We’re days out from the official kick off for BIGSOUND 2016. Our schedules may be prepared. Our livers and grasp on a decent night’s sleep? Not so much.
With so many artists spread across the Valley over Wednesday-Friday’s programming, it’s going to be nigh on impossible to see everyone but we’re going to give it a red hot crack and check out some of our fave discoveries from this year so far. Some artists we’ve seen before, others we’re looking forward to coming across for the first time – here are my top picks for BIGSOUND, the rest of the team soon to follow!
Olympia is currently on the road with her debut album Self Talk and it was only the other week that I saw her play with a full band. The album is one that has kept unveiling new elements for the listener to hook into and seeing the way the music is fleshed out on stage made for fun live show. Everything about Olympia is intriguing; from her wicked sense of fashion to her incredible pop vocal, Olympia is an artist who presents her music with awesome flair.
You can catch Olympia…
Olympia’s official BIGSOUND showcase is set up for Ric’s Big Backyard on Thursday, September 8th from 10:40pm.
Having been on the road through Europe with The Black Lips (not bad of a debut run overseas, eh?), The Ruminaters have come back home with a new record ready to drop as well as a solid live show to share. Money on their BIGSOUND show getting all kinds of loose, so you’ll see me front and centre for this one.
You can catch The Ruminaters…
The Ruminaters are playing up at The Flying Cock on Thursday, September 8th at 10:00pm.
I saw Tapestry when I was in Darwin back in July and was struck by the level of energy they brought to the stage, first off. You’d have thought these guys had had at least a few national tours under their belt, judging by the ferocity and enthusiasm they brought to their gig. The only NT band officially listed as a showcasing BIGSOUND artist, these guys have a special niche all their own already.
You can catch Tapestry…
Tapestry are playing over at Crowbar on Thursday, September 8th at 10:40pm.
In Wallace Gollan’s style you get sass, you get an old-soul vibe in her vocal, you get an earthy and rich musical delivery that strikes out hard. For the young New Zealander (now based in Sydney), 2016 has been the year where more people have been twigging on to her material and rightly so; she’s a refreshing and exciting artist to come across and I can’t wait to see how her show at The Zoo goes down.
You can catch Wallace…
Wallace’s official BIGSOUND showcase is lined up for The Zoo on Wednesday, September 7th at 10:30pm.
The Melbourne based MC is one of the Bad Apples Music crew, which automatically aligns him with some of the country’s most exciting new and emerging hip hop. The Badtjala rapper recently linked up with one of my other favourites, Jimblah, on “Rise” and just off the first few listens of that tune, it was fairly obvious that Birdz was a lyricist and performer I needed to be keeping a closer eye on.
You can catch Birdz…
Birdz plays on Thursday, September 8th at The Elephant Hotel from 8:00pm.
Melbourne producer Corin is an artist I admittedly hadn’t heard much of previous to BIGSOUND announcing its 2016 programming but after delving into some of her work in previous months, she’s definitely held my attention. Her background as a classically trained pianist clearly holds prominence is the music she creates now, with an emphasis on the keys along with live processing of sounds. Melodic and atmospheric, her music progressions are sick.
You can catch Corin…
Corin’s official BIGSOUND showcase is set up at The Press Club on Wednesday, September 7th at 9:00pm.
Dark and brooding, seductive and smoky – all these things I’d attribute to the fusion of low-fi soul and R&B beats Melbourne’s Huntly are working with at the moment. I haven’t heard a band out of that city who are doing what they’re doing as well as Huntly are and going off the amount of good things I’ve heard about the trio’s live set up, I’m gonna take a guess in assuming their Brightside showcase is going to be one not to be missed.
You can catch Huntly…
Huntly performs at The Brightside on Thursday, September 8th from 9:40pm.
Sydney producer Anatole is another artist who has recently come across my way and I’m ashamed I haven’t jumped onboard sooner. His debut EP Surrounds came out this year and since, he’s not wasted any time in resting on laurels or letting the work faded out. With a stream count on Spotify edging its way to an impressive and cheeky two million, the EP has been one that’s been bumped on my iTunes over the past few weeks in particular. Bring it on.
You can catch Anatole…
Anatole plays on the Mane Stage at The Woolly Mammoth on Wednesday, September 7th at 8:20pm.
The Furrs is likely where you may have heard of Gabriella in the past but make no mistake, with her recent single “I Don’t Feel So Alice” and “Sever The Walls”, this lady is conjuring up a solo vibe all her own. A great lyricist, Gabriella’s solo music we’ve heard so far oozes coolness and a fresh sense of rebellion that we’re hooked on.
You can catch Gabriella Cohen…
Gabriella’s official BIGSOUND showcase is lined up for The Foundry on Thursday, September 8th at 9:00pm.
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Full artist information for all bands and musicians playing BIGSOUND can be found HERE!
Birdz image: Michelle Grace Hunder.
Corin image: Saskia Wilson.
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