AMISTAT ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO THE COWARD
Off the back of a sold-out European tour earlier this year, Amistat, otherwise known as brothers Jan and Josef Prasil, have announced their new single The Coward – an anthem for those who are having difficulty living as their authentic selves, set for release on November 10. This effecting yet understated tune has been perfectly reflected in the song’s stunning video, directed by Kathleen Mary Lee (LANKS, BATTS, Canary).
The Coward might first evoke thoughts of Ben Howard or The Tallest Man On Earth, but there’s a sensual quality here that cannot be compared to anyone. Patient, authentic and stirring, The Coward lays it all on the line with careful exhilaration. Soaring harmonies prevail, delivered with a synchronization only twins like the Amistat brothers can achieve, and the chorus propels itself forward with tenacious acoustic guitar and driving percussion. Speaking of the inspiration and depth behind the track, Josef says, “The Coward is about knowing who you are deep inside but not being able to let it out. People are very fast with making assumptions and judging you based on what you look like but little do they know about what’s inside of the person.”
And the clip encompasses so much in such a simple yet effective format. The viewer watches one man struggle with his sense of identity and purpose, as a pivotal moment in his life plays itself out backwards. The grey, stormy palette, the storyline that is left to the audience to interpret – it all lends itself to a melancholy, important reflection of the theme of this track. Josef enthuses, “Jan and I love the concept of ‘one-shot’ videos, where the whole film clip you see is done in a single take…It’s impossible really, trying to get it in one take but we always like a challenge! We started with that concept about two years ago and decided to keep it as sort of a trademark of the band. For this clip, we came up with a vision of a soldier who is being denied going to battle, even though he wanted to defend his loved ones, and show his courage and commitment.”
Born and raised in Germany, the Prasil twins made the move to the set up home on the other side of the world in 2012. “We decided to come to Australia as our father is Australian and we had heard amazing things about this beautiful country,” says Josef. “When we arrived we were struggling to find work so we picked up some musical instruments and started busking to survive! Jan really took to the guitar while I sung along. We realised pretty quickly that we had a unique sound and people wanted to listen to us back home and that is how Amistat was formed.”
Amistat will be hitting the road again in December to celebrate the release of The Coward, kicking off in their adopted hometown of Melbourne before swinging on through Newcastle, Canberra, Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane and fittingly finishing up at Woodford Folk Festival to see the year out.
Amistat is Jan (guitar) and Josef Prasil (vocals), joined on the road by Julian Swinnerton (cello) and Ryan Oliver (piano and percussion)
The Coward is set for release on November 10
AMISTAT – UPCOMING SHOWS
SAT 2 DEC | CHAPEL OFF CHAPEL MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
WED 6 DEC | LASS O’GOWRIE NEWCASTLE NSW | 18+
THU 7 DEC | FRONT GALLERY CANBERRA ACT | 18+
SAT 9 DEC | RECORD CRATE SYDNEY NSW | 18+
THU 14 DEC | BEACH HOTEL BYRON BAY NSW | 18+
FRI 15 DEC | MILK FACTORY BRISBANE QLD | 18+
WED 27 DEC – MON 1 JAN | WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL QLD | AA
MAMMAL ANNOUNCE CHRISTMAS SHOWS IN BRISBANE, SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE
After their blistering first performance in 8 years, MAMMAL has announced a string of shows in December, hoping to quench the awakened thirst for the band from old and new fans alike. MAMMAL is gearing up for a wild weekend of shows, kicking off in Brisbane on December 21 at The Zoo, moving through Sydney at the Factory Theatre on December 22 and wrapping up in Melbourne on December 23 at the iconic Corner Hotel.
MAMMAL’s triumphant return was legendary from the moment it was announced; selling out Melbourne’s massive Max Watts in less than 2 hours, and now that the reviews are in, punters will know for sure what an enormous ride they’re in for.
Thrilled to be back on the road, lead vocalist Ezekiel Ox enthuses, “Last Friday night in Melbourne was a reminder to the world that rock and roll thrives on ideas, energy and a healthy dose of showbiz, not click-tracks, drum edits and auto-tune. The MML reunion part is officially over, we’re getting on with the job for the fans now, new show, new music, new momentum. Keep your ears pricked and your eyes open, Mammal is back and fucking dangerous.”
Judging from the fan response to the first reunion, tickets to MAMMAL’s December run will not last long – this is a tour not to be missed. Three shows only.
Mammal is Ezekiel Ox (vocals), Pete Williamson (guitar), Nick Adams (bass) and Zane Rosanoski (drums).
TICKETING INFORMATION
MML newsletter pre-sale from 9am Thursday 9 November. Subscribe via https://www.mammalband.com
General public on sale commences from 9am Thursday 16 November
“Mammal are back, and judging by their set this night, it’s like they’ve never gone away. They slot back into their nuclear-strength groove… the fire that ignites this band is burning as strong as ever. It’s just a case of the pilot-light having gone out, and it needed to be re-lit. And it has, and we the fans are the ecstatic beneficiaries of its warmth.” – TheMusic.com.au
MAMMAL CHRISTMAS 2017 SHOWS
THURS 21 DEC | THE ZOO, BRISBANE | 18+
FRI 22 DEC | FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY | 18+
SAT 23 DEC | CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE | 18+
PRESALE: 9am Thursday 9 November
PUBLIC ON SALE: 9am Thursday 16 November
Tickets, official links & info via: https://www.mammalband.com/, direct from venues & https://newworldartists.net
EVANESCENCE ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR: SYNTHESIS LIVE NEW ALBUM SYNTHESIS – OUT NOVEMBER 10
Two-time GRAMMY award-winners Evanescence have today announced an Australian east coast tour Synthesis Live With Orchestras – presented by TEG Live and Sony Music Entertainment – to celebrate the band’s fourth studio album Synthesis, out November 10.
Set to deliver a truly transcendent experience, Synthesis Live will see the band collaborate with world class Australian symphony orchestras alongside electronic programming. As part of the global Synthesis Live tour, the Australian dates will kick off at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on 11 February, moving on to the Sydney Opera House for two performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on 13 and 14 February, before culminating in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 16 February.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing this new and different show to Australia,” says Amy Lee, “Playing the Sydney Opera House is something I’ve dreamed about all my life. I remember taking the ferry over to Manly during days off on past tours with the band, and looking over at the legendary structure, saying ‘One day, we’re going to play there!’ I can’t believe it’s finally going to be a reality. We’re all very excited about it.”
Not simply a ‘greatest hits’ album, Synthesis takes a selection of Evanescence’s three previous studio releases along with two new songs, and reimagines them with brand-new recordings. Synthesis is an amalgamation of Amy Lee’s masterful singing and piano playing, supported by her band, a full symphony orchestra performing arrangements by long-time collaborator David Campbell as well as an array of electronic music programming and effects.
As their evolution continues, the band is excited to bring Synthesis Live to Australia, performing the record start-to-finish with the expertise and skill of the country’s finest Symphony orchestras for each show. “The recording is very much tied to the live experience we want to create,” says Lee. “I’m anxiously excited to play some much more involved, challenging piano for the show, and to focus on singing live more like the way I do in the studio.”
Australia holds a huge fan base for Evanescence with the band having in excess of 700,000 ARIA accredited album sales over their career so far.
Evanescence is lead singer-songwriter and pianist Amy Lee, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, lead guitarist/backing vocalist Troy McLawhorn and guitarist Jen Majura.
Synthesis will be released on November 10.
TICKETING INFORMATION
Pre-order Synthesis for exclusive first access to show tickets. This Fan Club pre-sale opens 2pm, Wednesday 4 October until 9am Monday 9 October. Visit http://www.EvanescenceAustralia.com for details.
The My Ticketek pre-sale opens 12 noon Friday 6 October until 9am Monday 9 October.
General Public on sale commences from 12 noon Monday 9 October.
For all ticket information, head to www.ticketek.com.au
EVANESCENCE: SYNTHESIS LIVE 2018
Presented by TEG Live and Sony Music
SUN 11 FEB | BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE W/ QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
TUES 13 & WED 14 FEB | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE W/ SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
FRI 16 FEB | ROD LAVER ARENA W/ MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA