Big Scary

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.

Big Scary
Big Scary in Seattle in 2014
Big Scary in Seattle in 2014
Background information
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresIndie pop, garage rock
Years active2006–present
LabelsBig Scary, Pieater
MembersTom Iansek
Joanna Syme
Websitehttp://bigscary.net

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

History

2006–2010: Formation and early EPs
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.[7] In October 2008, they duo uploaded "The Apple Song" onto Triple J Unearthed[8] and officially released in December 2008, alongside a self-titled debut EP.[7]

In March 2009, "This Weight"[8] was released followed in July 2009 with their 4-track EP The Mini EP and single "Hey Somebody"[8] 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.[9] 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"[9] while the AU Review hailed "the versatility and obscene talent of the players."[7] At the J Awards of 2010, they were nominated for Unearthed Artist of the Year.[10] The song "Autumn", was placed in a high-profile AT&T advert in the USA and released as a single in January 2011.[7]

2011–2020: Vacation, Not Art and Animal
Main articles: 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.[11] 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."[11] Two further singles were released from the album and the band extensively toured USA in 2012.[12]

In February 2013, Big Scary released "Phil Collins", followed by "Luck Now" in April.[12] 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.[13] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013, the album was nominated for two awards. The album won the Australian Music Prize of 2013.[14] The duo signed with Barsuk Records who released Not Art in North America in March 2014.[14]

In September 2015, Big Scary released "Organism", the lead single from their third studio album.[15]

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.[16] 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.[17] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, Iansek was nominated for ARIA Award for Producer of the Year.

2021–present: Daisy and Me and You
Main articles: 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.[18] 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.[19]

Discography
Big Scary at Southbound in 2014.

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[20]
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[21]
  • Label: Pieater (PIE031)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 46
Me and You
  • Released: 23 September 2022[19]
  • Label: Pieater (PIE033)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 74

Compilations
List of compilations, with release date and label shown
Title Details
The Big Scary Four Seasons
  • Released: 6 December 2010[22]
  • 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[7]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, digital download
The Mini EP
  • Released: July 2009[23]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, digital download
At the Mercy of the Elements
  • Released: January 2010[24]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: CD, digital download
Autumn
  • Released: March 2010[7]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download
Winter
  • Released: June 2010[7]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download
Spring
  • Released: September 2010[7]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download
Summer
  • Released: December 2010[7]
  • Label: Big Scary
  • Format: Digital download

Singles
List of singles, with release date and selected chart positions shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[25]
"The Apple Song"[26] 2008 — Big Scary
"This Weight"[7] 2009 — The Mini EP
"Hey Somebody"[27] — At the Mercy of the Elements
"Autumn"[28] 2011 — The Big Scary Four Seasons
"Mixtape"[29] — Vacation
"Gladiator"[30] —
"Leaving Home"[31][32] 2012 —
"Falling Away"[33][34] —
"Phil Collins"[35][12] 2013 — Not Art
"Luck Now"[36][12] —
"Twin Rivers"[37] —
"Invest"[38][39] 2014 —
"Organism"[15] 2015 — Animal
"Over Matter"[16] 2016 —
"The Opposite of Us"[40] 100
"Stay"[43] 2021 — Daisy
"Get Out!"[44] —
"Bursting At the Seams"[45] —
"Real Love"[19] 2022 — Me and You
"Devotion"[19] —
"Goodbye Earle Street"[46] —

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2011 themselves Breakthrough Independent Artist Nominated [47][48]
themselves Best Independent Artist Nominated [49]
Not Art Best Independent Album Nominated
"Luck Now" Best Independent Single/EP Nominated
themselves Carlton Dry Global Music Grant Nominated
2017 Animal Best Independent Album Nominated [50]
"The Opposite of Us" Best Independent Single/EP Nominated
2022 Daisy Best Independent Pop Album or EP Won [51][52]
2023 Me and You Best Independent Pop Album or EP Nominated [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.[14]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Not Art Australian Music Prize Won
2016 Animal Australian Music Prize Nominated

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]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Not Art Breakthrough Artist - Release Nominated
Best Independent Release Nominated
2017 Tom Iansek for Animal by Big Scary Producer of the Year Nominated
2021[56] Daisy Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominated

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010[10] themselves Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated
2011 Vacation Australian Album of the Year Nominated
2013 Not Art Australian Album of the Year Nominated
2016 Animal Australian Album of the Year Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.[57][58]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013[59][60] Not Art Best Album Nominated
2020[61][62] Tom Iansek (Big Scary) Best Musician Nominated

References
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