Community radio music directors 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 directors to highlight new Aussie tunes that you might have missed.
In this edition, Gloria Brancatisano from SYN in Melbourne contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.
Check out Gloria’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.
Coda Conduct – ‘Usually I’m Cool’ ft. Jimblah
How many lists can I put this Sydney-via-Canberra duo on before I can call myself their biggest fan? Combining sharp lyricism with incredible flow, and fiery social observations with wit and humour, Coda Conduct is a refreshing addition to the scene. On this team up with Jimblah they have stepped it up once again – groovy beats, relatable lyrics and smooth hooks. This one’s a winner!
Do yourself a favour and catch them live- not only to marvel at the speed they can rap but also because it’s so much fun and they can make any awkward, bad dancer (me) feel a little bit cool for half an hour.
Bugs – ‘Instant Coffee’
This tune dropped right around the time I was putting together my last music list for Tone Deaf, and much like its namesake, it has got me hooked. While I obviously need to make better coffee choices, I am more than content with my every growing love for Bugs. Instant Coffee is infectiously catchy, exploding with energy and overflowing with joy. And the video is perfect.
Connor Brooker is some sort of enigma. How do you make music in so many projects (Pro Vita, White Wash, under his own name), that all sound uniquely different and consistently great? This is one mystery I’ll happy leave unsolved.
Jack Grace – ‘All Lost’
Stunning is the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe Jack Grace’s latest track which continues his knack for weaving together an incredible array of genres. with every layer of sound, and every brutally honest lyric, Grace draws you in. The best part? It all feels so effortless because he really is that brilliant.
Grace is an incredible producer (you can hear his work through artists like BUOY and Ngaiire). The intricate drum breaks and short synth loops drive the track, but it is his achingly raw lyrics that keep me hitting repeat. His debut EP will finally arrive next month. You should probably check it out.
JP Klipspringer – ‘Can’t Be’
Jack Poulson’s voice warms my soul and Can’t Be is another great addition to his collection of tracks. Combining sweet indie pop hooks with the tenderness of classic folk, JP Klipspringer sure knows how to craft a tune that’ll make you feel right at home no matter where you are.
Heartfelt tunes that draw you in, build on gorgeous production filled with heavenly harmonies. This is all I really need in life. I am eagerly awaiting JP’s debut album, which should be arriving any day now.
Bloods – ‘Bring My Walls Down’
Bloods’ latest offering Bring My Walls Down is the hard-edged, floating garage-pop that dreams are made of. Managing to find the perfect balance between the grittiness and fuzz of those incredible guitar lines and the bright, sugary sweet vocals and earworm hooks, Bloods have created a track that evokes feelings of summer warmth with just enough edge to still pack an almighty punch.
Bring My Walls Down is a shining offering from a brilliant band. Someone called it ‘romantic punk’ and I like that, so I’ll use it.
Fripps & Fripps – ‘Get Your End Wet’
The song title for this one completely threw me off, and I had no idea what to expect, but damn am I glad I pressed play because ‘Get Your End Wet’ is an absolute tune.
From the twinkling synth and bright guitar that leads the track to the smooth, powerful vocals and that HUGE chorus, Fripps & Fripps will transport you somewhere tropical and warm (can you sense a theme here?) where a huge party is definitely going down.
Unity Floors – ‘Cost Of Living’
Unity Floors sure know how to do a lot with only the most basic of components adding to the brilliant list of two piece rock acts we have ruling the country at the moment, and Cost of Living- with it’s stripped back set up and blistering sound is a perfect example of this.
It’s scrappy and rough around the edges, with a pop tinge that gives the whole package that little bit of gleam.
Gold Class – ‘Kids On Fire’
It’s simmering and restrained for most of its first half, but when that manic explosion hits somewhere around its middle point, Kids On Fire reaches a whole new level. It’s powerful and frantic yet somehow still manages to remain very easy listening. Gold Class are top notch.
Biting guitars and that deep drawl courtesy of frontman Adam Curley are the true highlights of this one. This is gold for sure.
