New Music

Introducing

Meet 10 up and coming artists you need to hear right now

We pick the hottest new live acts so you can tell your friends you heard them first. This week we have handpicked some of our favourite up and coming locals that we know you need to hear.

There are so many amazing new artists rising through the ranks, it can be hard to keep up. That’s why we’re here to help.

In Australia, we are incredibly lucky to have a wealth of talented First Nations artists sharing their stories, history, language and talents with us. From chart-toppers and festival mainstays like Briggs, Baker Boy and Thelma Plum to legends like Yothu Yindi and Archie Roach.

Now we want to introduce (or re-introduce) you to some of our favourite up and coming artists – get to know them now, before they are ruling stages everywhere.

Aodhan

Daily Meditation – Aodhan (Official Audio)

Dharawal singer-songwriter Aodhan (Aidan Whitehall) began writing sonsg at 13, but first came to our attention with a handful of self-produced singles back in 2019 – when he was awarded the triple j’s Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative. Since then, it is the growth he has shown across the last few years that proves how much of a musical force he truly is.

Moving between indie soul/pop slices to moments of simple, lush stripped back bliss, Aodhan sure knows how to craft a warm, nostalgia-tinged tune that hits straight for your heart.

His music has been streamed more than 3.7 million times and he has been featured in playlists including Indie Arrivals, The Local List, New Music Friday AU & NZ, and more. With his debut EP, Flies In My Room, dropping next week, now’s the time to get on board.

Becca Hatch

B Wise & Becca Hatch – B The One (Official Music Video)

After winning triple j’s first Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative back in 2017, Becca Hatch firmly established herself as one of Australia’s most promising talents, and with every release she continues to prove why.

She’s performed alongside Briggs and KIAN, and taken the stage at the Sydney Opera House and at the State of Origin. She leans into her mother’s Samoan heritage with her powerful gospel-choir vocals and tranquil sounds, while her Indigenous roots – her Dad is a proud Kamilaroi man – are embedded in her storytelling and poignant self-reflection. Confidence beyond her years, and grooves for days, we can’t get enough.

Budjerah

Budjerah – Higher (Official Video)

He’s been compares to the old soul richness of Leon Bridges and John Legend and gets to call Matt Corby a mentor and co-writer, and yet still, Bundjalung artist Budjerah is so much more than even that.

His debut self-titled EP paints a beautiful picture of the artist – all lush acoustic guitars, easy R&B grooves, twinkling melodies, and silky, rich production. And then, of course, there is his vocal range – warm, smooth, and oh-so charming. Throw his recent team up with dance duo PNAU ‘Stranger Love’ into the mix, and there really isn’t a single thing that Budjerah can’t do.

Want to check out Budjerah live? Don’t miss his show at Brisbane’s The Triffid on Wednesday 18 August. Tickets on sale via Moshtix.

JK-47

JK-47 – I Am Here (Trust Me) Ft. Phoebe Jacobs – Official Music Video

A proud Gudjinburra man of the Bundjalung nation, JK-47 (Jacob Paulson)’s music is ingrained in his love and pride for his community, giving voice to important messages that need to be talked about – using his platform for those who feel unheard.

JK-47 has been writing music since he was 14, cutting his teeth around his hometown, before taking his music around the country thanks to his work with acts like Gratis Minds, Nerve, ChillinIt, Lemaire, and his own band Kinship Collective.

If you’re looking for important voices in Australian hip hop, look no further than JK-47.

Kee’ahn

We have been shouting about Melbourne-based, Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island singer-songwriter Kee’ahn for a little while now but still there aren’t enough words.

There is something magical that happens when an artist comes along, and with just one song can capture the attention of many. That’s where Townsville-raised, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Kee’ahn steps in.

The proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman made music lovers and critics alike sit up and take notice thanks to her debut single ‘Better Things’. 

We can’t wait to hear what she comes out with next, but in the meantime you can catch Kee’ahn live at City Recital Centre, Sydney on Saturday 21 August. Tickets on sale via Moshtix.

King Stingray

King Stingray – 'Get Me Out' (live on triple j)

With just two singles in hand, King Stringray sure are turning heads their way.

Hailing from Yirrkala, a community in East Arnhem land, the outfit was originally started by Roy Kellaway and singer Yirrnga Yunupingu as a way to continue their celebration of culture and make music outside of their family’s musical project Yothu Yindi.

The band bring a unique blend of surf, indie-rock and funk influences to their Yolngu rock heritage, creating music that sticks with you for a long time after the music stops playing. As catchy as it is poignant, it might still be early days, but King Stingray has a bright future ahead of them.

King Stingray will perform at Splendour In The Grass’ virtual music festival Splendour XR later this month. Find out more here.

Moss

Moss – SABRE TEETH (feat. Genesis Owusu)

If you haven’t wrapped your ears around Moss’ triple j Unearthed’s DIYSupergroup single ‘SABRE TEETH’, stop reading, press play, and them come back.

Moss is described as a Wadawurrung man of mystery, but he is getting love from all corners of the globe – including support from heavy hitters such as Alison Wonderland and Boombox Cartel and performing alongside the likes of Skrillex, RL Grime, and Marshmellow.

His debut single Lullabye (2017) reached over 200,000+ plays in a month, and since then every track has continued to hit it out of the park – all topped off my the success of what has been described as one of the best tracks of the year, ‘SABRE TEETH’, a track he made in just 48 hours.

He’s started out the year in style, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.

Sycco

Sycco – Time's Up (Official Music Video)

Sycco is 19 year old Sash McLeod, an Australian singer-songwriter-producer firmly on the rise, thanks to her colourful, pop-infused neo-soul, standout voice and droll turn of phrase.

With millions upon millions of streams and fans reaching to all corners of the globe, it’s pretty clear that Sycco’s star is shining bright, and her lush, colourful, pop-infused neo-soul is continuing to win ears and hearts over.

Her latest single ‘Time’s Up’ adds another dimension to her psych-inspired sound, taking us further into Sycco’s world.

Tasman Keith

Tasman Keith & thatboykwame – ONE (Official Music Video)

As the son of Aboriginal hip-hop legend Wire MC, Tasman Keith has hip hop in his veins.

Everything he does is indebted to the community that raised him, to the idea of giving back and carrying on the storytelling traditions of his family, and of the Gumbaynggirr people.

Doing his best to defy categorisation, Keith delivers a potent mix of ’90s West Coast hip hop, laid-back neo-funk grooves, trap, R&B, funk, and more – but it is his lethal bars and incredible songwriting that have seen Keith leading Australia’s hip hop resurgence.

This is the sort of music that needs to be played loud!

Tia Gostelow

Tia Gostelow – TWO LOVERS- Official

If you’re looking to inject some glam, sparkly electro-pop into your life, Mackay-based, Groote Eylandt-raised artist Tia Gostelow is here to deliver.

Where her debut album, 2018’s Thick Skin cemented Gostelow as a young artist with folk-influenced songwriting potential to burn, it is her latest release, 2020’s Chrysalis that peeks at her true potential.

Confident, comfortable, and jam-packed with disco-glam grooves, Gostelow shines in every shimmering pop moment. We’ve got to warn you though, these hooks are made to get stuck in your head.

You can catch Tia Gostelow live at Brisbane’s The Triffid on Saturday 31 July. Tickets on sale via Moshtix.

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