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Ten Artists to Watch on The 2020 BIGSOUND50

Three-panel image of BIGSOUND50 Artists Kee'ahn, Harper Bloom, and Yawdoesitall

Kee'ahn, Harper Bloom, and Yawdoesitall are just three of the stunning collection of artists featured in the BIGSOUND50

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While BIGSOUND 2020‘s virtual conference experience has just officially wrapped up, its highlighting of up-and-coming local talent is far from over.

In absence of the annual conference’s live program in Brisbane this year, organisers are using BIGSOUND50 as the next best thing.

“The BIGSOUND50 are the 50 artists BIGSOUND believes the world should be paying attention to in 2020 and beyond,” said Dom Miller, BIGSOUND co-programmer.

The 50 local acts which make up the BIGSOUND50 are set to receive 12 months worth of coverage across all BIGSOUND platforms, as well as mentoring sessions, one-on-one meetings and more growth opportunities to help sustain their careers.

While each of the 50 acts possess undeniable talent, Rolling Stone Australia is putting a great big spotlight on 10 of the artists listed. Check them out below.

Image of BIGSOUND 50 artist Kee'ahn

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Kee’ahn

Name: Kee’ahn

Origin: Melbourne, VIC

About: A proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) artist from Gurambilbarra (Townsville) North Queensland, Kee’ahn now finds herself based in Naarm (Melbourne), with the last five years seeing her develop her sound and master her craft to result in the release of her debut single, “Better Things”.

Having won the Archie Roach Foundation Award at the 2020 NIMAs and earning a nomination for best emerging artist at the 2020 Music Victoria Awards, Kee’ahn might have only recent made her first big splash into the world of Aussie music, but there is plenty more to come.

What the Future Holds: “I express myself through music. It has helped enormously during my mental health journey with anxiety and depression and I create to heal myself and others. I’m inspired by my ancestors and my future descendants. I want healing and justice!! I also hope that my vulnerability can help to create change and perhaps even uplift communities – after all, people can’t be what they can’t see.”

Image of BIGSOUND 50 artist The Merindas

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The Merindas

Name: The Merindas

Origin: Melbourne, VIC

About: When Candice and Kristel met in Perth eight years ago, a mutual love of music quickly resulted in a fast friendship that has since brought music-lovers the majesty of The Merindas. With an electronic pop sound that boasts hip-hop and R&B influences, the pair see their current vocations as the the result of a lifelong passion for music, while using their platform to support and raise the profile of other First Nations artists.

What the Future Holds: They both come from families of musicians and draw their musical inspiration from life and love. The duo hope to continue to make hits in the hope that they may embark on an international tour in the future.

As a part of #TheBIGSOUND50 in 2020, The Merindas are looking forward to getting their name out there and meeting other artists and people in the music industry.

“The end game is to build a foundation and an arts hub for First Nations artists,” the explain.

Image of BIGSOUND 50 artist No Money Enterprise

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No Money Enterprise

Name: No Money Enterprise

Origin: Logan City, QLD

About: Having pulled up onto the triple j airwaves thanks to the success of songs like “German” (20 million streams and counting) in recent years, No Money Enterprise’s origins go back about a decade, before their recent reunion after a four-year hiatus. Helping to put their suburb of Logan on the map, the four-piece experiment with “multicultural vibes in our beats that create energy and hype”, and reflect their pride in their Polynesian background be it through their music or their live shows.

What the Future Holds: No Money Enterprise gunning for gold and platinum certification by the end of the year, and hope their success will see them share the stage with the biggest names in hip-hop today. They plan to someday perform, write and make music all over the world.

“The struggle of growing up with very little definitely inspires [our] hustle to keep pursuing music.”

Image of BIGSOUND 50 artist Southeast Desert Metal

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Southeast Desert Metal

Name: Southeast Desert Metal

Origin: Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte), NT

About: Described as the “most isolated metal band in the world”, Southeast Desert Metal hail from the 500-population community of Ltyntye Apurte (Santa Teresa), about 70km from Alice Springs. Having toured all over Australia and releasing three albums across their decade-long history, the group’s sound was born from being sick of “all the reggae bands in the bush,” with a spot on the BIGSOUND 50 set to serve as the next chapter in an already-impressive career.

What the Future Holds: Playing BIGSOUND is a step in their ultimate journey to play the biggest festivals in the country and eventually the world. All they can ask for is to keep writing songs, releasing music, and getting their music out there to those who listen.

“I grew up in the desert, learning Dreamtime stories from my Auntie, listening to Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Black Sabbath,” explains guitarist and vocalist Chris Wallace. “I always wanted to play like my idols.

“I started the band when some younger fellas in the community started wanting to play a heavier sound too. Music is a way to connect with people and share a message.”

Image of BIGSOUND 50 artist Sycco

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Sycco

Name: Sycco

Origin: Brisbane, QLD

About: The musical moniker of 19-year-old Sash McLeod, Sycco has managed to turn heads thanks to the release of tracks like “Peacemaker” and “Nicotine”, with the latter seeing her earn a feature as Apple Music’s New Artist of the Week and an appearance on the cover of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.

What the Future Holds: “It’s sort of exciting to know that nobody knows what’s next!! … We are all in this together and figuring it out as we go,” Sycco explains.

While travel restrictions have been in place, she’s been using Zoom to collaborate on songs – she reckons that people are more at ease in their own homes. “I’ve met and connected with some of the best people this year doing them!”

Image of BIGSOUND 50 artist Yawdoesitall

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Yawdoesitall

Origin: Sydney, NSW

About: A Ghanian-Australian artist based in Western Sydney, Yawdoesitall creates an immersive brand of experimental, progressive hip-hop which fuses together genres as he combines gorgeous instrumentals to make eclectic sounds filled with bright energy, intricate production, and witty lyricism.

What the Future Holds: “I love performances. watching artists like Travis Scott and Tyler the Creator move crowds off songs they wrote and made in their bedroom drove me to make this dream come through.

“Over the period of time, I made this a lifestyle so what keeps me going is that this is all i know how to do. Speaking my truths help me make music as these are one of the only times I’m honest and free.”