MOTOR ACE ANNOUNCE 20th ANNIVERSARY – A FIVE STAR REUNION TOUR
It’s 2001, you’re driving home from work, flicking through the radio stations, and Five Star Laundry by Motor Ace is being played on triple j, Triple M and a bunch of other stations in between. Then, as you walk in the door, the television is blaring and it’s Motor Ace again, with their iconic track Death Defy reaching an even wider audience as the theme song for the beloved Australian television series The Secret Life Of Us. And you probably caught them performing at the ARIAS and across all the various shows on tv at that time too, that was what it was like during the peak of Motor Ace – absolute saturation, and even then people couldn’t get enough.
Fast forward almost two decades and Motor Ace’s hoards of fans no longer have to wait for that highly anticipated reunion, because in March and April of 2019, the band we all love will embark on a national tour to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the band’s inception, kicking off in Adelaide at The Gov on March 29, then moving through Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and finishing up in Melbourne at the renowned venue 170 Russell on April 12.
Within the first month of being on sale, Five Star Laundry went gold in Australia – a massive feat when considering what it takes for a record to go gold in 2018, with just 7 Australian albums having been certified gold this year. What followed was an exhaustive touring and promo schedule, which included unbelieveable support slots alongside Foo Fighters, Oasis and Blink-182. It was sold out shows every night, and absolute domination on the airwaves; Motor Ace were a staple in consecutive triple j Hottest 100 countdowns, and a mainstay on the ARIA charts. Their timely sophomore album Shoot This was released in 2002 to abundant critical acclaim. It spawned lead single Carry On that held the coveted #1 most played song on Australian airwaves for 8 weeks in a row, and Shoot This, debuting at #1 on the charts and achieving gold sales on release. It was an electrifying whirlwind, as lead singer Patrick Robertson reflects, “In retrospect, it can look a bit like we came out of nowhere. But we did work very hard with a lot of relentless touring, a focus on writing great songs and energetic live shows. We always struggled a little to find a stylistic niche and felt a little on the outer in that regard. But I think at the end of the day we made some really strong connections, and hopefully enduring ones, with our fans because of our songs above all else.” Drummer Damo Costin adds, “It was pretty amazing at the time, and something that I still feel very proud of… we definitely milked being number one on the charts.”
The band are thrilled to be back together to play hits and album faves from Five Star Laundry, and later albums Shoot This and Animal, for fans all across the country, as lead singer Pat Robertson says, “It’s been 20 years since we were playing our first shows around Melbourne – at the Punters Club, Evelyn and Espy – and 13 years since the last Motor Ace show. It feels pretty bizarre to be honest, but really looking forward to playing shows with the guys and most importantly seeing if we can still party!” Damo adds, “It feels absolutely surreal, the reason being that when I was 22, and young and earnest, I had no idea that 20 years later I was going to play these songs again! I am most excited about enjoying those songs again in a live space, excited to play again with a sense of nostalgia and giving my all with the guys. We really wanna have some fun with it.”
And it sounds as though there might be some exclusive Motor Ace content from the Five Star Laundry sessions coming direct to fans, too, as the band have been delving deep into the archives to find some demos and footage that are sure to stir up those nostaligic vibes. “It’s really cool to listen to the initial demos and to see where they ended up on the record after it had been produced,” says Damo. “I’ve found loads of footage from ages ago from touring, as well. We are going to release some unreleased demos that we did before the records were recorded, including Shoot This demos some of which sounds better than the official recording.”
Since disbanding all those years ago, the Motor Ace boys have been up to all those regular ‘life’ things – families, kids and jobs. But for what’s set to be an amazing few weeks of shows, the band are back together just like the good old days – although, in true Damo form, he jokes that a little stamina training might be in order this time around – “If I get to the end of the show and I am still alive it will be a miracle. I am currently in training – send in all fitness tips!”
Motor Ace is Patrick Robertson (vocals, guitar), Dave Ong (guitar), Damo Costin (drums) and Matt Balfe (bass).
Tickets to Motor Ace 20th Anniversary – A Five Star Reunion tour are on sale now.
MOTOR ACE 20th ANNIVERSARY – A FIVE STAR REUNION NATIONAL TOUR
FRI MARCH 29 | THE GOV, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=92178
SAT MARCH 30 | CAPITOL, PERTH WA | 18+
Tickets available from http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=92186
FRI APRIL 5 | FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from http://bit.ly/FAC19_MOTOR_ACE
SAT APRIL 6 | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
Tickets available from http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=92188
FRI APRIL 12 | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/motor-ace/106229?skin=747
ESKIMO JOE’S KAV TEMPERLEY DROPS NEW SINGLE POLLYANNA + ANNOUNCES DEBUT SOLO ALBUM ALL YOUR DEVOTION + NATIONAL TOUR
Best known as the frontman of the Australian rock n roll luminaires, Eskimo Joe, acclaimed songwriter Kav Temperley is stepping out solo. The first taste of his upcoming album dropped today in the form of new single, Pollyanna – an ominous reflection on the relativity of happiness – the single will be received instantly with all digital album pre-orders. Pollyanna precedes Kav Temperley’s highly anticipated debut solo album All Your Devotion, a collection of ruminating, thoughtful, and effecting songs from one of this country’s greatest talents, set for release digitally and on vinyl on September 28. To celebrate what is the culmination of years of hard work, Kav will be hitting the road in October and November this year, kicking off on October 5 at The Milk Factory in Brisbane, and moving through the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Belgrave, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Fremantle, Margaret River, before wrapping up in Bunbury at Prince of Wales on November 3.
Pollyanna is not quite as happy-go-lucky as its namesake, but despite a moody demeanour, there is a tenacious, almost stubborn sense of positivity that lurks throughout. With careful, considered instrumentation and an arrangement that allows deep strings, plucky piano and sparkling guitar to each complement the other, Pollyanna is a deeply effecting piece of music, made even more so with Kav’s idiosyncratic, expressive vocal delivery and lyricism. Kav reflects on the inspiration behind the track, saying, “A friend once told me that our happiness is always relative, whether we live in a war zone or paradise – our happiness always swings back to the same place.
I had just lost my marriage and the band had decided to take a break, all of these things that defined me were now no longer around. It was one of the first times in my life I felt like a stranger just rolling along, but I realised that amongst all of this I was a Pollyanna, someone despite the bad news always looks on the bright side. This was a song I was singing to myself to remember to stay light.”
All Your Devotion is, quite simply, a daring testament of renewal. Produced alongside Pip Norman (Troye Sivan, Jarryd James, Urthboy) and John Castle (Megan Washington, Vance Joy, Bertie Blackman), the album delicately outlines the arc of newfound romance; the rapture, with Pollyanna and Queen Of My Heart, the hesitation, with This Is The Love and Devotion, and the surrender, with High and When You Run. All Your Devotion explores new sonic territory for Kav, as sparse and uncluttered production, reminiscent of pop and folk conventions, takes precendence over rock n roll ways. Kav reflects on some of the inspiration behind the album, saying, “We spend our lives building barricades to protect us, both physical and emotional. But, as well as protect, these barricades can also isolate and suffocate. All Your Devotion is about tearing those down and starting over, through all the fears and hope…It’s about growing up and moving on. It’s being courageous enough to live and to love again.”
Kav Templerley is set to perform tracks from All Your Devotion live to audiences across the country come October and November this year, as Eskimo Joe also prepare to hit the stage for the Under The Southern Stars festival run. It’s going to be a busy few months for the skilled musician, but anticipation is high, as Kav says, “(For the All Your Devotion tour,) it’s just going to be me with an acoustic guitar and kick drum strapped to my back. I want these shows to be raw and real so people feel like they’ve been there right next to me through the writing of this record.”
Pollyanna will be available from today and will be received instantly with all digital album pre-orders. All Your Devotion is set for release digitally and on vinyl on September 28.
ALL YOUR DEVOTION NATIONAL ALBUM TOUR
FRI 5 OCT | THE MILK FACTORY, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 6 OCT | VILLA NOOSA HOTEL, SUNSHINE COAST QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SUN 7 OCT | PUBLIC BAR @ COOLANGATTA HOTEL, GOLD COAST QLD | 18+ | Free show
THU 11 OCT | GRACE EMILY, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 12 OCT | SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 13 OCT | THE TOFF IN TOWN, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 19 OCT | LEADBELLY, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 20 OCT | LIZOTTES, NEWCASTLE NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.lizottes.com.au | (02) 4956 2066
SAT 27 OCT | MOJOS, FREMANTLE WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 2 NOV | RIVER HOTEL, MARGARET RIVER WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 3 NOV | PRINCE OF WALES, BUNBURY WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.kavtemperley.com.au or www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
CARAVÃNA SUN ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE COME BACK + NEW EP SILVER LININGS + EXTENSIVE NATIONAL TOUR
Sun-soaked indies Caravãna Sun have today announced their spirited new single Come Back, set for release on August 17. Come Back is a heartfelt ode to a lost friend; a bridge between this world and the next. Come Back precedes Caravãna Sun’s sparkling new EP Silver Linings, a full body experience of a release that will encourage not only dancing and singalongs, but self-reflection as well, out September 14. To celebrate the EP, Caravãna Sun will be hitting the road on a massive tour across Australia, which includes some coveted festival slots at the renowned Wave Rock, Under The Trees and Celebrate Gold Coast festivals. The Silver Linings national tour will kick off at Denmark Civic Centre in WA on September 14, before moving through Margaret River, Broome, Fremantle, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, and wrapping up at Torquay Hotel in Torquay, VIC, on October 27.
Come Back is more than a song. It’s almost a prayer, or at least, a message to a loved one who is no longer in this world. It’s a little more subtle than previous single Beauty and The Pain, however it’s still got that same memorability, the same energy and the same musicality that fans have come to expect from Caravãna Sun. Bassist and vocalist Ant Beard offers a little more insight into the inspiration behind the track, saying, “Come Back is a heartfelt, honest and raw take on the loss of a loved one. Amidst a sea of emotion surrounding the reality of losing something so precious, lies a pure human cry for that person to return. To fill the space that nobody could replace. The song was inspired when fellow musician and good friend of the band Jae Haydon, lost his life in the ocean, surfing the reefs of Indonesia. Though he passed away doing something he loved, there was still such an overwhelmingly sad tone that had washed over everybody he touched. Jae was a young, incredible musician and friend to so many. This song is dedicated to Jae but also a song for his family and everybody who had the great fortune to know him.”
The Silver Linings EP, recorded at Sound Park Studio in Melbourne with renowned producer Stephen Schram (Paul Kelly, San Cisco, The Cat Empire) is Caravãna Sun’s take on a turbulent world. A clear, eloquent collection of songs, each with as much heart as Come Back, and each with saturated guitars, driving percussion and thoughtful lyrics that are sure to soundtrack many long summer drives for fans around the world. Ant reflects on the process of writing and creating the EP, “Connection to life through love has been an overarching theme beneath the entire EP. Each song represents some form of connection within our lives, our connection to love in the modern world, our connection with perception and ultimately our connection with death. Take for example, Modern Love which speaks about the struggles between true love and the temptations of modern forms of addiction (social media, screen time, etc). The song Waterfalls, looks at the acceptance of life force and death, as if it’s a moment in time that will eventually fade away. The songs inspiration came from experiences of the band passing through places like Malta and Portugal. It is in these countries we often saw older locals sitting out on the street soaking up the last bit of the day. It almost seemed as if they were waiting to fade away like dust.”
After a massive year playing to thousands of people nationally and across the globe (the band is currently on a 22 date tour of Europe / UK), Caravãna Sun are set to play new tracks from Silver Linings and old faves for fans across Australia throughout September and October. Reflecting on their year of international success and pumped for the upcoming EP tour, Ant says, “The reception to our music was truly overwhelming to say the least. Most nights we were walking out onto stages with 3000 to 5000 beautiful faces, waiting to see what a bunch of touring Australians have to sing about. To think that our songs, some inspired by time spent walking around on Bardi Country in the Kimberley, find their way onto this incredible international platform is mind blowing! Our shows are hugely dependent on crowd connection and the unique reception gives each song life…our EP tour is going to be epic.”
Come Back will be available on August 17 and Silver Linings is set for release on September 14. Tickets to the Silver Linings national EP tour will go on sale at 9am on Friday August 3.
Caravana Sun is Luke Carra (guitars, vocals), Ant Beard (bass, vocals), Alex Dumbrell (drums, percussion), and Ken Allars (trumpet, keys).
‘SILVER LININGS’ NATIONAL EP TOUR
FRI 14 SEP | DENMARK CIVIC CENTRE, DENMARK WA | ALL AGES | Tickets
SAT 15 SEP | THE RIVER, MARGARET RIVER WA | 18+ | Tickets
FRI 21 SEP | DIVERS TAVERN, BROOME WA | 18+ | Tickets
SAT 22 SEP | MOJO’S, FREMANTLE WA | 18+ | Tickets
SUN 23 SEP | WAVE ROCK FESTIVAL, WA | 18+
FRI 28 SEP | THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY NSW | 18+ | Tickets
FRI 5 OCT | THE FOUNDRY, BRISBANE QLD | 18+ | Tickets
SAT 6 OCT | UNDER THE TREES FESTIVAL, BOYNE ISLAND QLD | ALL AGES
SUN 7 OCT | CELEBRATE GOLD COAST, CHEVRON ISLAND QLD | ALL AGES
FRI 12 OCT | THE JACK, CAIRNS QLD | 18+ | Tickets
SAT 13 OCT | MAGNUMS, AIRLIE BEACH QLD | 18+ | Tickets
FRI 19 OCT | OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY NSW | 18+ | Tickets
SAT 20 OCT | UOW UNIBAR, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+ | Tickets
FRI 26 OCT | HOWLER, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+ | Tickets
SAT 27 OCT | TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY VIC | 18+ | Tickets