Here’s some locals who we’re backing this year.

Is 2020 the year that guitar makes a comeback? Don’t hold your breath. But the upside of hip hop and EDM’s tightening grip on Aussie radio stations and festival stages means that only the cream of the crop in the indie/rock/punk world rise to the top. So here’s some Sydney cream that we reckon will be… ahhh… getting in the earholes of Aussie punters over the next 12 months.

Charlie Gradon

Don’t know about you but we’ve listened to Charlie Gradon’s debut LP Self Doubt so many times we nearly know it backwards. Backed by FBi and Unearthed, the response to the record seemed to catch Charlie off guard and soon after fans of his lovestruck and introspective rocking were demanding some shows. His performances, which included duets with wife and well-known Sydney muso Ally Gradon, were nothing short of moving. We’ve heard that he’s got some new stuff coming out in the next couple of weeks – stay tuned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDBEU7V-vHI

CLEWS

With their debut UK tour and loads of radio play under their belt in 2019, CLEWS are definitely in a good position to absolutely kill 2020. The duo, made up of sisters Lily and Grace, released a single back in October ‘New Age’ which we’re hoping is from a forthcoming EP/album. Once again the track features those delightful interweaving harmonies backed by verbed-out guitars and driving rhythms. Seriously, if we don’t have more CLEWS soon we don’t know what we’re gonna do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71BUXQ9N050

100

Having earned a nomination as best live act in the FBi SMAC Awards and made their way onto the festival circuit, including an upcoming slot at Sydney’s Laneway Festival, you’d safely say grunge/garage outfit 100 are on their way to bigger things. Their latest single ‘Weightless’ is their most refined track yet and sees them ditch some of the heavier tropes we heard on 2018’s Cortisone, and we’re hoping it’s the first taste of another EP (or album!) on its way real soon.

The VANNS*

Pulling big numbers at their shows and 56K monthly Spotify listeners, as well releasing their debut record Through The Walls, 2019 undoubtedly was a massive one for The VANNS. It feels like only a matter of time before they become one of those high rotation triple j bands jumping on every festival in the country and we’re bloody keen for it. Can you imagine that ‘Chelsea’ outro being pumped out by a wall of speakers at Splendour this year? We certainly can.

*Illawarra is pretty much Sydney…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrpsBL5bGa8

The Lazy Eyes

Having supported a diverse range of acts such as Green Buzzard, The Temper Trap, Turtle Skull, it’s clear that there’s a certain level of appreciation withing the Sydney music community for this Inner-West four-piece. Festival organisers are starting to pay attention too, with the psychedelic explorers gracing the stage at Newtown Festival, Bigsound and having just been announced on the Sydney Laneway bill. Not too shabby considering their only release so far has been a tee-shirt (granted it is a good shirt). The hype is real. Believe it.