Homegrown: The best of Melbourne’s music scene
MELBOURNE’S local music scene boasts an ever-growing pool of artists from a variety of genres. Clarissa Cheng gives you the lowdown on the city’s hottest homegrown acts.
BIG SCARY
Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres: Indie Pop, Garage Rock
Label: Pieater
Big Scary is made up of vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Tom Iansek and drummer Jo Syme. The duo had their humble musical beginnings in Jo’s parents’ living room in 2006. But now, they play to huge crowds at sold-out shows – a sure sign of their current success, topped of by the release of their last, critically-acclaimed debut album, Vacation (2011). From performing at maximum-capacity gigs at the Corner Hotel and the leegendary SXSW festival in Texas to being featured heavily on hit TV series, Grey’s Anatomy, this duo is definitely making their mark in the music world. Refusing to marry themselves blindly to a genre, Iansek has proclaimed, “We write songs with completely different feels and vibes… in the studio, we thought that we should try not to suppress this too much, and just roll with it”.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJRlqBkcPOc[/youtube]
GOLD FIELDS
Origin: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Genres: Dance, Pop
Label: Stralwerks (Capitol/EMI)
As their aptly chosen moniker suggests, Gold Fields hails from the fabled land of Ballarat. Albeit being considered fresh blood in the local music scene, the five-piece have released a mind-blowing debut self-titled EP set to expand minds with floor-filling tunes. The band has already established a strong following through their impressionable high energy performances in Australia and the UK. One can only see great things to come for these lads.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwD0hAxBpjU[/youtube]
ANIMAUX
Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres: Dance, Pop, Jazz
Label: Unsigned
One of the most unique young bands from the region, Animaux (French for animals), are bound to captivate you with their undeniable charm. The seven-member band play seven different instruments, including two saxophones and a trumpet – putting any self-respecting hotel jazz band to shame. Their profile reads: “If jazz and pop had a lovechild, got divorced, remarried funk and soul, and then all raised said lovechild together, Animaux would surely be the end result”. Take a listen and I’m pretty sure you’ll agree.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70YajxMCQp0&feature=relmfu[/youtube]
Want to catch more local acts? Check out these venues:
202 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Corner Hotel
57 Swan Street, Richmond
The Empress
714 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy
The Prince Of Wales
29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
The Esplanade Hotel (Espy)
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
The Green Room
Downstairs 33 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
The Evelyn
351 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
The Tote
71 Johnston Street, Collingwood
The Northcote Social Club
301 High St, Northcote
The Worker’s Club
51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
The Toff in Town
2/252 Swanston St, Melbourne