The best way to scope out the best emerging bands and artists rocking around South Australia is Scouted, held as part of Umbrella: Winter City Sounds.
Now in its third year, Scouted showcases unsigned local talent to significant industry representatives and enthusiastic fans looking for their next favourite act.
Scouted takes over the east end of Adelaide's CBD for one night only, with 16 acts performing across four stages at Crown and Anchor, Exeter, The Stag Public House and Sugar.
Here, four of this year's Scouted hopefuls – spanning dream pop to dirty country and playing at Scouted's scenestr stage – have helped us get to know them better by answering some questions about who they are, what they're about and what happens beyond Scouted. Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for Wanderers, Dress Code, Jess Day and Ricky Albeck.
Wanderers
Emerging from Adelaide's bustling songwriting scene, Dusty Lee and Matt Birkin hit the Scouted stage after touring early this year with Josh Cashman. They followed up their debut EP 'Goddamn Anything' with 'Something For A Distraction' in 2017. Last year, they released a series of singles including 'What I Do' and 'Off My Back'.
A quick intro to the band and what you're all about?
Well, we are two guys and our extended family of talented mates who like to create music with the hope that we might encourage you to shake your tush.
The most important thing people should know about your band?
We don't have a preconceived idea of our sound which enables us to evolve as our taste changes and our understanding of rhythm, melody, harmony, and storytelling evolves.
We blend genres and styles, experiment with modern and vintage recording styles/instrumentation and refuse to anchor ourselves with stylistic or genre-orientated boundaries. But having said that, we love to dig in to a tight groove, no matter what the song.
How are you feeling about performing at Scouted?
Pumped. Love our home town, love the line-up, love the venues, love the local crowds... Love it all! It's going to be a bloody good time.
What can audiences expect when you hit the stage at Scouted?
Five dudes crammed on to a small stage going as ballistic as the parts they're trying to nail will let them. There will be no pauses, no BS, we're just going to plough through the grooviest half hour of songs we can muster. Grabbing two pints before our set would be wise, there will be no bar breaks.
What do opportunities like Scouted mean for bands like yours?
The chance to get in front of industry that might miss us otherwise as we try to get our music heard in the whirlwind of amazing music that's constantly being released in this country. A good chance to show what we can do and even better, in front of our hometown crowd.
There's lots of industry eyes and ears on you at Scouted; how do you plan on making the most of your time on stage?
We've worked out a set that will show the full spectrum of what we're going for sonically. That’s why we've chosen the five-piece band for this set, so we can honour the songs as they are on record with all the instrumentation. But mainly we're just going to have fun with it! Just go for it and have a good time.
Regardless of what happens at Scouted, what's coming up for you over the next few months?
A new single, more touring, recording an album. Playing live and creating music, all the good stuff.
Favourite podcast at the moment (why)?
'WTF' with Marc Maron. Because he's interviewed my favourite artists and often gets them to a point of confiding in him like he's an old friend.
Last show you binge-watched?
'Stranger Things'. I don't need to elaborate on that, the whole world is on the same boat right now.
Finish this sentence: 'A band that … together, stays together.'
Builds Duplo.
Dress Code
A four-piece indie dream-pop outfit that barely knew each other when they came together, Dress Code premiered their new single 'Caffeine' in May along with a video. Dress Code will also be supporting Sinclaire on their 'Now I'm Ready To Start' EP tour in August.
A quick intro to the band and what you're all about?
Dress Code is a four piece dream-pop/indie band. We write songs about the millennial experience.
The most important thing people should know about your band?
When Dress Code first formed we barely knew each other. The first practise we had was the first time I’d had a proper conversation with the other three guys in the band. We wrote two songs that night, one of which being our first single ‘Eyesight’, I knew straight away that the connection we had from the get go was something special. So in the space of a year we went from being strangers to living together, spending almost every moment together.
How are you feeling about performing at Scouted?
We’re feeling great! The line-up is really cool, we always appreciate the opportunity to play with acts that sound totally different to us.
What can audiences expect when you hit the stage at Scouted?
The same as always. We’ll put everything into our performance in order to give the audience the show that they deserve. It’ll be a lot of fun, sometimes sad, sometimes happy, special the whole way through. If you enjoy dream-pop sounds and songs about feeling weird you’re definitely in for a good time.
What do opportunities like Scouted mean for bands like yours?
Playing on a festival line-up with acts that sound totally different to us means that we’ll be playing to some people for the first time, and that’s always a really cool thing.
Since this festival is mostly based around showcasing our sound for industry professionals it’s given us the opportunity to interact with people that may help us push our band further, enabling us to reach even more people in the future.
There's lots of industry eyes and ears on you at Scouted; how do you plan on making the most of your time on stage?
We approach every show the same way. We’ll put all our energy into putting on a good show and playing to the best of our ability in order to give the audience the show that they deserve.
Regardless of what happens at Scouted, what's coming up for you over the next few months?
After Scouted we’ll be touring with Sinclaire (SYD) in support of their EP ‘Now I’m Ready To Start’. This will be really fun, I can’t wait to play our songs for some interstate crowds. Other than that we have a lot going on that's yet to be announced, but we feel very, very good about it and trust that you all will too.
Favourite podcast at the moment (why)?
I only listen to a podcast called 'Strange Nerve', it’s hosted by the singer of the band Superheaven (Philly Alt Rock). He mostly interviews people from punk bands in the US. But he also delves into a lot of topics based around mental health which is pretty cool to hear especially from the perspective of a full time musician. I always hear Ben listening to podcasts around the house, I have no idea what they are though, he loves that 'Game Of Thrones' stuff.
Last show you binge-watched?
'Jericho'. Its a show from 2006 that got cancelled after two seasons. Its pretty bad, anything to kill some time.
Finish this sentence: 'A band that … together, stays together.'
Thinks.
Jess Day
From the remote mining town of Roxby Downs, Jess Day is a singer-songwriter gifted in producing moody indie pop with an emo flair. After Scouted, Jess will be hitting the road with Boy & Bear as support on their national tour.
A quick intro and what you're all about?
Hey! I'm Jess. I'm all about hooky pop songs with an emo flair.
The most important thing people should know about you?
I'm probably never going to write a happy song and at this point I'm not sure if it's actually possible...
How are you feeling about performing at Scouted?
P U M P E D. I'm super excited to play but also to see some other great South Australian artists playing too.
What can audiences expect when you hit the stage at Scouted?
You can expect a fair few angsty rock songs.
What do opportunities like Scouted mean for bands like yours?
Awesome exposure to the Adelaide community and great opportunities for industry networking.
There's lots of industry eyes and ears on you at Scouted; how do you plan on making the most of your time on stage?
Packing as much emotion and energy into my music as possible.
Regardless of what happens at Scouted, what's coming up for you over the next few months?
I'm super excited to be going on tour with Boy & Bear in August to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. After that, I'm going to be working on some songs I'm very excited about.
Favourite podcast at the moment (why)?
'And The Writer Is'. It's a podcast where they feature hit songwriters and talk about the creative process, their back story and what it's like to be in the industry.
Last show you binge-watched?
'Lucifer'.
Ricky Albeck & The Belair Line Band
Ricky Albeck leads this country rock quintet, which is quickly making a name among punters as one-to-watch. Ricky and his posse also play A Day Of Clarity in August before supporting Justin Townes Earle at The Gov in September.
A quick intro to the band and what you're all about?
I got the band together as a way to play some songs I’d written and recorded in my bedroom in a live setting.
The most important thing people should know about your band?
Colby Robertson plays the drums.
How are you feeling about performing at Scouted?
Excited to play some music!
What can audiences expect when you hit the stage at Scouted?
Audiences can expect some filthy country rock & roll and fake moustaches.
What do opportunities like Scouted mean for bands like yours?
Great opportunity to play some rock & roll to some industry suits.
There's lots of industry eyes and ears on you at Scouted; how do you plan on making the most of your time on stage?
Not gonna stress about it! Industry eyes and ears are human eyes and ears.
Regardless of what happens at Scouted, what's coming up for you over the next few months?
Over the next few months we’ll be releasing some new music and playing some shows around Adelaide. And keep your eyes peeled for Sydney and Melbourne shows!
Favourite podcast at the moment (why)?
I’m pretty into the 'Australian True Crime' podcast with Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb. Chilling!
Last show you binge-watched?
I just finished watching all of 'The Office' last night and i’m sad as hell it's over.
Finish this sentence: 'A band that … together, stays together.'
Bathes.
