Anyone who reads Indietronica on the regular knows we are suckers for French disco. That’s why we couldn’t refuse to support Mel Blue‘s ‘Yesterday’.
Whilst the six-piece might be based across the other side of the world, in Sydney, the track is a sweet and summery breath of electronica that pays homage to Daft Punk, Zimmer, and Phoenix.
Sounds like: Daft Punk, Zimmer, Phoenix, L’lmpératrice, Stardust, Hot Chip, CAPYAC
Australian-born, Berlin-based artist Jackson Dyer shares the cinematic visuals for his playful and poetic new single, ‘CBSKY’.
Taking influences from both Australia and Berlin, and centred around conflicting emotions that many feel at the start of any great journey, Dyer explains, “‘CBSKY’ is a song of transition, hope, and yearning for what lies beyond the horizon.”
Sounds like: The Yukon Club, Rob Dekay, The Young Folk, Banner
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Reinvented Sydney-based, folk singer Nathan Hughes is KESMAR.
Working towards a more disco-orientated sound, with romantic bass lines and swirling synths, his new single ‘Feel It Again’ explores the darker side of romance, inspired by KESMAR’s recent breakup at the time.
Sounds like: Metronomy, Roosevelt and L’imperatrice, Troye Sivan, Parcels, LEISURE, Miami Horror, Cut Copy, Lanks
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It may not be warm in the Northern hemisphere right now, but Sydney-based producer Husky is changing that with his new release ‘Can’t Shake It Off’.
Teaming up with X-Factor 2015 alumni Nat Conway, the result is a summer-infused deep disco track that is probably a little more radio friendly that his usual stuff. Sizzlin’!
Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Goldroom, Röyksopp, Chela, Just Kiddin
Husky
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Nat Conway
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There are sweet whispers in your ear, inviting you to a ‘Late Night Ball Game’. Would you go?
Of course you would – you can guarantee it’s gonna be well hell of a ride. Well, a HANDSOME Joyride to be exact, from two unique and creative artists in their own right.
The film clip below follows five friends leading the queer revolution in a sequence of raw ‘This Is England’ scenarios.
HANDSOME’s debut EP ‘NO HAT NO PLAY’ will be out in 2018.
Sounds like: The xx, SOAK, IDER, Mura Masa
HANDSOME
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Joyride
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Time for some darker electronica from Australia, courtesy of Sydney-based duo, PLGRMS.
Their latest release is called ‘Dream You Up’. In one part, it’s a brooding number, led my bass laced drums, but also warm and uplifting at the same time, with its innovative riffs of a spritely nature.
Speaking on the lyrical meaning behind the track, Jacob Pearson from the band explained,
“When there’s mystery behind something or someone, it’s so interesting and intriguing. By nature we just can’t help ourselves and want to find out what it is. It’s the anticipation and the thrill of what we don’t understand. I’ve gone through it, but when you unveil the truth, the magic just disappears. So, it’s about stopping yourself from understanding it completely, so that thrill can hang around a bit longer.”
Sounds like: Glass Animals, Wild Beasts, Foals
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Introducing Sloan Peterson (aka 24 year-old Joannah Jackson).
Based in Sydney, Sloan Peterson has grown up recording songs, filming music videos and playing vintage records with her sister and friends. Her music is a nod to the garage rock music of the 50’s.
The video for her single, ‘105’ is the first to be shot in the historic building of The Strand Arcade since scenes from David Bowie‘s music video for ‘Let’s Dance’ and features Sloan Peterson as well as a cast of alumni dancers from the Australian Ballet School and Sydney Dance Company.
This is her debut single taken from her upcoming debut self-titled EP, out on 14 July via Mirror Records.
Sounds like: Marika Hackman, Wolf Alice, Fazerdaze, Laura Marling, Lucy Rose, Courtney Barnett, OH Wonder
Dappled Cities
Let’s slow it right down in preparation for the upcoming weekend.
Cue Dappled Cities; a Sydney-based indie band creating warm synth sounds.
Their new track, ‘Stone Men’ takes us back in time with its light guitar strokes and airy vocals that remind us a little of Damon Alban. Joyous!
Expect their forthcoming and fifth studio album titled ‘Five’ (stylised as |||||), out on 5 May via Chugg Music.
Sounds like: Tame Impala, Washed Out, Gorillaz, Daft Punk, Phoenix
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Port Of Spain
Meet Port of Spain.
Unlike the name suggests, this male/female duo are not from Spain, but Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Their debut track, ‘Blind’ is a glistening, pop serenade with a huge amount of depth throughout, courtesy of the electronics used.
Sounds like: Imogen Heap, Lights, Broods, Death Cab For Cutie
RÜFÜS
Sydney-based band, RÜFÜS, are back with a new video and a cool remix of ‘Be With You’
Considering RÜFÜS tour non stop, we were pretty lucky to tie them down for an interview. Unfortunately, we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of the name difference in North America and the rest of the world…
Hi RÜFÜS, we are huge fans! For those of you who don’t know you yet, tell us a bit more about yourself and how you all got into music.
Calling the band RÜFÜS was a decision we made because we liked the way it sounded foreign to us, and also because it was quite symmetrical on paper, which we liked also. However, we didn’t think that most people would assume RÜFÜS is the name of the singer in the band. We’ve been trying to get people to realise we are a 3 piece live act for the past few years. They don’t get it even when they come to a show.
Why do you call yourselves RÜFÜS du Sol in North America, but RÜFÜS in the rest of the world?
Our attorney has advised that legal reasons is the appropriate answer.
Describe your sound in three words.
Never ending touring.
Where do you cite your musical influences from?
So many places. They are different for each of us. We listen to a lot of contemporary music to get inspired. Recently, we’ve been listening to a lot of Radiohead, Moderat, HAELOS, Bob Moses, Leon Vynehall etc. In the past it was Booka Shade in a massive way. They are the godfathers.
Friend Within has just released a remix of your track, ‘Be With You’. How did that come about?
We’ve wanted him to work on a remix for a while.
You are playing your biggest show to date in London in October. Tell UK fans why this will this be such a great show!
We’ve heard the venue is special. The first night sold out so we’ve announced another show, so we’re always in a very good mood when we get to do 2 shows back to back without driving, flying somewhere in between. It’s a real treat for us so we’ll make sure we are good to those who made it possible 😉
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
Answered this one above. But, Anderson Paak and Blood Orange have really nailed it this year.
Sounds like: Cut Copy, Foals, Booka Shade, Holy Ghost!, Midnight Juggernauts, Goldroom
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