Big Scary

Quality 0.50 · 1 view · Updated 2 months ago

Australian musical duo

title: "Big Scary" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["musical-groups-from-victoria-(state)", "australian-musical-duos", "musical-groups-established-in-2006"] description: "Australian musical duo" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Scary" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Australian musical duo ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]

FieldValue
nameBig Scary
imageBig Scary Sunset Tavern 2014.jpg
captionBig Scary in Seattle in 2014
originMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
genreIndie pop, garage rock
years_active2006–present
labelBig Scary, Pieater
associated_acts#1 Dads
websitehttp://bigscary.net
current_membersTom Iansek
Joanna Syme
::

| name = Big Scary | image = Big Scary Sunset Tavern 2014.jpg | caption = Big Scary in Seattle in 2014 | image_size = | alias = | origin = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | genre = Indie pop, garage rock | years_active = 2006–present | label = Big Scary, Pieater | associated_acts = #1 Dads | website = http://bigscary.net | current_members = Tom Iansek Joanna Syme | past_members =

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, Best Independent Album at the AIR Awards of 2013 and also for Best Independent Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 2013. Not Art won the 2014 Australian Music Prize, winning the band $30 000.

In 2010 Iansek formed a side project, #1 Dads.

Big Scary's 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."

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 and officially released in December 2008, alongside a self-titled debut EP.

In March 2009, "This Weight" was released followed in July 2009 with their 4-track EP The Mini EP and single "Hey Somebody" 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. 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" 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''

Main article: Vacation (Big Scary album), Not Art, 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." 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. 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. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013, the album was nominated for two awards. The album won the Australian Music Prize of 2013. The duo signed with Barsuk Records who released Not Art in North America in March 2014.

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

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. 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. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, Iansek was nominated for Producer of the Year.

2021–present: ''Daisy'' and ''Me and You''

Main article: Daisy (Big Scary album), 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. 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.

Discography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Big_Scary_at_2014_Southbound_festival.JPG" caption="Southbound]] in 2014"] ::

Studio albums

::data[format=table title="List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown"] | Title | Details | Peak chart positions | AUS Peaks in Australia: | Vacation | Not Art | Animal | Daisy | Me and You | Wing | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | 37 | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | 46 | | | | | | | | | | | 74 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Compilations

::data[format=table title="List of compilations, with release date and label shown"]

TitleDetailsThe Big Scary Four Seasons
::

Extended plays

::data[format=table title="List of EPs, with release date and label shown"]

TitleDetailsBig ScaryThe Mini EPAt the Mercy of the ElementsAutumnWinterSpringSummer
::

Singles

::data[format=table title="List of singles, with release date and selected chart positions shown"] | Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | AUS | "The Apple Song" | "This Weight" | "Hey Somebody" | "Autumn" | "Mixtape" | "Gladiator" | "Leaving Home" | "Falling Away" | "Phil Collins" | "Luck Now" | "Twin Rivers" | "Invest" | "Organism" | "Over Matter" | "The Opposite of Us" | "Stay" | "Get Out!" | "Bursting At the Seams" | "Real Love" | "Devotion" | "Goodbye Earle Street" | "Something to Remember" | "A Ribbon to Hold Us" | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2008 | — | | Big Scary | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2009 | — | | The Mini EP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | At the Mercy of the Elements | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2011 | — | | The Big Scary Four Seasons | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | Vacation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2012 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2013 | — | | Not Art | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2014 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2015 | — | | Animal | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2016 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 100 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2021 | — | | Daisy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2022 | — | | Me and You | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2024 | — | | Wing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

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. ! Ref. |- | 2011 | themselves | Breakthrough Independent Artist | | |- | rowspan="4" | 2013 |themselves | Best Independent Artist |

rowspan="4"
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"
"The Opposite of Us"
Best Independent Single/EP

| |- | 2022 | Daisy | Best Independent Pop Album or EP | | |- | 2023 | Me and You | Best Independent Pop Album or EP | |

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. |- | 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. |- | 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 | 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 | 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.

|- | 2013 | Not Art | Best Album | |- | 2020 | Tom Iansek (Big Scary) | Best Musician |

References

References

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

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

musical-groups-from-victoria-(state)australian-musical-duosmusical-groups-established-in-2006