Maanyung is a singer and songwriter currently based in Australia, and his debut with the radio station Triple J’s covers series Like a Version is making waves. Maanyung decided to cover Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For” from the Barbie movie in order to honor the feminine. During an insider interview, the artist stated: “The women in our culture, they’re the storytellers, they’re the knowledge holders, they’re the creators, so I really think that (this) song itself is so fitting.”Continue reading »
Nothing But Thieves are a 5-piece rock band that has recently covered “Flowers” live for Like a Version, the series of covers that are featured on the Australian radio station called Triple J. The tune “Flowers” had loads of covers before the chart-topper had even been around for a month. We’re now at three months in, and this song has a lot of versions to sift through. But this one is more unique than some of the other dime-a-dozen covers that have been floating around the internet.
To me, the bass line in “Flowers” always sounded straight out of the ’80s. But Nothing by Thieves added in lush synths and bright drums in their edition, and it really sealed the deal in making it sounds like it was from four decades ago. Conor Mason’s (intentionally) lackadaisical vocal diction in this one is purely charming, and the addition of the vocoder was a pleasant surprise.
Nothing But Thieves kept the basic outline of Cyrus’s hit while adding layers and layers of new textural material. Check it out below.
For a recent iteration of Triple J’s Like a version series, Aussie indie-rockers Dune Rats covered one of Australia’s all time best punk songs “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” by the Angels.
Joining them in covering this are a number of well known friends: vocalist Anna from Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, singer-songwriter Ruby Fields, guitarist Jackson from Beddy Rays, vocalist Kelly from TOTTY, and to make it even more special, John and Rick Brewster, members of The Angels.Continue reading »
“Dance Monkey” hitmaker Tones and I covered fellow Australians Gang of Youths’ song “Achilles Come Down” for her recent appearance on Triple J’s Like a Version. Her version began with the pared-down combination of vocals and a grand piano. Next, orchestral strings come in with a soft pizzicato in the second verse. So many creative liberties were taken in this version, and the classical flutist/arranger in me is absolutely loving it. Continue reading »
For their recent appearance on Australian radio station Triple J’s Like A Version series, Isle of Wight indie-rockers Wet Leg covered much loved local band The Chats’ track ‘Smoko’. Given frontwoman Rhian Teasdale’s ‘too-cool-for-you’ vocal style, as evident on their massive hit “Chaise Lounge,” I had wondered how this would translate against The Chat’s almost oppressive Australian accents and pub rock aggression.Continue reading »
For Australian radio station Triple J’s long running Like a Version segment, New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee provided a version of Ariana Grande’s hit “God is a Woman.” Some of Benee’s previous solo tracks have been upbeat and poppy affairs, so it was a brilliant choice to slow down this track into a more soulful sound.Continue reading »