“That live set was something else!” – Folamour
“They are very much a good show to see if you get a chance to see them live!” – Jamz Supernova
“Wicked. It's a potent jazz-leaning collaborative.” – Clash Mag
"The electronic duo performs marvellously between funk and the freshest hi-energy soul you can imagine" – DJ Mag
Naarm/Melbourne-based Close Counters’ diverse soundscape sits at the crossroads of house, neo-soul, broken beat and disco. Their 2023 Australian Music Prize nominated and Music Victoria Award-winning album, ‘SOULACOASTA II’, is a sample-infused expedition that further secured their spot as one of the top talents in their class, with the duo tirelessly sourcing niche samples from films and records on trips across the globe. The LP was touted by tastemakers Gilles Peterson, Folamour, Jamz Supernova, Jyoty Singh, Jaguar, Tarsza, DJ Mag, Bandcamp, and landed Album Features with Australian stations Double J, 3RRR, PBR and 2SER. Breakout singles from the pack were originally released by Melvo Baptiste’s The Remedy Project, an imprint of Defected Records.
Their collab 'Rollout' with Young Franco featuring UK rappers Scrufizzer and Jay Prince, won over new fans across the globe and was added to the Official Soundtrack for acclaimed video game FIFA 23. In the past year the band have also performed or provided mixes for triple j, 3RRR, Defected Radio, FBi Radio, Soho Radio NYC, Baked, and interviewed on BBC Radio 1Xtra when hotly tipped as their ‘After Dark Discovery’ and ‘EP of the Week’ (‘FLUX’, 2022).
Close Counters original releases of 2022 were premiered by Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music) and Jamz Supernova (BBC Radio 1Xtra) respectively, and garnered support from tastemakers Folamour, Jaguar (BBC Radio 1 Dance Introducing), Tarzsa (BBC 6 Music), Complexion (BBC Radio 1Xtra + Future Beats Show), Riz Rollins (KEXP Seattle), Alex Turner (KEXP Seattle), plus earned rotation adds from triple j Unearthed, Double J, SYN and Radio FG. Singles 'SNAP TO IT!' and 'GET DOWN!' were released by The Remedy Project (Defected Records).
LIVE & TOURING
A true live act at heart, the duo expands up to a 7-piece tour-de-force that boasts live-mapped visuals, dancers and featured musicians and vocalists from their wider collective to create the full CC experience. They’ve continuously sold out their hometown Naarm/Melbourne dates, notching impressive shows at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, sold out dates for 170 Russell, Corner Hotel, The Night Cat, and packed-out rooms across Australia’s east coast.
Support duties have flowed from Madlib, Sofi Tukker, Crazy P Soundsystem, Tall Black Guy, to local mates Confidence Man, The Jungle Giants, Motez and Mickey Kojak, betwixt bucket-list festivals Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Let Them Eat Cake, Strawberry Fields, Meredith Music Festival, MONA FOMA, Party in the Paddock and showcasing at BIGSOUND, Electronic Music Conference and three sold-out Melbourne Music Week events.
Close Counters recent phone-free-zone club experience ‘For The Soul Only’ was an experimental setup redesigning The Night Cat in Naarm/Melbourne with a prism of 3D visuals around the stage by long-time collaborator Rhys Newling and Piewack (Finn's creative visual side-project).
SUPPORT FOR CC
Spotify: New Music Friday (AU/NZ, UK, SWE), State of Jazz, All New Jazz, FIFA 23 Official Soundtrack, Front Left, New Dance Beats, Portal, The Local List, Poolside Grooves, Just Dropped, the hybrid, Monday Spin, We Be Vibin', Beats of Tomorrow, Sunday Sessions, House Special, Rhythm & Groove By DJ TARO, Deep House Relax, Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds (Basement), All Night, Dinner Mood.
Apple Music: New Music Daily (AU/NZ), New Fire (AU/NZ, FRA), New in Alternative (UK, NOR), Untitled (UK), New In Electronic, New in Dance (FRA), Today's Chill, Study Beats.
Amazon Music: Brand New Music.
3rd Party Playlists: Filtr (AUS, ITA), Digster (AUS, GER), Topsify (AUS), Jagjaguwar, Eton Messy, Kitsuné Musique, Future Classic Radio, Dimensions Festival, Rhythm Section, Indiemono, Traxsource, Beatport, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Miami Horror, Young Franco, Deadmau5, The Sound You Need, triple j, Side Kick Story, Sensual Musique, Dan Digs, Too Future, Kick Kick Snare, Stoney Roads.
DJ / Artist Support: Folamour, Laurence Guy, Simon Dunmore, Dam Swindle, Harvey Sutherland, Bradley Zero, Fouk, Sam Divine, Bugz In The Attic, Shy One, The Magician, Icarus, Kokiri, Edu Imbernon, TOCADISCO, Motez, Pat Lok, Melvo Baptiste, Set Mo, Bag Raiders.
REMIXES
With a knack for flow and re-inventing Close Counters have also put their unique spin on remixes for PNAU & Bebe Rehxa, Haitus Kaiyote’s own Simon Mavin, Young Franco & Denzel Curry, Tim Shiel and multiple ARIA Award-Winning Genesis Owusu, Bristol-based Elder Island, Aussie-favs Art vs Science, Bag Raiders, 30/70 and ZFEX. Notable support on these flips from Jamie Jones, Laurence Guy, Dam Swindle, Harvey Sutherland, Bugz In The Attic, The Magician, Shy One, Pat Lok and Set Mo.
The aura of uplifting positivity carries through their recorded and live music, into all creative assets, artwork and merchandise, finessed by the band's own Finn Rees, under his PIEWACK monicker. Finn is the driving force behind Close Counters' visual-artistic endeavours, and has created art and video assets for Hiatus Kaiyote, Sampology, 30/70, Mr. Bongo, Nice Guy Records and Groovin' The Moo. In Australia, MTV and RAGE added the clips created by Finn for ‘GET DOWN!’, 'SOMETHING IN MY DRINK' and 'SPEAK IN TRUTH ft. Allysha Joy' to their playlists, with the latter premiered by UK stalwarts Clash Mag. Their recent clip ‘ONLY ONE’, was directed by Allan McConnell of the band.
Collective support on the acts works’ includes spins from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music, Worldwide FM, Sirius XM, iHeart Radio, NTS Radio, Rinse FM, KEXP Seattle, Balamii, 1BTN, KCRW, and local frequencies triple j, triple j Unearthed, FBi Radio. Tastemaker outlets NME, XLR8R, Indie Shuffle, Mixmag, EARMILK, DUMMY, KALTBLUT Magazine, plus local’s Pilerats, Purple Sneakers, Music Feeds have all sung the band’s praises.
Freshly returned from European dates at Defected Croatia, ADE and supporting A-Trak and The Magician, CC will return to the northern hemisphere connecting with fans they’ve garnered over years across the region.
AUDIENCE
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