Big Scary / Not Art (LP | 2013) Physical CD

Big Scary / Not Art (LP | 2013) Physical CD

The sophomore album from the Melbourne duo, which went on to earn J Award and ARIA nominations, and win the prestigious Australian Music Prize.

The root of this record’s emotionally involved song craft is the piano. Jagged rhythms, chopped up drumbeats and regular, emphatic lyrical repetition, is overtly thanks to the influence of hip hop production.

Whilst the album cover makes you question who the artist is in that work - mother nature or the photographer - the album title is asking a broader question about the definition of art: is art defined by those making it, or by those consuming it? In this case, Big Scary had purposely let go of any preconceptions of the album's reception in order to approach its creation.

bigscary.net

All songs written and performed by Tom Iansek and Jo Syme
Produced by Big Scary
Engineered by Tom Iansek
Additional production and engineering by Sean Cook and Adrian Mauro
Backing vocals engineered by Callum John Barter
Mixed by Tom Elmhirst, assisted by Ben Baptie (except "Lay Me Down" and "Why Hip Hop Sucks in '13", mixed by Tom Iansek
Backing vocals performed by Shayna Cook, Capathia Jenkins and Michael McElroy
Bass on "Hello, My Name Is", "Phil Collins", "Belgian Blues" and "Long Worry" performed by Ted O'Neil
Bass on "Invest", "Twin Rivers" and "Why Hip Hop Sucks in '13" performed by Graham Ritchie
Flugelhorn on "Long Worry" performed by Rich Armstrong
Mastered by Steve Fallone
Compiled by John Ruberto

Album photography by Adam Stone
Design by Andrew Tesdorpf