EDITORIAL: 5 Local Artists To Keep On Your Radar
Grab a pen and paper and take note. You’ll want to keep these names on your radar…
In terms of Australia’s underground dance music scene, Melbourne is second to none. We’re the piece de resistance if you will, the Paris of Australia. We ultimately play the role of your cool ex who moved to Berlin to be an artist and is kicking career goals, and you’ll always remember them as the one who got away. All in all, our music scene is the shit. It’ll come as no surprise then, that in terms of the scope and breadth of our talent and releases on offer, we’re undoubtedly spoilt for choice.
From niche labels to record stores, to club nights and listening parties, there’s always a sick new track or mix that seems to be captivating and genre-defying. We understand that you might find the sheer quantity of it all intimidating, so in the spirit of helping you to lessen the load, we have compiled a list of 5 local artists we think you should have on your radar.
Whether you know him from his days producing under the alias Van Oasis, or his strictly vinyl-only record label Boots & Legs, GREETINGS is the multi-faceted creative with more than a few accolades to his name. He is an advocate for the resurgence of 80’s inspired Italo Disco, and his latest accomplishment comes in the form of his imminent debut EP ‘Vertigo Months’, scheduled for release on Lobster Theremin sub-label There Is Love In You.
Featuring punchy snares, warm foreign vocal samples, and more than a few vintage synthesizers, a GREETINGS production will certainly nourish and warm you. Test him on for size by checking out his EP previews below, it will instantly transport you to a quaint beach-side bar on the Italian coastline, with Pinã Colada in hand, and your collar well and truly popped. Keep your eyes on GREETINGS, because we have no doubt he’s going places.
2. ROY BLUES
The moniker of Melbourne drummer and instrumentalist Ryan D’Sylva, Roy Blues is the creative embodiment of pensive music made for the dance floor - or, at least that’s how we would describe it. Striking somewhere between ambient, experimental, electronic and house, Roy Blues’ work is like a warm hug from a friend you haven’t seen in a while.
His ‘Brain Wax’ EP, released on Gallery Records earlier this year, is a beautiful project that strikes a balance between emotion and dance floor functionality. Featuring expansive reverberated vocal samples, a minimal drumbeat, and an evocative string arrangement, Brain Wax showcases just one of the many creative masks Ryan wears. Already garnering support from industry names such as DJ Boring, CC:Disco! and Roland Tings, Roy Blues is definitely one of our top picks for 2020.
3. PRETTY GIRL
A regular fixture on Melbourne’s circuit, Pretty Girl has turned more than a few heads in recent months with her ‘emotionally charged, house tinged’ productions. As a singer, songwriter, DJ, and producer, the Melbourne based artist has aligned herself with a breed of dance music that lends itself to any context. Seriously, listen to her in the club, at the pub, at your friends’ friends house party, or in the shower, and we can guarantee it slaps every single time.
Look no further than her original track ‘Message’ released in early 2020. It features a warm jackin’ house foundation, paired with ethereal pads, and Pretty Girl’s own filtered vocal samples. The result is a sonic cocktail of house, electronica and ambient that will make you feel like you’re driving down the highway at dusk with the windows down - and not a care in the world. We love you Pretty Girl. Dig in and enjoy.
4. DJ CHRYSALIS
If there’s one thing that can be said for sure, it’s that Melbourne artist DJ Chrysalis is a creative chameleon. You’ll likely recognise the DJ and producer from his contributions to mix series’ like Public Possession, Hope St Radio, Friendly Potential, Primer and Head Rush, exploring genres house, electronic, Balearic, dub and IDM.
Through his original productions, DJ Chrysalis merges warmly tuned organic drum samples, syncopated rhythms and rich tonality which reminds of artists and labels like Motor City Drum Ensemble (‘Cushion’) or Rhythm Section (‘Monkey Bars’). He’s absolutely nailed the art of making music for the dance floor that holds the warmth and energy of a live band or ensemble. It all makes for a final product that is as evocative as it is alluring.
5. AHJU
Alright, whilst AHJU isn't technically from Melbourne, she indeed maintains a strong position in Sydney's underground music scene, proving herself to be one of the most exciting artists coming out of the sunny east coast. With a string of house leaning productions on clipp.art, alongside self-released tracks, AHJU forges a blissful, high energy soundscape. A prime example is her original track 'Jubilee' released in early 2020. It features warm piano house chords, bright string samples, and a quintessential summer house beat. It's the kind of track you'd play to a dying dance floor at a mates house party in summer, only for someone to inevitable call out 'tuuuune', creating an ensuing packed-out dance floor.
Check her contributions to local mix series' eclectic, GARJ and clipp.art, where she explore funk, disco, lo-fi, deep house and electronic. It's the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon spent in the sun. Chuck her on your list, AHJU is always cooking up something good.