EXCLUSIVE: WAM Uncovers Powerful Regional Talent With Latest ‘Sounds Of’ Compilation

It’s no secret that Perth yields some of the best musical talents in the world and that quality reaches far from the city limits, which is where WAM’s Sounds Of compilations come into play.

The WA music body have scoped out some of the best acts from Great Southern region for the latest in a series of acclaimed CDs, setting up a pop-up studio in Albany with producers Matt Gio and Sean Lillico, and also inviting Eskimo Joe’s Joel Quartermain and Debaser Studio engineer Andy Lawson along to appear as guests.

Sounds Of The Great Southern paints a diverse picture of the upcoming artists in the region and sees 10 acts (narrowed down from a record-breaking 110 applicants) cover off rock, folk, dub, electro pop, adult contemporary, reggae, rhythmic jazz pop and more, including Takalarup’s Blue Stuka, Albany singer-songwriters Kris Nelson and Isla Imogen and more.

“There is such a beautiful innocence to the whole program and the people involved,” Gio said.

“I’m always excited to watch the artists light up when they walk into the recording space and see all the beautiful equipment and instruments we have prepared for them. It always instantly inspires them and sets such a great tone for creating music together.”

“The Great Southern region's population possesses an astonishingly high active participation in music amongst its communities, and is reflected in this, WAM's greatest Sounds Of project yet,” WAM Regional Officer and Sounds Of The Great Southern Project Officer Nigel Bird added.

“This compilation album showcases less than 10% of acts that applied to be part of the project, and is a compelling example of why there should be greater investment in music for the Great Southern.”

Not only does the project uncover some amazing local talent and deliver high-quality recordings, it also assists some artists in finding their voice.

“A particular highlight was working with the music class from North Albany Senior High School,” Gio recalls

“They gave us the freedom to workshop ideas with each individual student and expose them to a situation that many of them may not have ever had the opportunity to experience otherwise.

“Every student rose tremendously to the challenge. Not only did each student grow as an artist but the end result was fantastic.”

You can give Sounds Of The Great Southern a listen right here before it’s official release this weekend (details below).

WAM’s Sounds Of The Great Southern compilation will be launched this Saturday, May 27, at Albany Town Hall with performances from all artists featured on the CD. Find all the details here.