To celebrate Aus music month, the Happy crew share some of their fav music acts of 2022.
2022 has been an interesting one, as we all get back on the saddle, and ride into the tail end of what has been the weirdest couple of years ever, for most of us, music has been a welcome sound to our earholes that has kept us going.
Luckily for us, our big ass Country has some seriously great talent, and we don’t have to look too far to find some of the best music the world has to offer because a lot of it, is already in our own backyard.
Check out Happy’s Staff picks below, and don’t forget to wear your favourite Aussie band t-shirt Friday 18 November.
Andy Bull
Singer-songwriter and Producer Andy Bull is a firm favourite. Andy recently visited the Live from Happy studios with his single Slipping Away, which is the first single from his upcoming album, ‘People You Love’ scheduled for release in December. A gorgeous R&B gem of a track.
Yev Kaseem
Newcastle songwriter, Noah Church has been busy releasing ‘Bright Death’ a stunning guitar-driven symphony that dives to the depths, delivering heartbreaking melodies that are infused with the essence of Death Cab for Cutie’s early days, crossed with the golden era of Jeff Buckley and Elliot Smith. Check out his latest single release 2007.
Gabriella Cohen
Melbourne Singer and Songwriter Gabriella Cohen stopped by the studio to sing her latest song from the album Blue No More — released in 2022 — her third internationally acclaimed album. Gabriella sings a beautifully elegant rendition of the song 24 Sexton St. Just her stunning voice and our in-house nylon string guitar.
30/70
Melbourne Experimental, Hip-Hop and R&B band deliver breakbeat energy infused effortlessly, amongst their signature dank-wave poetry. It’s equal parts 70’s Herbie Hancock meets Fela Kuti in the darkroom of a Berlin club in the not-too-distant future. Check out the collective’s latest single All 4 U.
Dobby
Hip Hop artist and multi-instrumentalist DOBBY hit us with his single Walk Away. Released back in May the single features The Merindas (Ballardong Whadjuk and Nyoongar woman Kristel Kickett and Candice Lorrae of Jawoyn and Thursday Island heritage). As big in its production as it is within its message. It’s about staying true to yourself and your heritage and the lyrics in the chorus send that home: “They took away my language and you tell me let it go. You expect me to walk away?”
Montaigne
Technically, this is only half Aussie, but its Montaigne! Always Be You is a hyper-pop track focused on exploring the dual perspectives of an imperfectly perfect relationship. Take a listen, this single is as genius as it is cute.
The Terrys
Surf rock band The Terrys dropped Doctor Doctor this year. It’s the opening track on their debut album where they tried a few studio tricks (read: guitar amp VERY loud) to make it feel like you are sitting in a pub. Their album ‘True Colour’ is a collection of surf rock anthems that was recorded on the surfy central coast with Jack Nigro (Skegss, DMA’S, Middle Kids).
Webben
Sydney rapper Webben is a major talent for writing rhymes with a steady and unstoppable flow. This is the second single from Webben’s EP A Sky Full of Faces, directed by Happy’s video producer Guilherme Toscano.
Trophy Eyes
Newcastle Punk outfit Trophy Eyes have had a busy few years, and if you’ve ever had the chance to catch them live, the energy is unmistakable, these Newcastle boys know how to command a room from the get-go. The band’s latest release is Nobody Said, an alt-punk pop anthem if ever there was one.
Violent Soho
Violent Soho has given us almost 16 years of alternative garage rock. After playing as a band for almost 20 years, they’ve decided that now is the right time for them to pack it in: “It’s time to take a break and lay low for a bit.” That doesn’t mean we can’t still love em. Check out Covered in Chrome.
Salary Men
Indie rock band Salarymen released their single Young Guns recently. Thom and Renne came into Happy to perform Young Guns, which is one catchy tune with a strong message. It’s an impassioned look at the ongoing gun violence crisis in America, spurred by the most recent shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas. “We wrote this one after the Texas school shooting earlier this year. It’s about kids who go to school and fear they won’t come home. Which is absolute madness. Nevertheless, we’ve had so much fun here today and hope you enjoy this!”
Scruffs
Local Sydney multi-Instrumentalist/writer/producer Scruffs delivers some seriously fresh beats. There’s lots of great musicianship on the tracks below and feels like it could have been released 20 years ago, but was dropped Oct 28th.
