SIETTA

Sietta is one half Caiti Baker on vocals, the other half James Mangohig (formerly of Culture Connect) on the beats/instrumentals, and as a united front are the newest signing to local label Elefant Traks, home of hip hop favourites Urthboy, The Tongue, The Herd and Horrorshow. Infused with sun-drenched soul and dub step-leaning electronica, Sietta’s sound is one that the label says complements their increasing diversity. Certainly, it’s not the battle-ready hip hop we’ve got used to – which is an okay thing, once you’ve taken a few listens to a few of their tracks available for free download ahead of the July 22 release of debut album The Seventh Passenger. Produced with Count Bounce over many bowls of pho soup and a few packets of Twisties, Sietta were joined in the studio by Darwin-based muso Steven Smith of the Terracotta Pigeons, a capella vocalist Kay Duffy, Mei Lai Swan on cello plus more. The talent is a trans-continent affair, topped by Mangohig’s hometown of Darwin, down to Sietta’s newly chosen turf, Melbourne. Warm yourself with their sultry groove at the Vanguard on June 9. (AB)

Jun 9, Vanguard, 42 King St, Newtown, 9550 3666, thevanguard.com.au