Many moons after returning, I’ve collected the best of my two swell weeks in Australia on film and in a playlist.
In 2012, I lived in Brisbane for a year. I fell in love with the city, the country, and its music community and never lost interest or investment in Australian music when I returned home to Philadelphia. Following the consistent undercurrents of its music by putting together my biweekly Australian radio show on Y-Not Radio and this blog, I’ve been continuously impressed by the colorful array of music coming from all across the country. In March, I had the pleasure of returning to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane for two weeks and did my best to soak up as much music as possible. Above are 55 photos from my point and shoot and a few iPhone shots from live shows. Below, you’ll find 55 songs from bands, labels, and people I was lucky enough to interact with in some way and some that I was listening to during my travels. There’s an incredible vibrancy and kindness that came from all of the discussions I had, shows I saw, and record stores I visited. It was a real joy to be able to be amongst a community of people who are familiar with all of the bands I love so much and I only wish I could have stayed for longer. I’m sure I’ll be back soon but will use these photos and playlist to relive the memories of this trip until then.
I would to extend a special thank you to Bridget Hustwaite of Triple J, The Pretty Littles, Henry and Lewis of The Cactus Channel, Liam of Dorsal Fins, Michael of Tram Cops, Callum of Candy, Lee of Healthy Tapes, Jamiee of Pool Shop and Aeron, and Matthew and Innez of Thigh Master and Tenth Court for kindly sitting down for delightful and inspiring chats and to my friends Alex, Tristan, and Mikaela for housing my weary bones.
Current favorite labels to find new gems: Chapter Music, Tenth Court, Bedroom Suck Records, Dinosaur City Records, Milk! Records, Healthy Tapes, Our Golden Friend
If you have any more suggestions of bands, labels, or anything Australian music related for me to check out, leave a comment or send an email as I’m always looking for more to love.
