The A-Z Of Australian Artists You Need To Get In Your Ear Holes This Instant: Part 4
Lo and behold, the grand finale is finally here.
This is the fourth and final edition of our series to Ausify your algorithms and bring Australian artists front and centre. We’ve highlighted everything from bigger acts to smaller new kids on the block, but all of which are sure to scratch that itch for your next fave tune.
Previously we’ve covered A–G, H–M, and N–T, so we’ll be rounding it off today with U–Z. Without further ado, let’s get into the last (but certainly not least) set of artists that are bound to blow your socks off.
U: Ūla
With over a million followers and a head of bright-pink, bubblegum hair, Ūla brings to the table a vibrant personality paired with pipes to rival some of your fave big-time singers.
Her music taste growing up was a unique blend of ’80s rock with some traditional Lithuanian folk tracks sprinkled through, too. Her journey into the performance space started with regularly busking at Sydney’s Town Hall (something she still indulges in today).
In 2020, Ūla released her first single, “Futon”, when she was just 16 years old. The track has now garnered over 40 million listens across streaming platforms. She then dropped her second single in 2022, “Gold Star”, which takes heaps of inspo from the Y2K pop and grunge eras of music.
Perhaps Ūla herself describes her style best, saying that she’s “overly ambitious to compensate the mundane; […] and very conscious of steering clear of becoming a carbon copy of another musician”. When you bring together her funky music, colourful aesthetic and overall unique vibe, I think it’s safe to say that Ūla’s nailed her own brief.
V: Vv Pete
Sudanese-Australian artist Veronica Peter (more commonly known by her stage name, Vv Pete) has taken the rap world by storm.
Drawing inspo from artists like Stefflon Don and Missy Elliot, Vv Pete has made waves with recent singles like “Bussit”, “Frauds”, and “Bacardi Papi”.
Vv blends together unique hooks with heavy club beats and dance tracks, making it impossible not to have a lil’ boogie when she comes on shuffle. She’s no stranger to performing for a crowd, with performances at Oxford Art Factory, Beyond The Valley and the Sydney Opera House (supporting Dallas Woods).
Whether you’re trying to get hype at pres or pull off that killer superset at the gym, Vv Pete most definitely understood the assignment.
W: Wade Forster
Country lovers, this one’s for you. Born and raised on a cattle station in the Queensland outback is Wade Forster, winner of Toyota’s Star Maker in 2024.
A self-described “rodeo cowboy first, singer-songwriter second”, Forster is famed for the lived experience that bleeds through each and every tune. He captures the highs, lows, and dreams of country life almost effortlessly, his songwriting telling a story that seems to take on a life of its own. To this day, Forster is an independent country artist — meaning that garnering up over 40 million listens across streaming platforms is no easy feat.
Earlier this year, he went on tour with another country band based in Texas, The Lowdown Drifters. The sold-out dates proved what the musician’s fanbase knew all along — that Forster is a country music force to be reckoned with.
X: Xavier Dunn
Producer, songwriter and artist Xavier Dunn has written and produced music for the likes of Peking Duk, Hayden James, Jack River, Carla Wehbe, and so many more.
Music was a part of Dunn’s life from a young age, with him beginning to play the piano as early as primary school. In 2018, he released his first EP of original songs, Isic Tutor, in which he played every single instrument. Talk about commitment to the craft.
Clearly, music runs in the bloodline, as a brother to four working musicians, all of which were born and raised by music teacher parents. Nowadays, Dunn credits his musical inspiration to artists among the likes of Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, and Asgeir.
Whether you’re into his solo work or his collabs (yes, he contributed to Peking Duk’s “Sugar”, AKA a banger and a half), you’re in for a treat with ol’ Xavier.
Y: Yb.
Spotlighted as a triple j Unearthed artist in 2021 is Yb., who has since dropped single after single that simply oozes with positive vibes and sweet melodies.
His breakout single, “Stay”, has reached over two million streams on Spotify, with his other singles “DANCE WITH ME TODAY” and “Blackphemy” reaching the million mark, too.
Other accolades include winning The Jungle Giants’ Ads for Artists competition in 2021, as well as collaborating with other heavy hitters by the likes of Winston Surfshirt and Touch Sensitive.
With new music expected this year to piggyback off his previous success, Yb. is planning on coming back stronger than ever.
Z: Zion Garcia
Western Sydney-based rapper, producer and filmmaker Zion Garcia seems like an up-and-comer, but considering he’s already performed at the likes of Listen Out and the Sydney Opera House, he’s only heading upwards from here.
His music is something of a personal tale, teasing out stories of late-night Ubers, visits to Penrith Hoyts, and even his cold brew ritual. His ability to draw out such intimate, vulnerable insights via his music is admirable, to say the least.
His recent single, “Scorpio Sword”, gathers inspiration from bands like Rage Against the Machine and At The Drive In, as does his music taste more broadly.
As for the future? Garcia is ready to leave a legacy. “I just want to be a reminder for people to put themselves out there; to be you, to be singular, to exist as your own swag and further surround yourself with other entirely singular voices and rise together,” he told The Aquarian.
What a note to finish up on. That wraps up our series and I, for one, hope that you have Ausified the heckaroo out of your playlists, your algorithm — your entire musical vibe, really.
So, what now? Luckily, there’s heaps of ways you can get involved to also Ausify your algo. Create playlists, share your fave artists, and attend local gigs — all of these small, everyday actions really add up to make a huge difference.
For more on how to get involved, hit up the Ausify website.
We truly are a talented bunch, and it’s high time these local artists (and so many more) get the recognition they deserve.
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