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.

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.”

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.”

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!”