TEMPURA NIGHTS
Alt Rock
Brisbane four-piece Tempura Nights draw on the distorted glories of mid-90s alt rock, recalling the likes of Pavement and Liz Phair with a touch of Weezer thrown in. There’s plenty of guts in the guitar tones, but the vocals cut through, as hooky as they are vulnerable.
Thursday April 28 – The Foundry – Brisbane, QLD
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ELLI SCHOEN
Indie/Roots
Elli Schoen is a singer/songwriter from Perth whose music reaches for anthemic heights while embracing a touch of alt-country blues. It’s not staggeringly original, but the strength of Schoen’s voice makes it feel momentous.
Friday April 29 – The Odd Fellow – Perth, WA
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HAMJAM
Garage Pop
Hamjam. I’m undecided whether that’s a clever name or a really awful name. Either way, the Perth duo’s music doesn’t resemble to latter. They specialise in synth-enabled garage pop that sticks in your head and makes a night in seem like an unbelievably awful idea.
Friday April 29 – The Bird – Perth, WA
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NEW MOJAVE TRIO
Global Beat
A wily saxophonist, wandering bassist and understated drummer make up The New Mojave Trio. The Brisbane instrumental band take inspiration from funk, afrobeat, hip hop and soul. However, it’s easiest to describe it as jazz music – full of colour, not bound by tradition.
Friday April 29 – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane, QLD
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KING CURLY
Folk
King Curly isn’t an intimidating sovereign. The Sydney quintet looks back on various forms of folk music, from country and western to art pop and vaudeville entertainment, and the results are easy going and neatly presented.
Friday April 29 – Gasoline Pony – Sydney, NSW
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FERLA
Skewwhiff Pop
Shedding the doom country stylings of his former outfit Twin Beasts, Giuliano Ferla has plunged into the world of pop. Though, he’s not on a quest for perfection, cute rhymes and syrupy hooks. Rather, Ferla sees the world is an ugly place and he’s interested in exploring that reality, while unravelling captivating melodies and handmade new wave arrangements.
Saturday April 30 – The Old Bar – Melbourne, VIC
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MATHAS
Hip Hop
Perth MC Mathas doesn’t write songs unless he’s got something serious to talk about. That said, a lot of serious topics that need to be addressed, and Mathas won’t balk at issues such as over-policing, poor nutrition and online bullying. The latter forms the subject of his latest single, ‘Bravo Troll’, which is partially indebted to the Three Billy Goats Gruff fairy tale.
Saturday April 30 – Ross River Resort (Wide Open Space Festival) – Central Australia, NT
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HI-TEC EMOTIONS
New Glam
Hi-Tec Emotions are one of horde of Melbourne acts getting together to salute the values of friendship this Saturday. Hi-Tec Emotions deal in a high energy brand of post-punk that will make you elbow your friend in the side to say, “sick, eh”, spilling their beer in the process. Ah mates.
Saturday April 30 – The Tote – Melbourne, VIC
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GILL BATES
Hip Hop/R&B
Gill Bates makes melodic club-worthy hip hop. There’s a hint of Young Thug to his speedy flow, though it’s not nearly as spasmodic. Gill’s diction is clear, with his focus on triggering emotion rather than dazzling with unpredictable word play.
Saturday April 30 – Oxford Art Factory – Sydney, NSW
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JULIA JACKLIN
Alt-Country/Folk
Julia Jacklin makes melancholy alt country, giving a nod towards contemporary dons like Sharon van Etten and Angel Olsen. She’s not inconsolable, but communicating matters of concern to all (or most: some people have a heart of stone).
Sunday May 1 – Grace Emily – Adelaide, SA
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