Every fortnight, Beat Magazine rounds up the best new Melbourne/Naarm bands and artists making waves online, underground and on the airwaves.
For those looking to keep an ear to the ground with the best emerging acts, this column will have you covered every two weeks with Victoria’s finest.
This fortnight, we’ve been enjoying the visionary dream pop of Dianas, the welcome return of Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, and the laidback neo-soul of S.O.Crates.
Head here if you missed the previous instalment, featuring MOD CON, Ausecuma Beats and Sean La’Brooy.
Dianas
The indie pop genre is always a safe pair of hands. Especially under the command of Australian indie pop bands, who consistently deliver banging, uplifting anthems – like ‘Make Time 4 Love’ by The Goon Sax or ‘You’re Not Always On My Mind’ by Quivers, for example.
On the other hand, Dianas are the rare indie pop band who genuinely move the dial forward. Those who need an introduction to these Melbourne legends need only listen to their new single ‘Bliss’, from their upcoming third album Little Glimmer. The song blooms and sparkles in a way that’s only possible when these three come together – all rattling drums, life-affirming melodies and razor-sharp guitar lines that simply sound a cut above the rest.
Expect this one to go off the next time you’re able to see them live.
Little Glimmer is out November 15 via Heavy Machinery Records and Blossom Rot Records.
Hobsons Bay Coast Guard
The mighty Hobsons Bay Coast Guard are back with their first new track in 2 years, the thunderous ‘Anonymous Zone’. The first taste of a new LP apparently titled Tubular Swells, it’s as riotous and rocking as anything they’ve released before.
‘Anonymous Zone’ has all the hallmarks of the band’s cheeky personality, with a particularly angular edge to the guitars and percussion. They’re not reinventing the wheel here – underneath it all, it’s still their wonderfully unique take on ‘60s surf pop – but with each release, HBCG continue to push the limits of the genre further; twisting it, bending it, flexing it – but never breaking it.
‘Anonymous Zone’ is out now.
SO.Crates
Back when we could actually dance, SO.Crates were one of the most uplifting bands to start your day party or kick-off your evening. The hip-hop duo of DJ Skomes and California-via-Adelaide MC Cazeaux OSLO make classic, laidback, boom-bap inspired hip-hop shot through with neo-soul and jazz influences.
Beaut-i-full World b/w Fresh Gold Bloom-Age is their upcoming 12” single, and the A-side ‘Beaut-i-full World’ showcases what they do best: syrupy smooth vocals from singer Zima, golden era rhythms and an old-school vibe.
It all comes together in a way that’ll leave you with the type of grin you get when you find a hidden gem while digging in the crates.
Beaut-i-full World b/w Fresh Gold Bloom-Age is out November 5.
