in the land down under, my wife and I are moving back to the United States. While I’ve been here, I’ve tried to check out as much of the local rock scene as I can.
After two straight posts on rock bands, Tame Impala and The Delta Riggs, thought I’d go in a different direction this week. Now, Australia’s not known for its hip-hop, but here’s a guy who’s just a blast to listen to!
Seth Sentry
Seen Back to the Future 2? Ever wondered why we still don’t have hoverboards?
So has Seth Sentry. The Melbourne hip-hop artist poses this and other incisive questions about our times in his raps. And the music is pretty catchy, too!
Seth scored pretty high in 2012’s Hottest 100 songs on Triple J, earning #29 for “Dear Science” (about the hoverboards) and #57 for “Float Away.” He’s got a brand new album due out later this year.
I got to see the man himself live in Sydney about a year ago and he lived up to the energy of his songs. He even got a DJ to crowd surf!
DJ Sizzle surfs the crowd at Seth Sentry’s command at a gig in Sydney.
But enough of me and my yammering. Check out the video for “Dear Science,” then pass it on to your local representative or senator in an email demanding hoverboards!
Next week, it’s back to rock ‘n roll with another great Australian band!
Welcome back for part two of my series on top Australian music!
You may have heard that I’m leaving Australia. After spending three amazing years in the land down under, my wife and I are moving back to the United States. While I’ve been here, I’ve tried to check out as much of the local rock scene as I can.
I think I must have seen Delta Riggs at least three times already. The first time was in Newcastle at a homely bar with a hunting lodge that actually had sofas and carpeting! The next time I saw them, they were opening for Divine Fits, the side-project of Spoon’s Britt Daniel and Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner.
Delta Riggs are one of those bands that just rocks live. They’ve got a real traditional rock ‘n roll sound that’s sometimes a little bluesy and sometimes a little punk. I don’t think they’re too well-known outside Australia, but I really think they’ve got potential to blow up.
While their first couple releases didn’t really capture Delta Riggs’ live energy, I really enjoyed last year’s album, Dipz Zebazios. The above video for “The Record’s Flawed” is a particularly rockin’ jam from that one.
Check back next week for another great Australian band!
You may have heard that I’m leaving Australia. After spending three amazing years in the land down under, my wife and I are moving back to the United States. While I’ve been here, I’ve tried to check out as much of the local rock scene as I can.
In this multi-part series, I’ll tell you about my favorite Australian musicians. First up…
Tame Impala
All right, so I knew about this band before I came to Australia. But in my mind, Tame Impala truly broke out while I was here, releasing an amazing second album and playing a bunch of killer shows. Hailing from Perth, these lads have a sound that’s big enough for large venues, but the tunes are so multi-layered and intricate, you’ll want to play their tunes through some good headphones, too.
Singer Kevin Parker also appears on three funky tracks on the new Mark Ronson album, Uptown Special.
I got to see Tame Impala live for the first time at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown and they just destroyed.
If you like psychedelic rock music, you owe it to yourself to check this great band out. Here’s a video for “Elephant,” the big single off of 2012’s Lonerism. Tame Impala is expected to have a new album out later this year, so stay tuned.
Check back next week for another great Australian band!
