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AusMusic Tshirt Day: An A-Z of Australian music

Today is AusMusic Tshirt Day, and to celebrate we have put together some education in music form.

Here you have it, an A-Z of Australian music.

Tie it into your home-school lessons, reminisce over some old favourite while meeting some new ones, and most importantly take a day to truly celebrate all the beauty that is the Australian music industry.

Is this list all-encompassing? Obviously not, we’ve got thousands of incredible artists and millions of incredible songs to choose from, but we’ve done our best to pick some of our faves.

Feel free to add to the list!

A

AC/DC

There is no other place to start the Australian Music alphabet than with Acca Dacca. We’ve got a lot of huge pub singalongs to thank the Young brothers for, that’s for sure.

AC/DC – Thunderstruck (Official Video)

Ali Barter

Spunk attitude, shreddy riffs, brutal honesty, and the voice of an angel – expect nothing less from Melbourne pop-rocker Ali Barter (also go check out her second album, last year’s Hello, I’m Doing My Best for some great isolation tunes).

Ali Barter – Girlie Bits [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

A Swayze & The Ghosts

Hobart’s raucous punk-garage outfit, if you like your music urgent and frenetic with a sweet ‘80s tinge, then A Swayze & The Ghosts are the pals for you. 

A. Swayze & the Ghosts – Suddenly

B

Bliss n Eso

They’ve been at the forefront of shaping Australia’s hip hop sound for the last two decades, well and truly earning their Aus Hip Hop royalty crown.

Bliss n Eso – My Life (feat. Ceekay Jones) – Official Video Clip

Bluejuice

Fourteen years, three albums, and a huge stack of bangers – Bluejuice will forever be dancing their way through our hearts.

BLUEJUICE – Act Yr Age – HD Version

Bugs

Need a little brightness in your day? Look no further than Brisbane’s happiest punks Bugs. They’re turning honest, everyday tales of Australiana suburbia into infectiously catchy jams that’ll have you smiling for days.

Bugs – Something's Bound to Go Bad (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

C

Cold Chisel

We don’t hand out legend status lightly, but with hits like Khe Sanh, Flame Trees, Bow River, My Baby, Cheap Wine, Saturday Night and You Got Nothing I Want soundtracking the lives of music lovers for more than four decades, we think Cold Chisel might just have earned it.

Cold Chisel – Khe Sanh [Official Video]

Courtney Barnett

With her sharp, wry witty lyricism and homey deadpan vocals, Courtney Barnett has established herself as one of Australia’s best lyrical storytellers – the Grammy nominations and ARIA awards make that pretty clear. 

Courtney Barnett – Nameless, Faceless

Crowded House

Whether you were with them in the ‘80s, or discovered them while trawling through your parent’s cassette/vinyl/CD collection – we’re certain Crowded House had an effect on the way you listen to, and think about, pop music.

Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over (Official Music Video)

Cry Club

Bubblegum punk might sound like an interesting genre description, but that’s exactly what you’ll get with duo Cry Club. Think big bops, attitude for days, confidence, and energy, all wrapped up in powerful post-punk layered with glittering pop.

Cry Club – Robert Smith (Official Music Video)

D

Delta Goodrem

If you were growing up in the early 2000’s you definitely played some mean air piano to ‘Born To Try’ or ‘Lost Without You’ (right….it wasn’t just us….?). Nearly two decades on and she is still ruling the ARIA Charts.

Delta Goodrem – Solid Gold (Freedom)

Divinyls

When we think about iconic Australian frontpeople, Chrissy Amphlett is never too far from our minds. Divinyls fought against the sleek recorded sound of the time, instead creating something rough around the edges, innovative and perfectly suited for the gritty pub rock aesthetic. 

Divinyls - I Touch Myself (Official Music Video)

Dregg

We are big fans of letting our inner weirdos out, and Dregg are the perfect soundtrack for doing just that. If you like your hardcore with a side of costumes, get ready to be captivated by the energy and sound Dregg are throwing down.

E

The Easybeats

Considered one of the most important Australian acts of the 1960s, with their floppy hair and matching outfits The Easybeats were our OG boyband – a little bit Beatles, a little bit Rolling Stones, but all ours.

The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind

Eilish Gilligan  

As soft, warm, and cosy as a big doona, Melbourne singer-songwriter Eilish Gilligan will have you feeling all the feels with her brilliantly, beautiful sliced of dream-pop.

Eilish Gilligan - Someone Else (Official Music Video)

Eskimo Joe

It’s been more than 20 years of tunes from Eskimo Joe, and we bet just thinking about them has every single one in your head at the same time. We are here for the singalongs.

Eskimo Joe - From the Sea

F

Fan Girl

You can call us the captain’s of the Fan Girl Fan Club right now. Glorious pop sensibilities, anthemic rock riffs, soaring vocals, crisp melodies – it’s all there. That’s before we even get started on their explosive live shows.

Fan Girl - Yellow, Blue & Grey

Flume

From a teenage triple j Unearthed breakout star to headlining some of the biggest stages in the world, Flume’s rise doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. And whether he is teaming up with some of our favourite vocalists in the studio or putting on one of his outrageous live shows, you won’t be standing still for a second.

Flume - Never Be Like You feat. Kai

Frenzal Rhomb

For three decades, Frenzal Rhomb have remained one of Australia’s favourite bunch of punks. Managing to skirt a fine line between the serious and the silly, their unique combination of twisted humour and important messages has kept them going strong. And they’re still getting better with age.

Frenzal Rhomb - Punch In The Face (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

G

Gang of Youths

Hands down, one of the best rock bands Australia has produced in recent times, the Dave Le’Aupepe fronted group are miles apart from their competition. Penning big anthems that will rip into your soul and shatter your heart while also making you feel a little less alone isn’t easy to do. But Gang of Youths have been doing it for years, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

Gang of Youths - The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows

Gretta Ray

‘Drive’ is one of the best songs ever written. That’s it. We said it. That’s the story. We love you, Gretta.

Gretta Ray - Drive (Official Video)

Gurrumul

With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. The legacy and importance of his voice and will continue forever.

Gurrumul - Jesu (Official Music Video)

H

Hilltop Hoods

It’s impossible to think about Australian hip hop and not mention Hilltop Hoods. Iconic is hardly enough. Proving that Aussie hip hop was more than just a quirky, passing novelty, the trio have paved the way for countless artists since.

Hilltop Hoods - Exit Sign feat. Illy & Ecca Vandal (Official Video)

Hockey Dad

It’s impossible to listen to Hockey Dad and not feel joy, to watch the duo play life and not have a smile plastered on your fave for the whole time. The best part is, every song steps things up from the last, and with a new album on its way we cannot wait to see what heights Hockey Dad reach next.

Hockey Dad - I Wanna Be Everybody (Official Video)

Hunters and Collectors

From the minute that opening riff kicks in, you know what’s coming. It’s ‘Holy Grail’ and it’s one heck of an anthem. Mark Seymour still remains a mainstay of Australian music today, and we are stoked that the ARIA Hall of Famers will be reuniting once more.

Hunters & Collectors - Holy Grail (Official Video)

I

Illy

We’ve already covered two-thirds of the Aus Hip Hop holy trinity, then Illy is the final piece. Always standing out from the crowd thanks to his knack for pop-influenced melody, with every track he is still delivering something that sounds fresh and new – not an easy task after a very successful decade on the scene.

Illy - Catch 22 feat. Anne-Marie (Official Video)

INXS

Not serious enough for the full-fledged alternative crowd, maybe not polished enough to be pure pop, but there is no doubt that INXS had a prowess for writing songs that doesn’t come around often. From post-punk to pop-rock, their arena-filling legacy was well-earned and they have left us with a musical legacy and back catalogue that will continue to endure.

INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

Ivey

Shimmering pop that smashes it out of the park each and every time. Ivey might only have a handful of singles under their belt, but each one is pure pop opulence – sleek, confident, and ready to get stuck in your head.

IVEY - VALENTINE (Official Video)

J

JAMO

Whether you’re longing for another day of sunshine or you’re looking for the perfect summer soundtrack, Mornington Peninsula producer JAMO has taken his surroundings and bottles it up into an infectious blend of sun-drenched dance music. Crack one open.

JAMO - Falling Deep ft. HUE

John Farnham

He truly is the voice of Australia. What more do we need to say?

John Farnham - You're the Voice

Julia Jacklin

Tender, revealing, and intimate, Julia Jacklin’s uniquely powerful vocal – restrained yet strong, and heart-achingly delicate – will tie threads around your soul in seconds. Intimate and revealing, her catalogue is like a gentle touch of reassurance from an old friend.

Julia Jacklin - Body (Official Music Video)

K

Kisschasy

This isn’t about me, but when Kisschasy released their debut album United Paper People back in 2005, a 13-year-old me made mum drive down to our local Sony at 8.30am so I was first in line to buy a copy of the CD. They hadn’t even unpacked the boxes yet, but I played that album non-stop for months. Anyway, Kisschasy are iconic.

Kisschasy - Face Without A Name [Official Video]

Kwame

Ushering in a new generation of Australian hip hop – Kwame’s hard-hitting genre-bending take on the genre saw him become one of the most talked-about up and comers of 2019. There is no stopping him.

thatboykwame - WOW (Official Video)

Kylie Minogue

The QWEEN of Australian pop. From child star to icon of the ’80s and ’90s, to absolute royalty. We don’t know how Kylie has managed to remain so brilliant, but we’ll take two of whatever she is serving up.

Kylie Minogue - Dancing (Official Video)

L

The Living End

Since their self-titled album in 1998, The Living End have never been far from the forefront of our rock scene. From unabashed, relentless punks to slick, chart-topping rockers, it’s hard to narrow it down to even a handful of highlights.

The Living End - 'West End Riot' (Official Music Video)

Lonelyspeck

Across the last few years, Lonelyspeckhas emerged as one of Australia’s most creative producers. Across their career, Lonelyspeck has showcased an evolution that resists genre constraints while maintaining a strong pop sensibility. You’ll find elements of everything from 2000s metal and alternative rock to hyper-pop influences like Charli XCX and SOPHIE wrapped in a package of punk rock, dreamy vocals, and brooding production.

Lonelyspeck - Drown (Official Video)

Luca Brasi

Hands down the best thing to come out of Tassie. Whether they are filling bandrooms or carving up festival stages, Luca Brasi will have you right there with them the whole time.

LUCA BRASI - Aeroplane (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

M

Miiesha

A strong, proud Pitjantjatjara/Torres Strait Islander woman, Miiesha’s sound deserves to be heard far beyond her smalltown. Inspired by R&B, gospel and soul, she only has a handful of singles but each one is as unforgettable, hard-hitting, and important as the last.

Miiesha - Black Privilege (Lyric Video)

Middle Kids

Guitar pop goodness, huge singalongs gems, and melodies that will make your heart sore. Every song is locked in as a future classic for sure.

Middle Kids - Edge of Town

Midnight Oil

The fact that, after four decades, they are still releasing records that score nominations for Best Album ARIAs surely stands for something. They’re one of Australia’s hardest working, powerful, and politically-aware bands, and their long-standing vision (in drummer Rob Hirst’s words) “to write Australian music that people overseas could get into and understand, which would enlarge their whole vision of Australia…” is one of their greatest legacies.

Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning

N

Nick Cave

After four decades of delighting his unflinchingly loyal fanbase with uniquely vivid songs of violence, religion, and intense love, it is now that Nick Cave – alongside his Bad Seeds – has reached the peak of their critical and commercial appeal. But even without the current acclaim, from the relentless aggression of The Birthday Party to the shameless garage rock of Bad Seeds – Nick Cave, as a character, an idol, and a person will go down in Australian folklore.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Into My Arms (4K Official Video)

Northeast Party House

They’ve spent a decade as one of Australia’s most-loved party bands, soundtracking incredible moments from sweaty venues to packed-out festival tents, long drives, and late nights. On their latest album Shelf Life, they’ve taken things to a whole new level without losing all the things we loved about them from the beginning.

Northeast Party House - For You [Official Video]

Northlane

An absolute force of Australian heavy music, Northlane just keep stepping things up, just when we think they’ve reached their peak they go and release a new album. Artistic risk-taking has become the thing they are best at.

Northlane - Bloodline [Official Music Video]

O

Ocean Grove

Nu-metal ain’t a sound of the past when Ocean grove are around. Trailblazers of a new sound in Australian heavy music, their new album Flip Phone Fantasy is chock full of enough huge moments to keep you coming back.

Ocean Grove - Ask For The Anthem [Official Music Video]

Olivia Newton-John

From Sandy to ‘Physical’ and a lifetime of incredible hits since, Olivia newton-John is truly one of Australia’s most cherished icons.

Olivia Newton-John - Physical

Operator Please

It’s just a song
It’s just a song
It’s just a song
It’s just a song
It’s just a song about ping pong!!!

2007 really was a strange time for Australian music.

Operator Please - Just A Song About Ping Pong (Official Video)

P

Paul Kelly

Australia’s greatest songwriter, Paul Kelly has a way of encapsulating our homeland like no one else. Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1997, Kelly has released a prolific 24 studio albums, with his first ARIA number 1 in 2017. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a better Christmas song than ‘How to Make Gravy’.

Paul Kelly - Dumb Things (Official Video)

Parkway Drive

For over a decade, Parkway Drive has stood at the forefront of heavy metal worldwide. Their journey from small-town surf-rats to international headliners is one of Australia’s great music stories.

Parkway Drive - "Prey"

Pinkish Blu

We have been talking about Pinkish Blu since they stormed into our hearts back in 2018, but with some new tunes and a slightly new vibe we are predicting that 2020 might very well be their year. They’re our fave sad-pop boys for a reason!

The Presets

When you think of the Australian EDM scene, you think of The Presets. 2008 saw the release of their debut album Apocalypso and hit single ‘My People’, which became the longest-charting single in Australian history.

The Presets - My People (Official Video)

Q

QED

New Zealand-born Australian pop-rock singer-songwriter Jenny Morris kickstarted her career across the ditch with Australian New Wave band QED. Despite having a top 20 hit in 1983 with ‘Everywhere I Go’, their debut record the following year failed to chart, with QED disbanding shortly after. Morris went on the have a successful career as a solo artist, claiming two ARIAs for Best Female Artist in ’87 and ’88.

Q E D – “Everywhere I Go” (Australia EMI) 1983

R

Regurgitator

A fitting name for their product of mashed up rock, punk, electro, funk, pop and everything in-between, Regurgitator are one of our most unique acts to grace the global stages. Never ones to shy away from the unusual and the untried, Regurgitator’s greatest body of work is undoubtedly Unit, which was certified triple-platinum in Australia.

Regurgitator - ! (The Song Formerly Known As)

Ruby Fields

Self-proclaimed “average chick”, Cronulla’s own Ruby Fields is making waves in Australia. Huge singles ‘I Want and ‘Dinosaurs’ have us eagerly awaiting her debut full-length.

RUBY FIELDS - DINOSAURS

Rufus Du Sol

Rufus Du Sol have established themselves as one of Australia’s hottest electronic acts, winning over the world with their platinum-certified albums Atlas and Bloom.

RÜFÜS DU SOL ●● Be With You [Official Video]

S

Sia

It took six studio albums for Sia to breakthrough to an international audience. And when she did, she didn’t turn back. The Australian superstar has written many pop hits over the years, none bigger than ‘Chandelier’.

Sia - Chandelier (Official Video)

Silverchair

One of the most acclaimed and successful bands in Australian music history, Silverchair has notched up 21 ARIA Award wins – more than any other artist in history.

Silverchair - Freak (Official Video)

Stella Donnelly

There is no one more fearless than Stella Donnelly. The WA-based singer-songwriter shows raw emotion in her debut full-length Beware of the Dogs, sharing her brutally honest observations on toxic masculinity through her poetic lyrics.

Stella Donnelly - 'Boys Will Be Boys' (Official Music Video)

T

Tame Impala

Kevin Parker is the hottest man in the Australian music scene right now. His psych-rock project Tame Impala has just released its fourth studio masterpiece The Slow Rush, while also taking out triple j’s Hottest 100 of the Decade with 2015’s The Less I Know The Better. If you haven’t stepped into the world of Tame Impala just yet, you need to Let It Happen.

Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better (Official Video)

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are our fave gritty-grunge girl gang out of Canberra. The grunge-revivalist are exactly what you need for a good dose of nostalgia without needing to take a trip back in time.

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers - I Like That You Like That (Official Video)

Tina Arena

An ARIA Hall Of Fame inductee, Tina Arena is the voice of our nation. With a career spanning over more than 40 years, “Tiny Tina” grew up to be one of our most successful artists, selling in excess of 10 million records globally.

Tina Arena - Sorrento Moon (I Remember) (Official Music Video)

Troye Sivan

When it comes to pop superstars, Troye Sivan is as big as it gets. Our Aussie ex-pat is flying the flag on the international stage, with 2018’s Bloom exceeding over one billion (yes – BILLION) streams globally.

Troye Sivan - My My My!

U

Urthboy

Aussie hip hop wouldn’t be the same without Tim Levinson. Co-founding member of hip hop group The Herd, Levinson found success during his solo run as Urthboy. Singles ‘We Get Around and ‘Hellsong’ have helped bring the Australian hip hop scene into the mainstream spotlight.

We Get Around - Urthboy

V

Vera Blue

You might remember Celia Pavey from season 2 of The Voice Australia, where she came in 3rd place as a young 19-year-old trying to a make a name in the industry. Fast-forward to 2020 and Pavey is one of the most sought after voices in Australia. Not only has Vera Blue had success with critically-acclaimed album Perennial, she has also featured on Illy’s hit single ‘Papercuts’ and Flume’s banger ‘Rushing Back’.

Vera Blue - All The Pretty Girls (Official Video)

The Veronicas

Name a more iconic Australian duo? It’s unsurprising that internet culture has revived the career of our favourite pop sisters. Let’s be honest, the memes don’t lie – ‘Untouched is and will ‘4ever be a banger.

The Veronicas - Untouched (Official Music Video)

The Vines

It wouldn’t surprise many that The Vines started off as a Nirvana cover band. Their ’90s rock influences helped shape 2002’s smash hit ‘Get Free’ and saw their debut album Highly Evolved sell more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.

The Vines - Get Free

W

Waax

Brisbane rockers Waax have been making a lot of noise of late, with their debut album Big Grief announcing them as Australia’s next rock and roll titans.

WAAX - Same Same (Official Video)

Wolfmother

Wolfmother’s 2005 self-titled rock masterpiece is arguably one of the best Australian releases of all time. They etched their name in the history books in 2006 with a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief

The Whitlams

When it comes to indie rock in Australia, there is none more beloved than The Whitlams. With a limited recording budget of just $18,000, Tim Freedman’s hard work paid off in 1997. The band released hit single ‘No Aphrodisiac’, which topped triple j’s Hottest 100 and propelled the band up the ARIA Album Charts.

The Whitlams - No Aphrodisiac (Official Video)

X

X

X was the definition of punk rock in the ’70s and ’80s. The late Ian Krahe was even known for his “blood hands” due to his style of playing without a guitar pick…

X 'Degenerate Boy' (1985)

Xavier Rudd

Let’s face it, is it really an Australian music festival if Xavier Rudd isn’t performing in the sunset slot?

Xavier Rudd - Walk Away [Official Video]

Y

Yergurl

Breaking out in triple j’s Unearthed High comp in 2018, yergurl’s dreamy synth-pop sounds are one to watch out for this year.

Yothu Yindi

A musical group comprised of Aboriginal and balanda (non-Aboriginal) members, Yothu Yindi were revolutionary in blending traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock music.

Yothu Yindi - Treaty (Original Version)

Yves Klein Blue 

Chances are you had this indie banger by Yves Klein Blue stuck in your head at some point in 2008.

Yves Klein Blue - Polka

Z

Zoot

Zoot proved to the nation in the late ’60s that real men wear pink. Their ‘Think Pink’ gimmick propelled the band into the spotlight, and helped pave the way for Rick Springfield and Beeb Birtles’ (Little River Band) successful careers.

Zoot - Eleanor Rigby (Move)

There it is. Our A-Z of Australian music. We’re sweaty from all the decisions we had to make, but hopefully, we have reminded you about some favourites and helped you discover some new friends.

If you have the means, you can support the Australian music industry right now but checking out Support Act.