57 great Australian artists for fans of Nirvana, Joy Division, BROCKHAMPTON, The Beatles, The Cure, The Clash, The Beach Boys, Blondie, Surf Curse, Gorillaz, The Rolling Stones, Mac DeMarco, Bob Dylan, The Go-Betweens, The Smiths, Gang of Youths, Calvin Harris, DEVO, Avril Lavigne, Grimes, Jungle, Prince, The Strokes, Violent Femmes, Jefferson Airplane, Anderson Paak., My Chemical Romance & Led Zeppelin.
Sounds Like… Nirvana
The vitriots
The Sydney three-piece only had a short stint as a band before calling it quits last year but they left us with a small collection of 90s inspired stonkers.
Ruth Carp and the Fish Heads
Ruth Carp is the founder of a popular Vintage Store in Manly, Henrietta Skate but on the side he creates a really dreamy brand of grungy surf rock.
The Buoys
The all female Sydney four-piece, The Buoys, shred and are an act to keep a close eye on.
Sounds Like… Joy Division
City Calm Down
City Calm Down decided to call it quits in 2019, but their three albums are underrated classics. Apparently the late Michael Gudinski, founder of Mushroom Records, “wouldn’t shut up” about the Melbourne four-piece and you’ll understand why if you dive into their discography.
Fountaineer
Synthy and atmospheric with gorgeous vocals that tell stories of their home town, Bendigo.
Sounds Like… Brockhampton
Agung Mango
Aussie artists that are better* than familiar favourites. Could be a hot take but have a listen and see for yourself.
Sounds Like… The Beatles
Bones and Jones
This isn’t their most Beatle-eske track, but it bloody slaps.
Noodle House
They’re psychedelic, they’re warm and they’re polished. Enjoy the 70s nostalgia.
Luke Spook
Tongue-in-cheek fun with a side of kazoo.
Sounds Like… The Cure
RVG
Very high quality Jangle rock.
Kitschen Boy
Melbourne trio Kitschen Boy are perfect for literally any time of the day in any setting.
Sounds Like… The Clash
A. Swayze & the Ghosts
Modern day Punks.
100
Sydney boys who like their riffs hot and vocals passionate.
Sounds Like… The Beach Boys
Hobsons Bay coast guard
Get a load of these harmonies from Melbourne’s Hobsons Bay Coast Guard.
Sounds Like… Blondie
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
First off, what a top name. Second, this is great.
Georgia June
Georgia June has one of the coolest aesthetics in the Aussie scene and they back it up with even better music. If you’re a fan of Blondie or INXS they’re definitely a band for you.
Sounds Like… Surf Curse
Candy
Candy is the solo project of Callum Newton, one third of Lunatics on Pogosticks. He’s released a fair bit of music and it’s all really worthwhile.
Dying Adolescence
Just some really good sadboi surf rock from Sydney Bedroom producer Michael Barker.
Sounds Like… Gorrilaz
NOCON
A side project from Jamie Timony of These New South Whales, teaming up with Jake O’Brien to make art-punk.
Sounds Like… The Rolling Stones
The Pinheads
If you don’t enjoy this, you’re wrong.
The FRIENDLY Friends
One of Sydney’s most exciting live acts, The Friendly Friends are reviving rock and roll.
Sounds Like… Mac Demarco
The Babe Rainbow
High chance you’re already familiar with the Babe Rainbow, but if not, you’ve got so much music to look forward to.
Crepes
Bouncy, surfy and psychedelic.
Redspencer
Melbourne’s Redspencer are perhaps one of Australia’s most overlooked bands. I can guarantee you’ll be an instant fan of this track.
Sounds Like… Bob Dylan
James Bennet
James Bennett is a huge fan of Bob Dylan and it definitely shows in his music. He’s the definition of talented has plenty of hidden gems to love.
The Slingers
Sounds more like Paul Kelly but for the sake of limiting subheadings, this is a track that I have no doubt Bob Dylan fans will enjoy.
Sounds Like… The Go-Betweens
Flower Truck
If The Go-Betweens had a synth, they would be Flowertruck.
Big White
God this track is fun.
Bored Shorts
Classic Australian surf rock, delivered with passion.
SOunds Like… The Smiths
DIET.
Skivvy central, sounding like a more poppy version of The Smiths but dressed like Bono.
Sunscreen
The jangle of the Smiths with Australian twang.
Stumps
Stumps frontman Kyle Fisher has the most gorgeous voice.
Sounds Like… Gang of Youths
Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird
So good even Dave Le’aupepe himself is a fan.
Neighbourhood Youth
Bringing you washed out guitar tones and beautiful melodies.
Sounds Like… Calvin Harris
Poolroom.
I’m talking the Acceptable in the 80s days. Poolroom. isn’t taking things too seriously but the results are *mwah*.
Heaps Good Friends
I don’t know how this track is so good since its basically just one chord the entire way through. But it is.
Sounds Like… DEVO
U-Bahn
This is probably the best comparison on the list if I’m honest. If you’ve ever thought “I need a song that’s an original but sounds like it’s a cover of DEVO’s cover of ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’,” then this track is perfect for you.
Sounds Like… Avril Lavigne
Eliza & The Delusionals
This one’s dedicated to anyone that jumped around their room singing Avril Lavigne’s ‘What The Hell’ into a hairbrush at some point in their childhood.
The Lazy Susans
FKA Antonia & The Lazy Susans, the Melbourne four-piece were born to make pop-punk.
Sounds Like… Grimes
Cookii
If you like pop music that’s a little whacky, this one’s for you.
Sounds Like… Jungle
First Beige
Jazz funk band from Brisbane who dabble in the world of lo-fi.
The Regime
THEY HAVE MORE THAN 20 MEMBERS HOW COULD IT NOT BE GREAT.
Sounds Like… Prince
Harts
I know this this is a hot take but I’m not a huge fan of Prince. But I LOVE Harts. He’s also been compared to other music royalty such as Lenny Kravitz and Jimi Hendrix but I’ve gone with Prince because the late artist asked Harts to jam with him after the release of the Melbourne artist’s debut album.
Sounds Like… The Strokes
Concrete Surfers
One of my favourite tracks of all time, combining guitar like the strokes with Aussie surf-punk vocals.
Pretty Littles
One of the greatest bands to never get as much love as they deserve. After 10 years of releasing music they’re still touring and recording so fingers crossed they’ll get the exposure they’ve more than earned.
BLAND
BLAND are “unfazed by current music trends” and creating music that they love and you should too.
Sounds Like… Violent Femmes
Fight Ibis
Inspired and reminiscent of the Femmes, but with a bit dollop of swing.
Soy
This track isn’t on YouTube but it’s too good not to include.
Sounds Like… Jefferson Airplane
Nice BISCUIT
Very dreamy psychedelic rock.
The Uplifting Bell Ends
A haunting track about being haunted by the end of the world, yet there’s something peaceful and beautiful about it.
Sounds Like… Anderson Paak.
Planet Vegeta
Western Sydney rap trio Planet Vegeta delivering funk and vibey synths.
BREAD CLUB
Bread Club would sit nicely in the middle of a Venn diagram of Anderson Paak. and Jungle.
Sounds like… My Chemical Romance
Colourblind
This is what choruses were made for.
TOWNS
Some real Tony Hawk Pro Skater nostalgia here.
Sly Withers
Perth punk perfection.
Sounds Like… Led Zeppelin
Stonefield
Big Kashmir vibes.
Cosmic Flanders
A bit of Pink Floyd in this one as well from Sydney group Cosmic Flanders.