Christian Kuria is a name you're going to want to get familiar with. This Vallejo-born producer, songwriter, and recording artist has been making waves in the music scene with his unique blend of alternative and contemporary R&B. It's a sound that's both instantly recognizable and curiously hard to pin down. Kuria's story begins like many others: touring, writing, and honing his craft. But it was his debut album, Borderline, that really started to turn heads. There's something about his voice that balances vulnerability with a quiet intensity, like the embers of a fire that's still burning bright. He draws inspiration from the likes of John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, and Tame Impala - a diverse range of influences that he somehow manages to distill into a sound that's all his own. As Kuria continued to build momentum, he released his sophomore project, Suspension of Disbelief. It was a notable step forward, with Kuria digging deeper into the complexities of human emotion. The album was met with critical acclaim, and his collaboration with Urban Outfitters - which promptly sold out - hinted at a broader appeal that went beyond just music. But after a few years of relative silence, Kuria returned with a new album, Paradigm. It's a record that sees him exploring fresh sonic territories, from the swirling psychedelia of psych- rock to the neon-lit nostalgia of 80s pop. The result is an album that feels both deeply personal and expansively ambitious. The buzz around Paradigm was palpable, with Rolling Stone and other tastemakers taking notice. It's clear that Christian Kuria is an artist on the rise, one who's still finding his footing but already showing signs of something special. As he continues to evolve and push the boundaries of his sound, it'll be exciting to see where this journey takes him next.

Well versed in poetry and performance, Allysha Joy’s potent lyricism, unique musicianship and incredible vocals have garnered legions of attentive fans the world over. Seamlessly forging her own sound as singer, songwriter, keys player and selector, Joy is well known as 30/70’s lead vocalist and with a heavy line-up of collaborations over the years, she has marked her place across continents, expansive projects and genres. In 2022 Allysha brought a brand new amalgamation of her poetic practice to the forefront, with the release of her self-produced sophomore album ‘Torn : Tonic’ on First Word Records. Staunch and broken, poetic and vibrant, this second album encapsulates the pain and the remedy, and celebrates an incredible selection of feature artists; including Ego Ella May, Julien Dyne, and Dancing Water, as well as her debut as a producer. On the live circuit, Joy has performed alongside the likes of Sampa the Great, Ezra Collective, Children of Zeus and KOKOROKO as well as performing at notable festivals such as We Out Here and Montreux Jazz Festival. Maintaining a monthly “Australian” radio show on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM and compiling the VA compilation ‘They’re Energised’ for UK Label CoOp Presents, Allysha continues to provide platforms for “Australian” artists to reach global audiences, seeking opportunities to connect music and music lovers around the world over. Allysha appears on releases from Rhythm Section, Total Refreshment Centre, Future Classic, First Word and Brownswood. Her 2018 debut album ‘Acadie : Raw’ on Gondwana Records won ‘Best Soul Album’ at the Music Victoria Awards, was nominated for ‘Best Jazz Album’ at the Worldwide Awards, and featured in many end-of-year lists, including Bandcamp’s Top Soul Albums. Allysha’s lyrics weave together a heartfelt mix of love, power, wonder, anger, faith and hope for change. An artist that presents a palette of intricate grace and optimism, whilst unafraid of adding uncomfortable truths. An incredibly powerful live performer; Allysha’s husky vocals sonically sync with her formidable Fender Rhodes playing, whilst her influences are a solid base of jazz, hip hop and R&B; all glazed with the unique special sauce the Melbourne / Narrm soul scene has become known for globally.