5 Artists You’ll Love if You’re a Fan of The Presets…

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

Good Friday - Hottest New Releases #6

Good Friday: the feature series that shines a light on the hottest new releases from around Australia. Make sure you check out all the artists that featured in our sixth edition!

1.     ‘Welcome and Good Luck (Waggle)’ - The Great Emu War Casualties 

The quirky, eclectic and eccentric vibes of The Great Emu War Casualties have returned in their new single, ‘Welcome and Good Luck (Waggle)’.

They’ve already headlined Oxford Arts Factory and The Factory Theatre in Sydney, hosted residencies at The Evelyn and The Tote in Melbourne, and released three EPs in 2018. Now, they plan to release three singles this year.

The relentless gigging has paid off for the group, as the concoction of sounds within the song maintain a refined finesse throughout.

Influenced by the likes of Talking Heads, The Killers, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra to name a few, the summer sound of ‘Welcome and Good Luck (Waggle)’ introduces a hugely unexpected serving of nostalgia for the listener. 

Drawing similar sounds to Arctic Monkeys and Two Door Cinema Club, the track is a great example of how to create a classic bright, indie-pop tune in 2019 that maintains its catchiness throughout.  

Frontman Joe, bassist Saskia, guitarist Maxi, and drummer Bibek have hit the nail on the head this time, and we are very excited to hear the remainder of their 2019 singles.

 2.     ‘Hollow’ – Akurei

Akurei has given us another taste of his upcoming second EP with a new single, ‘Hollow’.

The beautifully sweet sounds of the track exhibit some differences from his previous releases, specifically in the way it holds its restraint throughout whilst subtly intensifying.

Paired with an acoustic melody, Akurei’s flawless vocals demonstrate an impressive opening. The hauntingly alluring soundscape of the tune is strengthened by the artist’s application of R&B inspired beats, raspy synths, and heavy bass lines. Moreover, the minimalistic instrumentation within the song enables a floating melody to magnetise the listener.

As the last song the musician wrote while overseas, ‘Hollow’ takes the listener on an intricately woven, emotionally intense journey.

“‘Hollow’ is me revisiting and reevaluating the faith I had when I was younger,” says Akurei.

The bold confidence heard within ‘Hollow’ suggests Akurei is only just getting started. Watch this space.

3.     ‘Forget’ – Luboku

Melbourne-based producer/singer-songwriter Luboku AKA Luis Kennett brings a warm sound on his new effervescent single, ‘Forget’.

Known for his dark and melancholic style, Luboku has perfectly executed a sophisticated piece of driving electronica through the use of vivid instrumental flourishes, rolling beats and wistful vocals.

Luboku describes ‘Forget’ as pushing his trademark electronic elements toward a more acoustic space.

He adds: “It's about anxiety and fear, which I find to be recurring obstacles… I like the analogy of throwing your thoughts into the waves of the ocean, letting them pass, and hopefully gaining some clarity through that process"  

The dizzyingly honest subject matter substantiates why he is one to watch in the local electronic scene.

Luboku has recently announced he will be joining the huge BIGSOUND lineup and will go on a national run of shows with LEISURE after. This multifaceted artist is set to soar, with many more exciting releases scheduled for later this year. Stream ‘Forget’ now.

4.     ‘Ruin’ – Vermont 

Alternative rock/emo four-piece Vermont have released new single ‘Ruin’, describing the feeling of personal dissatisfaction.

Frontman Joshua Swanwick explains: "[The song describes] an inability to be satisfied with who you are”.

Whether the dissatisfaction stems from internal or external expectations, the dark subject matter paired with angsty vocals create a thumping rock song. Additionally, the Melbourne group feature a melodic backbone, distorted guitar tones and a catchy chorus to grab the listener’s attention.

Forming in late 2017, Joshua Swanwick (vocals), Jono Hnatejko (guitarist), Nathan Borg (bassist) and Curtly Lyon (drummer) strive to produce music that they love and have already left their mark on Melbourne’s local music scene.

If exploring the melancholic themes of relationships, heartbreak, pain, and inner demons isn’t enough, the overwhelming aura of emotion heard within Vermont’s sound will be sure to get you in a reflective mood. 

Vermont, the band well beyond their years, have undoubtedly smashed it with ‘Ruin’. Have a listen to the tune before their EP releases later this year!

 5.     ‘Figureheads’ – The Motion Below

Yet another Melbourne band, The Motion Below, have made the Good Friday cut with their ferocious new single ‘Figureheads’. 

The quartet know exactly how to create a post-hardcore banger through blending raw vocals with melodic cleans to punctuate the aggressive feel. 

The track, produced, mixed and mastered at The Loud Noise Estate, is a frenetic exposition about fitting in.

Vocalist Thomas Katgert explains: “[The character from the lyrics] has spent much time alienated from involving themselves in things they’re interested in due to the ostracism of their peers”.

Most of the band’s recent and upcoming tracks explore the past traumas from toxic friendships, displacement in society and finally death and abuse.

Katgert adds: "The subject pleads with their loved ones to keep away, as the man now believes that he is beyond saving and wishes to protect those around him from his misery." 

The Motion Below have announced they’ll be supporting alongside ATLVS and Visioner for BLKLST on the Spider Love EP launch show on Saturday, August 17 2019. Get around it!