On Friday night we launched our first record, our self-titled EP.  We also premiered our first ever music video for the song “The Rafters”.

It was directed by Brodie Rocca, produced by Bec Blomberg, and stars Chris Beavon and Katrina Lilwall.  Thanks guys for doing such a wonderful job and for working so hard.  We owe you immensely.

So here it is, our first video.

In today’s issue of Scene Magazine Montpelier gets a full page feature.  See it below and read the article online here: http://scenemagazine.com.au/index.php/section-table/58-cover-stories/726-montpelier-interview

In celebration of our upcoming EP launch we’d like to give away something for free.  We’ve still got a few copies of our limited edition “The Rafters” singles left and we want you to have one.  So here’s the thing, when you buy a pre-sale ticket to our EP launch show at The Zoo on March 5, you’ll get a free copy of the single at the door.  Buy your tickets here:

http://zoo.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=14259

This week our first single “The Rafters” was in Triple J Unearthed’s featured playlist.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Musicadium, Montpelier’s two single releases are now available to purchase from iTunes.  Click here to visit Montpelier in the iTunes store.  While you’re there, if you’ve got a second, it’d be very much appreciated if you rated and reviewed the tracks.  Reviews and ratings help other people find our songs while they’re searching iTunes.  Thanks friends!

In today’s issue of Rave Magazine, our debut single “The Rafters” was reviewed as Single of the Week!!!  Actually we tied with Hungry Kids of Hungary and their single “Let You Down”.  We’re stoked to have shared the title with a great band such as Hungry Kids.  Here’s what Simon Topper had to say.  Thanks Simon!!

Don’t shake that smile just yet.  There’s another one to be had with another Brisbane group Montpelier – though their piano-indie lends itself to more of a contented sigh than a raucous party guffaw.  The established acts Montpelier recall throughout this floating, dreamy, but still somehow grounded excursion are numerous – the pop sensibility of Ben Lee without the smugness, or maybe the cerebral self-awareness of The Panics without their occasional indulgent meanderings.  These are big calls to make about a band so new that their eyes are still adjusting to the light, so truly the most startling thing about The Rafters is that it’s the group’s debut.  It’s just so … confident?  I’m scribbling their name down as the next ‘must see’ local act.

Valley Fiesta was freaking amazing.  We’re so grateful to have been a part of it. There’s something very cool about playing on a stage that’s at the end of a small, closed-off street.  CityCare did a great job organising the event.  If you’ve got 10 seconds then please visit citycare.org.au and check out what they do and what they’re about.  They do some great work and we were honoured to be involved in one of their events.

To everyone in the crowd, you really made our night.  You battled the on/off rain with stoic disregard for your comfort.  Thanks for being awesome.

Here are a few videos taken by some good friends of ours.  Props to Claire and Denis.

The Rafters Live at Valley Fiesta from Montpelier on Vimeo.

Uncomfortable Live at Valley Fiesta from Montpelier on Vimeo.

Last Boat Live at Valley Fiesta from Montpelier on Vimeo.

Limited edition, hand-numbered copies of “The Rafters” CD are now available to purchase from www.montpeliermusic.net  The release is limited to strictly 500 copies and features Montpelier’s debut single “The Rafters” as well as B-side “Fireworks”.

Don’t forget you can also download the songs for free from the website.

The boys over at www.scenewave.com recently did some pre/post coverage of our single launch.  I believe our gig was also the very first of their “live tweets” (P.S. follow them on twitter: @scenewave).  We feel pretty special about that.  Find the coverage here: http://www.scenewave.com/tag/montpelier/#2009/10/montpelier-live-the-zoo/.

This was such a great night.  To everyone who was in the crowd, thank you so so much for being a part of the show.  It wouldn’t have been fun without you.  We’ll have to do it all again very very soon.