Save for a few stand out tracks like Tones and I’s 'Dance Monkey' or The Chats’ 'Smoko', it feels as though the presence of new Australian music has really stagnated in the UK scene at the moment.
Unless it’s by Tame Impala or King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, we don’t seem to be hearing much of it - so what’s been going on in the country that gave us Nick Cave, Kylie Minogue, AC/DC, and INXS?
Grab yourselves a Vegemite sandwich and some Tim Tams because here’s 17 bands and artists from down under that you should be listening to.
Amyl and The Sniffers
When discussing how they came up with their name and their music, vocalist Amy Taylor told the BBC, "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!" This Melbourne based band have been making big waves in the pub rock/punk rock scene since they released Big Attraction/Giddy Up in 2018 and winning the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album in 2019 truly cemented Amyl and The Sniffers as a band we should be keeping an eye on.
Sampa the Great
Another ARIA Award darling, Zambian-raised honorary Australian Sampa the Great has been nominated for six awards in 2020. It's no shock: her busy, lushly-produced rhythms and confident flow are seriously impressive. Like Amyl, she's well established, but by all indication only just getting started too.
Mallrat
Mixing indie, electronica, pop, and hip hop, Mallrat is a reliable name for feel-good hits. The self-described “Hannah Montana of the rap game” has, at 22, already placed third in Triple J’s annual Hottest 100 countdown (an achievement previously held by the likes of Travis Scott, Daft Punk, and Alt-J) proving that she is a source of raw talent. Citing influences such as Courtney Barnett, Allday, and Grimes, Mallrat is like the lovechild of an AKA Lizzy Grant era Lana Del Rey and Lorde with an Australian hip hop spin.
Jeremy Neale
Potentially one of the longest reigning names on the Brisbane indie rock scene, Jeremy Neale is no newcomer but his perpetually infectious tracks are criminally underrated. Since 2012, Neale has been a constant source of catchy pop-infused tracks that you can’t help but tap your foot along to (see 'In Stranger Times' or 'A Love Affair to Keep You There'). With two albums and multiple EPs, Neale has been a staple on the east coast ever since his set at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival in 2013 - he just hasn’t cracked the UK scene yet.
Teenage Dads
An indie rock outfit hailing from the Mornington Peninsula about an hour south of Melbourne, Teenage Dads have something in their repertoire for everyone. 2019’s 'Vile Crocodile' is an urgent, guitar driven stomper of a tune, somewhat comparable to Cabbage’s 'Uber Capitalist Death Trade'. There are much lighter, summery, spangly songs such as 2018’s 'Sunburnt' or latest release 'Thank You for the Honey, Honey' which is slightly more psychedelic inspired. If you are a fan of Tame Impala and looking for a way to expand the amount of Australian bands you’re listening to Teenage Dads are a great way to go.
The Grogans
Getting their start in high school by playing house parties in return for a slab of beer, The Grogans exemplify the surf rock corner of the Australian scene. Quite similar to the Californian brand of surf rock like Wavves, The Growlers or Best Coast, but with a distinctly Aussie sound, this quintessentially summery guitar music is a feel-good treat. Latest single, 'Got A Girl' is bound to be a crowd pleaser when it can be played live; with ample opportunities for both headbanging and dancing, it’s one to get you on your feet.
Bitch Diesel
Fuzzy punk rock, the name says it all. Bitch Diesel are, according to their Facebook profile, “a couple of broads chasing down fame and fortune in a liquor infused haze” - almost like if the cover of Sonic Youth’s Goo came to life and started an all-female badass guitar band. Having supported established punk and rock bands such as Spiderbait, Cosmic Psychos, and The Courtneys, the trio’s Bikini Kill style sound has them firmly fixed on the Melbourne scene as a force to reckon with.
Miiesha
Her debut LP Nyaaringu arrived this year and it's a warm, sprawling RnB work positioned from a point of view that isn't heard from enough: that of the Indigenous experience. Sound-wise, you'll want to listen out for more from Miiesha if you liked SZA's Ctrl.
Matilda Pearl
Dare I say it? Matilda Pearl could be Australia’s answer to Dua Lipa. Using lockdown as a chance to get creative, Pearl has become what can only be described as a pop icon. Proper disco ball, sparkly dress, calling you to the dancefloor electronic pop. The 17-year-old self-described “disco mermaid” has been going from strength to strength over the past few years having been featured in multiple magazines and making a big splash in the world of Triple J’s Unearthed High.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
With a penchant for the 90s, Canberra’s Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers make fantastic grunge-infused rock. Formed at a year 10 sleepover after a viewing of School of Rock and going on to turn heads in Triple J’s Unearthed High, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers have been making big marks on the indie scene, performing at a spate of festivals including Groovin’ The Moo, Falls Festival, and St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Taking inspiration from bands such as Cherry Glazerr, Siouxsie and The Banshees, and Blondie, their guitar fuelled rock is bringing grunge back to the capital.
The Buoys
With DZ Deathrays and DMA’s among their fans, the mixture of fiery and melancholic has already gripped quite a crowd. Featuring the kind of guitar that instantaneously seems to make you feel more powerful at first listen and vocals reminiscent of Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, it’s easy to see how this feisty group has garnered such a following. Talking about their latest single, vocalist Zoe Catterall explains, “‘Linda’ is for anyone who’s had a shit boss. After being talked/yelled at, and begrudgingly working somewhere just so I could afford rent, I wrote Linda and quit.”
Teenage Joans
Despite having only formed in 2019, Teenage Joans thundered onto the alternative rock scene winning Triple J’s Unearthed High 2020. Already having been invited to play the Girls Rock! Showcase at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and winning "South Australian Best Live Act" in the 2019 National Live Music Awards, the duo is carving their spot in the national eye. Cahli Blakers and Thalia Borg are taking pop-punk, or punk pop as they like to brand it, and making it cool again. Instantly catchy from the first listen, Teenage Joans will be exciting to watch.
Tamara & The Dreams
Combining inspiration from the likes of Blondie, Angel Olsen, Courtney Barnett and Best Coast, this Melbourne-based four-piece create indie pop for internet dwellers like Tamara Reichman herself. By managing to mesh together lyrics about memes and algorithms with sincere discussions about seasonal affective disorder and the struggle to address your feelings, then putting all of that on top of such joyful melodies, Reichman is far more than just “a username with too much time.” As dreamy as the band name suggests, their appearances at St Kilda Festival and Brunswick Music Festival will hopefully see them making big steps on the live scene.
RAT!Hammock
Lo-fi indie rockers RAT!Hammock make joyful guitar music for people trying to figure their lives out. Inspired by the joy of Christmas carols and mariachi music, RAT!Hammock want their music to be “a big party and everyone’s there, arm in arm together” while addressing the fact that in your 20s, you’re very often comparing yourself to other people, looking for meaningful work, and trying to find lasting companionship.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Formed in Perth in 2014, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have been kicking about for a while but haven't gathered quite as much fame as Tame Impala or King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. These guys are a prime example of alternative Australian psych bands that are creating exciting, interesting music but have been overshadowed by their predecessors. Playing All Points East on the same day as The Strokes as well as doing a whole UK tour of their own, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are definitely starting to gather speed over here and you’ll be kicking yourselves if you don’t get on board soon.
Tropical Fuck Storm
An exciting find for fans of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Tropical Fuck Storm are an experimental psychedelic post punk treat. Frontman Gaz Liddiard said of their music, “We’re the most fucked-up band there is that’s not some outrageously unlistenable current concept thing,” which should give you an idea of what to expect going in. As confronting as Liddiard’s statement may sound, the music is very accessible if you’re already a fan of psychedelia and is much more interesting than some of the other bands sharing the scene.
VOIID
Brisbane based VOIID are proving that grunge did not peak in the 90s. Inspired by Hole, L7 and Smashing Pumpkins, the band take what was made famous 30 years ago and give it a modernised spin. VOIID endeavour to use their voice to address conversations that aren’t being had, drummer Jasmine Cannon has made it clear that as a band, they aren’t “going to hide [their] lyrics or experiences just so the mainstream can turn a blind eye.” Having toured with DZ Deathrays and played some of Australia’s biggest festivals, VOIID are making a big name for themselves.
