Akouo on ‘Tasmania's Top Shady Zones'

Tasmania is often left off the cultural map of Australia, constantly overridden by bigger cities with a larger creative output. Local producer AKOUO looks to change our perceptions of the small state, with the artist proving that Tassie’s got some burgeoning talent laying underneath its surface.

Since he dropped his debut single ‘Last Time’ on DIE HIGH records last year, AKOUO's name has been constantly affiliated with the words “emerging talent” and “one to keep on your radar”. In 2014 alone he dropped the stellar ‘Mesa EP’, alongside delivering some fantastic remixes for the likes of Kilter, ZHU, Thief, Flume and Safia.

And he’s continuing that tradition into 2015, already releasing the killer single ‘Pieces’ and giving us 'All They Do' - the latest taste of what’s to come on the producer’s upcoming EP.

Today, he’s helping champion his home town even more by getting on board with Pretty Shady to bring us some super shady spots found in his home state; places where you can sit back, relax and avoid a nasty sunburn!

Pretty Shady is an initiative that aims to inspire you to be part of the generation that stops skin cancer, one summer at a time. So while you’re heading to the beach or getting out of town on your summer hols, remember to enjoy the summer weather but keep yourself protected from that harsh Aussie sun.

1. Salamanca

“This is like the holy grail for Tasmania's cultural hangs, situated in Hobart. Sandstone buildings, boat filled wharf, Sunday market, fresh Tasmanian seafood, and every type of liquor you could hope for. Lark distillery is great for the whiskey fiends, and Mobius (build in some old unused, underground tunnels) is the best club in the area.”

2. Deloraine

"There are a tonne of quiet, sleepy towns around Tasmania to mosey through at your leisure if that's your thing, but one of my favorites is Deloraine, in the north of the state. There's some nice local produce, antique and art shopping to be had here, but I mainly head there for lunch under the shade by the Meander river. V nice, 5 stars.”

3. Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

“Museum of Old and New Art in Berridale, overlooking the Derwent River near Hobart is a killer display of sex and death. Owned by David Walsh, who's enormous private art collection eventually spilled over into a full blown museum, this spot is mind blowing. It's often cited as the main reason Hobart was voted #7 in the Lonely Planets global top cities to see in 2013. If you want to see an entire wall full of vagina molds, then this is the spot.”

4. Liffey Falls

“Super tranquil, and as a musician it's a great spot for inspiration. Situated within the forests surrounding Cradle Mountain in the north of the state, the journey down into the falls is like some Indiana Jones type shit, and def gives you a good scope of the flora & fauna tucked into Tassie's prime rain forests.”

5. Mole Creek

“If your pilgrimage through Tassie takes you through to Liffey Falls or Cradle Mountain, then you should probably stop in Mole Creek to check the caves and wildlife park. It's a great spot when you're over city life and you just wanna go chill with some baby wombats and feed some kangaroos. Oh and there's a spot there where you can buy some dope, locally made honey-infused ice cream, if you happen to be in the state for the 2 days a year when it's actually hot.”

Words by Isabella Trimboli

SEE ALSO:

AKOUO 'PIECES'

STREAM: AKOUO 'MESA' EP

AKOUO 'NOT ENOUGH'