Melbourne girl Chelsea May Wheatley has emerged this year as Chela, releasing the electro-pop single ‘Handful of Gold’ on IHC 1NFINITY, a reincarnation of LA-based label IHEARTCOMIX. The song was released on the 11th November and is a deliciously bright and sharp tune full of synths that reminds us of super-cool noughties singer Ladyhawke.

An Aussie in America, Chela shares her top tracks from home with us in an exclusive playlist. “Living in the States, it’s not often I get to appreciate the nostalgia of some of my favourite Australian tunes with friends. Just recently on tour with The Presets I got to do just that. For those of you international babes, here are some beauties from Oz that you ought to know!”

John Farnham – Pressure Down

“My family have some sweet footage from the 80s of my big sister Nicole as a toddler, jumping up and down on an indoor trampoline to this song.”

Little Red – Rock It

“This is a more recent release, however bound to become a classic. If you enjoy this you should check out Dom’s (the singer/songwriter) current band New Gods.”

The Go-Betweens – Streets of Your Town

“I’ll never forget being backstage with The Go-Betweens at The Big Day Out in Sydney after DJing with my besties in an ice cream truck at The Lilypad many years ago. I was fanning out big time.”

Yothu Yindi – Treaty

“This song is very important in Australian history as it helped to bring a healthy recognition of indigenous musicians in Australia.”

“Paul Kelly co-wrote Treaty which was the previous track. This song is my favourite of his. It’s one of my go-to party jams.”

Divinyls – I Touch Myself

“Chrissy Amphlett (RIP) was a goddess, I always loved that interesting and alluring mouth like no others. She used it to sing like a rockstar and speak like a warrior. What a woman.”

The Easybeats – Sorry

“Harry Vanda and George Young (from The Easybeats) are the songwriting duo who are responsible for a lot of great Australian hits including ‘Love Is In The Air’ by John Paul Young. Vanda once produced a song for my old band when I was a teen, but alas ’twas never released. Harry, how wrong you were when you said we were going to be big in Europe! (LOL)”

The Saints – I’m Stranded

“My first long-term love showed me this song and it reminds me of our days as rock-dogs. We were both in rock bands, and we met backstage at a festival that we played together when I was 18.”

Men at Work – Down Under

“I’m sure a lot of you international beings know this song the most out of this list, but I thought it necessary to include.”

Cut Copy – Take Me Over

“This is the modern day version of ‘Down Under’. I have enjoyed a few warm drives with the windows down and arms out to this jam.”

‘Handful of Gold’ is out now.

The post Playlist: Chela’s Gems From Down Under appeared first on Wonderland.