Liam Apter, Journalist

A few tunes with you might not know that we've been digging.. A lot of acts that you read about on music websites - the hot/upcoming/buzz-worthy articles - come from a press release, with the authors sent a lot of awesome new music and having to sift through for the good stuff. With that in mind we thought we'd go on a little hunt through the online realm to try and find a few acts that haven't broken over the 500-Like mark (because like it or not, the number of FB likes you've accrued can play a role in the amount of online love you'll receive). So we hope 5 UNDER 500 will bring to your attention a few emerging acts, who are under 500 likes on Facebook, and whose sounds we are very much digging.  Deep Space Supergroop - Shitamachi Deep Space Supergroop have been ticking over since early 2013 and their latest cut Shitmachi is by far their best. It's a slow-burning slice of progressive rock with some killer breakdowns and emotion infused lyricism. The track works away slowly at you, lab

Fascinator' latest video sees Johnny Mackay sing into an onion.. Fascinator - or Lord Fascinator - as he is known to call himself is the performing moniker of Johnny Mackay (Children Collide), and he has released a self-directed music video for his latest single Showin' Off. Showin' Off reflects clear psychedelic elements, not the psych freak-outs like those of Tame Impala but an almost acid-styled feel as if the world itself was being slowly sucked into itself. Indeed the lazy guitar licks and looping piano keys create this continual sense of motion. And Mackay's voice brings to mind Damon Albarn's in his work with the Gorillaz. And the video couldn't be any more fitting to this sense of the world inwardly absorbing itself as we see Mackay singing into an onion. Furthermore, to celebrate his signing to Spinning Top Records Jagwar Ma have done an edit of the track which you can download HERE. Follow Fascinator: FACEBOOK

Wisdom Teeth packs a punch but the feeling doesn't last for long.. It's not everyday someone writes a song about wisdom teeth. Those teeth that everyone dreads being told you have to get out because you'll end up looking like a chipmunk afterwards. And that's what WAAX's latest track Wisdom Teeth is about and they've got a completely unrelated music video to boot, which is no less a fun and colouful time at the rock show. Wisdom Teeth is a clean-cut rock track that attempts to get in your face with it's meaty riffs and Marie De Vita's snarling vocals, and it does so with a fair amount of success, although at times the clean production sees the track lack that raw energy. Indeed, much like when you get your wisdom teeth ripped out it smarts for a brief period but over time it drifts from your mind. The music video - with it's heavily edited chopping style and constantly shifting colours - does enhance the punch of the track, and you can check it out below: Follow on WAAX: FACEBOOK

After the successful WAM Festival WAM are back with their Song Of The Year Competition.. WAM Festival is one of the most exciting times in the Perth calendar as it brings together the entire WA music community for two days to point out to the east coast that WA actually makes awesome music. Apart from a large number of bands playing it's a forum where a wide-range of topics are discussed including; whether or not Triple J is crucial to helping you make it big, whether you need to get drunk to network, is community radio all that great and more which you can read about HERE. And after all that fun WAM is back with their Song Of The Year competition with their grand prize offering $3000 in cash, alongside the opportunity to record, get your song mastered by William Bowden (recieved a Grammy for his work on Goyte's Somebody I Used To Know), a publishing deal, your CDs pressed, a chance to perform at WAM Festival 2015 and more which you can read about HERE. Past winners include Pilerats' f

Milwaukee Banks' latest collaboration with Rat & Co. and Andre Eremin highlights the dynamic attitude of the Melbourne scene.. Milwaukee Banks have just released a double A side single release and alongside acts like Baro they are part of new age of Australian rap acts that are delving into future beats and cloud rap.  Milwaukee Banks collab with Rat & Co. Monitor brings in a bouncy beat filled with discordant synths with some firey delievery of lines from Dyl Thomas, 'Never / Thought / I'd / Say it / But / I'm feeling fucking better than the Bible's God ever could.' Indeed it's a zany rap with Thomas' vocals taking an airy quality as the track progresses, highlighting what this track is all about, being powerful.  The second single, Van Gogh, is done with wunder-producer Andrei Eremin and in comparison to the hard-hitting Monitor the beats' are as light as a feather, with a playful lather of piano keys that suit the melodic quality of Thomas' voice. It then rises up into the sky with

A snappy piece indie pop track that lacks substance.. Torfason are an electronic duo that formed in Brisbane after Sam Gethin-Jones left Last Dinosaurs as the bassist. And they've just released their first single Feel Like Letting Go with a colourful, 90s styled video to boot. The single is the first release from their debut self-titled EP which will be released in early 2015. Infused with light guitar licks, thudding drums and warm vocals it takes references from the dynamic energy of 80s acts. But with an arguably facisimile chorus of, 'Won't you dance the way I feel?' It's awfully similar to Ou Est Le Swimming Pool's hit Dance The Way I Feel. Which questions the originality of the track but moments of hushed vocals against that thumping drum beat do still manage to excite. Furthermore, the video reinforces that lack of interest in the originality in track albeit it is the first video from the group but it's nothing to take home. Overall, Feel Like Letting Go comes across rough indie

A glorious cut of heady synth-pop.. New Zealand based artist Yumi Zouma has just released her latest single Alena it's just what you need on a monday. With Zouma's ethearal vocals, tinkling piano keys that open up the track you are hooked. And the vocals hook that comes in with the warm synths sets the mood for a soaring piece of synth pop. It's undeniably enjoyable as the catchy lathers of piano come in and you can't help but be sent in a groove. And when that chorus comes in it's pure euphoria. There's nothing complicated about Yumi Zouma's latest single and that is perfectly okay because it hits all the right spots with its dreamy pop nature.  Follow Yumi Zouma: FACEBOOK

Emmy The Great's latest single is a majestic piece to submerge yourself in.. Emmy The Great's latest single Swimming Pool comes off 4-track EP, which is to be released in January, and shares much of the same sensibilities as if this song was to be played under water. Indeed, Swimming Pool is a stripped back, almost dulled down affair with only Emma-Lee Moss' voice cutting through. But despite this hushed soundbed the choral instruments add a sense of majesty to the mood of the piece. And as the drum beat burbles into the space alongside Tom Fleming's voice (Wild Beasts lead singer) that aura of radiance shifts the previously elemental track out of the water in the warm sunlight before ending all too soon.  Follow Emmy The Great: FACEBOOK

Carmada's fiery debut EP is finally out.. Carmada's debut 4-track EP Realise is full of delicate builds and monstrous break-downs of warbling bass that all point to one thing, its a banger. So don't worry, there aren't any accoustic instruments as far as I could tell but there is a saxophone. And for those out the loop about Carmada, Yahtzel and LDRU make up the duo and formed earlier this year after Splendour In The Grass at which they pounded out a searing-hot B2B. This DJ set saw them join forces and drop Maybe ahead of this EP. Realise,is the opener and it slowly burns to life as Noah Slee's vocals cut in before the pounding drums and skittering percussions kick in to give it a futuristic tribal feel. And then slides in Maybe a track that has become synonymous with Carmada. The opening keys set the spine tingling before the real fire starts, which if you're familiar with Carmada you will have come to love. Carmalude keys the blaze down a notch with a sumptous saxophone and down-tem