When you look at the past 15 years of Australian music, there are few artists who have been able to consistently produce quality songs that still receive an immeasurable roar from the crowd when they’re played live. However, The Presets have shown time and time again they’re in it for the long run. Since lighting up the world with their chart-topping LP Apocalypso in 2008 which included the mammoth hit single ‘My People’, Julian Hamilton (vocals, keyboards) and Kim Moyes (drums, keyboards) of The Presets have won numerous ARIA awards and defined Australian dance music. Despite being featured in triple j’s Hottest 100 for well over a decade, the bona fide Aussie treasures still received number 75 in last year’s edition with their song produced with Golden Features, ‘Paradise’.
As Julian and Kim’s music continues to stand the test of time, we found five emerging acts from around the country who are showing promising production parallels.
Mani
Since his early days as a young DJ performing around the underground Byron Bay scene a mere eight years ago, Mani has come a long way. His sound has refined immensely, and his style has improved dramatically, specifically exhibited by his ability to blend genres into a mature listening experience. The artist’s new music maintains a sophisticated approach to techno in an attempt to take the listener on an uplifting journey through a portal into the unknown. Established and continuing to strive forward, Mani is beginning to turn heads and move bodies with his progressively innovative style of dance music. This is an artist for the late night.
Good Starting Tracks: Sour Minds, Dazed, Aum
Close Counters
From jazz piano to an electrifying fusion of electronic, house and soul… that’s the story of Tasmanians Allan McConnell and Finn Rees AKA Close Counters. The pair include a healthy dose of dense synths and driving basslines in their music, particularly in their first full-length project SOULACOASTA, a 12-track whirlwind ride through soul with no safety brakes. Since forming in 2013, Close Counters have honed their live shows into an energetic experience which includes violins, drums, and a heavy amount of synths. Catch these electro-funk lads at Splendour in the Grass in July.
Good Starting Tracks: BESPOKE, SOULACOASTA, FIRE DANCE
Luboku
In the rush of our modern world, Luboku asks listeners to consider their place in the universe, their kindness to one another, and this planet. The electronic musician, producer and multi-instrumentalist combines deep house and electronica to deliver mind-blowingly futuristic alt-pop bangers. Sounds of mid-2000s house, techno and electronica are heard in most of his songs, similar to those of early Cut Copy, The Presets and Midnight Juggernauts. After playing in both Australia and New Zealand over the past year, the artist has been honing his craft while writing nonstop. Expect big this from Luboku in 2020.
Good Starting Tracks: Lift Off, Without You, Forget
Briskey
Many artists start doing music for many different reasons, but for Briskey, it’s about wanting to make people feel the way he does when he listens to music. The 24-year-old Brisbane artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist knows exactly how to create an irresistible jam laced with silky-smooth vocals and sparkling pop sensibilities. Briskey’s debut single ‘Nothing to Lose’ is about his personal relationship with loneliness, directed at the girl he’ll eventually fall for. He says while themes of love and candid-musings cast shadows on his world of hazy-pop, it’s almost inevitable that there will always be a ray sunshine filtering through the cracks.
Good Starting Track: Nothing to Lose
Friendless
Full disclosure: Friendless is a client of Good Intent… so if you believe that impacts this review, give his music a listen to form your own opinions. For those of you happy to look past the slight bias, get ready for the floor-shaking artist that is Friendless. The Sydney-based artist has an undeniably catchy style which often includes thumping bass and robust beats, textured with authoritative vocal lines. His most recent single, ‘BOMP’, continuously shifts between inviting builds and ground-breaking choruses, flaunting trademark club music with a fresh twist. Since previously supporting Pnau, Duke Dumont, Shiba San and Justin Martin, Friendless will be performing two launch parties at Manly Wharf Hotel on January 25, and Taylor’s Rooftop in Sydney on February 15. Get around it!
Good Starting Tracks: BOMP, Crazy, Robots - Bart B More
