The Velvet Morning #002: The Gateway EPs.
If you know me, you know I love music. If you REALLY know me, you know that when I find music I like, as in a band, album, single, genre – as macro or micro as it can get – I become infatuated with it. I’ll listen to it on repeat, over and over, add the songs to a bunch of different playlists, imagine interpretations and anticipate every little detail; I wring out every drop of feeling and emotion I can.
The real magic of it is when I find a band or artist I, for some reason, never get bored of. It’s like a perpetual motion machine, or unlimited energy resource, it feels like it defies physics. You know those songs that you can flick on for virtually any mood and it hits the spot every time? It’s so comforting to have that high-wire balance of predictability that’s somehow exciting every time.
The other side of the coin is visceral repulsion from songs I truly dislike, to the degree of it spoiling my mood; to me, that sensory experience is comparable to eating chocolate mousse versus apple cider vinegar.
I don’t know if it’s because I was brought up with parents playing the same albums at home, so I became painstakingly familiar with every inflection and embellishment in a song the same way you become familiar with the relief of your mattress. I LOVE the buzz of new music, especially when you have that ‘wait, wait, play that again’ moment of a song you’ve never heard before.
I revelled in that sensation, that microsecond of confusion followed by insatiable curiosity, listening to music I never would’ve found if I hadn’t stumbled into the live scene.
My friend is a very talented and sought-after drummer on the local circuit, and when we’d hang out, going on drives in my janky Toyota Corolla, he’d hook into the aux that would only work when you bend the cable at a certain angle, and I’d have to pull myself back to concentrating on the road because the music just totally had me.
I have written, and will certainly continue to write, about the technicolour jungle of Sydney’s live music culture. Coming from a very bookish childhood, getting out into the scene has taught me so much. But I can talk ad nauseam about why you should check out this venue, this gig, this event (and believe me I intend to, you’re seriously missing out).
It all comes back to the music. All it takes is a little curiosity; you shouldn’t ever say you’ve had enough, I’ve found what I like, there’s nothing to find. Excuses excuses. I feel like I’ve found treasures in local music, and I’m paying it forward.
These bands and their projects were my gateway into the scene; it’s the reason I hang around, it’s the reason I want to write about it and be in it. These bands are my personal favs in the local scene right now. Australian bands, I learned of through word-of-mouth and seeing live, with music I genuinely enjoy in my casual listening rotation. Hopefully, in the near future I’ll have an opportunity to feature them in an Artist Spotlight or dedicated Cult. Circuit release, but for now, this is me adding my love of these bands to my ever-deepening digital footprint.
None of these bands knows I’m writing this – this isn’t about their newest stuff or upcoming events, nor is it ‘their old stuff is better’ propaganda - some of this is fresh off the press, and if not, they’ve been followed up with amazing releases recently. This is purely what I like; if you’ve been looking for your gateway into the scene, give these a spin.
I won’t even tell you the music genres. Let vibes and curiosity guide you. Not to try to gate-keep, or because labels are reductive, but because the best surprises, I think, come when you really didn’t know what to expect.
AIRLINE
Cassini EP, 2025.
Listen Below ⬇
I listened to this more than any other release last year. The song Cassini/Common Language and their 2024 single ‘Bloodspiller’ are unforgettable to me. I’ve met them; they are as lovely as their music and incredibly talented. Their live shows are enthralling. They don’t know I’m writing this article or even including them. Their music speaks for itself; this is a recommendation money couldn’t buy.
CREEPING JENNY
Sprouting From
The Gums EP, 2026.
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Been listening on and off to these guys for a while, and when I finally saw them live at Oxford Art Factory this year, they spun my head around. Very few bands bring the studio-recording finesse without compromising a monolithic stage presence like Creeping Jenny. Cardamom Pod is the lead single and my personal fav.
BANANA FARM
Banana Farm EP, 2025.
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Another band I’d seen floating in and out of chats about great live performers. My most recent addition to the ever-expanding saved catalogue, the band’s self-titled sounds exactly like the music made by a band called Banana Farm, in the best way possible. Again, no spoilers, but this one has something for everyone.
JUNO ECLIPSE
Blue With You EP, 2025.
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I would find it really hard to talk about local must-see’s if I couldn’t mention Juno. This EP is something special, having been written and recorded by their frontman Sonny Hanson before forming their current lineup. My favourite tracks off this one (somewhat-controversially, according to other fans) are June and Eclipse, the final two tracks. Sonny and Aleks the drummer also play in Our Mutual Friend; their collaborative cover of The XX’s VCR is just so so good. Obligatory disclosure - again, while I know these guys, they have no idea I’m writing this, so Aleks, Sonny, Lewis, Aleksei, if you’re reading, play June at the next show please!
PAINT
Bugs EP, 2023.
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The only band on this list I haven’t seen live (yet!), they’re from Boorloo/Perth, and recently relocated to Naarm/Melbourne. This EP Their song ‘Pendant’ put me in a trance when I heard it the first time, and I can’t get enough. They’ve released more singles recently, but it was their first project that I’ve maintained the connection with.
Some records become part of your routine. Others change the way you listen forever. The Gateway EPs are a personal collection of five Australian bands whose music opened the door to Sydney’s thriving live scene and still soundtracks everyday life.