Vancouver Sleep Clinic (VSC) a.k.a the very talented Tim Bettinson has been impressing everyone the world over with his beautiful lush, electronic ambient pop. His EP titled Winter was released in March this year, as we draw fall deeper into winter here, Vancouver Sleep Clinic feels like it was designed to be delivered just in time for the onslaught of the colder weather.
Being an extremely talented local producer himself, we asked Tim to chat about his favourite local producers of right now.
Intro
“I feel like I can speak for a lot of people when I say that Australian music is a ridiculously exciting prospect at the moment. I’ve always felt like the talent Australia has been brewing in the Southern Hemisphere is just waiting to explode on the world, and community radio stations & a growing number of amazing blogs are really starting to bring to light some incredible talent from our little country. I’m always inspired to see Australian projects that I’ve loved for a long time begin to get recognised on a global scale!”
Oliver Tank
“Oliver is incredible and a massive inspiration to my own music. However apart from making simply indescribable music, I think one of the things I love most about Oliver – and something that sets him apart from many other producers for me is his creative work with bringing out string elements in the mix. The fact that he uses them is an awesome statement in itself, but it’s used sparingly and cleverly enough to create some truly special moments. I also love his creative take on vocals – particularly in ‘Last Night I Heard Everything In Slow Motion’. Overall, everything just sounds so smooth, and I’m an absolute sucker for a gifted producer who paints dreamy landscapes.”
The Kite String Tangle
“Danny has undoubtedly been a front-runner in the global push of Australian electronic music this year, and rightfully so. ‘Given the Chance’ is a perfectly constructed gem, but there is a clear depth and consistency in Danny’s songwriting, with his other tracks and features also being amazing – which I love in a producer. His artwork obviously has many upbeat and ‘groovy’ moments, but is complimented nicely with lush down-tempo/minimal sections and some smooth and emotive vocal lines. It all comes together nicely to create something really special! Can’t wait for an EP later this year.”
Ta-ku
“I’ve been astounded by Ta-ku‘s ability to create so much space in minimal format – yet produce music so beautiful and fulfilling. It’s really just hypnotising, and is something that has definitely helped my own creative process. In honesty, I’m not always able to maintain attention through some electronic records (even of high standard), I can sometimes find it easy to lose patience over time with a generic repetitiveness that can occasionally take shape over an album. However, Songs to Break Up To is mind-blowing and is able to keep you in that trance the whole way through. Each song brings fresh sounds and new perspectives, and as a whole the record is a truly special release from 2013. I also love the obsession he appears to have with his barber, I think that’s the funniest/coolest thing ever.”
Japanese Wallpaper
“Everything that this guy touches evolve into beautiful, lush, and dreamy crafts of art. It’s refreshing to listen to someone who clearly isn’t seeking to force out generic up-beat radio singles, but rather someone who just focuses on making purely incredible music. As a result set himself in a real world of his own with his sound. It also blows my mind that he’s only 17 this year!”
GXNXVS
“Easily the most underrated producer on this list – you may not have heard of him yet but you definitely will have within the next year. GXNXVS has been sneaking under the radar relatively speaking – but he’s displayed his exciting ability through some really intelligent remixes, and is starting to make waves online. He brings a really fresh and creative down-tempo atmosphere to the table; something that I haven’t heard too often in Australian producers. I was also lucky enough to team up with him on a Drake cover and can’t wait to do work with him again. Watch this space.”
Kyson
“He’s been based in Germany for a while, but this guy is a homegrown Australian so I’m going to make an exception for him on this list because his music is just next level mind-blowing. Hearing ‘Ocean Tides’ for the first time, followed by several of his other tracks, was a huge factor of inspiration for me to put a foot in the world of electronic music via VSC. I feel so many different things that I can’t describe when I delve into his art. Each song is a different world, different setting, different atmosphere. Everything is so good – I could get lost for hours. PS – ultimate for sleeping playlists!”
Vancouver Sleep Clinic ‘Winter’ Tour
With Special Guests Wafia
Wednesday, May 28 | Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane *selling fast*
Friday, May 30 | GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
Saturday, May 31 | Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne *sold out*
Sunday, June 1| Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne *new show*
