As the AU looks ahead to some packed out days and nights of NT born and bred music as part of the Original Recipe Music Festival, we take a closer look at some of the bands and artists who have stepped up to the plate and demonstrated their talents as musicians in what is becoming a strong, burgeoning industry. Picking 10 out of the many artists involved in Original Recipe was a difficult task, but we've got no doubt there are still many musical discoveries still to come!
UNBROKEN EXPANSE (Tennant Creek)
I first saw this band play the annual Bassinthegrass a few years ago. Not expecting to see a band this ferocious take to an early afternoon festival slot, it was a quite the experience. Hailing from Tennant Creek, the four piece represent an aggressive, primal approach to punk rock music, Unbroken Expanse have been solidly growing a following through strings of shows in the NT and interstate over the past few years, landing supports for the likes of British India and Frenzal Rhomb.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/unbroken-expanse
SKANKMC (Alice Springs)
SkankMC has been making waves on the AU's radar for some time now and it's no surprise that the Alice Springs MC has been turning heads over recent months and last year, developing a great live presence and cutting his teeth on stages alongside the likes of Horrorshow and Obie Trice. Winner of two NT Song of the Year awards in 2013, SkankMC has been growing his brand and music into a force that is making people outside Alice and the NT take note of.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/skankmc
ROOM 105 (Darwin)
Room 105 have got that intrinsically Darwin heat bottled up in some seriously funky jams. Great couplings of jazz and blues have been whipped up by the four piece and delivered with a tasty underlying percussion that could easily see them being welcomed with open arms at any blues and roots festival around the country.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/room-105
VALANTI (Darwin)
Chrissy Valanti and her boys have been establishing themselves as a killer rock band both in Australia and overseas for quite a number of years now. With their music currently available in 73 different countries around the world, Valanti has definitely developed a strong following with the overseas market. A Katherine native, Chrissy has lived in both Adelaide and Melbourne, but returned to Darwin to work on new material and of course, get the Valanti name back on the local tour circuit. Having caught the attention of the likes of Slash, evidently there is something about Valanti. Take a listen and decide for yourself!
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/valanti
SKARLETT (Darwin)
You wouldn't guess Skarlett hail from Darwin's heat, with their tailored, skinny jean-ed appearance! They've got an early Getaway Plan/Fall Out Boy vibe about them, a sound I haven't heard from a Darwin band in many years, at least that I can remember. Having recorded their debut album in Sydney and spent the last four years touring around Darwin and honing their live shows, I wouldn't be surprised if Skarlett is a name we hear again in the near future.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/skarlett-0
Image courtesy of CAAMA
JACINTA PRICE (Alice Springs)
Soulful performer Jacinta Price recently worked with the legendary Bill Chambers on her recently released debut album Dry River and its successes are clearly evident. From an endearing stage presence to an unbridled passion behind the delivery of her lyrics and music, Price's sound is undeniably fierce. She also co-manages the Desert Divas, a young collective of Indigenous women all talented in their own right, encouraging their creativity and spreading the message to others. Get introduced and fall in love with her talent.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/jacinta-price
PAUL BRANDIS (Darwin)
Darwin has a wealth of wonderful singer songwriters and Paul Brandis is no exception to the club. Channelling the raw evocativeness of the likes of Paul Dempsey and City and Colour's Dallas Green, the indie folk musician has a great hold on lyricism and how they work together sweetly with minimal, yet effective, arrangement.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/paul-brandis
ANNA BOUSTEAD (Darwin)
With her folk rock band After the Rain, Darwin singer-songwriter Anna Boustead has become a favourite on the Darwin scene through performances around town over 2012 and 2013. Originally from Victoria, Boustead followed the call north and has been since spreading her lovely lyrics and tunes around to favourable response!
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/anna-boustead
DAVE CROWE (Alice Springs)
Indie folk artist Dave Crowe has been crafting a great presence over the past 12 months, releasing first the charmer of a track "Aloft" from his self-titled EP back in August last year. Another perfect representation of songwriting from the heart on the Original Recipe Music Festival, Crowe's talent as a writer and producer has seen him win at the NT Song of the Year Awards last year and continue to win hearts locally and around the NT since.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/dave-crowe
DAVID GARNHAM (Darwin)
David Garnham & The Reasons to Live have become masters of crafting some excellent ballads tinged with the right amount of country and blues to hook a listener in. Their debut album Love Inside a Jar, signalled a defining moment for the band, as they were brought to the attention of many in the industry both at home and abroad. They've taken out many accolades at the NT Song of the Year Awards, as well as taking out the Americana category in the International Songwriting Competition, demonstrating that they're more than just a bunch of guys who know how to rock an acoustic guitar and percussion.
Triple J Unearthed Page: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/david-garnham-reasons-live
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For more information on the acts performing in the Original Recipe Music Festival, visit www.musicnt.com.au/originalrecipe!
