Hunting Grounds

HUNTING GROUNDS are in it for the long haul. Their debut album may be be titled IN HINDSIGHT, but here is a sextet that is looking ahead with a firm grasp on the realities and possibilities of past and present. There is a degree of dramatic irony buried within the concise title of this very vast album.

Everything about In Hindsight is vast, the themes, the sounds, of course even the number of performers on it. Hunting Grounds is by nature a very cohesive, collaborative effort. There are multiple songwriters here, heaving and swaying against each other’s ideas and concepts, inspiring an eclectic and intelligent mix. Three vocalists now also revolve on Hunting Grounds’ stage: Lachlan Morrish, Michael Belsar and Galen Strachan. One might be forgiven for assuming that this is too much for one ambitious debut release, but it’s stitched together in a synth-heavy, hip-swaying cacophony that straddles beautiful and mesmerising.

Hunting Grounds endured the waiting game when it came to the fruition of this album. Dates were set, first single (In Colour) released to much radio play and general praise. Then; nothing. The writing process was long and cumbersome, but the sonic growth from the ‘Howl’ and ‘Brothers In Violence’ EPs to ‘In Hindsight’ is palpable; and thus the wait is justified. Dribs and drabs of demoing was at last coaxed together into an album when the band entered Melbourne’s Red Door Sounds with Brothers In Violence producer Paul ‘Woody’ Annison (Children Collide, Black Cab, Young Revelry). The luxury of several weeks with Annison helped the sextet craft tunes that previously seemed offcuts (like FLAWS) into shiny aural gems.

Each and every step of the journey towards the realization of IN HINDSIGHT has been a learning experience. The band’s winning stint as the triple j Unearthed High crown winners sent the band into a quality studio with experienced producers. In fact, Hunting Grounds have really come good as the first Uneathed High winning band to release a full length. Furthermore, a touring schedule that hardened touring veterans would wince at saw them cut their teeth on unfamiliar audiences and make many and varied friends. Venturing outside the support of the small but fruitful Ballarat music scene meant a new perspective, but also solidified the loyalties that lie at home. Indeed, the art and videos that accompany In Hindsight have been crafted by Ballarat locals, giving it all a very cooperative feeling. All in all; IN HINDSIGHT is a testament to the virtues of hard work, an inquisitive mind and an insatiable desire to experiment through sound.

PHEBE STARR

PHEBE STARR - THE 'ZERO' CEREMONY

For one magical night only in late May, Sydney’s Paddington Uniting Church will host a ritual gathering of intergalactic talent in celebration of PHEBE STARR and the release of her debut EP - ‘Zero’.

PHEBE STARR will return for this one-off Sydney show on THURSDAY MAY 30 at the Paddington Uniting Church. Earlier in the month she will unveil the ‘Zero’ EP in a similarly stylish fashion with shows in New York and London, where her music is already burning brightly.

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SPIN OFF 2013

DUNE RATS ANNOUNCED ON SPLENDOUR SIDESHOW "SPIN OFF FEST"

Dune Rats are not only destined for great big things - they're also playing at them. They're teaming up with a host of other gems from the Splendour In The Grass 2013 alumni to share the stage at SPIN OFF 2013. They'll be rocking out alongside Of Monsters And Men, Passion Pit, Snakadaktal, Chet Faker, Fidlar and The Jungle Giants.

Having absolutely killed it for the past year and a half, Dune Rats are on a high of the uncharacteristically-legal variety. Since the release of their debut EP "social atoms" in 2011, the Brisbane stoner-pop duo have maintained a prolific radio presence, with tracks like "Pogo", "F*** it" and "Red Light Green Light" all earning high rotation around the country. They've been no strangers to the live arena either, playing all over Australia and the US, and this year they head to South Africa, China and South-East Asia before setting sail for Spin Off 2013.

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Bernard Fanning Tour 2013

BERNARD FANNING - THE DEPARTURES TOUR

If good things come in threes, Bernard Fanning just hit the trifecta; first confirming a new album, releasing new single ‘Battleships’ and this morning, announcing a huge national tour throughout July/August.

Hitting 18 shows, across metro and regional areas in every Australian state, The Departures Tour provides fans from Cairns to Canberra the first opportunity to hear the forthcoming album Departures live. First taste of the album ‘Battleships’ has already been embraced across the nation, with the likes of triple j, Triple M, Nova 1069 and B105 pushing it straight onto rotation last week.

The Departures Tour marks his highly anticipated return to stage since Powderfinger’s Farewell Tour of 2010 - a run that saw sales in excess of 300,000 tickets and repeat sell outs across the country.

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VANCE JOY

VANCE JOY SIGNS TO ATLANTIC

We're blubbering with pride, as mover and shaker VANCE JOY has signed to Atlantic Records to join an impressive array of new talent on the label's roster, including Death Cab For Cutie, Janelle Monae and Charli XCX. Atlantic have a rich history that has seen Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane and Led Zeppelin rise to fame.

The signing to Atlantic follows a plethora of similarly good tidings for Vance Joy. The artist has just finished a sold out EP tour of Australia’s east coast. In addition, Vance Joy has just confirmed a host of US tour dates throughout May and June. He has also been announced on this year’s Splendour In The Grass line-up. In July, he has the huge honour of supporting Bernard Fanning on his Departures Tour, Fanning’s first solo outing in seven years. The two-month long tour will see Vance Joy traverse the country, performing in many cities and towns for the very first time.

Congratulations to Vance Joy. Already, 2013 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for this uniquely talented local artist, and this is only just the beginning.

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Splendour In The Grass 2013

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2013 SOLD OUT

The reaction to the 2013 Splendour In The Grass lineup has been nothing short of amazing. There are no surprises the gargantuan festival has sold out in under an hour, considering music lovers will be graced by the likes of Mumford & Sons, The National, Frank Ocean, TV On The Radio and Empire Of The Sun.

Over three monumental days, lucky ticket holders can shuffle their feet between 80+ of the hottest acts on offer today, from the brand new and "ones to watch", to festival favourites as you've never seen them before, to seasoned internationals and truly iconic Australian acts.

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Crucial Village Sounds Partnership

CRUCIAL MUSIC ARTISTS TO PARTNER WITH VILLAGE SOUNDS

Effective immediately VILLAGE SOUNDS is the sole and exclusive Australian booking agent for the entire CRUCIAL MUSIC roster, which includes rapper 360 and bands CHILDREN COLLIDE, GYROSCOPE, HUNTING GROUNDS and THE LIVING END. All booking enquires for these artists can now be directed to EVAN DAVIS evan@villagesounds.com or 02 6685 7566.

CRUCIAL MUSIC is an Artist Management company owned and operated by Music Industry stalwart RAE HARVEY for the past 17 years. Of the new relationship Rae says "I've known and respected Jessica for many years and have enjoyed working with Evan as an agent in the past. Village Sounds suggested a ground-breaking, modern and innovative partnership that perfectly suited Crucial Music and our artists – we're absolutely delighted".

VILLAGE SOUNDS directors JESSICA DUCROU & EVAN DAVIS added, “We are thrilled to welcome these incredible artists, Rae Harvey and the Crucial Music team to the Village Sounds family. This is a big day for the agency and we are super excited about this partnership".

VILLAGE SOUNDS is a domestic Booking Agency representing the live touring of some of Australia’s best live acts including ART VS SCIENCE, BERNARD FANNING, BIRDS OF TOKYO, WASHINGTON and THE VINES. Established in 1998 by Splendour in the Grass co-producer JESSICA DUCROU Village Sounds expanded in 2008 with Evan Davis formerly of The Harbour Agency joining the team and in October 2011 announced the merger with Mark Lackey of The Atlas Agency.

Both Crucial Music and Village Sounds look forward to forging a strong and successful working relationship.

VILLAGE SOUNDS

Village Sounds is a domestic Booking Agency representing the live touring of some of Australia’s best acts.

Established in 1998 by Jessica Ducrou, Village Sounds is an agency that represents a diversity of artists ranging from bands in the early stages of their career to artists that have sold millions of records, across a range of musical genres.

Village Sounds is a co-producer on Splendour In The Grass, Homebake & Falls Festival & has offices based in Sydney, Melbourne & Byron Bay.