Music and Radio | Eliza Pall

RADIO WORK

Aside from recently working for The Australian Radio Network in the iHeartRadio team on TikTok Trending, and iHeartTrivia with Yumi and Osher, In 2021, I had the opportunity to contribute to the "Independent Artist of the Week" project at 2RRR 88.5FM.

My role involved writing and researching talent, editing audio using Audition, Logic, and Pro Tools, creating images using Photoshop, and facilitating interviews over Zoom.

You can browse my interviews below.

BLUE HONEY

Independent Artist of the Week: Blue Honey

Iris, Chloe, Sarah, Bella and Carla are names you’ll want to commit to memory. Making up the Perth based 5-piece ‘Blue Honey’, this femme-led indie rock group are leaving their fans in anticipation of a studio version of their breakout single ‘Colin’.

Despite being together for only one year, Blue Honey’s camaraderie and musicianship shine through in the way they speak with each other, and write music together.

Iris’ smoky vocals and ethereal harmonies stand out on the acoustic version of ‘Colin’, and give gentle nods to lyrical and sonic influences; Snail Mail and Phoebe Bridgers. ‘Colin’ is an ode to childhood, growing up and the pets who shape us. At 6:30pm AEST our interview will be live on IGTV. We talk about how the band came together, what’s to come and the songwriting process - don’t miss it!

You can catch Iris’ solo acoustic version on Soundcloud, and follow the band at @bluehoneyband for updates on their regular gigs and latest releases.

Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/

AKALA

Independent Artist of the Week: Akala Newman
Selected by Eliza Pall

Akala Newman is not only an ethereal and sultry first nations musician, but an academic, artist and activist whose most recent release “Spell On Me” imbues dark synths, pulsing basslines, and powerful lyrics that emphasize the beauty and power of Indigenous bodies and voices.

Akala’s “escapist pop” music is cinematic, with lush production and an emphasis on storytelling. She dives head-first into her song writing from a perspective of vulnerability and healing, presenting her proud Wiradjuri culture and heritage in spaces that include, but are not limited to, performing on Country at the Sydney Opera House.

As a true artist, Akala believes in the transcendence of meaning through various mediums; whether it through her academic work, activism, or musicianship. She draws inspiration from Artists like Halsey, FKA Twiggs and Tove Lo, but hints at future sounds of Country and folk influences that, given Akalas talent, will be sure to impress.

In this Week’s Independent Artist of the Week interview, Akala discusses the music industry, her musical theatre background, sonic influences, her collaborations with BLACX, and what comes next for this futuristic pop Artist.

Akala can be found online at @akala_newman on Instagram, and on Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer as Akala Newman.   Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/

ENTITY 97

Independent Artist of the Week: Entity 97
Selected by Eliza Pall

Combining jazz-inspired compositions, with relaxed beats, Entity 97 brings an ethereal and moving electronic sound to Australia’s independent music scene that is broadly influenced by Jamie XX, Flume, Chaos In The CBD, Touch Sensitive and even Arcade Fire’s sound work on the film ‘Her’.

Growing up in Shanghai with a diverse musical background – from piano to opera training – Entity 97 moved to Sydney and has pursued a future in music production that is sure to be bright. His music “aims to explore sensitive human emotions through sound” which he undoubtedly achieves in his tender collaborations with artists like Rice Yao and Frantik Krantik.

We are lucky to feature contributions from Entity 97 on our upcoming compilation record here at 2RRR 88.5 that can be found on Bandcamp in early September.

You can catch @entity97_ on Instagram by this handle, and on streaming platforms at Entity 97. Stay tuned for our IGTV interview later this week!    Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/

RITZZ

Independent Artist of the Week: Ritzz
Selected by Eliza Pall

If you have a passion for ‘wub’ sounding pop synths, grooving basslines and music that is irresistibly danceable, Ritzz is the independent artist for you. You’d never guess that Ritzz’s humble beginnings as a bagpipe player would lead him to producing such clean, bright bops as ‘Move’ and ‘She Don’t Wanna Dance’.

Collaborating with ‘generational talents’ Townes, and Mvnk – a voice lost too soon — Ritzz offers audiences a fresh electronic sound to the Sydney music scene; a foundation built by his influences S.G. Lewis, San Holo, and Flume, as well as his background in audio and music production at JMC.

In this week’s Independent Artist of the week chat, we discuss Ritzz’s defining moments, song-writing process, the independent music scene in Sydney, and what comes next from this unstoppable producer.

Ritzz can be found at @ritzzmusic and Ritzz on Spotify. Interview on IGTV.

Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/

CREEP FEATURES

Independent Artist of the Week:
Creep Features
Selected by Eliza Pall

Building a fanbase through live-gigs in Sydney’s inner-west, Creep Features is an alt-rock band led by vocalist and guitarist, Starzi Tsiamis, and Drummer and lyricist Daniel Isaac.

If you saw them live, you’d be convinced that they were part of a much larger group; their sound being distinctly “full and energetic”; much akin to their inspirations Arctic Monkeys and Royal Blood. Yet, Creep Features gift audiences music that is driven by edgy lyrics, thick drums and crunchy guitar riffs, with only two members.

The pair have been writing music since the band’s inception in early high school, but are planning to release their first EP almost 8 years later. Their highly anticipated first single ‘Storm’ will be released in the following weeks.

You can catch Creep Features on Instagram at @creep_features and keep an eye out for their up-coming release! 📷: @nick_g_s_photography

Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/

STACEY ANN

Independent Artist of the Week: Stacey Ann

Selected by Eliza Pall

This week we have @staceyannmusic as our Independent Artist of the Week. Eliza got to chat with the Perth based singer-songwriter about her single ‘Body’, as well as the process behind creating the tracks and the ongoing effect Covid-19 has had on musicians. You can check out the interview here on our IGTV.

Inspired by Meg Mac, Florence and the Machine and Fleetwood Mac, Stacey Ann draws on her personal experiences to create raw yet powerful music. Her beautiful storytelling skills are evident in her music as she naturally expresses her emotions through her effortless artistry.

If you’d like to see Stacey Ann live, you can catch her and her 5-piece band at Smooth Sounds at the Sonar Room this Friday in Fremantle. Otherwise you can listen to her new tracks wherever you get your music.

JUSTINA.

Independent Artist of the Week: justina.

Selected by Eliza Pall

justina. is an emerging artist whose velvet voice is a stand out in her two collaborative singles “No Antics” and “Close”, both released in 2020. Justina’s music swims in pools of neo-soul, dance and R&B; even the punctuation in her name making an unintentional wink at one of her writing inspirations, Anderson .Paak.

But her musical influence doesn’t stop there. Growing up with grandparents singing Liverpool folk music around her, as well as being supported by her bandmates in ‘Astral Juice’, justina. is surrounded by an enthusiasm for music that is also translated into her social media presence. Principally on Instagram, she showcases her talent by singing covers of anything from Tom Misch, to GIVĒON, while fans eagerly await an EP that she hopes to release within the next year.

She can be found at @justinablahs and @astraljuice on Instagram.

Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/

AL RIORDAN

Independent Artist of the Week: Al Riordan
Selected by Eliza Pall

Blossoming from classical vocal training in Newcastle, Australia, to taking poetry, song-writing and production classes at Berklee College of Music, Al Riordan is an electronic singer-songwriter whose latest EP ‘No’, is a powerful exercise in healing from pain through art.

Released in December of 2020, ‘No’ tenderly addresses the ecosystem of fall-out one experiences as a result of assault. Al vulnerably paints her experience in 7 tracks. Each is designed to flow on from one to the next, with warm vocals, delicate harmonies, and thoughtful production, all through the lens of starry imagery and soft synths.

While taking inspiration from the shape of Bon Iver’s ‘I,I’ album, Al produced almost the entire project solo, masterfully incorporating ‘voice notes’ in many tracks, but most poignantly to end the EP with the Lo-fi heart breaker ‘Okay’.

‘Burning Star’, ‘the 17th’, and ‘Pedestal’ are stand-out tracks, and proof positive of both Al’s talent, and her clear artistic trajectory as an outstanding creative voice.

Al can be found on streaming platforms under Al Riordan and on Instagram @al.riordan. stay tuned for our IGTV interview later tonight. Tune in on 88.5FM | stream online at https://2rrr.org.au/