Today is 15 November 2019 – aka #AusmusicTShirtDay – a totally legit reason to talk about Australian music. If you’ve missed it, have a read through my post breaking this Oz-wide event down to basics. But there’s no better way to show you what it really means than through the eyes of Aussie music fans themselves. And that’s exactly what I’m about to do.
PART 21B OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
There’s a saying which goes like this: “People who show you new music are important”. That’s why I asked some of my mates from Straya to share anecdotes and drop names of bands they find interesting and/or representative of the local music scene. Those are THE people who have showed me heaps of new music (as in bands, venues, events etc.) Down Under, many times without even knowing it. So take good note because they know what they’re talking about.
ADAM, AWESOME TENNIS COACH, MELBOURNE
(saved my ass from being homeless in Melbourne way too many times)
MELBOURNE MUSIC SCENE FAN
“Some of the main reasons why for me Melbs is the most liveable city on the planet: PBS radio + local artists. Like The Teskey Brothers with their new retro soul/ blues take on Motown ( seeing them tomorrow at the Forum again!). And Mista Savona‘s “Havana Meets Kingston”. This Melbourne based reggae DJ and producer managed to get some of the finest Cuban and Jamaican musicians for the first time in history collaborating together to create a unique musical feast. Saw them at the Forum as well. The follow up to that album is coming. Can’t wait! Thanks for the music, Melbourne. Much love and respect.”
AKSARA, EXCEPTIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER, NEWCASTLE
(my road trip mate and confidant)
KARNIVOOL FAN
“With the blistering heat on our already sunburnt skin, the water stations at the ready and watermelon slices to hydrate and sustain us through a scorching Big Day Out in Sydney of 2010, KARNIVOOL takes the stage. In my hazy but eager state of mind I was mesmerised by the most passionate performance by the band. Ian Kenny up front in slicked back hair and a white buttoned up shirt soaked through with the sweat of the sweltering heat, projecting his voice over the stage above the masses, the sound reverberated throughout the grounds of keen music festival goers. That performance resonated so deeply with me, the sound, the lyrics… It’s a memory of that day I remember so vividly.“
JEREMY, SOCIAL WORK HERO, SYDNEY/EUROPE
(my NSW music guide)
SYDNEY MUSIC SCENE FAN
“What I do think is really interesting at the moment in Aus music is this: why do some Melbourne-based bands get all the love from the media when a group like OneFour are doing massive numbers and being totally ignored? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against Melbourne but it seems that – despite racking up tens of millions of listens/streams – OneFour are ignored for being brown boys from the wrong suburbs… I’d actually argue that, despite their limitations, they are way more representative of the young Australian experience than most of the bands from Melbourne’s inner north.”
LUKAS, LIFEGUARD, MELBOURNE/EUROPE
(my “let’s go for a beer” mate)
METAL MUSIC SCENE FAN
“I came across Parkway Drive on Spotify and I got hooked on them instantly. Especially that they’re from Byron Bay which is not really a heavy metal town in Australia… There’s this awesome, big music festival in Europe, Pol’And’Rock, that I used to work at in the past that invites international acts. So, two years ago I suggested they should invite Parkway Drive and… Surprise, surprise – they performed at the festival’s big stage this year. People went mad during their show and the band themselves were totally stoked about the crowd reaction – especially that they played the 2am slot. Kinda proud I got to introduce a rad Aussie metal band to new audiences in a way.”
MEGAN, EVENT SUPERSTAR, CANBERRA/MELBOURNE
(my Global Citizen soulmate)
CUB SPORT FAN
“I was late to join the Cub Sport bandwagon in 2018, but when I did, it was in a >stalk them until they announce a Melbourne show, listen to ‘Bats’ on repeat and fall into Instagram holes watching their daily lives< kind of way. I feel like – as a band – they have evolved personally so much. But I still love older songs (like ‘Come on Mess Me Up’) as much as their newer songs (such as ‘Sometimes’). Seeing them live at the Corner Hotel was an ethereal experience. Tim’s voice is enthralling and I remember forgetting where I was for a while during the show. I think they’re an amazing Australian band doing their thing in their own way. And I hope it continues!“
SHEK, HUMAN RIGHTS WARRIOR, NEWCASTLE/MELBOURNE/DUBLIN
(my activism guru)
HILLTOP HOODS FAN
“I first saw the iconic Hilltop Hoods at my uni bar in 2006, at which I lost my shoe. And it was great to see them again this year in Dublin – and I kept both my shoes this time. I was totally spoilt living in Melbourne with the live music scene. There was always interesting and local gigs. And so, I was a bit worried when I moved to Dublin – but I shouldn’t have been! Music has made Dublin feel like home.”
SUZANNE, INCREDIBLE PHOTOGRAPHER, MELBOURNE
(we met at a music vid shoot for He Cries Diamonds)
POWER FAN
“I am shocked to discover I literally only have 1 music T-shirt in my wardrobe. How did this happen? I found one for Karen From Finance, Real Hot Bitches and a few from Reclink Community Cup but just the one band. Power from Melbourne. A three piece who I first saw at The Bendigo Hotel supporting Cosmic Psychos. Some of the photos I took ended up on the back cover of their latest album… Go and see a band, in a pub or small live music venue in Melbourne, make the effort. There is nothing else like it.”
SILLY, MUSIC BLOGGER GIRL, MELBOURNE/EUROPE
(yep, that’s me)
LIVE MUSIC FAN
“In this blog I’ve shared heaps of my favourite acts along the way. So, I’m not wearing my fave Aussie band’s tee this time because… there are waaaaaay too many (musos, not T-shirts) that I follow. And I simply couldn’t make up my mind. But I’m totally sold on the Australian live music scene and I defo recommend that you make it a part of your Australian experience when visiting the Land Down Under.”
There you go. Now go create that new playlist on Spotify and add those bands already. You can thank me and my Strayan Fam later 🙂
* Cover photo: http://www.rainnews.com
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