Six Degrees of Separation via Plus One Records …from Brisbane, Australia to New York to L.A.
June Caldwell
March 09, 2009
Seems like the relatively quiet tropical town of Brisbane, Australia is sure making a lot of noise in the US these days.
Brisbane´s own PLUS ONE RECORDS´ much anticipated compilation disc ´THE AUSTRALIANACITY OF HOPE – A QUICK GUIDE TO INDIE AUSTRALIA´ makes it's way to US radio this month. Meanwhile on March 11, some of the ex-members of those PLUS ONE bands appear as thier relatively newly formed LA based duo, AN HORSE on the David Letterman Show in New York.
Confused? I´m just getting started! The bands from PLUS ONE RECORDS who lost two members to the lure of the Los Angeles-base AN HORSE are INTERCOOLER and MARY TREMBLES. INTERCOOLER make their US debut at the CMJ Marathon in New York, as THE GIN CLUB (the first band on the ´Australianacity´ CD) made their US debut last year at the House of Blues in LA. And those bands are on the 'Australianacity' CD. Hurray! A three-way, six degrees of separation!
Or… maybe Brisbane, Australia is simply becoming the next major invasion of US rock n roll. The AN HORSE debut full-length 'REARRANGE BEDS' is out now in Australia on Valve Records; and March in the US on Mom & Pop Records. The album was recorded by Magoo (Regurgitator, Midnight Oil) and mixed by Howard Redekopp (The New Pornographers, Tegan and Sara).
Not to be outdone, PLUS ONE RECORDS' ´THE AUSTRALIANACITY OF HOPE-A QUICK GUIDE TO INDIE AUSTRALIA´ is the compilation CD featuring eight of their top alt rock bands, created exclusively to unleash their "eclectic Aus-alt" on US radio starting this spring. PLUS ONE RECORDS is driven by Simon Homer, Brisbane´s own "wizard of Oz" behind the curtain. Simon Homer and Denise Foley, who run the label together, have already made their names in Australia. They were founders of Skinnys Records, the now legendary music store in Brisbane.
PLUS ONE RECORDS Bands Featured on ´AUSTRALIANACITY OF HOPE - A QUICK GUIDE TO INDIE AUSTRALIA´:
THE GIN CLUB performs an eclectic mix of rock, pop, folk, blues, country, psych, prog, slow-core, and everything in between. The band just finished playing in Australia's largest music festival Big Day Out and their song Drugflowers hit number three on Triple J Net 50 last year. Listen to one of The Gin Club's songs at www.radio-media.com/GinClub10PacesAway.mp3.
THE BLACKWATER FEVER has recently released their newest album "Sweet Misery" which combines garage blues, alt-country, murder ballads and rock 'n roll. The band is currently on a thirteen stop tour of Australia with Dallas Frasca.
INTERCOOLER is no stranger to US audiences. Their music has been featured on the US tv show, ´90210´ and they were featured by Nic Harcourt of KCRW for a two hour show. Their latest album "Forever or Whatever" combines the band's signature pop/rock sound with elements of electronica and mature harmonies. Listen to one of Intercooler's songs at www.radio-media.com/IntercoolerDestiny.mp3.
TEXAS TEA is a two piece country blues band from Brisbane Australia. Their music encompasses a blend of multiple instruments such as the guitar, bass, hi-hat tambourine, lap steel, dobro guitar and kick drum.
BLACK MUSTANG produce a rock sound inspired by the Detroit underground, seventies Glam, and the 80's Aussie pub rock circa. The band's newest album "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" is a rock 'n roll album with classic rock influences.
GIANTS OF SCIENCE is a psych-rock band from Brisbane. Their album "Here Is The Punishment" mixes psychedelic nerd-rock with instruments such as keys, cello, organ and banjo.
MARY TREMBLES is a rock trio that recently released their first full-length record entitled "Borrowed Ears, Borrowed Eyes" which was named Album of the Week by Time Off Magazine.
THE SMOKESTACK ORCHESTRA has recently released their debut album "Salute Heavy Industry." The record is a mixture of old and new songs that combine rock, blues and garage sounds.
AUSTRALIANACITY OF HOPE – A QUICK GUIDE TO INDIE AUSTRALIA´
(PROMOTION ONLY, NOT FOR SALE) CD TRACK LIST:
Track 1: Song: 10 Paces Away; Band: The Gin Club; Album: Junk
Track 2: Song: You, Me and the Sea; Band: The Gin Club; Album: Junk
Track 3: Song: Better Off Dead; Band: The Blackwater Fever; Album: Sweet Misery
Track 4: Song: Lovesick; Band: The Blackwater Fever; Album: Sweet Misery
Track 5: Song: All Coming Back to Me; Band: Intercooler; Album: Forever or Whatever
Track 6: Song: Destiny; Band: Intercooler; Album: Forever or Whatever
Track 7: Song: Billy; Band: Texas Tea; Album: The Junkship Recordings
Track 8: Song: Cane Farmer's Song; Band: Texas Tea; Album: The Junkship Recordings
Track 9: Song: Jimmy; Band: Black Mustang; Album: Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea
Track 10: Song: The One; Band: Black Mustang; Album: Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea
Track 11: Song: Here Is The Punishment; Band: Giants of Science; Album: Here Is The Punishment
Track 12: Song: Mouth Shut Tight; Band: Giants of Science; Album: Here Is The Punishment
Track 13: Song: Tiargo; Band: Mary Trembles; Album: Borrowed Ears, Borrowed Eyes
Track 14: Song: Eating Through The Debauchery; Band: Mary Trembles; Album: Borrowed Ears, Borrowed Eyes
Track 15: Song: Vincent Price; Band: The Smokestack Orchestra; Album: Salute Heavy Industry
Track 16: Song: Tractor; Band: The Smokestack Orchestra; Album: Salute Heavy Industry
CONTACT INFORMATION
OFFICIAL PLUS ONE BAND WEBSITES AND CD´S AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT: www.plusonerecords.com.au
LABEL CONTACT: for interviews, additional information, or to get a copy of each band´s CD to review: Simon Homer, Plus One Records: simonhomer@optushome.com.au.
Website: www.plusonerecords.com.au; Myspace: www.myspace.com/plusonerecordsaustralia
U.S. RADIO CONTACT: For radio copies of ´The Australianacity of Hope´, and CMJ radio reporting info: Trevor Vento, Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion, trevor@radio-media.com
MEDIA CONTACTS: for press release info, review copies of ´The Australianacity of Hope´, or to get copies of the CD for listening parties in your town: June Caldwell & Erin Bukofsky, Plus One Records US Radio PR Reps: junelcaldwell@gmail.com.