Going Global: Awesome Australia

Meta Stange

Australia is home to many wonderful things, including, but not limited to, the Great Barrier Reef, incomparable surfing, adorable wildlife (kangaroos! koalas! wombats!), and the Hemsworth brothers. One thing that doesn’t receive quite as much press as a wonder of the world or hunky actors is the country’s music scene. A fresh, eclectic mix of artists is coming out of Australia right now, and you can check out five of my favorites below.

L D R U

L D R U, 21-year-old producer hailing from Sydney, has been making waves with his tropical-infused electronica for the past couple of years. His Soundcloud is comprised of exceptional remixes of other young acts, including BROODS, Flume, and Lorde, in addition to a handful of original tracks that demonstrate his ability to create solid tracks on his own. The laid-back vibe of his music is a perfect fit for the festival scene or a day chilling at the beach. Keep an eye out for this guy, he’s going places.

Northeast Party House

As their name implies, Melbourne’s Northeast Party House make infectious electro-pop about, well, parties. Their album Any Given Weekend, released last May, is a 10-track ode to the good, the bad, and the ugly of partying. They provide a refreshing edge to their indie-pop, relying heavily on synth, while also maintaining a hard-hitting rock backbone. I highly recommend blasting Any Given Weekend in preparation for any night out to ensure you get properly amped for the ups and downs that accompany a foray into the weird and wonderful world of partying.

Banff

Brisbane native Benjamin Forbes is Banff, a solo act that makes dreamy indie-pop, complete with twanging guitar and a soaring falsetto. Forbes has been a part of multiple projects in the past, so the sound he’s created as Banff is a culmination of his previous musical styles in addition to an influx of new sonic ideas, resulting in infectious feel-good songs. The two tracks available to stream on his Soundcloud leave the listener wanting more, so let’s hope Banff provides us with some new releases soon! 

Boy & Bear

Sydney based Boy & Bear has been making mellow folk-influenced indie music since 2009. The band’s Americana influences — represented most obviously by the twanging banjo and crashing tambourine — combined with their propensity for pop harmonies and hooks results in catchy alt-folk songs that keep fans around the world bobbing their heads and singing along. They’ve toured with the likes of Angus and Julia Stone, Laura Marling, and Mumford and Sons, but it’s just a matter of time until they’re headlining a stadium tour of their own.  

Courtney Barnett

Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett makes rad rock music that combines 60’s psychedelia with a hint of folk and a bit of 90’s grunge. The result? One of the strongest albums of early 2015. Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Barnett’s debut LP, features 11 songs about the simple moments in life, reminding the listener that little things count too. Barnett alternates flawlessly between speaking and singing, creating a casual sound, perfect for summer days spent driving with the windows down. She has received a significant amount of positive attention from the critics, but it’s undeniable that she makes music for her, which is refreshing in our ratings-hungry age.

Looking for more Aussie bands to keep you groovin’ through the week? Check out Triple J to keep up to date with the music scene down under!

Meta went on her first trip before the age of two and has been infected with wanderlust ever since. Her dream is to live a nomadic lifestyle so she can experience all the world has to offer. She's addicted to music, coffee, and making really bad jokes.

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