First of all, shoutout to SoundCloud for consistently hooking us up with memorable and intergalactic audio journeys into the Internet.

Now all of you will know that Australian electronic music is under the spotlight right now. The flourishing success of local labels like Astral People, Future Classic, Sweat It Out and the ilk has seen many a producer churn out dancefloor belters and forward-thinking tunes that makes us wanna get shirtless and roll in green and gold confetti.

 

While we’re all wrapped up in this euphoric sense of hometown pride, we decided to explore 10 more producers you might not have heard of, but will definitely fuck with heavily from here on in. So without further ado, here are 10 local people you need inside your earholes right now:

 

BKLV (BAKLAVA BEATS)

Baklava Beats not only holds one of the best artist monikers in Australia, but also a knack for crafting bangers with healthy hip-hop influence. While some tracks herald Golden Era production heroes like J Dilla and DJ Premier, he can also serve cathartic, greyscale tunes from the gothic realm. Having been picked to perform at Flume’s last album launch for his warped ‘Sleepless’ remix, this Wollongong OG is quickly diversifying his portfolio with impressive speed.

 

OUTERWAVES

 

 

While we usually like our electronic music served dark & moody, we do let some summer vibes creep into our lives every once in awhile. Enter the amazing Outerwaves, a producer who delivers glistening tunes that should be played while frolicking in a wheat field on a cloudless day. Beautiful stuff. Also, he sampled Len’s classic ‘Steal My Sunshine’ once, oh yeah.

KANYON 

 

Besides being a fucking stud and noted ladies man, Kanyon has definitely earned his reputation on Sydney’s club circuit, both as a serene live act and dancefloor-friendly DJ. Multi-instrumentation is definitely within the man’s territory, while cruisy remixes of the likes of Christina Milian and Ciara breathe new life into R&B classics.

 

AIR MAX 97

 

 

Named after perhaps the most underrated Air Max model of all time (in Australia at least), this mysterious Melbourne producer’s dancefloor appeal is quickly balanced by all things abrasive and experimental. You never know what you’ll get with Air Max 97, and after all, isn’t that the best quality in a producer? Air Max 97 (both shoe and music guy) is amazing.

 

PENGU

 

 

We don’t know too much about Pengu, apart from the fact that he hails from Darwin – but his production is anything but dry. There’s definitely a lot of Southern hip-hop influence here, but he’s offering a lot more than most of producers currently riding the ‘trap’ phenomenon.

 

ZURI AKOKO

 

 

Despite collaborating with Hydraulix, Toneshifterz and other artists who inhabit the harder end of the electronic music spectrum, Zuri Akoko has shown a softer side when it comes to solo material. Occupying a space filled with moody synths and marijuana smoke, she shows her skills behind the boards as well as vocally. Oh yeah, she also once performed at Defqon.1. Pow!

 

 

KIT POP

 

 

Okay, so Kit Pop has a couple of thousand plays on each of his tracks, but we’re still scratching our heads as to why he doesn’t have a few thousand more stacked on top. Making up one half of HWLS with fellow West Coaster Ta-ku, Kit Pop delivers glitchy, off-kilter bangers that will ignite any dancefloor. Perth seems to have a steady stream of talent coming out at the moment, with Kit Pop leading the pack convincingly.

 

OISIMA

 

 

Oisima could have the strongest beard in Australian electronic music. We’ve seen him play everywhere from Adidas parties, to shindigs hosted by our friends at Sneaky Magazine, to Splendour In The Grass. And it’s no surprise really – his production is beautifully on-point.