Adam Kelly is an artist manager for Melbourne favourites Jakubi, in addition to his work as a promoter, music industry consultant, and project manager at A Thousand Hills, a media project encompassing music, documentaries, and photography.

In his own words, “Every week I get a dozen new artists emailing me asking about my thoughts on their music and whether I’d consider managing them. I get dozens more from friends around the world working in the industry wanting to share something new they are excited about.”

“I have a general rule when listening to new music. The rule is that I will listen to two tracks, but if they don’t grab me in the first 30 seconds, I move on to the next one.” Naturally, Adam gets plenty of music that doesn’t make it past that point.

“But I get plenty again who I think make some incredible music and deserve the opportunity to have it heard by a wider audience.” Tone Deaf have decided to help Adam give those bands and artists that opportunity.

“Every month I’m going to list the five or six best new tracks I’ve heard and what it is I like about them. Hopefully you find something you like in there too.” So, without further ado, here’s the best of what’s come into Adam’s inbox this month.

Tiger Town

I remember catching Tigertown a few years ago at (I think?) the now defunct East Brunswick Club. I loved them. This new track, Lonely Cities, is just as infectious as I remember them being. It’s really hook heavy, but in a good way; not in a cheesy one.

It’s one of those songs that by the third listen you’re singing along (currently in traffic having the time of my life) and tapping at whatever surface is closest at the time. Everything is just perfectly balanced, it has enough of everything. It’s just a really great song and it definitely gets me excited for the EP.

Cash Hollistah

Okay, story time: The guys met Cash while on tour in Kansas earlier this year. I wasn’t actually there, Other than four short days in NY I wasn’t on that tour at all. But somehow he comes across my Facebook, works out my connection to Jakubi and shoots across a friend request… Turns out he’s a rad dude. And he makes some pretty fun hip-hop too.

What I love most about Cash is that this guy is yet another example of someone who lives and breathes the culture and principles behind hip-hop. He’s not afraid to voice political opinions or to speak up on issues like equality.

‘goRilla’ is his latest single. A self described lyricist he labels this single as more of a hype track. Big production with a catchy flow. Cash, cheers for the friendship and the tunes.

Tash Sultana

When I sit and scratch my head as to why some artists get radio play here and others do not; Tash is one of the examples that sit in the forefront of my mind. She’s amazing, literally. And now that we’re smack bang in the middle of another amazing summer she should feature highly on your playlist.

It’s a REALLY cool blend of acoustic, roots and reggae – just the right balance in fact. To any radio stations who might be reading this: less Reese Mastin and more Tash Sultana – you’ll thank me later I promise!

Jack Stirling

I have to admit when Jack Stirling first walked out to start his set at Shebeen a few months back I did not get it. It was one dude on stage with slicked back gold hair standing next to a giant ghost prop.

But about 15 minutes in I had to put my piousness aside because I had actually caught myself dancing ha! I got it!

He’s a Bowie (RIP)-esque performer – there is no genre or style that he prescribes to at all. But he is funky as heck, he interacts with the crowd on genius level and will, I hope, be releasing music like this for a long time to come.

The Jangles

One of the things I love most about Soundcloud is the ‘Related Tracks’ function. I like to have the track I’m writing about on in the back ground while I’m writing it. So as I was done jamming out to Jack Stirling this track loaded.

A band from Leicester in the UK with 41 followers. But, ‘Back to 98’ by The Jangles is a really cool find. I’m a sucker for a bit of good old fashioned brit-pop, I’ll drunkenly sing ‘Wonderwall’ as loud as anybody else in that place on karaoke night! And, honestly, this has all the ingredients needed to make this a surprisingly good addition to my brit-pop sub folder. I have no shame I admitted to that.

You should try it sometime too, just let SoundCloud take you a musical journey – I promise you’ll find a bunch of new stuff to fall in love with.

Thank you Soundcloud and thank you The Jangles.

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