Independent Artist of the Week: Rebel Yell

September 9th 2019

Image credit: Tim Hardy

Uncompromising, forward-thinking techno pours out of Rebel Yell all strangely sweet with leathery spice, kinda like the bourbon of the same name. Gulp it up.

Actually, Rebel Yell – aka Grace Stevenson – is more than a singular techno notion. With notes of industrial tech, spacey electronica and acid house amongst everything, Stevenson’s hard-to-peg DIY music is as relentless as her work ethic.

Since relocating to Sydney from Brisbane last year, Stevenson’s highlights include (deep breath) supporting Orbital and Brooke Candy, niche dates across Europe, festival slots at Secret Garden, Splendour in the Grass, Dark Mofo and King Street Crawl, the release of ‘With You’ with Exhibitionist (yes) and a Christmas techno record (double yes). Oh, and she gave us a lil Midday Mix, too. Phew.

With peak visuals accompanying all her tracks, Rebel Yell’s aesthetic since her 2016 debut has remained strong and assured while maturing and growing in confidence, keeping pace with her music’s growth.

RY’s latest thumper ‘Night Drive’ totally demonstrates that. Pulsing, club-ready and commanding, the track is an empowering ode to women feeling self-assured, safe and strong in 2019. With a subversive, apocalyptic-rave aerobics class the focus of the track’s clip, the bang-on visuals hypnotically showcase Rebel Yell’s switched up instrumentation and primo (aerobic-appropes) merch.

For what its worth, expect to hear and see lots more in the near future from the techno force. For now, get intoxicated by ‘Night Drive’.

WHO: Collarbones, Rebel Yell
WHAT: ‘Futurity’ Album Launch
WHEN: 8pm, Friday 27 September
WHERE: The Lansdowne, Chippendale
HOW MUCH: $17.83 (incl. BF)
Tune into Up For It every Monday morning to meet your new Independent Artist of the Week!

 

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