Big Scary, the Melbourne boy/girl duo made up of Tom Lansek (songwriting, lead vocals and guitar) and Jo Syme (percussion, vocals) formed in 2008 and have made quite an impact on the Australian music scene over the past 12 months. Already hailed as ones to watch, Big Scary are living up to the hype and with the release of their debut album not until August 2011, it seems the next 12 months will be even bigger for the strummer and the drummer.

In late 2008, Tom and Jo made their first recording. Laying down six tracks in one day - all from live takes. A small number of copies circulated around friends and family. Shortly after uploading a few tracks to Triple J Unearthed, “The Apple Song” was picked up and received spot rotation on Triple J in November of 2008 as well as being featured on the Best of 2008 Unearthed playlist. In March of the following year, they recorded a four track Mini-EP from which they garnered local and national airplay for single “This Weight”. Think fuzzed-out guitars, with Syme’s big drums accompanied by the shredding beauty of Lansek’s vocals. Such a pairing meant shining reviews soon started rolling in and the track received national airplay. “This Weight” made it onto Triple J’s Hottest 100 initial voting list and was named Single Of The Week by Melbourne’s Beat magazine in which they were described as “talented and fearless”.

Inspired by the wave of apocalyptic weather battering the country in September last year, Tom & Jo released the EP At The Mercy of The Elements in February this year. Drawing on the environmental anarchy taking place around them during recording, At The Mercy of The Elements featured radio favourite “Falling Away”, a stunning piano driven ballad, inspired by philosophy and spirituality books Tom was reading at the time. This track went on to receive received solid airplay support across JJJ, FBi and 3RRR.

Big Scary’s diversity has been equally noted with the varied international and domestic support spots they have picked up this year. From Editors to Florence and The Machine, British India, Vasco Era, Birds of Tokyo, Little Red, Midlake and Hungry Kids of Hungary, Big Scary have been incredibly busy travelling the country collecting countless fans along the way.