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Song of the Week: Arrival by Japanese Wallpaper

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If ever there was a soothing song for your Sunday, it might just be this startling track, “Arrival” from Japanese Wallpaper. The tune caps off the Melbourne producer’s solid five track EP Japanese Wallpaper, with some incredible collabs, including Pepa Knight, Airling and Jesse Davidson.

This particular song features vocals from one of our faves here at Vinyl Garden, Sydney artist Dustin Tebbutt. The two artists are a match made in heaven with this collab, with Japanese Wallpaper adding colour to Dustin’s wistful melodies. They are both very gentle in their songwriting and performing styles, so it really is a treat to listen to:

I was lucky enough to catch Dustin Tebbutt at the Metro Theatre on Thursday in his collaboration show with The Kite String Tangle, and one thing I really took out of it was how wonderful it is, this trend emerging in the Australian music scene of collaboration over competition. Artists helping each other out, making incredible stuff together.

Japanese Wallpaper has been very smart about this in this EP, and at only 18 years old, I’m just keen to see what he will do next, and who we might see on his next track.

By Erin Rooney

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Six Female Australian Music Producers To Watch

Eves The Behaviour It absolutely baffles me that although Australia has so many channels to support upcoming musicians (eg. festival opportunities, music-dedicated radio stations, music bloggers (hello!) and music magazines/street presses), the music industry is still overwhelmingly male-dominated.

I have been particularly curious as to why the electronic music space hasn’t seen more female producers being given the support and recognition they deserve, so I felt the need to create this little list to bring some very talented ladies that I have come across to the forefront. I was even startled in my research for this just how many amazing female producers I found suggested from overseas (particularly from the UK), yet somehow much fewer here. So please, enjoy, and most of all – spread the word!

1. Eves The Behavior

Ok, so I may have even cheated from the very start of this list – I don’t know if I’d called Eves The Behavior an exclusively electronic producer as her genre certainly touches pop, but her heavy synth sound does generate a very electronic feel. She has synesthesia, seeing colours when she experiences music, which might explain why her tracks are so emotionally charged. She has described her latest track “TV” as being a “dark, murky green”. Have a listen:

 

2. MYAMI

I stumbled across Melbourne singer-songwriter MYAMI on triple j unearthed the other day and was incredibly impressed by the amount of thought that has gone into her track “Soldier”, a collab with producer Wayfarer. It’s subtle, restrained, yet powerful. It’s the only song of hers I can find right now, but if it’s anything to go off, I can say she is certainly destined for big things.

 

3. JOY

You may have heard JOY joining forces with Peking Duk for a Like A Version cover of “Take Me Over” – and if so, you’d know she’s gentle yet controlled in her style. Her original songs are even more beautiful, and with collabs like that under her belt, it’s safe to say we will be hearing a lot more from her in the coming years.

 

4. Alison Wonderland

Of all the lovely ladies on this list, Alison Wonderland is probably the most widely known, with a harder style, and she’s the artist that everyone seems to have an opinion about. But whatever your thoughts are about her, there is no doubt she is making waves and playing with the big fish in the industry – so all the power in the world to you AW. She’s just released her first album, Run, so there are plenty of tracks for you to check out.

 

5. Elizabeth Rose

Last year she was all over the Australian music scene, constantly touring and releasing singles, even doing a trip to the US, but this year it seems she’s been awfully quiet. That being said, she did release this song a couple of weeks ago, so maybe it’s all a sign that she’s got some new big things in the works:

 

6. Airling

After seeing Airling support James Vincent McMorrow, I’m convinced that she’s gonna be a big thing, and when she releases tender collabs with Japanese Wallpaper like “Forces”, you can’t help but love her:

 

Also, if you haven’t checked out Tkay Maidza yet, you’d better go do that.

But this list is by no means exhaustive! Please write back and tell me which female producers you’ve been loving at the moment. Or if you’re an artist wanting to get featured, please do drop us an email at editors.vinylgarden@gmail.com! Happy listening all!

By Erin Rooney

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Indie Cred: Grantas

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Looking to bump up your electronic music IQ this Australia Day? Check out Grantas, a solo artist ‘making music on her foldable plastic IKEA laptop table’ – and beautiful music at that. You go Grantas.

Think a little Airling, a lot Lykke Li, Grantas combines loops of vocals, a mixture of rhythmic techniques and gentle tones to produce a swirling, soothing sound. Late last year, she released her debut single ‘Flight’, and we definitely love it:

 

This is a confident release from Grantas showing nice control and some experimentation – both of which indicates great songwriting potential. We’re looking forward to seeing what she does in the new year! Before we go, check out this live version of ‘Flight’, it’s lovely:

 

 

Happy Hottest 100 Day! We’ll be weighing in on Twitter today, hit us up!

By Erin Rooney

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Top Ten Female Artists we’re loving right now

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It’s been a while since we’ve posted anything, and we thought we’d come back with a bang. I’ve noticed my music library looking very male-dominated of late, so decided to put together a big old list of female artists we’re loving at the moment, new and old alike. NB: This list is by no means exhaustive and we welcome suggestions!

10. Class Actress. 

This Brooklyn babe combines guitar and synth to make pop that rocks. Her music is the kind you want in the background of your favourite indie bar while you search for your friends.

 

9. Airling

After supporting James Vincent McMorrow’s shows at the Sydney Opera House, Airling AKA Hannah Shepherd is making waves as a female electronica artist. Her tunes (and her look), are simply ghostly.

 

8. Tiny Ruins

Based in New Zealand, Tiny Ruins started as a solo project by Hollie Fullbrook, but has since seen bassist Cass Basil and drummer Alexander Freer join the group. They explore simple and beautiful musical moments and make the listener feel at peace.

 

7. Kimbra

Another New Zealander, Kimbra has recently had a bit of a musical turnaround from her usual soulful pop to a more electric sound with her release “90s Music”. I didn’t particularly like it at first, but what can I say – it’s a catchy tune and it grows on you.

 

6. Clare Bowditch

An oldie but a goodie, Clare Bowditch has been prominent on the Australian music scene over radio and through her music, and writes sweet quirky folk tunes. Check out her album The Moon Looked On for a listen to just this.

 

5. Elizabeth Rose

Leaving her mark both locally and overseas, this Sydney gal has brought a unique energy to the electronic genre. One to keep an eye on, expect big things from her in the future.

 

4. Laura Marling 

Hailing from the UK, Marling is another folk songstress creating meaningful and heartfelt music, and at the age of 24 she has already released 4 studio albums. Her debut album Alas I Cannot Swim (2008) earned her a lot of love in Australia and she has been unstoppable ever since!

 

3. MØ

Karen Marie Ørsted is a Danish dame making some powerful pop tunes that throw back to old school influences. Can’t put my finger on it but something about her really reminds me of Grease the musical and makes me want to throw on a prom dress and dance with my sweetheart. 

 

2. St. Vincent

She’s been called the David Bowie of our generation and performed a stunning set for Vivid LIVE this year at the Sydney Opera House that attendees won’t forget. St. Vincent is quirky and has attitude, which makes her a unique addition to this list.

 

1. Cults

I’ve been following Cults for a couple of years and I never get tired of them. Madeline Follin is one of my favourite female frontwomen as she has steered clear of cliché and made a distinctive sound with her voice alongside guitarist Brian Oblivion.

 

Who are your favourites? Drop us a comment below!

By Erin Rooney