Downundaground II is the second instalment in a series spotlighting producer-driven, electronically shaped instrumental music emerging from Australia’s evolving music scene.

Where Swing on Low draws from spiritual jazz, avant-garde, and neo-classical traditions — balancing improvisation and composition — Downundaground shifts focus to producers and instrumentalists exploring rhythm and texture through electronic tools, carving out new spaces between genres and machines.

The compilation brings together an eclectic group of artists shaping the next phase of Australia’s underground, assembled through a casual callout posted to Instagram. What began as a light experiment in reach and community quickly became a flood of submissions from across the country — spanning close collaborators and complete unknowns (to us), crossing cities, scenes, and styles. The result is a snapshot of a sprawling, self-organising network united by curiosity, rhythm and a shared impulse to explore.

The first Downundaground, released in 2019, introduced several artists who’ve since become mainstays in their respective scenes. This second chapter builds on that foundation, affirming the depth, vitality, and openness of what’s still to come.

‘Swing on Low’ is the latest compilation from La Sape Records. The collection offers a panoramic view of the vibrant underground bubbling below the Australian music landscape.

Part spiritual jazz, avant-garde with neo-classical stylings; the sounds within are untethered to specific genre or scenes. Rather, solo experimenters (for the most part) carving contemporary spaces for themselves to explore where they balance tradition and innovation in composition.

Presented as a 10-track album, titled after La Sape’s bi-monthly radio show. Mirroring the radio show, the album stitches together movements running in parallel that may otherwise never meet. Most importantly it offers us an outlet to highlight the exceptional music submitted to La Sape, which ultimately is often turned away due to DIY resources or scheduling conflicts.

Swing on Low features label stays Erica Tuccceri, David Versace & Youfez. Close collaborators; George Sheridan, Elle Shimada & Hekka. And some of our favourite Australian artists Grievous Bodily Calm, NIGHTMUSIC, The Person and closed by the incomparable Olive Knight.

After six years of La Sape Records, ’Swing on Low’ acts as a manifesto for the label’s next six. A broadening of sounds and celebration of the diverse and innovative humans experimenting in a dense aural ecosystem at the bottom of the earth.

1. George Sheridan - Otta!

2. Grievous Bodily Calm - Cloutbusting

3. Youfez - DK

4. Elle Shimada - Solitude

5. Erica Tucceri - Iliamna (Extended Mix)

6. David Versace - Forever With Me

7. The Person - Photo Album

8. NIGHTMUSIC - Hects, Lies & Videotape

9. Hekka - Close To The Chest (And Between The Ribs)

10. Olive Knight - Three Children Standing

Compiled by Kurt Paradise

Mastered by Jack Prest

Artwork by Nick Dahlen