Some bands make inventive, challenging and brilliant music, but don’t quite become household names overnight – and one such name is Lost Animal.
Finishing up a stint as the frontman of short-lived outfit St Helens in 2009, Jarrod Quarrell followed up that band’s only record with his debut solo effort, 2011’s Ex Tropical. The record was hailed by some as one of the very best of the year but, while not exactly ignored, the album and its maker remained a relatively unknown name outside of select circles.
Having re-emerged five years later with his follow-up You Yang, released last week via Dot Dash, we decided to ask Jarrod for a list of his artists who, for one reason or another, don’t quite get the recognition they deserve from a wider audience.
Small World Experience
Pat Ridgewell of SWE is one of Australia’s best songwriters. Way underground. A huge influence on my writing during my early ’20s. He expanded my taste immeasurably. Australia’s answer to Burt Bacharach.
Panel Of Judges
Their recent reformation show at the Yarra Hotel was just unbelievable. The best show I ever saw them play. Career spanning. The precursor to The Twerps, Stevens, Dick Diver et al. Classic Australian songwriting. Classic band.
Primitive Calculators
True visionaries. One of Australia’s first and best punk bands. Spawned a whole scene. Some say they should get a percentage of the Fitzroy real estate boom. You should hear Stuart talk about Nick Cave. It’s pretty funny.
Judee Sill.
Naturally. Easily the equal of Joni Mitchell, Carole King etc. What can I say? Just look her up. Magic.
Laura Nyro
Again, the equal of any of the more well known female, singer songwriters. Who knows why some artists find a bigger audience than others? Ultimately I don’t think it matters. As long as the albums are left behind. Who cares if you pay $2 at an op shop or $35 at a record store?
