2014 has been a big year for Sydney label Rice is Nice. Not only did they release a bunch of albums from the likes of Straight Arrows, SPOD, The Frowning Clouds, Donny Benet, Lia Mice, Richard In Your Mind, and You Beauty, they threw a a wild fist-pumping party featuring the world’s greatest ACDC tribute/celebration Bon Voyage.As part of our 2014 wrap we asked Rice is Nice label manager Julia Wilson for her picks of the year.1. SPOD - Taste The Sadness
Everyone’s best mate continues to blow everyone else out of the water with his unique ability to be awesome and original. SPOD is one of the few artists who make you feel like you are right there with him in the moment. It's a rare thing and I tip my hat to this Aussie icon. Long live SPOD.2 . You Beauty - Jersey Flegg
I heard You Beauty's Jersey Flegg and became instantly enthralled with every single inch of their songs. Lyrics, guitar parts, drums and bass are all incredible and I haven't had an album jump out and punch me in the face with excitement like this in a long time.3. Harmony - CarpetbombingThis band made me want to stay in Australia. Harmony make me feel tough and proud and their albums are incredible, their live show is incredible and they are incredible humans. If you don't feel like buckling at the knees or crying over the sheer power of this band then you are officially dead on the inside.4 . Weak Boys - Weekdays / WeekendsThese guys have come out of the gates with one of the albums of the year! I'm quite obsessed with how good it is.5. Seekae - The Worry
I don't know where to start when talking about this band. Their albums are always years before their time, they are such an innovative, progressive trio who are genuinely interested in pushing themselves and musical boundaries. I'm in awe of their confidence and ability. Someone recently said to me, "I swear Seekae could record themselves taking a dump and I'd listen to it."6. Blank Realm - Grassed In
When I first saw them live before I listened to the record I actually thought they were singing "Who FARTED" when they are actually singing "Who's FALLING". It's my own private joke that I share with myself and now you. This record though is so good and I just get really excited and again, proud, that bands like this are coming out of Australia and nailing it.7. Twerps - "Back To You" single
I love The Twerps. I love this song. I love their album teaser - beers! I love this clip. I have screen shots of it and want to get the still life pictures blown up. I love their instagram. I love their label. I love that they just got signed to fucking Merge. Good on ya mum, Tip Top's the one.8. Peep Temple- Tales
I heard Carol on the radio and wanted to punch myself in the face for not already knowing about this band. God bless community radio for playing awesome music."Vikki the Butcher" is another corker but really this album as a whole is so solid.9. Richard In Your Mind - Ponderosa
This record is the band's latest and I really feel like they stepped it up and delivered yet again. It's like Sun but has more magic in it. I will say that "Good Morning" is one of my favourites off the album. It's creepy and brutal. If this was in the Top 40 can you imagine how much better life would be?
This was late 2013 so I'm putting it in here. It's sad Gener's gone. At least we have all of the above to carry the torch.
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Everyone’s best mate continues to blow everyone else out of the water with his unique ability to be awesome and original. SPOD is one of the few artists who make you feel like you are right there with him in the moment. It's a rare thing and I tip my hat to this Aussie icon. Long live SPOD.2 . You Beauty - Jersey Flegg
I heard You Beauty's Jersey Flegg and became instantly enthralled with every single inch of their songs. Lyrics, guitar parts, drums and bass are all incredible and I haven't had an album jump out and punch me in the face with excitement like this in a long time.3. Harmony - CarpetbombingThis band made me want to stay in Australia. Harmony make me feel tough and proud and their albums are incredible, their live show is incredible and they are incredible humans. If you don't feel like buckling at the knees or crying over the sheer power of this band then you are officially dead on the inside.4 . Weak Boys - Weekdays / WeekendsThese guys have come out of the gates with one of the albums of the year! I'm quite obsessed with how good it is.5. Seekae - The Worry
I don't know where to start when talking about this band. Their albums are always years before their time, they are such an innovative, progressive trio who are genuinely interested in pushing themselves and musical boundaries. I'm in awe of their confidence and ability. Someone recently said to me, "I swear Seekae could record themselves taking a dump and I'd listen to it."
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When I first saw them live before I listened to the record I actually thought they were singing "Who FARTED" when they are actually singing "Who's FALLING". It's my own private joke that I share with myself and now you. This record though is so good and I just get really excited and again, proud, that bands like this are coming out of Australia and nailing it.7. Twerps - "Back To You" single
I love The Twerps. I love this song. I love their album teaser - beers! I love this clip. I have screen shots of it and want to get the still life pictures blown up. I love their instagram. I love their label. I love that they just got signed to fucking Merge. Good on ya mum, Tip Top's the one.8. Peep Temple- Tales
I heard Carol on the radio and wanted to punch myself in the face for not already knowing about this band. God bless community radio for playing awesome music."Vikki the Butcher" is another corker but really this album as a whole is so solid.9. Richard In Your Mind - Ponderosa
This record is the band's latest and I really feel like they stepped it up and delivered yet again. It's like Sun but has more magic in it. I will say that "Good Morning" is one of my favourites off the album. It's creepy and brutal. If this was in the Top 40 can you imagine how much better life would be?
10. Aaron Freeman – Gener’s Gone
This was late 2013 so I'm putting it in here. It's sad Gener's gone. At least we have all of the above to carry the torch.