Three days of non-stop music with a promising line-up? Talk about a good way to end the year! Beyond the Valley is bringing a heated line up of local and international talent to Gippsland to bring in the New Year and, now we’re just a few weeks out, we bring you our top artists to catch!
TOKiMONSTA
I’ve got my eye on TOKiMONSTA after accidentally stumbling across her track “Go With It” on Youtube. With a background in classical piano, she started experimenting with beats in college and eventually led to her mixing her own tunes.
With chill and texturally complex sounds, she’s someone to listen to chill out with a beer in hand. I’m expecting a lot from her live shows, as I’ve heard that TOKiMONSTA engages her audience with new technology and other multimedia.
SKREAM
I love a good dubstep producer, because there is a very fine line between dubstep and plain old noise. Oliver Jones, who goes by the name Skream, is one of those DJs who has managed to perfect the art of scratching and the drop.
His recent move to mainstream house and disco was not unexpected, but I’m pretty sure his live set is going to be decent, even if its moved on from his more techno and electro beginnings.
JAPANESE WALLPAPER
I’ve seen Japanese Wallpaper in and around a couple of times, and he always put up a good show. He’s got this hynoptic, atmospheric and dreamy sound going on that is perfect for both intimate shows and big crowds.
HIGHASAKITE
Indie pop has always been a second favourite of mine after rock, and so Highasakite gradually entered my playlists to stay with their addicting sound. They’re back with a new album, which sounds amazing.
WHAT SO NOT
What So Not might have started off as a duo project, with hit producer Flume and Emoh Instead with their sights on conquering the electronica world.
Continuing as a solo project of Emoh Instead (love Flume, but this guy must be good if they started something together right?), What So Not has managed to cultivate his own unique trap-style dance beats with cinematic and atmospheric touches in a world chock full of banger beats.
BAG RAIDERS
It’s painful waiting for new song because I love this duo’s works! I’ll take all their single releases, and their new stuff is not that bad. Crossing fingers that they will showcase some new material at BTV!
ECCA VANDAL
Dark, edgy and raw energy just emanates from Ecca Vandal, especially since I’ve first heard her in a grungy empty warehouse. Her live performances are one to watch because it’s a hip-hop, rock, punk, hardcore genres all rolled into one.
Lots of bass and heavy guitars is gonna give your ears a bashingly good time.
LASTLINGS
Fairytale pop that soothes my frazzled nerves after a long long day. This is my kind of chill-out music that will just make anyone stop and listen.
I can’t imagine how siblings Josh and Amy Dowdle managed to make such soundscape-y music when all I want to do is strangle my brother every time I see him.
ZHU
Everyone has heard of ‘Faded’ but chances of someone having heard of ZHU is so rare. If you manage to dig out a picture, props to you then because ZHU himself chose to eliminate prejudice by releasing music anonymously.
His album Generationwhy was just released this year, and features a range of vocals and works from the likes of Nikola Bedingfield, Broods and Nylo just to name a few. ZHU brought back house-pop with a blend of deep house mixtape that sounds nothing like his first hit single, and not in a bad way, ‘cos I loved it.
Beyond the Valley is held at Lardner Park, Victoria, from December 28th through until January 1st. For more information about the festival, head here.
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