Australia has a secret. It's not dropbears or what is actually in Vegemite. It is a music making extraordinaire machine. Most recent successors of the powerhouse include SIA, Vance Joy and Goyte. I always appreciated the independent outlet, but since being in the USA I haven't seen a network that does as much for the industry as much as they do. From skyrocking an annoying curly haired douche bag with a ukulele to supporting T-Swiz, to helping a 16 year old get the song she's worked on every night for the last 3 months on national radio, they are the root of everything golden in Australian music. They are Triple J and although they have had some slip ups (the Doctor) the rest of their work (Unearthed) is brilliant.
After hearing the same song about a pill in Ibi-tha for the 1000 time that week, I reflected on how privileged we are down under to have such an almighty music overlord. I also decided it was time for y'all to get a music education lesson and hoping the next road trip I take doesn't involve country music.
So pack'er up boys and get ya flap hats on, it's time for some of Australia's best tunes.
Courtney Barnett
Song to listen to: Pedestrian at Best
Sounds like: Lily Allen in terms of anecdotal with a strong accent, but not close to as pop.
When a normal Australian speaks about being bad at pulling bongs, disgruntled about organic vegetables and general self-loathing, nobody listens. But when Courtney Barnett does it she gets a spot on the Coachella and Governors Ball lineup. She is quintessential Australian listening, and the whole country, included her, is confused about her whirlwind success. She’s the musician equivalent to Michael Cera, there is an adorable sense of awkwardness expressed through everything she does, if you don’t believe me look up what she wore when she was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy’s.
Dune Rats
Song to listen to: Red light green light
Sounds like: FIDLAR
Every Dune Rats song was designed to fuel a Saturday night watching Dazed and Confused and playing Crash Bandicoot until 3am. The 3-piece will be traditionally described as ‘rock’ but the shaggy hair fellows classify themselves as ‘dunecore stoner pop’. All the quirks you’d imagine in music created whilst extremely baked (Refer to Superman) but genuinely high quality and excellent rock music produced which is pretty rare these days. Props to these boys succeeding at making exceptional music while smoking daring amounts of cones (Refer to Red Light Green Light).
Cosmo Midnight
Song to listen to: Snare
Sounds like: Kygo
A cocktail of dreamlike tones and psychedelic beats, Cosmo Midnight produce some of the catchiest tunes in the country. To put it simply, you can’t sit still in one of their songs, their EP’s not having a weak link. Using friends like Wave Racer, Lido and Nicole Millar to test the boundaries of the electronic genre, resulting in innovative fresh sounds. The superior end of the soundtrack to the decade that future generations will reflect on; like Joy Division in a world of Madonna's, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers in a generation of SmashMouth’s and now Cosmo Midnight in an era of Nicki Minaj’s.
Mosquito Coast
Song to listen to: Call my name
Sounds like: Beach House
Simplicity is bliss, and Mosquito Coast is both that, simple and bliss. Bought together simply by a flyer and a good old garage, the 17-year-old’s create clean and refined music that is just satisfying to listen to. For a band in such elementary stages, your ears will be deceived by their cohesive and mature nature, especially in break out track, Call My Name. You will feel a sense of coolness whilst listening to them, and then be taken down a few notches when you realize they are half your age.
Vallis Alps
Song to listen to: Thru
Sounds like: Oh Wonder
When Americans and Australians team up it’s a truly beautiful thing: Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Outback Steakhouse and Vallis Alps. The Canberra/Seattle duo has been producing tracks over the seven seas which is impossible to hear. Any sort of disjointed feel adds to the enchantment that is the combination of her whimsical voice and his array of instruments. Watching them live is a spectacle too, with David seamlessly juggling several electronic instruments to create the mesmerizing sound that is Vallis Alps.
Hermitude
Song to listen to: The Buzz
Sounds like: DJ Snake
The essence of Hip Hop, EDM and trap comes alive in this duo. Forming at the start of the century, Hermitude has tweaked and perfected their contraption of genres, with every new record challenging and advancing the industry. Choosing a stand out track is a tough task as they have matured so has their sound, from experimental teenagers to the darker side of EDM in Threads to alá JUSTICE sounding bangers in HyperParadise to the heavily Hip Hop influenced Dark Night Sweet Light.
Tkay Maidza
Song to listen to: MOB
Sounds like: Azealia Banks
Tkay is Australians queen. She is hands down the sassiest, fiercest and downright coolest person to walk on our island-continent. Once when I saw her, I nearly passed out from dancing too much, and anyone who knows me knows I can dance. A lot. That is saying something. Hitting the scene at the ripe age of 17, Ms Maidza is one of the most talented rappers not only in our country, but the hip hop industry right now. Citing industry modernizers like Run The Jewels as fans, she is grasping attention globally. And don’t worry if you have a bad taste in your mouth about Australian female rap, she will crush any preconceived ideas you have of it (cough cough Iggy)
Flight Facilities
Song to listen to: Crave You
Sounds like: Chainsmokers
They are the equivalent to the hot girl in your high school; elusive, too cool for you and a huge tease. Releasing snippets of their highly anticipated album of 2014 over the previous 5 years the duo perfected not only their sound but their brand too. The self-proclaimed ‘first class experience’ is evident in the cohesive nature and themes of their album Down To Earth but also their live performances and merchandise which is all revolved around flight themed goods. Joining their tracks are the angelic voices of Owl Eyes and Emma Louise as well as band leader extraordinaire, Reggie Watts.
Ball Park Music
Song to listen to: She Only Loves me When I’m There
Sounds like: Belle & Sebastian
Australia sports a lot of quality independent rock bands, but there isn’t anything quite like Ball Park Music. Nights spent listening to tunes like All I Want Is You and Next Life Already have had me tiptoeing existential crisis mode and I’ve had days full of stitch educing, sweat drenching dancing fits to songs like Trippin' The Light Fantastic and Literally Baby. The chemistry between the 5 is evident in every bar of every song and their live performance showcases each member whilst seamlessly exuding a group dynamic energy.
Sticky Fingers
Song to listen to: Caress Your Soul
Sounds like: Protégé
A concoction of reggae, rock and eccentric instrumentals, Sticky Fingers signature sounds is recognizable but in no way, shape or form exhausted. Constantly developing unprecedented ways to intertwine the genres, the band has collected a large following of fans that wouldn’t normally subscribe to said genres individually. Choosing a song to recommend is a chore because as distinct as their voice is, every release showcases an alternative strength. Just For You focuses in on their rock eccentric side, Australia Street plays with the reggae ambiance and Caress Your Soul explores upbeat pop cruxes juxtaposed with punitive lyrics.
Shannon Noll
Song to listen to: What about me?
Sounds like: The Beatles
Shannon Noll is not only a songbird of a generation but one of the biggest upsets in Australian history (see Lee Harding to see #1). Loosing Australian Idol season 1 to an afro-sporting monstrosity of a contestant who shan’t be named, Nollsie as the locals refer to him as, has risen above and beyond. Look we would take a shoey at the local pub over Eurovision too Shannon, you are a true Australian hero.
Angus and Julia Stone
Song to listen to: Just A Boy
Sounds like: Of Monsters and Men
Angus and Julia Stone may just sound like another douche folky band that you’re stupid ex-girlfriend pretended to like at Coachella, but they are much more than that. There is a complexity to sounds that are relatively simple, an element of each song that is soothing enough to put you too sleep, but jeering enough to keep you up all night. There is something about this brother-sister duo that trigger the memories of warm family holidays, minus your creepy uncle who is too many beers down and your mom being passive aggressive to your new boyfriend.
Lupa J
Song to listen to: Statues
Sounds like: Lorde
I fought with the notion of including Lupa J on this list. On one hand she fits the brief, she is undisputedly the future of Australian music, but on the other hand I think she’s my little secret. Starting at 15-years-old, the violin/electronica infused artist displays maturity way beyond her years. Her lyrics are haunting yet charming and her sound is intricate yet humble. I’d recommend jumping on the Lupa J train, it is going to the biggest and brightest places out of everyone on this list.
Hilltop Hoods
Song to listen to: The Nosebleed Sections
Sounds like: Macklemore
Anyone who knows me knows I’m not particularly fond of Aussie Hip Hop. In hindsight I should curse this ensemble for skyrocketing the genre, however it is impossible to see them as anything but pioneers and innovators. Bringing light to an untouched entity, they have paved the way for fantastic artist like Seth Sentry, Chance Waters and Thundamentals along with providing us with the existence of real life memes like 360, Illy and Kerser. The earlier years of The Hilltop Hoods are the standouts with songs like Nosebleed Section, I Love It and The Hard Road and can still be cited as some of Australia's proudest musical achievements.
DMA’S
Song to listen to: Delete
Sounds like: Oasis (but don’t say that to Noel Gallagher)
The tortured soul of the 90’s is alive and well in the DMA’S art. A massive juxtaposition in themselves, with the appearance of Australian lads but a distressed ambiance in their sound. I truly believe if they were born into the wrong time and if only emerging a few decades earlier they would be as notable as The Cure and Oasis. Despite their geographic and era altercations, DMA’S still exceed and challenge the barriers that the now untouched genre left for them.
Client Liaison
Song to listen to: Feed the Rhythm
Sounds like: Jamirquai
I really like believing these guys are from the same country as me, but I think in all honesty they are from another world. This duo is bringing back big hair, pastel suits and choreographed dance moves one disco hit at a time. Not only are they the most entertaining act to witness live on this list, their music perfects the art of nostalgia without feeling tired or repetitive. Providing one with an insatiable yearn to dance, Client Liaison will have you reaching for your sweat bands and shimmying to their ode to the 80’s anthems.
Lee Harding
Song to listen to: Wasabi
Sounds like: Queen
Mr Harding is the second Australian Idol contestant to grace this list today. I take the unpopular opinion and like to think Lee’s early elimination was the biggest upset of the shows history closely followed by Nollsies and Ricki-Lee’s. Someone with such immense talent also gets a lot of haters, in particular my friend Charlie’s mom, who believes the rock star ruined Eye Of The Tiger. But truly this is the face and spikey colorful hair of Australian rock and roll right here.
EXTRA FOR MAKING IT TO THE END:
Another 'top bloke' move by Triple J is their weekly Like A Version. Popular artist cover other popular artist, similar to BBC's Radio 1's Live Lounge, and it is swell. Enjoy some of the very best music accompanied by above average banter.
Like a Version
- Get Lucky- San Cisco
- Brother- Thundamental
- Pumped Up Kicks- Owl Eyes
- Video Games- Blue Juice
- Flaunt It- TV Rock
- Dance the Way I Feel- Gossling
- Say it Right- Angus and Julia Stone
- Wolf- Kingswood
- Hearts A Mess- Missy Higgins
- Bridges- Meg Mac
