A proponent of the Sydney, Australia scene in the ’80s, Johnny Batchelor toured with some of the greats of the era with his band Dropbears. Since 2024, he’s been releasing new music and has now hit our radar.

By Graeme Smith

As part of Dropbears, Batchelor appeared on Countdown and toured in Australia with the likes of U2, The Cure, New Order, Simple Minds and INXS.

With this context, it makes sense that he’s such an accomplished song writer, as evidenced by his latest album, Ain’t Nobody. The name is taken from the Chaka Khan hit which Batchelor covers on the album. It’s a smoky blues take on the classic, opening the album in inventive style.

“I love the original so much; it’s all climax, so I thought I’d make the post-coital version,” Batchelor says of the song.

The track, along with many others on the album, comes with a homemade video, adding a charming DIY dimension to the music. You can check them all out on his YouTube channel.

We get some classic song writing throughout. Walking on a Wire proves a lively and searching early highlight. Proud Kind Man offers some funky grooves and a powerful message. Bad Move Bad Groove gets lowdown and dirty with edgy riffs and confessional lyrics.

Anemone shows off Batchelor’s rock chops. Alright strips things back for a dreamy moment. In My Hands returns us to the blues before a psychedelic take on Elvis Costello’s Watching the Detectives closes the album.

Ain’t Nobody was produced by Omegaman (Marc Scully) and Johnny Batchelor at Studio 57, Sydney, Australia. It’s out now and you can give it a listen below.