From Ngaiire to JK-47: Artists from the Northern Rivers drop their latest songs during Covid

The Northern Rivers is a breeding ground for talent, and these artists have not let Covid stop them from making music.

Musicians hailing from the Northern Rivers. Counter clockwise: Low Lying Clouds, Jesa, The Rions, JK-47, and Ngaiire.

Are you bored in lockdown? Need some help to shake the winter blues?

Luckily, for us, our musos have kept busy during the pandemic, so to help lift your spirits we’ve got together a list of the latest tunes to drop from homegrown Northern Rivers musicians.

The Rions are inspired by a mix of bands including Arctic Monkeys Spacey Jane & Dayglow and Lime Cordiale. Credit: Unified Music Group

The Rions – Night Light

The winners of this year’s Triple J Unearthed High, The Rions, have credited their Northern Rivers roots for their laid back vibe.

While the band was based on the Northern Rivers, lead singer Noah Blockley has close ties to the region – his mum grew up in Kyogle, his dad studied music at Southern Cross University, and his grandma runs the popular Facebook page Humans of Lismore.

The band even got their start busking in Lismore, Byron Bay and playing the few odd gigs at Ballina’s Shaws Bay Hotel.

Find out more here.

Low Lying Clouds will release their new track Inadequate on September 3, but you can take a sneak peek here.

Low Lying Clouds- Inadequate

The band dropped their latest video this week ahead of an official launch in early September.

While the Low Lying Clouds are now based in Brisbane, guitarist Ryley Adams and drummer Bodhi Towers met at Richmond River High School before moving to study music at JMC Academy.

Proving a great breeding ground for talent, Evan Roberts’ mum also hailed from Lismore.

And if you think the guy on the clarinet looks familiar, you may have caught Jamie Stevens on stage at Lismore’s Eat the Street with the Steele Syndicate.

If border restrictions ease, catch the band’s launch show on September 3 at Brightside – Outdoors in Brisbane.

Jesa has been wowing Triple J presenters and listeners.

Jesa – Me Before You

The latest track from Evans Head-based Jesa gained some glowing reviews from Triple J presenters.

Me Before You was described by the station’s Jess Perkins as catchy and bright and shiny.

Presenter Nkechi Anele said the song by Jess Johnson was the “perfect optimism potion”.

“Jesa brings joyful energy that is needed in life. You know, something that sparkles and shines.”

Jesa attended Kadina High School, and studied at JMC Academy alongside the boys from Low Lying Clouds.

You can find out more about Jesa, and listen to more of her tracks, here.

Tweed Heads rapper JK-47. Credit: @kiarneybts/Instagram

JK-47

Less than a year after being named Triple J Unearthed Artist of the Year, JK-47 has been making more waves in the music industry.

The Tweed Local, full name Jacob Paulson, recently was awarded the shared Levi’s Music Prize award in partnership with Big Sound and is up for Album of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs).

Go to JK-47’s Facebook page to hear his latest tracks.

Lismore artist Mykaela Jay has a new album in the works.

Mykaela Jay – Warrior

Mykaela Jay moved to the Northern Rivers after a stint travelling overseas, and has made Lismore home.

They studied at Lismore’s Southern Cross University, and continues to make music in the region.

Mykaela Jay’s bio describes their music as jazz inspired, and the artist as “unashamedly queer, non-binary singer-songwriter, storyteller and part time comedian”.

They released Warrior earlier this year, and their album ‘Mother Dearest’ was set for release in November 2021.

Ngaiire has just released her new album 3.

Ngaiire – 3

Ngaiire’s third album ‘3’ was set to be released today.

Ngaire Joseph first hit the big time when she entered the second season of Australian Idol in 2004.

Born in PNG, Ngaiire moved to Lismore in 2000 and went to school at Kadina High.

Ngaiire was the first PNG-born artist to be featured in the Triple J Hottest 100 list.

She said of the album release: “I’ll be, standing at the dock of the island of all my joys, memories, heartbreak, life and loss I’ve lived through to bring it to you – gradually becoming smaller and smaller as I wave ‘3’ into the sunset”.