Gretta Ray was this year’s winner of the Triple J Unearthed High comp, and it’s been a well-deserved prize.
Her winning track ‘Drive’ is delightfully sweet, and as the name might suggest, perfect for a road trip. It has lovely little melodies that go the way you want them to at first, but then twist and turn at the last second. I recently found myself listening to it on a road trip from Seattle to Vancouver and will admit, it was the perfect soundtrack for falling in love!
But just when you thought your ears couldn’t be more at ease, she’s gone and released another killer track called ‘Unwind’. It’s another beaut’ acoustic rock song – she’s got a really relaxed way of dancing about melodies that will fill you with joy, listen for yourself:
It’s January, and already there’ve been some incredible albums that have dropped (looking at you, RUFUS). But let’s be real, there’s a long year ahead, and so you’re probably wondering what surprises wait in store for you, music lovers! There are some seriously anticipated records coming soon, so I’ve together a list of some potentially ground-breaking ones, plus a few I personally can’t wait for, in chronological order. You’re welcome!
St. Lucia (South Africa) – Matter (January 29)
Been waiting for an album where you can indulge in your guilty pleasure for pop hooks and excellent dance beats? I have already had a listen to this one and can tell you that you’re in for an absolute treat from this South African muso. Spotify that ASAP.
Kanye West (US) – Swish (February 11)
Whether you love or hate his attitude, Kanye is influential. And this album could conquer or divide.
Jack Garratt (UK) – Phase (February 19)
Garratt has already released some very polished singles from the forthcoming album, and I LOVE what I hear so far. They’re catchy, modern and a mix of R’n’B, pop and electronic that you can’t put your finger on.
DMA’s (AUS) – Hills End (February 26)
This band will always have a special place in my heart, because they’re Newtowners through and through (pretty much where I have spent most of my time since I moved to Sydney). Their debut is long overdue and I bet they’ve spent that time making it a good’un.
Matt Corby (AUS) – Telluric (March 11)
There are some stunning songs waiting for us on this new album with Corby really challenging his sound in the first two singles he’s released. One thing’s for sure though, the result will no doubt be beautiful.
Flume (AUS) – Skin (TBA)
This is probably the album I’m personally anticipating most. After his self-titled debut pretty much influenced a whole generation of electronic artists in Australia, let’s just say there are very high expectations for his second. I’m not sure how he’s going to beat his first effort, but his first singles (like the most recent ‘Never Be Like You’ have built the anticipation even more – they explore his sound…but to me don’t seem to lead anywhere, so am waiting for the signature Flume drops in his new tracks.
Meg Mac (AUS) – Unknown (TBA)
She’s got big vocals and tells great stories with her work – I haven’t heard such raw soul vocals in so long so she will surely make waves with her debut album!
Big Scary (AUS) – Unknown (TBA)
One of the saddest music moments from 2015 was the end of #1 Dads! Tom Iansek left to focus on Big Scary which I guess means that they’ve got some awesome stuff planned for us in 2016 – awesome!
NGAIIRE (AUS) – ‘Diggin’ (TBA)
She’s collabed with some cool people – but 2016 could be the year that Ngaiire really makes it on her own, because she’s got an incredible voice! She’s got a new single set to be released super soon, so keep your ear to the ground.
James Blake (UK) – Radio Silence (TBA)
It’s been been less than three years since we were graced with James Blake’s new music, but it feels like a LOT longer. He’s confirmed collabs with Kanye West and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) so it could well be a goodie.
Radiohead (UK) – Unknown Title (TBA – probably around June/July)
Rumour has it that Radiohead could be dropping their new album this year, and if so… YAY.
One more artist that I can’t wait to hear more from is Gordi, who won the Josh Pyke Partnership last year and has since signed two global booking deals. Nothing confirmed on if she will release new music this year or next, but I will be listening!
For those who love finding new music but often have no idea where to begin to find stuff they like, check out Vinyl Garden’s tips for stumbling across your new fave artists and tracks. You might even earn some indie cred along the way by staying ahead of the punches.
1. Start with Spotify or Pandora
As a general rule, I like to think of Spotify as the ultimate resource if you know exactly who you want to listen to, whereas Pandora is best if you know what style or genre you want to go for but want to stumble across new artists. That said, Spotify also has some excellent playlists you can follow by genre, mood, or music influencers, so you can certainly stumble across new music if you look in the right places. But if you can’t decide… why not have both?
2. Use Hype Machine
Connect through Facebook to Hype Machine or create your own account, and discover amazing new music as it’s released, and through what’s trending. If like me you love discovering local Australian music, you can set your feed to what’s being blogged in Australia for all the local updates (hopefully one day you’ll see Vinyl Garden in there!). Another tip I highly recommend is becoming HypeM friends with people you know have very similar music taste to you – you’ll get all the songs they’ve ‘loved’ in your feed, and they might pleasantly surprise you sometimes!
3. Check in regularly with your favourite music blogs
Ok so maybe this was just shameless self-promotion, but once you find a music blog you really like it is worth connecting on Facebook and checking in from time to time…there will always be some hidden gems that you might have missed! Plus it’s kinda like keeping in touch with an old beloved friend…right? Check out some suggestions from us.
4. Find a radio station you love, listen often
It may seem the most obvious tip, but the key really is listening often. In Sydney, my personal favourite stations are Triple J and FBi Radio. I find that once I get into the habit of listening to them, it really keeps me up to date with what is popular currently and I can filter through what I like and don’t like. Plus, it gives you something to do getting ready in the morning or on the drive to work!
5. Always, always watch the support act at gigs
I cannot recommend this enough. Since I started reviewing gigs for The BRAG, I started going to support acts as a courtesy for the review, but have now started doing it as a favour to myself. Why? Because support acts are usually supporting the band you love for a reason – they’re bloody good. And even if they’re not your cup of tea, you’re exposing yourself to something new and different. Plus, do you know how much indie cred you get when you meet bands BEFORE they get big? A lot. It’s a lot.
That’s it! If you do all of these, you’ll be a music gun in no time. Comment below if you have any more you think I’ve missed!
By Erin Rooney
PS: Thought I’d leave you with my weekly listening. I can’t get enough of Sufjan Stevens‘ new album Carrie & Lowell – it’s about his estranged mother who recently passed away, including things he wished he’d told her and memories. I’ve been loving storytelling albums like this one (such as the new album from Gang of Youths). Please enjoy my favourite song off the album, “Dying With Dignity”:
In case you missed it, yesterday the internet went crazy because Harley Streten AKA Flume came out of hiding and released a teaser remix (Sam Smith‘s track, “Lay Me Down”), leading up to his upcoming album which is coming to your ears real soon.
Though Flume has experimented with remixing some different genres of music (from indie rock like Arcade Fire to pop electronic like Lorde), typically there are some markers that give him a signature sound, such as his distinctive drops.
Yet more recently he’s started to develop and mature his sound and this can really be seen in this track – he hints at drops, draws them out and uses more restraint in this remix. Have a listen:
Needless to say, we are waiting with bated breath for his second album which is bound to be jam-packed full of bangers. No pressure though, Harley.
After 13 years of producing loud, ecstatic indie rock, Sydney group Bluejuice announced that they will be breaking up at the end of this year.
I have fond memories of shouting along to their lyrics and jumping around to their songs in my room as a teenager, blasting their tunes in the car on Triple J and seeing them absolutely kill it at ANU O-Week this year.
Bluejuice lighting up the stage
So we at Vinyl Garden wish Bluejuice all the best and encourage all readers and fellow fans to head along to their Retrospectable Tour, which will accompany a retrospective album!
Here’s to their stellar contribution to the Australian music scene, and to reminding everyone to Act Yr Age!
Vinyl Garden 