Gordon Koang, Emma Russack and other local indie artists we’re loving this fortnight
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12.07.2021

Gordon Koang, Emma Russack and other local indie artists we’re loving this fortnight

Gordon Koang
Words by Tom Parker

Hello and welcome to our fortnightly indie artists column. Head here if you missed the previous instalment, featuring EXEK, The Seven Ups and Carpet Burn.

Every fortnight, we’re rounding up the best new Victorian bands and artists making waves online, underground and on the airwaves.

For those looking to keep an ear to the ground with the best emerging acts, this column will have you covered every two weeks with Victoria’s finest.

This fortnight, we’re loving the timely new single from Gordon Koang, a surprise release from Emma Russack, and heady garage rock from newcomers Delivery.

Catch up on the latest music interviews, news and reviews here.

Gordon Koang

Trust Gordon Koang to lift our spirits. The Melbourne-based South Sudanese artist has blessed us with the cheekiest middle finger to COVID-19, a rallying cry of hope that’s as cathartic as it is catchy.

Sporting his trademark Nuer rhythms – expertly accompanied with the musical talents of his regular collaborator and cousin Paul Biel, ‘Coronavirus’ is another surefire, surprisingly danceable hit; a perfect encapsulation of everything we wish we could say to the despicable bug in a face-to-face protest: “Go away, we don’t want you in the world/You are difficult, coronavirus/The world gets tired of you.”

Koang’s ‘Coronavirus’ / ‘Disco’ limited-edition 12” is out Wednesday August 4 via Music in Exile

Emma Russack

Snowy Band member Emma Russack is well known for keeping us company during the winter months. Her 2019 album Winter Blues remains a staple of cozy indie-folk to this day, and now she’s back with ‘Space And Time’, a woozy, ethereal slice of guitar pop that evokes early Beach House, Broadcast and Stereolab.

Deeply hypnotic and gloriously comforting, it brings to mind a hazy, wintery sunrise as if witnessed through a timelapse video. Having most recently released a collaborative record with The Ocean Party and Pop Filter’s Lachlan Denton toward the end of 2019, rumour has it the pair are back in the studio together with another release currently in the works. 

Catch Emma Russack at the Northcote Social Club on Saturday August 21, supporting Quivers for their album launch. Tix here

Delivery

Formed in lockdown by a group of friends who also frequent bands such as Gutter Girls, Future Suck, Blonde Revolver and The Vacant Smiles, Delivery are one of the most exciting Melbourne bands we’ve heard in a while. Their debut 7” Yes We Do combines chuggy krautrock rhythms with distorted, robotic sensibilities and relentless hooks, resulting in a bold statement of intent that makes good on all that time spent inside.

The highlight is undoubtedly ‘The Explainer’, a breezy two minutes of shout-along lyrics and wobbly, anxious keys that sounds a bit like Kraftwerk if they prioritised guitars over synths. 

Yes We Do” 7” is out now via Spoilsport RecordsDelivery hit The B.East on Friday July 16. More info here.

Keen on another fun read? Check out the latest instalment of our singles column.