Mannequin Radio

Independent Artist of the Week
19.06.24
The pciture is a black and white photo of Ruby from Mannequin Radio standing on stage holding a guitar. She is singing into a microphone.

Releasing their self-titled debut album with a certain level of nonchalance, our Independent Artist(s) of the Week Mannequin Radio confirm they’re just doing their thing.

Members Ruby Becks and Niamh Relihan joined Jasper Craig-Adams on Real to Reel to chat about their inception and most recent release.

Combining post-punk with the twang of 80-something indie icons of art rock, the sound of Mannequin Radio can be compared to contemporary acts like Fievel Is Glauque, or even closer to home with Sydney’s own Carnations.

Mannequin Radio began as Ruby’s personal project, writing songs for the release as early as 2020. As per many casual projects, the band saw members join and leave over the past four years, now settling into the current lineup of Ruby, Niamh, Gabe and Isaac – the outcome of changing mutuals, housemates and bass player Instagram callouts.

The band launched their debut just last week, but with plans of relocation on the horizon for Ruby, Mannequin Radio feels like an ever-evolving project that may return some time soon or a while later, the same or very different.

Words by Rhea Thomas

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Jasper Craig Adams holds a vintage camera to his eye, obscuring his face. He is wearing a grey jumper, sitting at a wooded dining table where an assortment of objects are placed - a candleholder, a jar of plant cuttings, a can of drink, and some papers. Behind him a white wall features various artworks and a hanging mirror. The image is captured as if from a digital camera still, complete with slight pixelation and stamped with the time and date with white digital text
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Real to Reel