Raised in the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, Angus & Julia Stone's love of music was inextricably intertwined with their experiences of growing up in their musical family. Music was an integral aspect of family life, with music as the bloodline through both their mother and father’s families. A long line of musicians made for an environment that encouraged the duo to express themselves using their voice and any of the many instruments lying around the house.
Pressing up their own “Chocolates and Cigarettes” EP to sell at their local gigs, the duo soon caught the attention of radio stations and a booking agent, and shortly afterwards went on to further their reputation by being booked on the bill for Australian festivals, The Great Escape, Splendour In The Grass and Homebake, where they saw first-hand how their music would affect and connect with audiences on a wider scale.
Despite creating a buzz back home in Australia, the opportunity arose last year for Angus & Julia to move to London, UK, where their second EP “Heart Full Of Wine” and “Chocolates & Cigarettes” EP’s received a local release. Along with their permanent drummer – third member of the band - Mitchell Connelly, Angus & Julia relocated to the UK in 2006 and continued working on new material. Not long after they arrived in London, Angus & Julia were taken under the wing of lead singer/songwriter Fran Healy from the band Travis, who began to help them out with material which would become a part of their debut album “A Book Like This”.
A Book Like this is out in Australia on 8th September, a new ep 'the beast' will be out mid October in the UK and shortly the debut EP will be up around the rest of the world.
www.myspace.com/angusandjuliastone
www.youtube.com/angusandjuliastone
www.angusandjuliastone.comThere’s an unspoken connection that can only come from sharing a family’s history. Angus & Julia Stone come from Newport, Australia and their unique bond is more than evident on their EPs and debut album.
This brother and sister duo take a lifetime of shared experience and create music that resonates with emotion and honesty. A pure sound that says a lot without trying…
Both Angus and Julia have distinctive vocal styles, perhaps best described by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Bernard Zuel; “Her voice has a fractured feel like Jollie Holland; his has a smoke-on-the-beach drawl”. And a UK journalist Johnny Sharp said “Most impressive though are the songs - simple but blindingly effective acoustic compositions, warm boy-girl harmonies and delicate, less-is-more arrangements. Resistance is surely futile.
Angus and Julia’s decision to collaborate was taken at the beginning of 2006. Prior to that, both had performed as solo artists at open mic nights but utilised the other as a backing partner. Ultimately they came up with the same idea, “Why don’t we play together? It kind of made a lot of sense”. In terms of composing the material, they write on their own, then work together on structure and harmonies. It’s clearly a process that works.
This homespun ethic extends to their self-directed videos and artwork too. Mitchell Connelly acts as the band’s official photographer and his brother IOSHVA looks after their website and artwork. They are also making their mark on the live scene where one journalist noted that not only were they “unnaturally good” but “they have done more than warm the room – they have won it hands down”.
Creating evocative, emotional music that’s personal and heartfelt, Angus and Julia are set to make waves all over the world with their debut album expected mid 2007.
Discography:
Australia
“Chocolates & Cigarettes” – July 2006
“Heart Full Of Wine” EP – now sold with C&C – February 2007
“The Beast” single – August 2007
“A Book Like This” – the debut album – September 2007
UK
“Chocolates & Cigarettes” – September 2006
“Heart Full of Wine” Ep – now sold with C&C – March 2007
“The Beast” EP – November 2007 – only available on Itunes and www.roughtraderecords.com
“A Book Like This” – the debut album out March 2008
USA
“Chocolates & Cigarettes” – October 2007 – only available on Itunes
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