A Journey Through Aussie Pop

In the early '90s, indie pop band Frente! enjoyed a meteoric rise in Australia, going from the Triple J Hottest 100 to regulars in the top 5 of the ARIA chart in just a couple of releases. In this episode, we hear from singer Angie Hart about the band's early success and the backlash they suffered following the release of "Accidently Kelly Street", which was brutally parodied by The Late Show. This episode also covers a different — but linked — music industry story. In 1995, Angie provided vocals for a track called "Tingly" by Pop! But despite rave reviews and support from a variety of FM radio networks, it wasn't the hit it should have been. Now, as Angie has reunited with Pop! for new single "Waiting", she and Amy Flower explain what happened with "Tingly". We'll also hear about Frente's acoustic cover of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" and less commercially successful second album, Shape, and eventual split. 

Bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/aussie
Twitter: @ChartBeatsAU, @TurnAroundOnJoy
Instagram: @chartbeatsau, @joyturnbeataround
Email: [email protected]

Twin sisters Sherine and Zan Abeyratne made a huge impression on the Australian pop scene in the 1980s. Individually, they were members of two of the most innovative, era-defining bands to emerge locally that decade: Big Pig and I'm Talking. In this episode, the siblings look back on their time in those groups, whose sound pushed Australian music out of its pub rock comfort zone, and talk about singles like "Hungry Town", "Breakaway" and "Holy Word". They also discuss their work — both separately and together — as in-demand backing singers, with credits on hits by INXS, Kids In The Kitchen and Models. We also hear what it was like to be part of the local industry at a time when women were making their presence felt and breaking down barriers in what was once a boys' club. In our extensive interview, Sherine and Zan also reflect on the less commercially successful moments in their careers and reveal what they are up to now.

Bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/aussie
Twitter: @ChartBeatsAU, @TurnAroundOnJoy
Instagram: @chartbeatsau, @joyturnbeataround
Email: [email protected]

In the first episode of Chart Beats: A Journey Through Aussie Pop, we take a look at dance-pop band Euphoria, who were massively successful in Australia in the early '90s, albeit for only a brief period of time. We have a frank conversation with founding member Andrew Klippel and hear about the ill-fated decision to show model Holly Garnett lip syncing to singer Keren Minshull's vocals in the music video for chart-topping debut single "Love You Right". Andrew discusses subsequent singles "One In A Million", "Do For You", "I Will Never Leave You" and "Elated", as well as the Total Euphoria album, and how the group evolved to more accurately showcase all three members' contributions. He also explains why the band couldn't overcome internal tensions and ultimately split, and talks about the rest of his music career, including solo project AK Soul, his writing and production work (for Human Nature, Lash and others), and his move behind the scenes, first at Engine Room (signing The Veronicas, The Vines and Holly Valance) and then his current label, Ourness, home to ARIA Award-winning artist Genesis Owusu.

Bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/aussie
Twitter: @ChartBeatsAU, @TurnAroundOnJoy
Instagram: @chartbeatsau, @joyturnbeataround
Email: [email protected]