Akouo
Birth nameRyan Farrington
Also known asMynse (2004–2008)
Born1984 or 1985 (age 38–39)[1]
OriginLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • DJ remixer
  • record producer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
Years active1990s–present
Labels

Ryan Farrington (born c. 1985), known by his stage name Akouo (stylised in uppercase; pronounced AK-you-oh), previously known as Mynse, is an Australian electronic musician, producer and DJ. He is also a member of the hip hop duo Letters to the Sun with Coin Banks. He became the first Tasmanian-based act to perform at Splendour in the Grass in 2015.[2] He has released one studio album: Outwit the Muscle (2008).

Early life

Ryan Farrington was born in 1985 in Launceston, Tasmania. He started playing guitar when he was 12, and had been a disc jockey in the underground hip-hip scene of Tasmania since 2003. He has performed under many different names, until he came up with his current name 'Akouo', he stated that its means "to hear" or "to listen" in Greek.[3][4][5]

Music career

1990s–2006: Early years and Altrueism

Farrington's music career began in the late 1990s where he played as an amateur guitarist in several bands throughout his hometown of Launceston. In 2003, he started performing as a disc jockey at local houses parties. A year later, he joined Launceston local MCs Azrael and Ethics and formed the hip hop group known as Altrueism where he performed under the alias "Mynse".[1] Throughout 2005, the group toured with notable hip hop artists including: Bliss n Eso, Phrase, Heads of State, Tom Thum, among others.[6] After releasing some limited-run demos and appearing on Alleyway Crawlerz Mixtapes (Volumes 1 & 2), the group parted ways in early-2006.[1][7]

2007–2013: Solo career and Letters to the Sun

Still performing under the name "Mynse", Farrington begun pursuing a solo-career, releasing The Mynstrual Cycle, a self produced street-EP in March 2007 under his own label, Altrueistic Recordings. The EP was described as containing "slightly off-center/deep tunes to hyped beats." To celebrate the EPs launch, Mynse performed it at the James Hotel in Launceston.[8] After its release he performed solo in Tasmania and Victoria alongside artists such as Pegz, Funkoars, Vents, Bias B, Muph & Plutonic, and Bigfoot. These performances solidified his name as one of Tasmania's hardest working hip hop acts.

In 2008, Ryan started concentrating more on his DJing career. On 8 November, he released his debut hip hop album Outwit the Muscle under his new alias 'Akouo'. The album featured several prominent underground MCs like Javs, Thorts, Dunn D, and Phatchance.[9] The album was featured on Triple J as their Feature Album of the Week, and the single "Lazy Days" received high rotation on the station.[10] On 1 September 2010, Akouo collaborated with American MC Javs once more, and released the EP Double Helix.[11]

In 2011, Akouo and Perth rapper Coin joined together and formed Letters to the Sun, they released a free promo-EP entitled Appetizers on 4 January 2012.[10] In August, the duo released a single "Mile High Club" featuring vocals from Perth singer-songwriter Donovan de Souza, it would later be included on their then-upcoming self-titled album.[12]

On 10 January 2013, Akouo's solo EP Above & Beyond was released.[13] On 13 February, Akouo remixed "Terms and Conditions" by Chet Faker.[14] On 22 March, they released their eponymous debut album.[15] On 6 April, Flume's track "Bring You Down" featuring George Maple was remixed by Akouo.[16] Akouo released another remix on 15 May, of "A Walk" by Tycho.[17] Akouo's next solo EP, Hurcha, was released on 9 June.[18] Akouo also began performing as a completely solo act in June.[19] On 20 July, he remixed "Listen to Soul, Listen to Blues" by Safia.[20]

2014–2018: Mesa and Carbon

On 6 January 2014, he remixed Childish Gambino's track "3005", after which it and his remix of Flume's "Bring You Down" made his popularity grow after they gained traction and together receiving over 1,000,000 views across YouTube, SoundCloud and Spotify.[21] Akouo released his single "Last Time" in February, as a teaser for his then upcoming EP, an accompanying music video was also released.[22] In May, Akouo performed as an opening act for Safia.[19] On 12 June, Akouo released his EP Mesa under the Die High Records label, it later peaked at No. 1 on the Australian iTunes Charts a week after.[23] On 10 July, he remixed "Return to" by #1 Dads featuring Tom Snowden.[24] On 8 October, he released a remix of "Paradise Awaits" by Zhu.[25] On 15 October, he then made a remix of "Shiner" by Indian Summer featuring Ginger & The Ghost.[26] On 27 November, he released a remix of "Unmissable" by Gorgon City.[27]

On 13 January 2015, he released his single "Pieces".[28] His single "All They Do" featuring Monsoonsiren and Mayo was later released on 26 January.[29] On 29 May, he released a remix of "Xhampagne" by Shy Girls featuring Antwon.[30] In July, he then became the first Tasmanian act to play at Splendour in the Grass.[2] On 13 October, he remixed "Take it Slow" by Kultur featuring Blest Jones.[31]

On 11 February 2016, Akouo released his single "Goldmine". On 1 March, he released a remix of "Weak" by Wet.[32] On 18 March, Akouo released the single "Giving into You" featuring guest vocal by Ashibah.[33] On 23 March, a remix of "Helix 2.0" by Robokid, AObeats & Manila Killa featuring Blaise Railey was released.[34] On 1 April, Akouo released a remix of "Vampire" by Lazyboy Empire.[35]

On 4 May 2017, Akouo released his single "Feel That" featuring vocals from Montaigne, alongside an accompanying music video.[36][37] A month later, he announced a 15-date tour across Australia and New Zealand that August and September to promote the new single.[38]

On 29 June 2018, Akouo remixed "Faded Away" by Sweater Beats featuring Icona Pop.[39] On 8 July, he released the single "Painted On" featuring vocals from La'vel. On 12 July, he collaborated with Melbourne musician Lanks on the single "Yours", Akouo provided the beat for the track.[40] He also released a remix of "Winnebago" by Gryffin featuring Quinn XCII and Daniel Wilson.[41] The next day Akouo released his EP, entitled Carbon under Trench Records' label, it included the single "Painted On".[42]

2018–present: "So Long"

A new single entitled "So Long" was released on 12 October.[43] On 29 December, Akouo performed at the Falls Festival in Marion Bay, Tasmania.[44]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums
Title Album details
Outwit the Muscle

Collaborative albums

List of collaborative albums
Title Album details
Letters to the Sun
  • Released: 22 March 2013
  • Label: Obese Records (LTTS001)
  • Format: CD, digital download

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title EP details
as Mynse
The Mynstrual Cycle
as Akouo
Double Helix (with Javs)
Appetizers (with Coin)
  • Released: 4 January 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital download
Above & Beyond
  • Released: 10 January 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Hurcha
  • Released: 9 June 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Mesa
  • Released: 12 June 2014
  • Label: Die High
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Carbon
  • Released: 13 July 2018
  • Label: Dew Process, Trench
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist
Title Year Album
"Lazy Days" 2008 Outwit the Muscle
"Mile High Club" (feat. Donovan de Souza) 2012 Letters to the Sun
"Last Time" 2014 Mesa
"Pieces" 2015 Non-album singles
"All They Do" (feat. Monsoonsiren and Mayo
"Goldmine" 2016
"Giving into You" (feat. Ashibah)
"Feel That" (feat. Montaigne) 2017
"Painted On" (feat. La'vel) 2018 Carbon
"So Long" Non-album single
As featured artist
Title Year Album
"Yours" (Lanka with Akouo) 2018 Twentyseven

Remixes

Year Title Artist(s)
2013 "Terms and Conditions" Chet Faker
"Bring You Down" Flume (feat. George Maple)
"A Walk" Tycho
"Listen to Soul, Listen to Blues" Safia
2014 "3005" Childish Gambino
"Return to" #1 Dads (feat. Tom Snowden)
"Paradise Awaits" Zhu
"Shiner" Indian Summer (feat. Ginger & The Ghost)
"Unmissable" Gorgon City
2015 "Xhampagne " Shy Girls (feat. Antwon)
"Take It Slow" Kultur (feat. Blest Jones)
2016 "Weak" Wet
"Helix 2.0" Robokid, AObeats & Manila Killa (feat. Blaise Railey)
"Vampire" Lazyboy Empire
2018 "Faded Away" Sweater Beats (feat. Icona Pop)
"Winnebago" Gryffin (feat. Quinn XCII and Daniel Wilson)

Music videos

Title Year Director(s)
"Last Time" 2014 Scott Atkins
"Feel That" (featuring Montaigne) 2017 Bridget Peters
Simon Jackman

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Buy Akouo (Album Launch) tickets, TAS 2008". Moshtix. 3 December 2008. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  2. 1 2 Brady, James (15 April 2015). "Akouo to add a Tasmanian flavour to Splendour event". The Examiner. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "Soundscape: Producer Showcase and Masterclass with Akouo". Music Tasmania. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  4. ↑ "Akouo - Feel That ft. Montaigne". Amrap. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  5. ↑ C., Tai (4 September 2014). "[Artist Interview] Akouo, the hidden Tasmanian international beat-maker | September 2014". Compose Yourself Magazine. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  6. ↑ Wilson, Tom (2 August 2006). "From Freakshow to Bliss N Eso: Mynse". Sauce. No. 29. Launceston, TAS: Tasmanian Entertainment Press. p. 5. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  7. ↑ "Mynse". Airplay Direct. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  8. ↑ Wilson, Tom (21 February 2007). "Mynse - The Cycle Begins". Sauce. No. 36. Launceston, TAS: Tasmanian Entertainment Press. p. 10. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  9. ↑ Rattray, Chris (29 October 2008). "The Agony and Ecstasy with Akouo, aka Mynse". Sauce. No. 80. Launceston, TAS: Tasmanian Entertainment Press. p. 11. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  10. 1 2 Steps, Jim (13 August 2012). "Letters to the Sun - Coin X Akouo". All Aussie Hip Hop. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  11. ↑ "Javs & Akouo - Double Helix". BandCamp. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  12. ↑ Steps, Jim (20 August 2012). "Letters to the Sun - Coin + Akouo". All Aussie Hip Hop. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  13. ↑ "Above & Beyond EP - Akouo". BandCamp. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  14. ↑ "Chet Faker - Terms and Conditions (Akouo Rework) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  15. ↑ admin (22 March 2013). "LETTERS TO THE SUN – SELF TITLED DEBUT, OUT 22.3.13". Obese Records. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  16. ↑ "Flume - Bring You Down feat. George Maple (Akouo Rework) by Akouo". Akouo. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  17. ↑ "Tycho - A Walk (Akouo Rework) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  18. ↑ "Hurcha EP - Akouo". BandCamp. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  19. 1 2 Sinclair, Georgia (26 June 2014). "Akouo". HHH Happy. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  20. ↑ "SAFIA - Listen to Soul, Listen to Blues (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  21. ↑ "The Astor Sessions". Music Tasmania. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  22. ↑ Akouo (19 February 2014). "Akouo - Last Time (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 19 February 2019 – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ Brody, James (16 June 2014). "DJ release a national chart-topper". The Examiner. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  24. ↑ "#1 Dads - Return To ft. Tom Snowden (Akouo Rework) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  25. ↑ "ZHU - Paradise Awaits (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  26. ↑ "Indian Summer - Shiner ft. Ginger & The Ghost (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  27. ↑ "Gorgon City - Unmissable (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". 27 November 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  28. ↑ "Pieces [Side B] by Akouo". SoundCloud. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  29. ↑ "All They Do ft. Monsoonsiren & Mayo [Side A] by Akouo". SoundCloud. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  30. ↑ "Shy Girls - Xhampagne ft. Antwon (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". 29 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  31. ↑ "Kultur - Take It Slow ft. Blest Jones (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  32. ↑ "Wet - Weak (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  33. ↑ "Giving into You (feat. Ashibah) - Single by Akouo on Apple Music". iTunes. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  34. ↑ "Robokid, AObeats & Manila Killa ft. Blaise Railey - Helix 2.0 (Akouo Remix) by Akouo". SoundCloud. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  35. ↑ "Lazyboy Empire - Vampire (Akouo Remix)". SoundCloud. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  36. ↑ "Feel That (feat. Montaigne) - Single by Akouo". Apple Music. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  37. ↑ Akouo (5 May 2017). "Akouo - Feel That ft. Montaigne". Retrieved 6 July 2019 – via YouTube.
  38. ↑ Pile News (5 June 2017). "Akouo announces v-large Australian tour celebrating latest single, Feel That feat. Montaigne". Pilerats. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  39. ↑ Sweater Beats (29 June 2018). "Sweater Beats - Faded Away (feat. Icona Pop) [Akouo Remix]". Retrieved 20 July 2019 – via YouTube.
  40. ↑ LANKS (12 July 2018). "LANKS - Yours". Retrieved 19 February 2019 – via YouTube.
  41. ↑ "Winnebago (Akouo Remix) [feat. Quinn XCII & Daniel Wilson] by Gryffin". 12 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  42. ↑ "Carbon - EP by Akouo on Apple Music". iTunes. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  43. ↑ "Akouo - So Long". Facebook. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  44. ↑ "Akouo - Marion's Bay @fallsfestival goers, catch me on the 29th..." Facebook. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
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