We’re proud and excited to announce that Andrew has been accepted into The Seed Management Workshop for 2010. The Seed is an arts grant fund which was set up by John Butler to help independent artists in the Australian music industry. Andrew will have the opportunity to hear from and meet some of Australia’s best music managers.
Read about it more here: http://thejbseed.com/wp/category/project-outcomes/2010-project-outcomes/
Our first stop on the Broken Compass Tour was reviewed recently by News Unlimited. Here’s what they said.
It can be hard keeping up with the local music scene; bands come and go – you see some make it and then spend the rest of their career telling people you saw them when they were “just starting out”. For that is the natural progression of a band – to start off small and then work their way up to bigger things. Montpelier, a Brisbane four-piece, seemed to have defied all logic and started with the biggest first – and by the looks of it, this is only the beginning to what may become domination of Australia’s indie-pop culture.
It may seem like I’m jumping the gun a bit here (a month ago I had never even heard of the band), but I have since discovered that they recorded their first EP in Fairfax Studios in Hollywood with Kevin Augunas (who worked with Cold War Kids and the Zeros) in Fairfax Studios, Hollywood. Like I said: starting off big. Luckily, I will be able to be one of those who can claim to have seen Montpelier during their humble beginnings as they played the Troubadour along with Claire Whiting and Blame Ringo as part of the Broken Compass Tour. The band is comprised of Dave Butler (vocals/guitar), Greg Chiapello (vocals/bass), Andrew Stone (keyboard) and John Pickering (drums).
Unfortunately, the term ‘indie-pop’ can be more of an affliction than a classification – but the band’s determination to not become defined by the label is what works best for them. Their influences – the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire, Radiohead and the Shins – can be quite distinctly recognised upon listening to their tracks, but in a way that seem to update and refresh the ‘alternative’ culture of the past.
The songs are diverse. For example, The Rafters contains beautiful harmonies and repetitive pop melodies coupled together in what can be recognised as an uncannily brilliant juxtaposition. And it is not just by chance or luck that these combinations work so well; listening to their self-titled EP reveals this type of layering across many of the songs.
One thing that may be detrimental to the band is that they don’t yet really look like a band. Skinny jeans and thick-rimmed glasses will only get you so far and in my opinion it would perhaps be wise for each of the members to start to forge their own role within the band. This being said, their fans don’t seem to mind at all. They have a distinct group of followers here in Brisbane, and if things keep going to plan, this fan-base is set to multiply big-time.
The review is online here: http://newsunlimited.com.au/2010/08/montpelier-the-broken-compass-tour-stops-in-at-the-troubadour/
Photo by Kate Scantleton from News Unlimited.
While we were in Melbourne supporting Frightened Rabbit Dave took a break from soundcheck to have a chat with The Hoist on Melbourne’s SYN radio station. He chats about the gig, what it’s like supporting Frightened Rabbit, the Broken Compass Tour and recording. Have a listen by clicking the link below.
Interview With SYN Radio Melbourne
Or visit the SYN website here: http://syn.org.au/program/hoist/episode/audio/2010/08/16/monpelier-interview/1503
The Dwarf recently reviewed our debut EP and had these kind words to say about it.
Montpelier‘s debut EP showcases their melody-driven indie/pop music beautifully and manages to leave you craving more. There’s nothing overly rough or technologically edited in Montpelier’s EP: it’s organic, natural, piano driven pop featuring rolling percussion, gentle yet punchy guitar and breathtakingly beautiful vocals.
Produced by Kevin Augunas of Cold War Kids, Edwarde Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Yves Klein Blue fame; the EP benefits from subtle changes of tempo throughout, yet relies primarily on their trademark melodies. The band utilises lead singer Greg Chiapello’s ability to hit high-pitched notes just often enough. The gentle melodies and clever tempo-changes highlight his exceptional vocal talent, but at no stage do you feel like the band is dependent on his prowess behind the microphone.
Chiapello’s voice has this remarkable ability to put me to sleep, making me so engrossed in his music that life is an afterthought and dances along like a lunatic; all at the same time.
The multi-tiered harmonies and charming melodies are so intrinsically warming that it’s only upon closer inspection that you realise this is essentially a record that explores the themes of loss, rejection and love.
The lyrical content is not exactly unique to piano driven pop bands; but is complex, intriguing; Montpelier tells stories that captivate every ounce of your attention.
Whilst each track differs only subtly, Montpelier’s debut EP can’t be termed one-dimensional.
Featuring snappy piano and soaring harmonies, opening track The Rafters is the most lyrically beautiful track of the album and jostles in competition with slow burner Fireworks for the title of my favourite track off the album. Fireworks features rolling percussion, and then acoustic guitar that ups the tempo at just the right moments.
The composition of each song and the EP as a whole belies the band’s tender years and lack of musical experience.
The EP shows exactly why Montpelier is described as a band to watch out for. Do yourself a favour and discover them.
Read the review online here: http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/albumreviews/montpelier_montpelier
A short video of us hanging backstage at The Hi-Fi in Melbourne before we opened for Frightened Rabbit.
Particular mention should be made of Greg’s spectacular entrance.
