Sounds of the Suburbs

A space for diverse sounds, voices, and people of the Australian music scene.

Welcome to: Sounds of the Suburbs

Hi! My name is Selin Kaya (she/her) and I’m currently living, studying and working in the Kulin Nation, more specifically on Wurundjeri Country. I acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded, and would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri peoples continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. I’d like to pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. May we continue to listen and learn from the oldest living culture in the world.

Growing up, the notion of storytelling through music has always been a defining characteristic throughout all that I do. Australian music icons such as Paul Kelly, Yothu Yindi, Hilltop Hoods, and Missy Higgins framed the soundtrack of my youth, as my mum had these artists on high rotation.

Starting high school in Lutruwita/Tasmania I had little to no knowledge that music journalism was a viable and credible career choice, and so went on to admire music from afar as my secret dream of starting an indie-rock band dwindled with every barre chord I stumbled across and couldn’t quite grasp. As I reached years 11 and 12 and studied the likes of English Lit and English Comms, a new passion started to emerge: writing.

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  Proof of the pudding!

After moving to Naarm/Melbourne to study Arts/Law, I soon realised in my first year of uni that music journalism WAS and IS a thing! And apparently quite a big thing. I had my first article published in my uni’s magazine and fell head over heels in love with print media and the role which writers play in amplifying and relaying artists’ stories in the local music scene.

As my dad is Turkish and my mum is Australian, I’ve been lucky enough to live in a household where I’ve had access to a range of voices and people which I acknowledge that others may not have. Which brings me to starting this blog.

I’d love to create a space full of diverse voices and sounds of the Australian music industry, and for people to join me as I navigate this vast and ever-changing scene. Stay tuned for in-depth conversations and feature pieces surrounding an abundance of Australian music.

“You can’t be what you can’t see.” -Marian Wright Edelman

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