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SPLENDOUR 2006
Let there be Grass!
With all weekend and camping tickets quickly snapped up for the forthcoming event, organisers can confirm the final acts to appear at the 2006 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS mid-winter festival extravaganza.
But as always, SPLENDOUR is not just about the music.
The TENT OF MIRACLES crew return with their The Church of Two Hands and a Chicken. For the uninitiated, they are a carnival of freaks that will perform a host of rituals including same-sex weddings, divorces, exorcisms, faith healings, whippings and other stuff. You have been warned! On the super-top oval, festival-goers can check out the DOUBLE DRAGON SPIRIT a massive kinetic sideshow that takes your usual festival art one step further.
The SPLENDID LOUNGE will be taken over by two well-known nightclubs on Saturday and Sunday nights. On Saturday night the folks that bring you LA LA LAND in Byron Bay will take over the lounge, while on Sunday night, the Sydney club PURPLE SNEAKERS crew will bring it home.
Over in the brand new GLOBAL VILLAGE space, for the first time SPLENDOUR will present MR CHOW’S CINEMA a three screen, outdoor cinema, which will screen arthouse movies from around the globe. Help yourself to wireless headphones & blankets and cosy up in a trashy lounge or dodgy beanbag.
The GLOBAL VILLAGE will be transformed into a natural therapies Mecca with organic food and wine, massage and other holistic remedies to soothe weary limbs and sore heads. Check out the Performance and Workshop Stage where punters can dance the exotic dances of love (salsa, Tahitian, kundalini!) take part in fire twirling, improv comedy, finger painting and a host of other participation type activities.
The much loved TIPI ZONE moves into a new area for 2006 and will be from hereforth known as BUSH BEATS IN THE TIPI FOREST.
And finally, SPLENDOUR organisers are honoured to announce that the new stage will be named the G.W MCLENNAN THEATRE after the late, great Grant McLennan. May you rest in peace Grant.
But for now, we’ll take you back to the cast of musicians which round out the 2006 line-up for SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS. Bongo roll please….
SATURDAY JULY 22ND
Formed in 1995, Glaswegian band MOGWAI has quietly become of the most influential and best known post punk rock bands on the planet. With their quiet / loud dynamic, defined bass riffs, and an eminently chilled out sound, they are sometimes dark and sometimes grand. While their sound bears little resemblance to traditional punk rock, the band seems to identify closely with the punk ethic. Their new album Mr Beast returns to the heavier sounds of their 1997 album Mogwai Young Team with big direct rock hooks. So named after the creatures in Gremlins, SPLENDOUR welcomes them to the line-up for the first time.
Direct from Sweden, DUNGEN (pronounced Doon-yen) are a 4 piece prog-rock, psychedelic head-trip that is guaranteed to blow your mind at SPLENDOUR. Heralded late last year after stellar live performances and the release of their album Ta det lugnt (which translates roughly to ‘take it easy’), the band have recently graced the cover of Fader magazine and made the Best Albums of 2005 lists in NME, Spin and Rolling Stone. Dungen’s main man; Gustav Ejstes, grew up in a big 17th century house in a little village called Lanna in Sweden. His father, a violinist/music teacher, gave him a birthing in the mysteries of Swedish folk, but also in the raw energy of 60s pop and rock, as well as teaching him piano and guitar. Then in another twist, as Gustav hit his teens he got hooked on the world of Hip-Hop and sampling. The music that he created became more and more his own and it wasn't long before rumours started to spread about Dungen’s wilful ‘folkrockpsych’ in the Swedish countryside. And not long after, his friend Stefan Kéry, who runs Subliminal Sounds, started releasing his music. Dungen grew in to a full band, which now consists of Gustav Ejstes, Reine Fiske, Fredrik Bjorling and Mattias Gustavsson.
It’s been a long time between drinks but SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS is proud to welcome the return of SOMETHING FOR KATE. The ever-popular trio are soon to release a brand new album (their 5th) titled Desert Lights, the long awaited follow up from the 2003 studio album The Official Fiction. After supporting David Bowie on the Australian leg of his 'Reality Tour', the band toured Europe in 2004 taking in Germany, France, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland and the UK before returned to Australia to release their first Double album, Phantom Limbs- Selected B-Sides. This release is a collection of the band members and their fans favourite b-side tracks from over the years. Their forthcoming album Desert Lights is said to be a powerful mix of discord, sophistication and beauty. It signals a band reaching a heightened level of creativity.
Cutting out the hype and glamour and stripping hip-hop back to its essence is TZU who perform at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS for the first time. Linked by their obsession for freestyle rhymes and with a respect for each others talents, TZU was formed in 1999 as a side project combining members of Curse ov Dialect and Pan. Gigs used to consist of an old couch on stage, a bottle of red wine and constant banter with the audience. The aim was to have fun. Still is. And always will be. Short-listed for the inaugural Australian Music Prize (The AMP) with their 2005 album Smiling At Strangers TZU mix up the live format with tight, well-rehearsed flows and freestyle improvisations. Using mics, turntables and a sampler, no two shows are ever the same. TZU is not like the others...check out why at SPLENDOUR.
In his first visit to Australia, SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS warmly welcomes U.S rapper with a difference - MOS DEF. He began his music career with the short-lived group Urban Thermo Dynamics with his younger brother DCQ, and his younger sister Ces. In 1996, MOS DEF emerged as a solo artist working with De La Soul and da Bush Babees, before releasing his own first single, Universal Magnetic, which was a huge underground hit. He released his solo debut, Black on Both Sides, in 1999. Def was also featured on Rawkus influential The Lyricist Lounge and Soundbombing series compilations. After the collapse of Rawkus, he and Kweli signed on to Interscope/Geffen Records, which released his second solo album, The New Danger, in 2004. Mos Def is projected to release his last solo album The Undeniable Free Flaco this year.
Pull up a bar stool for a special acoustic performance at SPLENDOUR by Byron Shire resident TEX PERKINS. His musical pedigree is a who's who of Australia’s finest rock, punk and post-punk bands including Beasts of Bourbon, the Cruel Sea, the Dark Horses and Tex, Don and Charlie. With four brilliant solo albums including Far Be It From Me and the most recent Sweet Nothing under his belt, his songs paint the backdrop to the mysteries of love and life. Tex delivers wine soaked yarns with gruffly smooth vocals. You’ve heard Tex rock, you’ve heard Tex croon and he’s messed with your heart and head in whispers. This is a performance not to be missed at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS.
BOB EVANS, the alter ego of Jebediah’s Kevin Mitchell will present his simple songs about life’s simple pains and pleasures at SPLENDOUR 2006. Since the age of thirteen (or there abouts), Bob Evans has been inhabiting a recess in Kevin Mitchell’s psyche. At first the personality of Bob was easy to ignore, but his presence became ever stronger as the years went by until by the age of twenty, he was beginning to compile a short list of songs based around an acoustic guitar, a pop melody and simple lyrics inspired by the simple life of a suburban kid brought up in Bullcreek, Perth, Western Australia, 6149. His forthcoming album Suburban Songbook features 11 songs, incorporating country, pop, soul and folk influences and subject matter involving falling in love, broken down cars, and falling out of love. BOB EVANS is smaller, yet larger than life. Don’t miss him at SPLENDOUR.
With his rootsy mix of styles that always harks back to the lyric and melody, LIOR joins the SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS line-up for the first time. With Middle Eastern heritage, Lior also keeps the music of his bloodline close to the surface. But it’s his voice that has drawn most attention, capable of both power and tenderness, always delivered with soul in its truest sense. In early 2005, LIOR’S debut album Autumn Flow was released and the album was featured on Triple J’s album of the week and went on to be nominated as Album of the Year by Triple J at the J Awards. The album has now achieved Gold sales status in Australia. In 06 the title track of the Autumn Flow made it to the Triple J Hottest 100. His live performances grew from strength to strength and in light of his stunning live shows, Lior has released a live album Doorways Of My Mind. A star on the rise, don’t miss LIOR at SPLENDOUR 06.
In their first festival appearance SPLENDOUR welcomes THE PREDATORS - four hungry boys, some of whose names might sound familiar from a small band called Powderfinger. There’s Ian “shark” Haug (guitars and bvs), J.C “wolf” (bass), Bish “condor” (lead vocals and drums) and Ross “Piranha” MacLennan, who will occupy the drum stool when the condor steps up to the microphone. With their debut EP out now THE PREDATORS cover a wide terrain. Phil Spector and Berlin Bowie stalk the psychedelic pop of “Paintings”. George Harrison’s ghost ripples through Still My Friend. On High and Low, the band channels Pink Floyd when the Floyd weren’t afraid of a tune. There is even a whiff of the Australian beer barn in My Line, the bands manifesto to self-belief. This is a band not afraid to walk into a party by themselves!
SPLENDOUR is pleased as punch to introduce punters to brother and sister duo ANGUS AND JULIA STONE. Living together in Newport on the Northern Beaches of NSW, the brother and sister combo are making waves with their music. Their music is a pure sound that captures the freedom, fear and beauty of life in a musically clear and simple way. Angus & Julia Stone have just released their first EP entitled “Chocolates & Cigarettes” which is available via their website and at any of their gigs. Already the iconic Record store “Rough Trade” in London has made comparisons to Damien Rice, Portishead, Corrine Bailey Rae and Paul Simon. With honest, emotive lyrics, beautiful harmonies, melodic guitars ANGUS AND JULIA STONE are an act not to miss… the unspoken connection that comes only with the history of family makes them a joy to watch, and a delight to listen to.
Byron outfit RAZ BIN SAM AND THE LION I BAND are quickly being recognised as guaranteed crowd pleasers. With an emphasis on wicked intros, mixes, heavy bass lines and catchy guitar licks, their live shows leave a lasting impression. Led by Raz Bin - a performer who grew up in the gang ridden streets of Israel - after moving to Australia he recorded some solo releases and most recently has been the front man of the 5 piece hard hitting, original raga / reggae band RAZ BIN SAM AND THE LION I. Using a combination of roots, ragga and middle eastern rhythms, the sheer energy and unique, charismatic style of Raz Bin Sam and the Lion I band forces crowds to let loose in ways as original as the sounds they are hearing. Don’t miss ‘em!
SUNDAY JULY 23RD
Splendour is proud to welcome PETE MURRAY to the line-up. He had a phenomenal hit with his debut album Feeler and quickly made the jump from playing tiny clubs to arenas and festivals with ease. His new album See The Sun features the APRA Song of the Year nominated Better Days, which has already become a modern classic. Themes of hope and optimism lie at the heart of this album, anthems that are destined to be sung by a chorus of thousands at Pete Murray shows this summer. With a voice that is rich and inviting, his music can wrap around you like a blanket and keep you warm even through the darkest night.
Artist on the rise JOSH PYKE has been energetic in the live music scene for many years as the guitarist / vocalist for successful local acts. Now becoming a firmly established solo artist, earlier this year Josh signed to Ivy League Records and shortly afterwards travelled to New York for some further writing, performing and demo-ing. Upon his return he set about recording his debut release under his own name, a mini album entitled Feeding The Wolves. With production by the much-lauded Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Underground Lovers, Youth Group, just about any Australian act of note...), Feeding The Wolves is honest, evocative, and emotional all at once. Fresh from a national tour with his friend Bob Evans, JOSH PYKE is set to delight at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS.
New kids on the block EXPATRIATE are to set to make their maiden visit to SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS. Their first EP Lovers le Strange was released in October 2005 and the first single, The Spaces Between spent 6 weeks on high rotation on national broadcaster Triple J. Expatriate ended the year with a performance at Homebake on the Dome stage. Not bad for a baby band only 1 year old! At the close of 2005 EXPATRIATE had toured the nation twice playing to enthusiastic kids who've taken the EP home to sleep in their stereos for the summer. 2006 holds many things including their support of legendary UK act Simple Minds throughout Australian theatres in May.
‘Three scruffy punks, with nice shoes, daring to push the envelope and challenge the mainstream, armed with shitty broken equipment... ready to take on the world…’ That’s how GERLING describe each other and we’re not about to argue as they prepare to add their special pizzazz to the SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS line-up for 2006. Reared on a diet of electronic and guitar music with a punk aesthetic, the band return with a brand new album 4, which is not surprisingly, their fourth full length album and it sees them follow the same path as they have after each of the first three albums – another new direction. The album reveals a stronger and more even pop sensibility with those famous massive Gerling hooks that will certainly be commanding attention in 2006 and beyond. Get set for the guerrilla style hit n’ run antics that is GERLING at SPLENDOUR 06.
Formed in the early part of 05, VAN SHE is a new band from Sydney fresh on ideas, said to be fresher than Flavor Flav, fresh like coriander, fresher than the Fresh Prince. Unashamedly taking bits and bobs from 80’s post punk, funk and synth pop, 90’s grunge, French house, film scores, 70’s Krautrock and the latest collection of innovative artists like Tom Vek and M83, VAN SHE are that unique beast that one was beginning to believe no longer existed – a band that takes all these influences from days gone but makes them sound unique, modern, and…. fresh. A lazy pastiche this isn’t. With a self-titled debut EP out now VAN SHE are here and they’d like to dance with you at SPLENDOUR.
Well known Brisbane based musician ANDREW MORRIS joins the SPLENDOUR fray. An active figure on the Brisbane music scene for almost a decade, ANDREW MORRIS has an innate sense of melody and harmony - not to mention some honey-toasted vocals. Fans of Bernard Fanning will recognise Mr Morris as the guitarist for his super successful solo project. When not performing with his close mate Bernard, ANDREW MORRIS is busy making his own music, which has been described as country blues. The follow up to his debut album Little By Little is due for release mid year.
Rising beyond his role as the front man of the wildly successful 1200 Techniques, N’FA is no stranger to success. The ARIA award winning 1200 Techniques sold over 50,000 albums and captivated audiences with their edgy, raw performances at every major music festival in the nation. Now, with 1200 Techniques taking a well-deserved break, N’FA has channelled his unique talents into his soon to be released debut solo album Cause An Effect. Evolving and adding to the proven success of his unique hip hop formula; the album takes the listener on a journey of light and shade as it presents hook-laden anthems alongside smooth, reclining rhythms. In the artist’s own words, the album is “mentally and emotionally mesmerising, crossing the boundaries of standard hip-hop and connecting with listeners on its musical merit.”
Fresh from a performance at the 2006 East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, SPLENDOUR welcomes THE LOVE BUS – an outfit fast gaining momentum as an emerging band. Hailing from the utopian North Coast of NSW where the surf beckons and the living is good, it’s easy to understand why songsmith Felicity Burdett and her band are so happy. In the short span of six months they have released their debut CD (through MGM), won Album of the Year in the NCEIA Dolphin Awards, and played some really great gigs including a forthcoming appearance at SPLENDOUR. Musically the band plays a mix of funky, melodic grooves that celebrate life, love and the elements. Don’t miss THE LOVE BUS in their debut appearance at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS.
SATURDAY JULY 22ND
Sonic Youth, Grinspoon, DJ Shadow, The Grates, Death Cab for Cutie, TV on the Radio, Augie March, The Avalanches (DJ set), Youth Group, Brittle Fex, Atmosphere, Paul Mac + Mogwai, Something for Kate, Dungen, Mos Def, Bob Evans, TZU, Tex Perkins and Friends, Lior, Angus and Julia Stone, The Predators, Raz Bin Sam and the Lion I Band and DJ sets by Pnau (club mode), Funk Trust DJ’s & DJ Scoota.
SUNDAY JULY 23RD
Brian Wilson, Wolfmother, Scissor Sisters, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jose Gonzalez, Snow Patrol, You Am I, Decoder Ring, The Presets, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Zutons, Matisyahu, Clare Bowditch & Feeding Set + Pete Murray, Expatriate, Gerling, N’Fa, Van She, Josh Pyke, Andrew Morris, The Love Bus and DJ sets by Bang Gang, Ajax & DJ Scoota.