2022 is nearly done and we’re just about to sign out from the office for the year so it’s recap time.
To kick off the year we went back in time, Wollongong legends Tumbleweed managed to get ownership to the majority of their back catalogue back so we helped them release it digitally for the first time in January. Proving they are not just living in the past though, the ‘weed later in the year released their new Rob Younger produced single ‘Patchouli Girl’ and toured regularly, playing festival spots and even a support with Kiss.
February saw the release of the latest Totally Unicorn album ‘High Spirits//Low Life’ to plenty of acclaim that was backed up with regular lives shows across the year.
This year saw the introduction of new signing Charbel, the first single was the smooth sounds of ‘Wavy’, but it was the second single ‘Who Dat’ that really kicked it up a notch ahead of his mix tape that was released mid-year on vinyl and cassette.
The Pinheads returned with album number three ‘The Mirror’ which they backed with touring across capital cities, some festival appearances and the South Coast getaway tour just recently.
After an extremely disrupted touring schedule the previous two years, Hockey Dad finally got to return to international touring as special guests of Third Eye Blind & Taking Back Sunday on their summer tour across North America. To coincide with the tour they dropped a new single ‘T’s To Cross’. Zach & Billy also spent a lot of time this year in the studio working on their fourth album between playing numerous festivals around Australia.
Another band that got back on the road after some disrupted years was Bad//Dreems. The Adelaide band managed to tour across Australian and release two great new singles, ‘Mansfield 6.0’ and ‘Jack’. There is plenty more news from Baddies to come very early in 2023.
Staying in Adelaide we were very excited to sign TOWNS and release their latest ep ‘Things You Might Feel Sometimes’. The super infectious duo played regularly across the year and show no signs of slowing down into next year.
Late last year we introduced you to Kid Pharaoh and this year he followed up with two big singles ‘Sand Monkey’ and ‘British Museum’ along with a couple of storming sets at Bigsound. There is plenty more to come from him in 2023.
A couple of our other artists didn’t release music this year but they were busy making it, Tropical Strength have a new album in the bank with the first single dropping in January, while Paradise Club made their previously VHS ep digitally as they continue to work on new music. Moaning Lisa have a whole bunch of songs ready to record for their second album, they also played some big shows along side Midnight Oil, and the national support with UK legends Ride.
Over on the FO PAS publishing side of things, Steve Bourk just released two new tunes, while Shining Bird and Obscura Hail kept busy in the studio.
STAFF PICKS
The year we’re almost through provided plenty of great music and here is what the Farmer & The Owl crew had as their favourite tracks + album of the year
Kate (Label Manager)
Album of the Year: Body Type – Everything Is Dangerous But Nothing’s Surprising
Feature Song : Flight Path
Favourite Songs of the Year
Platonic Sex – Exhausted Competing For You
Phoebe Go – We Don’t Talk
Dry Cleaning – Gary Ashby
Pinegrove – Alaska
Oso Oso – Pensacola
Ben (Co-Owner)
Album of the Year: Freddie Gibbs – Soul Sold Separately
Favourite Songs of the Year
Freddie Gibbs – Dark Hearted
Tsha – OnlyL
Fort Romeau – Untitled IV
Viagra Boys – Punk Rock Loser
Kaytranada & Anderson.Paak – Twin Flame
Jeb (Co-Owner)
Album of the Year: Alvvays – Blue Rev
Feature Song: Belinda Says
Favourite Songs of the Year
Rina Sawayama – This Hell
Fontaines DC – Jackie Down The Line
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit
King Stingray – Let’s Go
Sampa The Great – Can I Live?
Angus (Warehouse Manager)
Album of the Year: Lamb of God – Omens
Favourite Songs of the Year
Punisher – Drone Carrying Dread
Lamb of God/Health – Cold Blood
Lamb of God – Vanishing
Pike Vs The Automation – Trapped In A Mindcave
Pike Vs The Automation – Land
And stay tuned over the holiday season for our Beached Friends playlist, an annual collection of artists originating or based here (or part based) in the Illawarra. That will be live on New Years Eve.
Thanks for supporting the label in 2022 and we look forward to a big 2023 ahead!
