Ruqayyah Snyder
Music tastes in Australia are diverse, with Australians listening to music from all over the world, including the US, UK, and their own native music. The country has a long history of folk music, with bush music dating back to the early period of British colonisation in 1788. Australian folk music has been influenced by indigenous music, which has been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture for over 60,000 years. In the 1960s and 70s, Australian folk music evolved to include folk-pop and folk-rock, with artists like The Seekers and Redgum achieving success. Today, Australian music is gaining international recognition, with subgenres like electropop and neo-psychedelia finding audiences beyond Australia. Metalcore is also popular in Australia, with bands like Northlane and Parkway Drive achieving success in the genre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indigenous Australian music | Traditional: didgeridoo, rock and roll, country, hip hop, reggae |
| Contemporary: The Kid Laroi, Thelma Plum, Baker Boy, King Stingray | |
| Australian folk music | Banjo Paterson's Old Bush Songs, The Wild Colonial Boy, Click Go The Shears, The Drover's Dream, The Queensland Drover, The Dying Stockman, Bold Jack Donahue, The Black Velvet Band, The Bushwackers, The Seekers |
| Australian country music | Tex Morton, Slim Dusty, Smoky Dawson, Joy McKean, Frank Ifield, Olivia Newton-John, Sherrie Austin, Keith Urban |
| Australian rock and roll | Col Joye, Johnny O'Keefe, The Easybeats, The Seekers, AC/DC, Tame Impala, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard |
| Australian electropop | Flume, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Empire of the Sun, FISHER, Shouse, Dom Dolla |
| Other | Metalcore, Australian hip hop, Neo-psychedelia |
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What You'll Learn
Indigenous Australian music
Music in Australia has a rich history, with a variety of genres and artists that have gained international recognition. Indigenous Australian music, in particular, has played a significant role in the country's musical landscape. This music refers to the traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, intersecting with their cultural and ceremonial practices.
In addition to the didgeridoo, clapsticks are another important percussion instrument used in Indigenous Australian music. The unique style of Bunggul music, which originated around the Mann River, incorporates clapsticks and didgeridoos. Another style, Wangga, starts with a very high note, followed by rhythmic percussion and a sudden shift to a low tone.
Indigenous music has gained broader exposure through world music movements and festivals like WOMADelaide. Additionally, non-Indigenous artists have incorporated Indigenous styles and instruments into their works, showcasing the influence and reach of Indigenous Australian music in the modern musical landscape.
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Australian electropop
Australia has a diverse music landscape, with a range of genres and artists finding success both domestically and internationally. One notable genre that has emerged from the country is Australian electropop, which combines elements of electronic music with pop. This genre typically features synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments, blended with traditional pop elements such as catchy melodies and vocal hooks. It is characterised by its upbeat and danceable sound, often influenced by various genres like pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B.
The success of Australian electropop can be attributed to the artists' ability to capitalise on global music trends, such as the demand for synth-fuelled psychedelia. Additionally, the emergence of specialised export companies has played a vital role in promoting Aussie artists to international audiences. This has resulted in increased global recognition for Australian electropop and other genres like neo-psychedelic music.
It is worth noting that Australia has a rich history of Indigenous music, with artists like Jimmy Little achieving mainstream success as early as 1964. Contemporary Indigenous Australian music encompasses various styles, including rock and roll, country, hip-hop, and reggae. In recent years, Indigenous artists like The Kid Laroi, Thelma Plum, and Baker Boy have achieved remarkable success, showcasing the enduring cultural significance and evolution of Indigenous Australian music.
Australia also has a thriving rock and roll scene, with early stars like Col Joye and Johnny O'Keefe, who broke into the national charts with his hit "Wild One". The country has produced internationally acclaimed rock bands such as AC/DC, and more recently, Tame Impala, who have gained a dedicated following for their psychedelic rock sound. Additionally, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard from Melbourne has carved out a unique sound by incorporating elements of psychedelic rock, garage rock, and heavy metal.
In conclusion, Australian electropop is a vibrant and evolving genre that has contributed to the diverse musical landscape of Australia. The genre's blend of electronic and pop elements has resonated with audiences both within Australia and internationally, showcasing the talent and creativity of Australian artists.
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Neo-psychedelic music
Australia has been witnessing a revolution in psychedelic music, with several Aussie bands gaining international success and recognition. The country has become a breeding ground for new psychedelic rock, with many attributing this to Tame Impala's arrival on the scene, which created a snowball effect. The Perth-born band quickly rose to fame, with their first studio album, 'Innerspeaker', receiving widespread acclaim. Tame Impala's success has paved the way for other Australian psychedelic bands to gain international audiences and explore their sound without fear of a lack of market demand.
Another band at the forefront of the neo-psychedelic music scene in Australia is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, based in Melbourne. Their music incorporates a unique and eclectic mix of psychedelic rock, garage rock, and even heavy metal. Beaches, a band also from Melbourne, offers an experimental blend of rock and fuzz guitar-laden psychedelia, keeping their fans on their toes with unexpected sounds.
The Babe Rainbow, a band from Northern NSW, has crafted a brand of psychedelia inspired by the 'free love' ethos of the 1960s. Their music is particularly well-received in their hometown. Additionally, the Brisbane-based group Wild Cherries, led by guitarist Lobby Loyde, released a 1967 single that combined R&B, soul, and psychedelic influences.
The Masters Apprentices, originally an R&B band, released several acclaimed psychedelic singles in 1967. Their single "Living in a Child's Dream" became a major national hit and was voted "Single of the Year" by the readers of the Australian pop magazine Go-Set. The Twilights, a band formed in Adelaide, gained nationwide popularity in the mid-1960s and participated in the psychedelic scene in London before returning to Australia.
Australia's psychedelic music scene has been influenced by various factors, including British psychedelia due to the presence of first-generation British and European immigrants in bands. These immigrants stayed connected to the latest musical trends in the UK through "care packages" sent by family and friends. Additionally, the psychedelic rock revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, influenced by the peace-and-love era, has left a lasting impact on the genre. Today, neo-psychedelic music often incorporates elements of indie rock, shoegaze, and dream pop, creating a modern twist on the classic psychedelic sound.
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Australian folk music
Frank Macnamara, also known as Frank the Poet, was a notable songwriter of this era, composing well-known songs like "Bold Jack Donahue," which evolved into "The Wild Colonial Boy." Another song from this period, "Moreton Bay," was based on the Irish song "Boolavogue" and described the sufferings of the convicts. The oral and folkloric tradition of bush music was eventually published in volumes such as Banjo Paterson's "Old Bush Songs" in the 1890s, preserving these songs for posterity.
In the 1930s, a more Americanised form of Australian country music emerged, pioneered by recording artists like Tex Morton and later popularised by Slim Dusty, whose song "A Pub With No Beer" became a lasting hit. During the post-war period, British-born country singer and yodeller Frank Ifield gained widespread international recognition, scoring three consecutive number-one hits in the UK and making inroads into the US market as well.
The 1950s and 1960s witnessed a revival of folk music in Australia, with local artists blending traditional and contemporary folk styles. The Bushwacker Band, Redgum, and The Seekers were among the notable groups of this era, with Redgum's anti-war protest song "I Was Only Nineteen" peaking at #1 on the National singles charts. The folk revival movement also included European immigrants like Eric Bogle and indigenous Australians like Archie Roach, whose music reflected their unique cultural perspectives.
While the rise of rock'n'roll and rock music in the 1950s and 60s led to a decline in folk music's popularity, particularly among younger generations, its influence persisted. Folk music continued to evolve and influence other genres, including rock, heavy metal, and alternative music. Today, Australia continues to produce successful folk artists, such as The Gin Club, while also branching out into other genres like electropop, neo-psychedelic music, and metalcore, showcasing the country's diverse and vibrant musical landscape.
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Australian country music
Australia has a rich and diverse music landscape, with a variety of genres gaining popularity in the country. One such genre that has a long tradition in Australia is country music. Australian country music has evolved to have a distinct style from its American counterpart, with influences from English, Irish, and Scottish folk ballads, as well as the traditions of Australian bush balladeers like Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. The distinctive sound of Australian country music is created by instruments such as the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and harmonica, which accompany songs with strong storylines, memorable choruses, and lyrics.
The history of Australian country music can be traced back to the 1930s when pioneers like Tex Morton, dubbed "The Father of Australian Country Music", and other early stars like Buddy Williams, Shirley Thoms, and Smoky Dawson began to popularise a more Americanised form of the genre. Tex Morton, in particular, played a significant role in shifting the focus from American songs to songs about Australia, thus establishing a uniquely Australian bush ballad style.
Slim Dusty, who married singer-songwriter Joy McKean in 1951, is another iconic name in Australian country music. With more than 7 million record sales, he became Australia's biggest-selling domestic music artist. Songs like "A Pub With No Beer" and "When the Rain Tumbles Down in July" are classic examples of his contribution to the genre. Other notable Australian country artists include Reg Lindsay, Chad Morgan, Johnny Ashcroft, and Frank Ifield, who achieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK.
In recent times, Australian country music has continued to thrive, with artists like Keith Urban, Beccy Cole, and Roger Knox making their mark. Roger Knox's song "Took The Children Away" is particularly noteworthy for its powerful message about the removal of Aboriginal children from their parents, a dark chapter in Australia's history.
While Australian country music has its unique characteristics, it has also been influenced by rock and roll forms, creating a blend of traditional and contemporary bush ballads. This evolution in style has contributed to the enduring popularity of the genre within Australia and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Metalcore, electropop, neo-psychedelia, folk, rock, heavy metal, alternative music, hip-hop, and reggae are some of the popular music genres in Australia.
Some popular Australian artists include The Kid Laroi, Thelma Plum, Baker Boy, The Wiggles, The Seekers, AC/DC, Tame Impala, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Flume, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Empire of the Sun.
Didgeridoo is the best-known instrument in Indigenous Australian music. Contemporary Indigenous Australian music covers various styles, including rock and roll, country, hip-hop, and reggae. Artists like Archie Roach and Jimmy Little, who was the first Aboriginal performer to achieve mainstream success with his 1964 song "The Royal Telephone," are some examples of Indigenous Australian music.
"Bush music" or "bush band music" originated from the songs sung by convicts sent to Australia during the early period of British colonisation, beginning in 1788. These songs, sung to the tune of 18th and 19th-century European sea shanties, described the harsh ways of life, including the experiences of bushrangers, swagmen, drovers, stockmen, and shearers.
