NEW ALBUM RELEASED MARCH 2013
Highly acclaimed alt-folk sibling duo The McMenamins are proud to announce a high profile national tour to celebrate the launch of their stunning fourth album, Sand and Stone. The tour - which stretches from Melbourne to The McMenamins’ home region of Cairns, Queensland and across to Fremantle in Western Australia - will also include the duo’s debut at the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
“We’re very excited,” says one half of the duo, Fleur McMenamin. “It’s such an honour to be playing at Bluesfest because of the amazing calibre of the other artists in the line-up. It feels like a real acknowledgement of our music and a kind of validation for all of the work over the years.” And that it is. In fact, the duo was invited to perform at Bluesfest after their showcase last year at Brisbane’s BIGSOUND music industry conference. The McMenamins comprise Fleur and her brother Simon. Since they started working together a decade ago, the pair have crafted an extraordinary repertoire of melodically bold and lyrically affecting music, memorably described by music mag Rolling Stone as “rock-solid folk”.
The duo’s fourth album Sand and Stone is due for release in March and contains 11 new songs. “The album is built around expressions of our experiences over the past three years,” says Fleur. “That includes stories about our families, our travels, what we’ve seen and what we think about the world and the human condition. The songs are heart-felt expressions of how we feel. I guess we are lucky to be able to express ourselves through music.”
Critical acclaim came thick and fast for The McMenamins from the moment their self-titled debut album was released in 2005 and was followed by a whirlwind national tour supporting heavyweights Missy Higgins, Ben Lee and Ray LaMontagne, which put them in front of crowds of as many as 15,000. Momentum only increased with the release of follow-up, In This Light in 2007, and saw them invited to showcase at the prestigious Canadian Music Week in Toronto, which pushed their music into the North American market, while back home they were tapped to support homegrown alt-folk superstars The Waifs.
The contrast between the sibling’s idyllic quiet home life in Far North Queensland and their musical commitments became sharply defined in 2010 when third album, Long Time Gone, set tongues wagging and feet tapping in folk and roots circles around the world. In the last 18 months they have completed two tours of the USA, including an Official Showcase at the Folk Alliance 2012 in Memphis Tennessee, performances in Nashville, Oregon and Austin Texas, along with extensive appearances on US TV, college radio play and campus shows. For Fleur and Simon, life involves striking a delicate balance between the private and the professional, the local and the global.
“In some ways it can be difficult,” says Fleur. “I live in a rural community [Babinda], so there’s a lot of travel involved for performance and management – and a lot of time online. Mostly, though, I feel like it is a good balance. We feel very connected to our community – there’s a strong sense of place, and of pride in where we live, and where we come from. I think our music reflects that.”
Indeed a sense of being anchored, of having firm and sustaining roots, forms much of The McMenamins’ music. It is a sense that extends beyond mere geography and extends into time. “I’m inspired by the concept of young and old,” says Fleur. “I am always aware of the people who came before us, and the ones who will come after us. I want to be present now, but I also know we are a product of the past and a part of the future.”
In Australia, The McMenamins have shared stages with a dazzling array of luminaries, including Angus and Julia Stone, Jason Mraz, Toni Childs, Kate Miller-Heidke, Tim Rogers and Bertie Blackman. They were also invited to perform at many of the country’s most popular festivals, including Woodford, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Festival of the Sun, Peats Ridge, Nannup, Sydney’s Great Escape, and Brisbane’s BIGSOUND. In 2011 their song Umbrella Town – about Babinda – won them a Queensland Music Award, while 63 Years took out the Oz Song International Songwriting Competition’s Folk and Country category.
The McMenamins’ national tour kicks off in March to launch the new album Sand and Stone. All the venues announced so far are large, serious music rooms – which pleases Fleur no end. “We’ve really tried to get into some more fitting venues for our music on this tour,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to playing these rooms. Some of our music is really intimate and we’ll be able to play those songs this time around – I feel like we’ve well and truly paid our dues belting it out in corner pubs.”
Sand and Stone is released on Friday 8 March 2013
MARCH 2013 DATES
Thursday 14th March 2013 | 7.30pm
The Toff in Town, Melbourne VIC
With special guest Emma Heeney
Tickets: $13.30 [presale] | $15.00 [door]
Sunday 17th March 2013 | 3.30pm
Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane QLD
Live Spark - FREE EVENT
Thursday 21st March 2013 | 7.30pm
Lizotte’s, Newcastle NSW
With special guest Amy Vee
Tickets: $18.00
www.newcastle.lizottes.com.au/live
Sunday 24th March 2013 | 7pm
The Vanguard, Sydney NSW
With special guests Amy Vee & Sam Buckingham
Tickets: $18.80 [show only] | $56.80 [dinner & show]
Wednesday 27th March 2013 | 7pm
The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie NSW
The Ross Family Studio
Tickets: $20.00
Saturday 30th March 2013 | 1.15pm
Bluesfest, Byron Bay NSW
APRIL 2013 DATES
Monday 1st April 2013 | 2.45pm
Bluesfest, Byron Bay NSW
Thursday 4th April 2013 | 7.30pm
Burdekin Theatre, Ayr QLD
Tickets: $19.00 | $15.00 [conc]
Saturday 6th April 2013 | 7.30pm
Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns QLD
With special guests Laneway
Tickets: $25.00 | $20 [conc]
Thursday 11th April 2013 | 7.30pm
Fly By Night, Fremantle WA
Tickets: $23.50 [presale] | $25.00 [door]
The McClymonts new album Two Worlds Collide has taken out the two most prestigious awards in Australian Country Music – an ARIA award and a Golden Guitar.
In November last year, the trio were awarded the ARIA Country Album of The Year by the Australian Recording Industry Association. This honour was followed as the sisters won a Golden Guitar for the Highest Selling Australian Album at the Australian Country Music Awards, which were held in Tamworth last weekend.
Mollie McClymont said: “Winning the highest selling album of the year is so gratifying for us. We just want to thank our fans who gave us this award making Two Worlds Collide the biggest selling Australian Album Of The Year”.
Samantha McClymont added: “And a very special thanks goes to our three producers on this album, Peter Asher, Luke Wooten and Nathan Chapman. All three of you are amazing and such a pleasure to work with. We feel so lucky to have had you gentlemen on our team”.
The McClymonts also took home the Golden Guitar for Video of the Year for Piece Of Me, directed by Duncan Toombes at The Filmery.
The group performed the first show of their new tour - The Acoustic Harmony Tour - at the Tamworth Entertainment Centre during last week’s Country Music Festival to rave reviews. The packed house were treated to a unique and intimate performance, unlike any concert the trio have performed before.
Brooke McClymont said: “That was so much fun. Stripping the songs back to acoustic versions with acoustic instruments gives everything a fresh sound and really places our harmonies front and centre. It is a very different experience and the people tonight seemed to really love it. I know we did. I am really looking forward to this tour.”
The fans were captivated as the girls took the audience on a musical journey through their career complete with stories and songs from all their albums starting with their first EP. It was a magical performance that featured the incredible harmonies of The McClymont sisters, supported by an all acoustic instrumental backing, beautifully played by the girls and their musicians.
The Acoustic Harmony Tour is an event that may never be repeated and a rare chance to hear the sound of the sisters’ perfect “blood harmonies”. Don’t miss this show performed by three sisters who are setting the country music world on fire! Grab your tickets now for a show near you.
For more information, please visit www.themcclymonts.net
FEBRUARY 2013
Friday 1st February 2013
Belmont 16s, Belmont NSW
(02) 4945 0888 | www.16s.com.au
Saturday 2nd February 2013
The Cube, Campbelltown NSW
(02) 4625 0000 | www.thecube.net.au
Friday 8th February 2013
Club Central, Menai NSW
(02) 9532 1800 | www.clubcentralmenai.com.au
Saturday 9th February 2013
North Sydney Leagues Club, North Sydney NSW
(02) 9245 3000 | www.norths.com.au
Friday 15th February 2013
Lonestar Tavern, Mermaid Waters QLD
(07) 5572 2000 | www.lonestartavern.com.au
Friday 22nd February 2013
South Sydney Juniors Club, Kingsford NSW
(02) 9349 7555 | www.thejuniors.com.au
Saturday 23rd February 2013
Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill NSW
(02) 8858 4800 | www.castlehillrsl.com.au
MARCH 2013
Saturday 2nd March 2013
Rooty Hill RSL Club, Rooty Hill NSW
(02) 9625 5500 | www.rootyhillrsl.com.au
Friday 22nd March 2013
Bankstown Sports Club, Bankstown NSW
(02) 9722 9888 | www.bankstownsports.com
APRIL 2013
Friday 12th April 2013
Mathew Flinders Hotel, Chadstone VIC
(03) 9568 8004 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 13th April 2013
York on Lilydale, Mount Evelyn VIC
(03) 9736 4000 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Thursday 18th April 2013
Hallam Hotel, Hallam VIC
(03) 8786 0200 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 19th April 2013
Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
(03) 9848 6811 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 20th April 2013
Gateway Hotel, Corio VIC
(03) 5275 1091 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 26th April 2013
Dapto Leagues Club, Dapto NSW
(02) 4261 6908 | www.daptoleagues.com.au
MAY 2013
Friday 3rd May 2013
Dee Why RSL Club, Dee Why NSW
(02) 9454 4000 | www.dyrsl.com.au
Saturday 4th May 2013
Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW
(02) 8868 9200 | www.wentyleagues.com.au
Friday 10th May 2013
Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton QLD
(07) 3268 7500 | www.hamiltonhotel.com.au
Saturday 11th May 2013 | 4:45pm
Redland Bay Hotel, Redland Bay QLD
(07) 3206 7231 | www.redlandbayhotel.com.au
Saturday 11th May 2013 | 9:00pm
Racehorse Hotel, Booval QLD
(07) 3282 1222 | www.racehorsehotel.com.au
Friday 17th May 2013
Wests Leagues Club, Newcastle NSW
(02) 4935 1300 | www.westsnewcastle.com.au
Saturday 18th May 2013
Hornsby RSL Club, Hornsby NSW
(02) 9477 7777 | www.hornsbyrsl.com.au
The McClymonts new album Two Worlds Collide has taken out the two most prestigious awards in Australian Country Music – an ARIA award and a Golden Guitar.
In November last year, the trio were awarded the ARIA Country Album of The Year by the Australian Recording Industry Association. This honour was followed as the sisters won a Golden Guitar for the Highest Selling Australian Album at the Australian Country Music Awards, which were held in Tamworth last weekend.
Mollie McClymont said: “Winning the highest selling album of the year is so gratifying for us. We just want to thank our fans who gave us this award making Two Worlds Collide the biggest selling Australian Album Of The Year”.
Samantha McClymont added: “And a very special thanks goes to our three producers on this album, Peter Asher, Luke Wooten and Nathan Chapman. All three of you are amazing and such a pleasure to work with. We feel so lucky to have had you gentlemen on our team”.
The McClymonts also took home the Golden Guitar for Video of the Year for Piece Of Me, directed by Duncan Toombes at The Filmery.
The group performed the first show of their new tour - The Acoustic Harmony Tour - at the Tamworth Entertainment Centre during last week’s Country Music Festival to rave reviews. The packed house were treated to a unique and intimate performance, unlike any concert the trio have performed before.
Brooke McClymont said: “That was so much fun. Stripping the songs back to acoustic versions with acoustic instruments gives everything a fresh sound and really places our harmonies front and centre. It is a very different experience and the people tonight seemed to really love it. I know we did. I am really looking forward to this tour.”
The fans were captivated as the girls took the audience on a musical journey through their career complete with stories and songs from all their albums starting with their first EP. It was a magical performance that featured the incredible harmonies of The McClymont sisters, supported by an all acoustic instrumental backing, beautifully played by the girls and their musicians.
The Acoustic Harmony Tour is an event that may never be repeated and a rare chance to hear the sound of the sisters’ perfect “blood harmonies”. Don’t miss this show performed by three sisters who are setting the country music world on fire! Grab your tickets now for a show near you.
For more information, please visit www.themcclymonts.net
FEBRUARY 2013
Friday 1st February 2013
Belmont 16s, Belmont NSW
(02) 4945 0888 | www.16s.com.au
Saturday 2nd February 2013
The Cube, Campbelltown NSW
(02) 4625 0000 | www.thecube.net.au
Friday 8th February 2013
Club Central, Menai NSW
(02) 9532 1800 | www.clubcentralmenai.com.au
Saturday 9th February 2013
North Sydney Leagues Club, North Sydney NSW
(02) 9245 3000 | www.norths.com.au
Friday 15th February 2013
Lonestar Tavern, Mermaid Waters QLD
(07) 5572 2000 | www.lonestartavern.com.au
Friday 22nd February 2013
South Sydney Juniors Club, Kingsford NSW
(02) 9349 7555 | www.thejuniors.com.au
Saturday 23rd February 2013
Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill NSW
(02) 8858 4800 | www.castlehillrsl.com.au
MARCH 2013
Saturday 2nd March 2013
Rooty Hill RSL Club, Rooty Hill NSW
(02) 9625 5500 | www.rootyhillrsl.com.au
Friday 22nd March 2013
Bankstown Sports Club, Bankstown NSW
(02) 9722 9888 | www.bankstownsports.com
APRIL 2013
Friday 12th April 2013
Mathew Flinders Hotel, Chadstone VIC
(03) 9568 8004 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 13th April 2013
York on Lilydale, Mount Evelyn VIC
(03) 9736 4000 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Thursday 18th April 2013
Hallam Hotel, Hallam VIC
(03) 8786 0200 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 19th April 2013
Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
(03) 9848 6811 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 20th April 2013
Gateway Hotel, Corio VIC
(03) 5275 1091 | www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 26th April 2013
Dapto Leagues Club, Dapto NSW
(02) 4261 6908 | www.daptoleagues.com.au
MAY 2013
Friday 3rd May 2013
Dee Why RSL Club, Dee Why NSW
(02) 9454 4000 | www.dyrsl.com.au
Saturday 4th May 2013
Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW
(02) 8868 9200 | www.wentyleagues.com.au
Friday 10th May 2013
Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton QLD
(07) 3268 7500 | www.hamiltonhotel.com.au
Saturday 11th May 2013 | 4:45pm
Redland Bay Hotel, Redland Bay QLD
(07) 3206 7231 | www.redlandbayhotel.com.au
Saturday 11th May 2013 | 9:00pm
Racehorse Hotel, Booval QLD
(07) 3282 1222 | www.racehorsehotel.com.au
Friday 17th May 2013
Wests Leagues Club, Newcastle NSW
(02) 4935 1300 | www.westsnewcastle.com.au
Saturday 18th May 2013
Hornsby RSL Club, Hornsby NSW
(02) 9477 7777 | www.hornsbyrsl.com.au
This week my guest is the multi-talented Larry Cann, award winning KIX Country radio DJ, country music singer, songwriter and former pro rodeo cowboy. Larry has a passion for country music which is fuelled by a life rich in experiences, from the farm in Chinchilla, Qld to an international career as a professional bull rider and bareback rider.
Welcome, Larry, it's great to have you here today....
It was a basic progression from growing up in the country and around the rodeos when my parents competed. To sing and write about the life I have always lived just felt right.
Can you tell us a bit about your most recently released album, or song? My brand new 6 track release RODEO READY is an extension of the original RODEO ROAD which was released back in 2009. These new songs are possibly more me as I have only collaborated on one track and that’s a new recorded version of the classic country song “Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”
This is performed with, Gord Bamford, who was born here in Australia but grew up in Canada where he resides. We are touring together in early 2013 all the way from Tamworth to Townsville. The rest of Mandy's interview can be found here.
"This week I'm thrilled to welcome Zoe Louisa as my guest. She is a gorgeous and highly gifted woman, and with the voice of an country angel how could you not love her songs? You will find yourself addicted to her voice from the second you listen to her...And, I reckon she looks a lot like Taylor Swift, too, don't you think?"
What inspired you to become a country music artist?
Country Music found me. I’ll give it a go to explain. I have always loved music and have wanted to sing and perform since I overcame my shyness as a small child. I’ve searched to find “MY” Music. I’ve learned classically, experimented with many genres...opera, musical theatre, jazz, pop, contemporary and more. I’ve loved them all but there was always something missing until I started songwriting. My songs told my stories and shared part of me. The sound behind my stories was always “Country”.
Read the rest of Mandy's interview here.......http://www.mandymagro.com/blog/2013/01/16/Zoe-Louisa-Australian-Country-Music-Artist.aspx
[video]http://youtu.be/LYxBBoifKuY[/video]
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