Batpiss rise to the Amrap Metro Chart summit

Community radio shows a huge amount of support for Australian music, with almost 40% of music played coming from local artists. Taste-making presenters excel at giving airtime to an incredible spread of what Aussie artists have to offer. The Amrap Metro and Amrap Regional Charts provide insight into what’s getting airplay and attention on community radio each week. Here’s the lowdown on some tunes charting this week.

Jamilla – #5 Amrap Metro

Perth based nu-soul/RnB artist Jamilla returns in 2019 after a three month writing hiatus where she spent time collaborating with producers including Tobacco Rat, Ukiyo, JCAL and others to work on developing her sound and production skillset. But don’t be misled, Jamilla’s music is her own from top to tail. The track opens with Nina Simone speaking on the idea of blackness, beauty and power in a white world. Jamilla immediately follows on from Nina’s famous words with a slick, fierce and sweeping track expertly produced and carried by her honeyed vocals. In her own words, “Nina Simone is the whole reason Bloom exists. She redefined my idea of what it meant to be a woman, reminding me that European beauty standards were bullshit and making me feel powerful. And one day, whilst watching an interview, she gave me a voice to speak honestly about my experiences. I felt inspired and angry and ready.” Despite only three singles out in the world, Jamilla is getting plenty of support from RTR FM in Perth, Radio Adelaide in SA and Melbourne’s 3PBS.

Lex Bielby – #9 Amrap Regional

Endless Sky is the first solo release from Australian Blues guitarist Lex Bielby. It’s a complex mix of influences that ranges from blues heavyweights like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Bonamassa to smouldering swamp tunes and smoky jazz sounds. Repeat After Me brings an injection of energy into the album with thick soul blues that you could be forgiven for thinking came straight off a classic Motown record. Led by Beilby’s energetic guitar alongside a gospel choir, vintage drums and chunky bass riffs, the track is a loose and playful earworm with plenty to love and get down to. With so much talent pouring out of this one it’s no wonder community stations like BBB FM and 5GTR FM in SA along with Noosa FM in NSW are taking notice.

Hussy Hicks – #1 Amrap Regional

Critically acclaimed Australian act, Hussy Hicks are a tour de force. Prolific and well accomplished musicians, Hussy Hicks have honed their sonic dexterity over the past 12 years with six studio albums, multiple industry awards and more than 1,000 live shows under their belts. Known for their emotive lyricism, energetic live shows and fiery, frenetic instrumentation, it’s no surprise this all female, four-piece band have staying power. Producing and engineering all of their new music, Hussy Hicks are proving positive social change is happening right now with brand new track Get Ready as they foresee a future without sexism, racism, homophobia and xenophobia, but most importantly, without fear. Channel your inner Mavis Staples and get ready for powerful social change with a soul-drenched sound that captivates from the outset. Get Ready combines Leesa Gentz’s powerhouse vocals and Julz Parker’s critically acclaimed guitar shreds for an empowering, joyous and uplifting tune. Victoria’s 979 FM, Rox FM in SA and Brisbane’s 4ZZZ are loving this one.

Batpiss – #1 Amrap Metro

Strap in. Batpiss are back with their unique brand of reverb fuelled garage-punk on Nothing. The Melbourne based trio welcomed Bones Sloane (Courtney Barnett) and Chris Drane (Ferla & Tankerville) into the fold for this one, bolstering their chaotic sound yet adding a layer of maturity and growth to their song writing. Nothing is about letting go of anger and frustration, growing up and moving on.  Frontman Thomy Sloane explains – “This band has been based on negative energy for years. I just don’t feel like that anymore. When I think about all the silly things that made me irate in the past, I feel nothing. That’s what this song is about.” Fear not, Nothing is still as heavy as they come, veering into post-rock territory by the track’s end. 4ZZZ in Brisbane, Sydney’s FBi Radio and Yass FM in NSW are already on board.

Pink Matter – #4 Amrap Metro

Meeting at university, Pink Matter was born in late 2016 and the four-piece has captivated the Brisbane music scene since. Within their first year, the all-female group made themselves known through their modern, twisted take on the neo-soul/urban genre with notable hints of Hiatus Kaiyote, Koi Child and The Internet. Wonder is their first offering of the year and with some help from acclaimed Melbourne producer, Harvey Sutherland the track is a sonic, tightly crafted piece carried by lush, layered vocals, bass slaps and glittery electronic flourishes. Taking the best elements of soul and sprinkling them with contemporary synths truly places Pink Matter on another level as they blend genres to establish their own sound. Byron Bay’s Bay FM in NSW, WA’s KCR FM and Brisbane’s 4ZZZ have already shown their love and support for Wonder.

See the full Amrap Charts at www.airit.org.au