FRIENDLY

Andrew Kornweibel, professionally known as Friendly, was born in Sydney. Details about his childhood and family background remain limited in public records, but Kornweibel emerged in the Australian music scene during the late 1990s as a breaks producer and performer. He initially gained traction by releasing 12-inch vinyl records and performing live in clubs, where he developed a reputation for his quirky and funky take on breakbeat music. Transitioning to DJing allowed him to build a domestic following, though opportunities for international exposure were scarce in Australia at the time.

Frustrated by the nepotistic nature of the Australian music industry—where opportunities often depended on label connections rather than artistic merit—Kornweibel founded the independent label Gulp Communications in late 1997. This venture debuted with the compilation album 'The 30,000ft View', aiming to promote local electronic talent by blending global influences like American R&B, hardcore rap, dub, drum'n'bass, and German acid styles into a uniquely Australian sound. His own early productions reflected this "melting pot" approach, emphasizing innovation over genre constraints. Kornweibel's first solo release was ''Jam On This'' in 1997 on Gulp Communications, marking his entry as a breaks producer. He followed this with his debut album 'Hello Bellybutton' in 1998, also on his label, which earned a nomination for Best Dance Release at the ARIA Music Awards. 

Transitioning from live performances to DJing, he built a reputation in the Australian breakbeat scene through club gigs and 12-inch singles; his breakthrough came after handing a demo to Paul Arnold of Sydney's Fat Records, resulting in an early single release that solidified his quirky, funky style.A pivotal moment arrived in 1999 with the single ''Some Kind Of Love Song'' on Silvertone Records, featuring vocals by then-emerging singer Sia Furler, whose contribution marked one of her earliest high-profile recordings. This track, along with his 2000 album 'Akimbo' and the hit single ''I Love You But..''—a bouncy big beat anthem with humorous, irreverent lyrics—propelled Friendly to national prominence and becoming a staple in Australian clubs. These releases showcased his skillful fusion of electro and breakbeat, earning widespread radio play and establishing him as a key figure in the local electronic underground before his relocation to London in late 2001.

SINGLES

"Jam on This" 1997 Gulp Communications
"Some Kind of Love Song" (#45) 1999 Silvertone Records
"My Mother Was a Deejay" (#89) 2000 Silvertone Records
"I Love You But..." (#42) 2000 Silvertone Records

EPs
'The Sound of You' 2000 Silvertone Records

ALBUMS
'Hello Bellybutton' 1998 Gulp Communications
'Akimbo' (#22) 2000 Silvertone Records

  

References

https://grokipedia.com/page/friendly_musician

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/