10/26/23 by Michael Smith

On our last episode about Midnight Oil's VERY Australian 1987 song "Beds Are Burning," I was singing the praises of Aussie rock music and said I'd post some recommendations for my favorite recent Aussie music, at Theo's request. Here are some Down Under artists I love.

High-energy, punked up indie rock with killer guitar tones and multiple vocalists. I got to see them at Thalia Hall in Chicago a few years ago, and it was a total party! One of the only bands for which I own every single vinyl album and 45 they've released.

Groovy, dreamy, drum-and-bass-heavy pop music with elements of Madchester and Britpop. I tried to see her at Rough Trade in London last month but I got the date wrong. We went to a nearby pub from the 1600s instead.

I love this band's debut album from last year. It was one of my most-listened records of the year. It's like if Paramore went shoegaze. A timely song here for the spooky season! I saw The Delusionals here in Richmond last year during their first US tour, and they were fantastic as expected.

Another big Aussie fave from the last couple years. '80s college rock vibes, fantastically introspective lyrics, and great musicians. Looking forward to their next album as I just about burned a hole in this one. 

And because I specifically mentioned them in the episode and they positively rock, I had to mention King Stingray. Their debut album is so much fun, with lyrics in both English and Yolŋu Matha, the indigenous language of two of the members of the band who hail from Yolngu country. They have a big connection to Midnight Oil that you can hear about in the episode.