Community radio music coordinators often have an encyclopaedic knowledge of local music and an insatiable thirst to keep their ears ahead of the curve. So in this Tone Deaf series, the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) invites music coordinators to highlight new Aussie tunes that you might have missed.
In this edition, Nick Rodwell from Brisbane’s 4ZZZ contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’. Check out Nick’s selections below and if you’re a musician you can apply here to have your music distributed for free to community radio on Amrap’s AirIt.
The Do Yo Thangs – One Plus One
At a time where Neo-soul is heavily geared towards the electronic and its subsequent hyper-abilities, Melbourne group, The Do Yo Thangs have crafted a single which is a dreamy concoction of organic groove and subtle electronica.
Baro – Fuck The Judge ft. REMI
From the Kid Cudi-esque opening to the Yasiin Bey croon to close, Baro is extending and confounding our expectations. Along with his righteous cohort REMI, this track is a most welcome addition to Australia’s burgeoning catalogue of tight Hip Hop with its deep respect and desire to progress.
L. Major – Sunglasses After Dark
An extension of the dad-rock ride by way of The War On Drugs with a post-punk bent, these Brisbane lads cruise through the neon night with a motorik focus that is both simple and captivating.
Friendships – It’s Vermintino Dickhead: Edits, Cuts and Tools
Friendships continue to develop their bizarre playground of electronic dance as this compilation delves deeper into their flair for the weird and wild. Featuring the recontextualized presence of Kirin J. Callinan, this is a resoundingly heavy and enjoyable bass party.
Totally Unicorn – Dream Life
Whether you want to focus on its punk destruction of song, it’s hardcore intensity or its metal heaviness, Totally Unicorn’s latest album is a bludgeoning execution of norms and it sounds rad.
Sarah Mary Chadwick – Makin’ It Work
There is no greater example of raw emotional power in 2016 than this single. Far from the noise of Batrider, Sarah Mary Chadwick’s voice is compelling as it evokes love and loss, boldly and vulnerably.
Ribongia – Journeys
This Sydney afro-beat aficionado makes such joyous music. Blending elements of current dance music with samples of traditional African music, his past two EPs have proven to bump better than most. It’s his unreserved appreciation for rhythm and melody that’ll get you lifted on afro-bass effervescence.
