The SoundLounge

Whitley

Melbourne artist Whitley is a contradiction. The cheeky, charismatic 22-year-old exudes charm and quick wit. Yet his music and lyrics belie an older soul, one with tales to tell. Whitley seamlessly blends organic acoustic flavours with electronic overtones creating songs with hushed, whimsical tales of love and loss.

“I can relate to the tragedy of the comedy involved with the story line. My more serious side is the music, so I can get away with being a clown everywhere else,” he says. Whitley’s previous incarnations in hardcore and punk bands were tempered when he was dragged along to see alt-country stars Keiran Cane and Kevin Welsh by a friend’s dad. He had an epiphany and was converted to the “songs that made sense” and started listening to traditional country. The result of these influences has produced a folktronic sound all of his own.

Whitley first met producer and collaborator, Nick Huggins, from watching him play the Mississippi folk instrument the steel lap guitar (dobro). The friendship evolved through a shared love of music and Nick was the natural choice to work on the album. The pair took a pragmatic approach to recording, decamping to the surrounds of Nick’s family home in Port Lonsdale converting the old house into a studio with a sleeping barracks out the back.

Gossling

Gossling is the project of singer/songwriter Helen Croome. Gossling’s debut EP ‘If You Can’t Whistle’ has garnered plenty of attention, with the track “Days Are Over” becoming part of Triple J’s staple play list in recent times, and “He Knows My Love” being used in the Triple J ‘Unearthed’ promos. Gossling’s tracks were discovered by Triple J after she drew attention as an Unearthed artist.

“This is something entirely new. Croome’s voice is unique, characterized with different textures and feels, you can hear the honesty, and heart. A beginning for blossoming, Melbourne artist” Eliza Hull - Beat

Seagull

Seagull is the brainchild of Chris Bolton, a classically trained guitarist influenced as much by the sonic adventuring of minimalist music as he is by the rustic traditions of folk and blues. Beginning as a solo project in 2006, the first Seagull EP was released in 2007, making several radio presenter's top ten list for that year, on the back of radio play on Triple R, Triple J, PBS and FBI. Songs such as 'End Could Come' and 'Train Tracks' showed the breadth of Bolton's talent, the latter song being described by Triple J's Zan Rowe as "...beautiful stuff. This guy is definitely one to watch."