A. Swayze & The Ghosts

Hobart based group A. Swayze & the Ghosts are a potent force within the world of modern post-punk. Erupting into the scene with critically acclaimed and ARIA nominated debut Paid Salvation, the band has been capturing the attention of global audiences with rousing music conceived by a nervy charge and drilled urgency.

Led by the charismatic and enigmatic lead singer, Andrew Swayze, the Australian five-piece has amassed a fervent following, their latest single ‘Cool Cucumber’ marking a departure from their established abrasive sound, into an almost funky post pink track with a psychedelic hue, melding their post-punk roots with 70s dance music.

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"This song represents our break from people’s expectations, embracing a diverse sound that transcends previous releases. We intentionally moved away from familiar genres and attitudes, signalling our growth and evolution as artists." - Andrew Swayze

FRIKO

An essential in Chicago’s long lineage of forward-thinking indie rock, Friko transforms every song into a moment of collective catharsis. On their full-length debut and first release for ATO Records, vocalist/guitarist Niko Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger merge elements of post-punk and chamber-pop and experimental rock, magnifying their music’s exhilarating power with a steady barrage of spirited ensemble vocals. Poetic, explosive, and sublimely raw in feeling, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here brings an equally visceral intensity to brutally heavy anthems and heart-on-sleeve ballads alike, creating an immediate outlet for the most unwieldy emotions. Produced by Scott Tallarida and Friko with additional production from Jack Henry, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here embodies a sonic complexity befitting of a band that names Romantic-era classical music and the more primal edges of art-rock among their inspirations.

"The track has sort of become the Friko theme song for the band. Recording it was kind of the moment where it felt like the band really took on what it represents to all of us now.When we recorded it in the studio it was one rotation shorter and didn’t have the ending group vocal refrain, ‘Where we’ve been where we go from here, take your weight and throw your arms around me.’ It kind of just fizzled out. After completing a few takes, Scott Tallarida took us aside and basically told us the song wasn’t finished. We were already in an emotional state from not getting the take we wanted and hearing that the song IS NOT FINISHED while recording it is kind of crazy.Bailey had the idea to go to a straight-ahead beat and I said that I would just start screaming whatever came to mind. We recorded it fully through and once we were done we were all sobbing. And that’s the take on the record. We knew having it be the opening track was a bold choice but it felt necessary because of how much the song means to us." - Niko Kapetan, Vocalist and Guitarist

FIONA APPLE

An artist that needs no introduction, Fiona Apple never quite belonged to a specific scene in music. Her debut album Tidal arrived as an alternative rock wave, while her roots lay in jazz, show tunes, and classic '70s singer/songwriters created an idiosyncratic blend that came into sharper focus on her second album, When the Pawn. When the Pawn drew attention for its emotional intensity, unconventional arrangements, and eccentric flair, elements that were central to her appeal in the next decades when she worked steadily and rigorously. As her output slowed -- it took her six years to deliver her third album, Extraordinary Machine, and another seven for its sequel, The Idler Wheel, to appear -- her reputation as a daring artist grew. The Idler Wheel and its 2020 successor Fetch the Bolt Cutters confirmed Apple took aural risks without abandoning her strengths as a singer/songwriter, a combination that helped her maintain a devoted cult following.

"A lot of times when I write songs, it’s because I can’t get through to the person in real life. That’s how it all started, the writing. I would write letters to my parents because they wouldn’t listen to me. I would write letters so they’d have to be quiet until the letter was over, so they wouldn’t interrupt me. If I try to get in touch with somebody and talk through things, and they won’t talk to me, then, sorry, I got to write a song.I don’t expect anything to come from it. I have to express it somehow. I don’t think they’ll hear it, but I have to say it anyway. The tree has to fall, even if no one’s around." - Fiona Apple