AusMusic Month is a fantastic time to dive into Australian music and witness for yourself the quality sounds local artists are putting out. Here we’re going to check out some of the latest Indigenous artist who are owning their craft.
#1 Kuren at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney 30/11
After playing at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards, Kuren has blown up on the Australian scene, with no impression of slowing down. As a young producer, Kuren draws inspiration from the likes of Flume and Ta-Ku to piece together pure electronica bliss. His latest EP Tesseract marries smooth electronic beats with catchy vocals that is essential for any party playlist.
#2 Tia Gostelow at NightQuarter, Gold Coast 10/2
As the first winner of Triple J Unearthed High’s Indigenous Initiative and a Finalist in Unearthed High, 2016 has been a huge year for Tia Gostelow. With a brand of sleepy indie pop that is reminiscent of LadyHawke, you’ll surely become addicted to the appeal of this artist. Her latest single Vague Utopia is a brilliant coming of age track that highlights the uncertainty we all face, as we move from one phase in life to another.
#3 Emily Wurramara at Woodford Folk Festival, Byron Bay 27/13- 1/1
Emily Wurramara draws on her Indigenous heritage to influence her music, crafting meaningful acoustics that’ll soothe the soul. Writing from a grounded perspective, her latest EP Black Smoke beautifully blends her native language of Anindilyakwa with English; serving as a literal tie between new and old cultures. Her compassion flows through her voice as she deeply cares about the subject of her music. If you hear she’s playing in your area, be sure to see her presence for yourself.
#4 Luke Daniel Peacock
Luke Daniel Peacock is the embodiment of Rock and Roll and having won this year’s Billy Thorpe Scholarship only proves this point. His debut solo album We’ve Come A Long Way Darling seeps with a Springsteen-like sound but ultimately Luke’s persona shines through each track, making each feel unique to him. Luke also led The Painted Ladies project which reinvented The Loner by Vic Simmons with a spin from contemporary Indigenous artists.
#5 Birdz at Northcote Social Club 11/12
Australian Hip Hop when done right can be a wonderful channel of pure expressionism. Birdz operates in this realm as he produces some of the most ferocious tracks laced with undiluted honesty. His recent release Hunger Voodoo invites you to witness the life of a struggling artist in all its rawness. It’s music like this that can lead to interesting dialogue in an industry where it’s easier to remain quite.
This is only a sample of the wealth of talent that exists of Indigenous artists. Be sure to keep an eye out for more promising acts to come.
Image source: Cherrie Hughes Photography.