When it comes to musicians coming out of regional Victoria, we’re spoilt for choice.
As we make our way through those first few weird weeks of the year, people are starting to get back into the swing of things. For any music fan out there, that means setting up new playlists, checking out new artists, and beginning to shape your 2022 Spotify wrapped.
So today we’re diving into some of the most talented regional Victorian up and comers that you need to keep your eye on, as they’re set to become some of our biggest performers.
Keep up with the latest music news via our website.
Maz Green
There’s not too many singers out there as talented as Maz Green. She’s one you definitely need to keep your eye on. Coming out of the Geelong region, she’s a great new act from the area.
Her music is an interesting mix of Soul, Pop, and even elements of Indie Rock. Her debut release ‘Somewhere Else’ came out in 2019, and she truly started with a bang, it’s a massive track that’ll no doubt become one of your new favourites.
According to her Instagram, she’s working on new music, so keep an eye on her socials here.
FLOC
There’s not too much online about this artist, but she’s truly set to become one of Ballarat’s most well-known performers.
Inspired by elements of Hip Hop, the singer songwriter puts elements of electronica and rock into her music. Her genre bending music has gotten a lot of attention, it’s not something you would’ve hear from many other artists out there.
She has been active in the Ballarat music scene, most recently being featured in the amazing Be_Hear//Now Festival. She also plays a fair amount of shows across the region, keep an eye out for tour dates on her Facebook page here.
Sam Boon
If you’re not a fan of the music so far, jazz star Sam Boon is the performer for you. He’s one of the most prolific performers in Australia, working with artists like Vance Joy, The Rubens and Guy Sebastian.
He works in many different areas of the music world, also producing a great deal of original works for TV shows, and arranging pieces for some of Australia’s most well known musicians.
His amazing instrumental work has garnered a great deal of attention, him also being another addition to the recent Be_Hear//Now festival.
Final Final
Final Final are an up and comer in the jazz world that are doing something really cool and incredibly unique.
Hailing from Geelong, Final Final call themselves ‘the last jazz band on earth’. The trio is made up of renowned names in the Geelong creative community, including Immy Owusu on percussion, Riley McDonald on bass and the one and only Joshua Maxwell De Hoog on woodwind.
Their music is a cool mix of electronica, jazz, even with a bit of hip-hop in there. They are always playing some killer shows across Geelong, keep an eye on all tour dates, and dive into more info on Final Final over at their socials here.
Gangz
Gangz (AKA Josh Haire) is a great muso that is set to be a staple of festivals in the near future. He’s most recently set to support mammoth rockers Kingswood in an upcoming show. His music is a mix of surf rock, with elements of alternative sounds.
According to his Instagram, his music is described as Dream Pop Surf Rock, which is a great way to describe it. After one listen of his stuff, you’ll be bound to bop your head and add him to your new Spotify playlist.
Check out some of his music over on his Unearthed page here.
View this post on Instagram
Ghost Orchid
A musical collaboration of celebrated Geelong indie artists Matt Wilkinson (LEEDEN) and Nathan Mossop (The Vainz), Ghost Orchid is a vehicle for the like-minded songwriters to collaborate and produce a themed album – a sonic bouquet – of indie-pop acoustic guitars and delicately entwined vocal melodies.
Melding lush instrumentals to create a sumptuous backdrop for Wilkinson’s pitch-perfect pop-infused melodies, their music transports you on a journey to a gorgeous, acoustic-inspired landscape, a world rich with personal lyrics and raw sonic beauty. The stunning acoustic tones, courtesy of Mossop’s gently wonderful and deceptively intricate guitar work, immerses you deep into a pool of captivating story-telling and provides a serene escape from the typical feel of indie-pop music today.
Due out later this year is their debut album, consisting of ten cosmic tracks with titles reflective of Earth’s rarest flowers.
Check out their music here.
BEANS
Beans are one of the coolest bands you need to check out ASAP. Their music is an interesting mix of old school 60’s rock sounds and modern indie rock vibes. They have most recently been signed to Flightless Records, one of Melbourne’s most iconic Independent record labels.
The Regional Victorian vibes bleed through a lot of their music, their first Flightless album All Together Now being recorded in the beautiful Wallington.
On the touring side, Beans often tour with fellow Flightless band King Gizzard, and often share the stage at the awesome Gizzfest. They are one of the most prolific live bands, check out their socials for any shows they’ve got.
Polly and The Pockets
Polly and the Pockets are the next big thing in the world of Indie rock, their amazing music has been said to mix alt-rock, funk and disco. It’s unlike anything you would’ve heard before, they truly deserve to be the biggest Aussie band. They are also a bit of a supergroup, featuring members from Teenage Dads and Midnight Country Club.
Hailing from the Mornington Peninsula, the group have shared the stage with The Grogans and many other amazing Aussie rockers. They’ve hit stages across Melbourne, most recently hitting The Retreat Hotel stage in Brunswick.
Check out their amazing music over on their Bandcamp page here, where you can also pick up some cool t-shirts or a Polly and The Pockets tote bag.
View this post on Instagram
Plus, one national act we’ve got our eye on:
Scab Baby
Scab Baby are an up and comer in the rock world that are doing something really cool and different. Hailing from Wollongong, Scab Baby are a punk trio that mix elements of Synth sounds with Punk.
They have played a bunch of awesome shows across Australia, and have been lauded for their amazing live sound and immense manic energy. Keep an eye on their socials here for any tour dates that they have on the horizon.
Dive into their music on their Bandcamp page here.
As with all lists, there are still many, many more regional acts to watch. But from this list are ones that are looking to be doing exciting things and progressing their careers in 2022. We welcome any suggestions as well.
