With the launching of our Needle in the Hay competition, we’ve been spending a month or two bringing you our favourite artists from every corner of the country. Nearly every Aussie state (not to mention New Zealand) is done and dusted, and last up is ACT.
You might have your misgivings about our nation’s capital for one reason or another. While Canberra might suck for politicians, it delivers two fold in music.
We’ve had a dig around and found our top five ACT acts that we think are pretty damn awesome.
We’re looking all over Australia and New Zealand to give one artist the chance to press their record to vinyl. Here are 5 artists from ACT we’re digging.
Coda Conduct
These ladies are absolute queens. The hip hop mistresses are absolutely killing it, taking out the Groovin the Moo comp earlier in the year and blowing everyone’s mind with smash release after smash release. They’ve since relocated to Sydney, but we haven’t forgotten their roots.
Their hilarious personalties and social commentary have even earned them spots as regular presenters on triple j. Coda Conduct aren’t going anywhere.
Citizen Kay
This guy is the fresh face of Australian hip hop, having just signed to Illy’s label OneTwo. Citizen Kay’s latest release These Kicks (feat. Georgia B) has been making big waves and with an album on the way, this Canberra local isn’t slowing down.
Touring with Illy and Kuren and having wrapped up a bunch of festivals over the past few months including Big Pineapple and Groovin the Moo, Citizen Kay might be young, but he’s making Australia stand up and listen.
Moaning Lisa
Moaning Lisa are tearing Canberra apart. With an EP The Sweetest released in March, they’re powering ahead with their fuzzed out and gritty brand of garage punk.
Juggling university and becoming one of the country’s freshest rock outfits must be hard, but given their accolades to date, we’re pretty sure they’ll make it work.
Liam Wright
The youngest on this list, but by no means does that mean Liam Wright isn’t headed for great things. With a brooding and soulful folk tone, Wright is walking in the footsteps of Australian folk greats Angus Stone and Lisa Mitchell.
With a lyrical maturity that by no means reflects his eighteen years, this Canberra boy is on his way to big things.
Hands Like Houses
These fellas are by no means small anymore, but we noticed Hands Like Houses quite a while back now and I’ve gotta say, it’s been swell watching their path to global domination.
A driving force within UNFD (a driving force in itself), they’re a four piece who have gone from Canberra onto the rest of the planet. That’s what this list is all about.
Get around their latest single Drift below.
Needle In The Hay is a vinyl competition targeting the next generation of exciting musical talent across Australia. Find out all the details here.
Previous lists
Northern Territory
South Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
Western Australia
New South Wales
New Zealand
