It’s that time of year again. The time of year when we scour the depths of Australia and New Zealand to bring you some raw talent as part of our Needle in the Hay vinyl competition.
With one of the most thriving music scenes on the planet in Melbourne, it’s proven rather difficult to narrow down five artists for this article. This is a minor inconvenience for myself, so I’ll put up with it as long as Victoria continues to breed such high quality tunes.
We’re looking all over Australia and New Zealand, giving one artist the chance to press their single to vinyl. Here are 5 artists from Victoria we’re digging.
Amyl and The Sniffers
Fresh of a set at the 16,000 capacity Coopers Stadium supporting Foo Fighters and the proud owners of some of the greatest mullets in music, Amyl and The Sniffers are a brutal throwback to the Aussie pub scene’s prime, knocking back VBs and tearing stages apart all across the country.
With two EPs behind them, Giddy Up and Big Attraction, The Sniffers spit out their own brand of vicious, violent, and sexual pub punk.
Spike Fuck
Spike Fuck deliver a unique fusion of ’80s new wave, post punk, and occasionally country; a fusion she refers to as ‘smackwave,’ a reference to her time as a heroin addict, a topic which she speaks quite openly about both in interviews and through her lyrics.
Spike Fuck is equally candid with her experience as a trans woman, often discussing gender identity in her songs.
Press Club
Each of the two tracks already released by this Brunswick four-piece clocks in at under three minutes, and every second explodes with raw energy.
Hailing from a city “in a state of flux experiencing decay, demolition and development on a mass scale,” Press Club are here to cut through the bullshit and deliver you uncontrollable and frenzied garage punk.
Catch them supporting Cloud Nothings on their Aus tour this month.
Libby Steel
Raised on Victoria’s countryside, Libby Steel has spent years gigging around her home state developing her signature blend of indie-pop, dance, and soul.
Drawing influence from artists such as Montaigne and London Grammar, Steel creates incredibly infectious soundscapes topped with witty lyrics that’ll always leave you wanting more.
IV League
IV League are a charming blend of indie-rock, garage, and pop that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Having toured nationally with Bec Sandridge, and received serious play from triple j, IV League’s loveable brand of garage-pop is set to takeover Sunday Arvo Chill playlists all across the country. No complaints here.
Needle In The Hay is a vinyl competition targeting the next generation of exciting musical talent across Australia. Find out all the details here.
See who won the first Needle in the Hay here.
