Illawarra bands and artist dreaming of breaking into Triple J’s 2021 Hottest 100

South coast rockers to songwriters, here are seven Illawarra bands and artists looking to feature in Saturday’s Hottest 100.

Dylan Arvela

@dylanarvela

6 min read

January 23, 2022 - 12:48AM

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Triple J’s Hottest 100 is one of the showpiece events on the Australian music calendar with the 29th annual countdown on again this Saturday.

There are a stack of Australian, and foreign talent vying for top spot, but it is The Wiggles (yes, those Wiggles) being tipped to crack the number spot with their Like A Version take of Tame Impala’s Elephant.

There are also a host of Illawarra bands and artists in with a shot of making the list potential career-changing countdown which has previously been won by Powderfinger (These Days, 1999), Gotye (Somebody That I Used To Know, 2011) and Ocean Alley (Confidence, 2018).

Here are seven locals to keep an ear out for on Friday (Hottest 200 to 101) and Saturday (Hottest 100).

Adam Newling - Sweetness

Adam Newling resides in Tweed Heads these days, but after living in Helensburgh for four years we’re happy to claim him.

The gruff muso was on to a winner with his September track Sweetness with it becoming Triple J’s most played song through the following month.

Newling told Tone Deaf back in October that the song was an ersatz apology to a friend.

“We are very similar and both so stubborn and sensitive that whenever we give each other these hits, we’ll never say sorry. Instead, we write songs to each other,” he said.

“I wrote this tune and it wasn’t till months later I was singing it to myself and just happened to have a harmonica in my hand … it was at that moment that I thought, ‘Shit, I’ve got a song here.’”

Hottest 100 predictor 100 Warm Tunas is tipping the gruff bop to rank in the top 40.

Aodhan - I’m Closed

Albion Park singer-songwriter Aodhan (Aiden Whitehall). Picture: Facebook

Aodhan, known off stage as Aiden Whitehall, is only 17 but his star continues to rise since taking out the Triple J’s Unearthed High Indigenous competition in 2019.

His moody track I’m Closed was produced with Ryan Miller who has worked with the likes of Peking Duk, and Angus and Julia Stone.

“I’m Closed is a bit of a personal one,” the Dharawal singer-songwriter said.

“It’s about how being low and depressed can kind of affect those around you.”

Aodhan is an outside chance of making the list, but whether he is on it or not, 2022 promises big things for him.

“To make the 100, or even the 200, would be phenomenal,” he said.

“Hottest 100 time is obviously a lot of fun and it’d be an absolute treat to have one of my songs amongst it all.”

“This year has a fair bit in store including my first tour as well as other shows. A possible UK trip and of course brand new music.”

Pacific Avenue - Easy Love

This six-year-old garage rock band has come a long way since their debut single In Your Arms reached the top of Triple J’s Unearthed in May of 2017.

They’re 2021 hit Easy Love came out in April alongside a nostalgic ’70s-inspired music video, filmed, directed and edited by Tasman Wilson.

“Easy Love is a love song about finding someone and everything you do coming naturally,” vocalist Harry O’Brien said on the song‘s release.

“Regardless of what type of love that may be, whether it’s romantic or just a friendship. The reception to the song has been really lovely.”

O’Brien said making the countdown would fulfil a boyhood dream, but admits there is plenty of competition for an illustrious top 100 slot.

“It’d be pretty amazing to make the Hottest 100, but by no means are we expecting to be there,” he said.

“There‘ve been so many good songs out this year, but if by chance we happen to get in it’s definitely a milestone for the band and something that’s been on the checklist since we were all kids.

“We’re just blown away by having a few people message us saying they dig the song, so if that’s as far as it goes then we’re more than happy.”

Pacific Avenue will be rocking out at Thirsty Chiefs in Brisbane after the countdown, but it won’t be long until they’re back in the Gong with the four-piece having a gig at Uni Bar on Saturday, February 19.

Ruby Fields - Kitchen

Stanwell Tops resident singer-songwriter Ruby Fields. Picture: Facebook

Though hailing from the Shire, singer-songwriter Ruby Fields calls the Illawarra home, living on ‘the Farm’ in Stanwell Tops.

The 23-year-old is no stranger to the Hottest 100 after hitting number nine with Dinosaurs in 2018 and 61st with Pretty Grim two years later.

It’s been a big year for Fields with her album Been Doin’ It for A Bit voted by Triple J listeners as the 10th best Aussie album of 2021 with Kitchen in strong contention to make the top half of the Hottest 100.

Fields is currently touring in Queensland and she will be playing at Seabreeze in Mackay on Saturday.

The Terrys - Our Paradise

The Gerringong band’s name is a homage to their landlord, Terry (obviously), who will have to take some of the credit if they’re to make the Hottest 100 with their hit Our Paradise.

The south coast surf rockers have gone from strength to strength since their 2020 debut track Video Games and if Hottest 100 prediction website 100 Warm Tunas is on the money, Our Paradise will break into the list near the start.

“(Lead guitarist Lukas Anderson) and (vocalist Jacob Finch) wrote up a rough demo of it and then brought it to the shed where we jammed it out to get somewhat of a structure,” drummer Cameron Cooper explained.

“Then we brought it to life in the studio with (producer) Jack Nigro. The reception we’ve got for this track has been sensational – Dad listens to it heaps.”

Cooper said the boys plan on dropping a line on Saturday while listening to Triple J, adding it would mean the

“As corny as it sounds, we all would have our dreams come true if we made the list,” he said.

“It’s a wild feeling to even be considered on the list if we’re honest.

“On Saturday we’re probably going fishing, but listening in to the countdown of course.

“We’d like to thank everyone so much who voted for us. We can’t believe how many we’ve seen so far. We hope everyone has a ripping Saturday and enjoys the countdown.”

The Vanns - Feels Good Now and Red Light

Kiama band The Vanns. Picture: Facebook

The Vanns have been prominent on Australia rock and roll scene for a few years now and the Kiama band having two tracks up for the Hottest 100.

Red Light hit the airwaves in April, nearly two years since their debut album Through The Walls and they backed it up in September with the jam-sesh Feels Good Now.

“(The track is) about taking a risk on something that you feel needs to change in your life despite any anxieties, apprehensions, and reasons why you tell yourself you shouldn’t; and actually pulling it off and feeling all the better for it,” lead guitarist Cameron Little told Triple J after the song’s release.

The four-piece will be rocking out at The Squeeze Freshtival in April and May with the band travelling from Manudrah to Logan over six weeks with the likes of Thelma Plum, Teenage Dads and Client Liaison.

Tyne-James Organ - Sunday Suit

Multi-talented indie rocker Tyne-James Organ came back home to the Illawarra due to Covid, but it hasn’t put the brakes on his career.

Organ’s debut album Necessary Evil came out in March featuring the track Sunday Suit which he described as a song that is “all about dancing away your troubles”.

Hottest 100 or not, there’s little doubt the 25-year-old son of the late Illawarra music scene icon Rikki Organ is on to big things but the smart money suggests he’ll feature somewhere in the top 50.