Attending BIGSOUND 2022 for the first time, Naarm-based writer and creative Selin Ruby Kaya hit the venues of Fortitude Valley to soak up the best in new Australian music. Here, she names the four artists who struck a particular chord, as she reflects on highlights from the largest music conference in the southern hemisphere.
BUDJERAH
As the end of Wednesday night neared, there was an element of magic in the air, most of which can be attributed to Budjerah, a singer-songwriter hailing from Bundjalung Country in Northern New South Wales. The crowd hurried in and soon enough there was not a patch of green synthetic grass at Summa House for anyone to stand on.
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of witnessing Budjerah’s hypnotic personality shine on stage, he’s endlessly charming – and for good reason too. His vocal runs captivated the audience who were like putty in his hands, calling and responding to the words he was so effortlessly laying down.
Although he’s young, the way in which he was able to dazzle the crowd with his magnetic persona made it feel as though he’d been performing in utero. Throughout the set he would individually lock eyes with audience members which absolutely made them swoon even more. But it’s not just his allure and charisma which attracts listeners, as his body of work also has an enduring quality about it – in the sense that it’s able to transcend decades and defy genres. This meant that he was able to draw an incredibly diverse crowd, jam-packed with a range of experiences all coming together to celebrate the common good: the heavenly presence of Budjerah.
GHOST CARE
Fresh off the plane from Western Australia, indie-rock outfit Ghost Care arrived with a spring in their step – announcing during their showcase that it was the first time they’ve ever played over in the East. Rest assured, it won’t be their last.
Full of energy, their set erupted into a feel-good experience for all involved, possibly due to front person Beau Torrance’s guitar being hoisted comically high above his knees. As the set began, their interaction as a three-piece was entertaining to watch. It was as if their smiles were bouncing off the walls from one to another, adding an element of animation to their set. The crowd of long-haired twenty-somethings were incredibly receptive to their jangly bass riffs and razor-sharp alt-rock rhythms. The bass lines were particularly impressive, noting that their bassist, Tanaya Harper, only learnt how to play the bass after joining the band.
Sonically, Ghost Care represents a broader West-Coast garage rock phenomenon that has consumed Perth and its surrounds. The trio have previously toured with guitar-driven rockers Spacey Jane, when the rest of Australia was living life in lockdown. The shimmying, head-banging, and laughter all amounted to Ghost Care giving a metaphorical hug to the audience for their unifying showcase performance.
TULLIAH
Arguably one of Mornington Peninsula’s most talented folk singer-songwriters, Tulliah performed an intimate set at King Lear’s Throne for her BIGSOUND showcase. Sitting somewhere between the lines of Ruby Gill and Julia Jacklin, Tulliah’s sonic landscape is characterised by melancholic melodies extracted straight from her heart.
Draped in fairy lights and accompanied by her guitar, a piano, and a cello, the stage was set for feelings of tenderness to ensue. And that they did. As the crowd started to filter through and fill the room, Tulliah began to pull on our heartstrings with delicate finger-picking moments. Her guitar prowess, along with her mature vocals allowed for her message to be sung with sincerity and clarity.
Although her messages surrounded feelings of inadequacy and ‘feeling guilty for being sad’, in between each song Tulliah’s bubbly personality was the perfect juxtaposition which created an atmosphere of comfort and calm between audience members. She also played a cover of “Across the Universe” as it was ‘her Pa’s favourite’ which she played for him on Father’s Day, which was beyond touching at this point in the set.
As we swayed and looked on in adoration, some even cried at the sheer poetic nature of her voice which seemed to cut through the air. Something which was truly heartbreaking about her set was the technical difficulties that arose throughout, of which she was impressively, and relatively unphased by until the very last song. However, in our times of trouble, the wonderful people of Fortitude Valley cheered ecstatically for her. Tulliah’s stoicism and ability to connect so deeply in such a short amount of time with an audience really set her apart from other acts at BIGSOUND – her future decorated with only the brightest of fairy lights, as she sets her sights on New York to record a fully orchestral album.
PHOEBE GO
Over the last few months, Melbourne’s very own alt-pop artist Phoebe Go (also known as Phoebe Lou) has become a household name, her name of which was on everyone’s lips at BIGSOUND. Her name hasn’t exactly been forgotten, so to speak, in the Australian music industry, as many remember her from when she fronted much-adored acts such as Snakadaktal and Two People.
Phoebe Go’s set began with her second release, ‘The Kid’ and almost instantly, the crowd appeared mesmerised. The chorus almost feels recognisable, which speaks to her innate ability to evoke feelings of familiarity upon first listening. Phoebe’s refined sense of self, mixed with her achingly mature lyricism makes for a rare combination.
On stage, she’s composed and collected, which could possibly be due to years of experience perfecting the craft. Addictive, sombre guitar hooks adorned the majority of her set, which act as a constant throughout all that she does. Whilst she’s only released three songs under her new moniker, Phoebe Go’s set at BIGSOUND has signified Phoebe won’t be Go-ing back into the dark anytime soon, and for that, we’re all the richer.
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This feature has been published as part of The Music Writer’s Lab initiative, developed between MusicNT and Australia Council of The Arts. For more information, visit www.themusicwriterslab.com.
Header image photo of Budjerah by Bruce Baker
