Ten Artists to Watch on The 2020 BIGSOUND50

Name: Aodhan

Origin: Wollongong, NSW

About: A relatively new addition to the local music scene, Aodhan first began releasing his self-produced singles last year, though he’s been a guitarist since the age of a five, a pianist since he was nine, and has been putting pen to paper since 2016. In 2019, Aodhan was named the winner of the triple j Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative

What the Future Holds: Aodhan is keen to make the most of the coming 12 months by “making music my career and having people really resonate with my music. Touring around the world, supporting my favourite bands, producing music for other artists.”

Name: Beddy Rays

Origin: Redland Bay, QLD

About: Meeting in Grade 1 at the Redland Bay Primary School, Jacko, Benny, Brad, and Lewy have been “been best friends ever since”. Cutting their teeth as a band slogging gear between local house parties before landing their first show in the Valley, the Beddy Rays now deliver a show filled with energy, banter, and “a few bung notes”.

What the Future Holds: They hope that one day, they’ll be able to take the same stages as their musical heroes – after all, who doesn’t want to watch people sing their lyrics back to them from the Amphitheatre stage at Splendour?

“Being a part of it is one of our dreams coming true,” they explain. “We just want to get our music out to reach as many people as possible, especially in our local music scene… Doing an international tour wouldn’t be too shabby either!”

Name: colourblind

Origin: Adelaide, SA

About: Having bonded over a passion for the same bands in high school, colourblind was soon formed, with the group serving as an opportunity for its members to write the sort of songs they themselves would listen to and love, with a sound that “falls somewhere along the punk-rock-emo spectrum”.

Having supported the likes of Bugs, Grinspoon, Polish Club, Horror My Friend, These New South Whales, and Sweater Curse, colourblind continue to push the boundaries of their creative abilities and skill sets.

What the Future Holds: “We love the community in Adelaide that we came up through. Continuing to support and engage with the scene is really important to us.”

“We have a manager, and we feel a strong booking agent is the last piece of the puzzle for us to complete so we can move forward with a strong team into our next release cycle. Getting our name out to new people in new cities is something that we’re really excited to have the opportunity to do at BIGSOUND this year.”

Name: Harper Bloom

Origin: Melbourne, VIC

About: Born in Perth but based in Melbourne, a passion for songwriting saw Harper Bloom begin her music career in 2018, sharing what have been described as “acoustic electro-pop vignettes of same-sex love and self-acceptance”. With live performances becoming an integral part of her music, Bloom’s indie-folk-pop approach to music, paired with her immersive lyricism, easily make her one artist to watch in the future.

What the Future Holds: “I am looking to connect with key industry personnel from national and international labels and agencies to build a larger team around me. I hope these connections will help me to play international showcases such as SXSW and Great Escape Festival… It’s a huge honour to be a part of the BIGSOUND50 and I am grateful to be given this platform to help further my career.”

“I hope to secure an album record deal in Australia and the United States, as this would enable me to expand my festival and touring circuit. I would love to play festivals such as Splendour, Coachella, Summerfest and Glastonbury.”

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.”

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.