Big Scary Explained

Big Scary
Origin:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genre:Indie pop, garage rock
Years Active:2006–present
Label:Big Scary, Pieater
Associated Acts:
  1. 1 Dads
Website:http://bigscary.net
Current Members:Tom Iansek
Joanna Syme

Big Scary is an Australian musical duo formed in Melbourne in 2006, by Tom Iansek and Joanna Syme. The pair have released several EPs and five studio albums.

Their 2013 album Not Art was nominated for the Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards of 2012,[1] Best Independent Album at the AIR Awards of 2013[2] and also for Best Independent Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 2013.[3] Not Art won the 2014 Australian Music Prize, winning the band $30 000.[4]

In 2010 Iansek had formed a side project,

  1. 1 Dads
.[5] Their 2016 single "The Opposite of Us" was certified gold in Australia in 2020.

History

2006–2010: Formation and early EPs

See main article: The Big Scary Four Seasons. Big Scary formed in 2006 as a modern folk band with simple shakers and acoustic guitar after the two met through a recommendation of mutual friends. Joanna Syme recalls "Tom was looking to put together a band and needed a drummer. He ended up on my doorstep with a guitar". The duo played casually together in between day jobs until 2008 when Iansek completed a program in audio engineering. Syme said "All of a sudden he was paying a lot more attention to production, and the direction of the band changed."[6]

In late 2008, the band headed into the studio for the first time, recording six live tracks in a single day. In October 2008, they duo uploaded "The Apple Song" onto Triple J Unearthed[7] and officially released in December 2008, alongside a self-titled debut EP.

In March 2009, "This Weight"[7] was released followed in July 2009 with their 4-track EP The Mini EP and single "Hey Somebody"[7] and EP At the Mercy of Elements in January 2010.

In 2010, the duo recorded and released limited-edition EPs named and inspired by each seasonal turn. Upon completing the task in December 2010, the four EPs were compiled into the compilation, The Big Scary Four Seasons.[8] Beat Magazine said "Four Seasons proves to be the defining turning point for Big Scary, for they are no longer the next best thing in Australian music, they are the best thing"[8] while the AU Review hailed "the versatility and obscene talent of the players." At the J Awards of 2010, they were nominated for Unearthed Artist of the Year. The song "Autumn", was placed in a high-profile AT&T advert in the USA and released as a single in January 2011.

2011–2020: Vacation, Not Art and Animal

See main article: Vacation (Big Scary album), Not Art and Animal (Big Scary album). In July 2011, Big Scary released "Mix Tape", the lead single from their debut studio album, Vacation. This was followed by "Gladiator" in September 2011. Vacation was released in October 2011 and peaked at number 37 on the ARIA Charts. Beat Magazine said the album "delves into the theme of slowing losing touch with all those important things we like – friends, lovers, a home and that nifty thing known as employment."[9] Two further singles were released from the album and the band extensively toured USA in 2012.

In February 2013, Big Scary released "Phil Collins", followed by "Luck Now" in April.[10] The duo's second studio album, Not Art was released in June 2013 and peaked at number 32 on the ARIA chart. "Twin Rivers" was released in November 2013.[11] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013, the album was nominated for two awards. The album won the Australian Music Prize of 2013.[12] The duo signed with Barsuk Records who released Not Art in North America in March 2014.[12]

In September 2015, Big Scary released "Organism", the lead single from their third studio album.[13]

In June 2016, the duo released the six-minute sonic, "Over Matter" and announced the released of their third studio album Animal; a four-part experience drawing inspiration of the daily cycle of the animal kingdom, hunting, lurking, resting and waking.[14] Animal was released on 2 September 2016 and peaked at number 5 on the ARIA charts. The album was supported by their first Australian headline tour in three years.[15] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, Iansek was nominated for Producer of the Year.

2021–present: Daisy and Me and You

See main article: Daisy (Big Scary album) and Me and You (Big Scary album). In February 2021, Big Scary released "Stay", their first new music in four years and announced the release of their forthcoming fourth studio album Daisy.[16] Singles "Get Out" and "Bursting At the Seams" preceded the album's release on 30 April 2021.

In August 2022, Big Scary released "Real Love" and "Devotion" preceding their fifth studio album, Me and You, which was released on 23 September 2022.[17]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[18]
Vacation 37
Not Art
  • Released: 28 June 2013
  • Label: Pieater (PIE006)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
32
Animal
  • Released: 2 September 2016
  • Label: Pieater (PIE012)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
5
Daisy
  • Released: 30 April 2021[19]
  • Label: Pieater (PIE031)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
46
Me and You
  • Released: 23 September 2022
  • Label: Pieater (PIE033)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
74
Wing
  • Released: 16 February 2024[20]
  • Label: Pieater
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Compilations

List of compilations, with release date and label shown! Title! Details
The Big Scary Four Seasons
  • Released: 6 December 2010[21]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
  • Compilation of the four seasons EPs.

Extended plays

List of EPs, with release date and label shown! Title! Details
Big Scary
  • Released: December 2008
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, digital download
The Mini EP
  • Released: July 2009[22]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, digital download
At the Mercy of the Elements
  • Released: January 2010[23]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, digital download
Autumn
  • Released: March 2010
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download
Winter
  • Released: June 2010
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download
Spring
  • Released: September 2010
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download
Summer
  • Released: December 2010
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
AUS
[24]
"The Apple Song"[25] 2008Big Scary
"This Weight"<--"led by the towering single 'This Weight'"-->[26] 2009The Mini EP
"Hey Somebody"[27] At the Mercy of the Elements
"Autumn"[28] 2011The Big Scary Four Seasons
"Mixtape"[29] Vacation
"Gladiator"[30]
"Leaving Home"[31] [32] 2012
"Falling Away"[33] [34]
"Phil Collins"[35] 2013Not Art
"Luck Now"[36]
"Twin Rivers"[37]
"Invest"[38] [39] 2014
"Organism"2015Animal
"Over Matter"2016
"The Opposite of Us"[40] 100
"Stay"[43] 2021Daisy
"Get Out"[44]
"Bursting At the Seams"[45]
"Real Love"2022Me and You
"Devotion"
"Goodbye Earle Street"[46]
"Something to Remember"2024Wing
"A Ribbon to Hold Us"

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.! |-| 2011| themselves| Breakthrough Independent Artist| | [47] [48] |-| rowspan="4" | 2013|themselves| Best Independent Artist| | rowspan="4" | [49] |-| Not Art| Best Independent Album| |-| "Luck Now"| Best Independent Single/EP| |-| themselves| Carlton Dry Global Music Grant| |-| rowspan="2" | 2017|Animal | Best Independent Album| | rowspan="2" | [50] |-| "The Opposite of Us"| Best Independent Single/EP| |-| 2022| Daisy| Best Independent Pop Album or EP| | [51] [52] |-| 2023| Me and You| Best Independent Pop Album or EP| | [53] [54]

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award.[12] |-| 2013| Not Art| Australian Music Prize| |-| 2016| Animal| Australian Music Prize| |-

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Big Scary have been nominated for three awards.[55] |-| rowspan="2"| 2013| rowspan="2"| Not Art| Breakthrough Artist - Release| |-| Best Independent Release| |-| 2017| Tom Iansek for Animal by Big Scary| Producer of the Year| |-| 2021[56] | Daisy| Best Adult Contemporary Album| |-

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J.

|-| 2010[57] | themselves| Unearthed Artist of the Year| |-| 2011| Vacation| Australian Album of the Year| |-| 2013| Not Art| Australian Album of the Year| |-| 2016| Animal| Australian Album of the Year| |-

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.[58] [59]

|-| 2013[60] [61] | Not Art| Best Album| |-| 2020[62] [63] | Tom Iansek (Big Scary)| Best Musician|

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Australian Album of the Year Nomination. Triple J. 20 January 2014.
  2. News: Triple nominations for Big Scary at Independent Music Awards. 20 January 2014. The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 October 2013.
  3. Web site: ARIA NOMS + FINE ARTS & ARTISAN WINNERS. Australian Recording Industry Association. 20 January 2014. 20 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131020152152/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/news/64/aria. dead.
  4. Web site: Music News - triple j . Abc.net.au . 2020-04-05.
  5. Web site: Big Scary's Tom Iansek on a winner with #1 Dads . Mathieson, Craig . Craig Mathieson . . . 2 July 2015 . 13 December 2015 .
  6. Web site: Big Scary Interview. undertheradarmag. January 2014. 1 May 2021. Fragassi, Selena.
  7. Web site: Big Scary on Triple J Unearthed. Triple J Unearthed. 1 May 2021.
  8. Web site: Big Scary : The Big Scary Four Seasons. Beat Magazine. December 2010. 1 May 2021.
  9. Web site: Big Scary's Vacation. Beat Magazine. September 2011. 1 May 2021.
  10. Web site: Big Scary 4. Beat Magazine. 2013. 1 May 2021.
  11. Web site: Big Scary "Twin Rivers". Tone Deaf. November 2013. 1 May 2021.
  12. Web site: Big Scary Win $30,000 Australian Music Prize. Tone Deaf. 5 March 2014 . 2 May 2021.
  13. Web site: Big Scary return to the fore with new single "Organism". Pilerats. September 2015. 1 May 2021.
  14. Web site: Big Scary Drop New Single "Over Matter" From Forthcoming Album Animal. MusicFeeds. 2 June 2016. 1 May 2021.
  15. Web site: Big Scary Return with First Headline Tour in Three Years. Beat Magazine. 2016. 1 May 2021.
  16. Web site: First Spin: Big Scary are back with their first new music in four years. ABC. 23 February 2021. 1 May 2021. Fuamoli, Sose.
  17. Web site: Big Scary Announce New Album Me and You, Share Two New Singles. MusicFeeds. 16 August 2022. 17 August 2022.
  18. Peaks in Australia:
  19. Web site: Daisy (DD). Apple Music. 26 February 2021.
  20. Web site: Big Scary Announce Return With Album Number Six, ‘Wing’. Music Feeds. 25 January 2024. 30 January 2024.
  21. Web site: The Big Scary Four Seasons. Apple Music. December 2010. 1 May 2021.
  22. Web site: The Mini EP (DD). Apple Music. July 2009. 1 May 2021.
  23. Web site: At the Mercy of the Elements. Band Camp. January 2010. 1 May 2021.
  24. Web site: Chart Watch #382 . auspOp . 20 August 2016 . 20 August 2016 . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160915074312/https://www.auspop.com.au/2016/08/chart-watch-382/ . dead .
  25. Web site: The Apple Song – Single by Big Scary on Apple Music . . December 2008. 9 August 2020.
  26. Web site: Indie Accent Artist Big Scary. Indie Accent. 1 May 2021.
  27. Web site: Hey Somebody – Single by Big Scary . rateyourmusic . 2009. 9 August 2020.
  28. Web site: Big Scary - Autumn *Official Video* (The Big Scary Four Seasons EPs 2010) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/cUo1RXjn4wY . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. January 2011 . 9 August 2020.
  29. Web site: Mixtape – Single by Big Scary on Apple Music . Apple Music. July 2011 . 9 August 2020.
  30. Web site: Gladiator – Single by Big Scary on Apple Music . Apple Music . September 2011. 9 August 2020.
  31. Web site: Big Scary - Leaving Home *Official Video* (Vacation LP 2011) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/H4GAK92u_f8 . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. 3 March 2012 . 1 May 2021.
  32. Web site: Big Scary 2012. Beat Magazine. 2012. 1 May 2021.
  33. Web site: Big Scary - Falling Away *Official Video* (Vacation LP 2011) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/oPVimlb_ghM . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. 20 June 2012 . 1 May 2021.
  34. Web site: Australian band Big Scary have released a new video for their single, "Falling Away". Ear Buddy. June 2012. 1 May 2021.
  35. Web site: Big Scary - Phil Collins (Not Art LP 2013) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/N9HIgE6_H0E . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. February 2013. 1 May 2021.
  36. Web site: Big Scary - Luck Now (Not Art LP 2013) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/K_EjSuYWzxA . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. April 2013. 1 May 2021.
  37. Web site: Twin Rivers – Single by Big Scary on Apple Music . Apple Music . 12 July 2013. 9 August 2020.
  38. Web site: Big Scary - Invest *Official Video* (Not Art LP 2013) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/tFhhU_DcLVA . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. February 2014. 1 May 2021.
  39. Web site: Big Scary – Invest. poetryinanemptycokecan. February 2014. 1 May 2021.
  40. Web site: Single of the Day: Big Scary "The Opposite of Us" (2016). theaureview. 6 July 2016. 1 May 2021.
  41. Web site: We have our first gold record! You're making us proud "The Opposite of Us". Twitter. 21 June 2020. 2 May 2021.
  42. Web site: ARIA Accreditations 2020 . . 31 July 2020 . 9 August 2020.
  43. Web site: Big Scary Are Back with new single "stay" lifted from their forthcoming album Daisy . Scenestr . 24 February 2021 . 26 February 2021.
  44. Web site: Big Scary release spooky new single "Get Out!" . . 23 March 2021 . 30 March 2021 . Rose, Anna.
  45. Web site: Listen to Big Scary's new single "Bursting At the Seams". NME. 27 April 2021 . 30 April 2021 . Rose, Anna.
  46. Web site: BIG SCARY Share New Single + Video "Goodbye Earle Street" With a Nod to Elton John. Amnplify. 1 September 2022. 2 September 2022.
  47. Web site: Independent Music Awards Nominees Announced. tonedeaf. 13 September 2011. 19 August 2020.
  48. Web site: History Wins. Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 18 August 2020.
  49. Web site: Final AIR Awards 2013 Nominations Revealed, $50,000 Prize Announced. tonedeaf. 1 October 2013. 20 August 2020.
  50. Web site: A.B Original dominates 2017 AIR Awards nominations. theindustryobserver. 31 May 2017. 20 August 2020.
  51. Web site: Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022. musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. 1 June 2022.
  52. Web site: Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards. MusicFeeds. 5 August 2022. 6 August 2022. Tyler Jenke.
  53. Web site: Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023 . Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. 31 May 2023.
  54. Web site: King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards . Music Feeds. 4 August 2023. 5 August 2023.
  55. Web site: ARIA Awards Search Results - Big Scary. ARIA Awards. ARIA Awards. 17 August 2020.
  56. Web site: ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge . . 20 October 2021 . 24 October 2021 . Kelly, Vivienne . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ . 20 October 2021 . live.
  57. Web site: Big Scary Unearthed. ABC. 2010. 1 May 2021.
  58. Web site: Previous Nominess. Music Victoria. 13 August 2020. 19 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919214225/https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-nominees. dead.
  59. Web site: Previous Winners. Music Victoria. 13 August 2020. 31 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190731040330/https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners. dead.
  60. Web site: Previous Nominess. Music Victoria. 13 August 2020. 19 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919214225/https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-nominees. dead.
  61. Web site: Previous Winners. Music Victoria. 13 August 2020. 31 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190731040330/https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners. dead.
  62. Web site: Industry Awards Winners And Hall Of Fame Inductees Revealed + 2020 Music Victoria Awards Nominees Announced With Public Voting Now Open! . Music Victoria. 9 October 2020 . 9 October 2020.
  63. Web site: Sampa The Great Walks Off With a Stack of Music Victoria Awards. noise11. 10 December 2020. 10 December 2020.