Welcome to the Australian Art Music playlist! A monthly playlist of classical, jazz, experimental and electronic music focused on contemporary Australian composers, musicians and sound artists.

After last month looking back at previous playlists, it’s exciting to be looking forward again. Australia’s art music community absolutely doesn’t disappoint with this recent batch of new releases. Primarily released in 2024, there’s a wide variety of styles and instrumentations on display, blending and blurring Classical, Jazz and Sound Art.

I’ve included a few longer pieces this month as an experiment – I think excellent listening experiences to immerse yourself in. Do they vary your listening experience or interrupt the flow of the playlist for you? Let me know what you think!

If you’re still wanting more music to explore I’d always recommend the Australian Art Music Archive, with all 1,342 previously featured tracks (roughly 137 hours of music) and our new community listening project: 1,000 Curious Ears – the April edition of that playlist is available here and on the community Facebook group.

Until next month, may you be excited by new things on the horizon.

Tracklist

1. Colours of My Dreams by Alex Siegers
2. The Sirens by David Shea
3. Tea Set by Alice Chance
4. Desolation (Piano Version) by Jabra Latham | performed by Amanda Hodder
5. Fallaway Whisk by James Rushford
6. Jump! by Robert Davidson | performed by Kasra Mokhaddarati
7. Tritium Bath by Ben Frost
8. tre by Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, & Andreas Werliin
9. Hope – for orchestra by Nat Bartsch | performed by Nat Bartsch, Budapest Art Orchestra, cond. Peter Petjsik
10. Zomer by Kate Moore | performed by Daniel Herscovitch
11. Piano Village: No. 22 Blue Tears by Elena Kats-Chernin | performed by Tonya Lemoh
12. What Calls in the Quiet – Moths & Stars Live Set by Aviva Endean
13. And the Wind was my Dear Friend by Callum Mintzis | performed by Callum Mintzis & Tilman Robinson
14. III. Vindication from Sketches by Louise Denson | performed by Muses Trio
15. Echo Chamber by Jeremy Rose | performed by The Earshift Orchestra, Jacques Emery, Hilary Geddes, & Lachy Hamilton
16. Alpha by Claire Cross
17. Transitive States by Sam Anning | performed by Sam Anning & Julien Wilson
18. When People Ask You by Reuben Lewis & Huda Fadlelmawla
19. Imilang Yinya by Lou Bennett & Genevieve Lacey | performed by Lou Bennett, Erkki Veltheim & Speak Percussion
20. Wrapped in the Arms of a Giant by Vicki Hallett

Listen on Spotify

This playlist is updated monthly. Explore previous months’ playlists on our website and listen to the archive playlist on Spotify.

Contact Cameron Lam on Facebook, Twitter, his website or via direct email: aussieartmusic@gmail.com to recommend tracks for the Australian Art Music playlist.

Don’t forget that while streaming is a great way to discover new music, attending gigs or purchasing albums and merchandise is an even better way to support the artists you love. We’ve set up a Merch Table to get you started, but don’t forget to check out the artists’ websites for more details and other ways to support them.