ED KUEPPER

BILL CALLAHAN

“this was a supremely magical, wholly mesmerising, night of space as the final frontier.” – SMH Vivid live review 2015

Well known for his rich baritone voice and unique take on classic Americana, Bill Callahan has been a prolific artist over the years releasing 12 albums under the name Smog before shedding that to perform as Bill Callahan in 2007 and producing a further 5 albums.

Last here in Australia for the 2015 Vivid Festival and a sold-out appearance at Melbourne’s iconic Hamer Hall, Callahan returns in 2017 for four more Vivid Sydney appearances and for an exclusive six show-three night residency at Melbourne venue Howler. Yep, you read that right; six shows at Howler, with early shows scheduled for a 7.00pm and late shows slated for 9.30pm. 

The intimate format – a stark contract to the grandeur of the 2015 visit – will feature a two piece setup with Callahan being joined by guitarist Matt Kinsey. And in a further twist on tradition support on all six Howler appearances will be Melbourne comedian David Quirk.

“The guitar solos that Matt Kinsey enticed out of his Gibson on songs like ‘America!’, ‘Ride My Arrow’ and others were mesmerising. There were moments of sweet psychedelic beauty that were not over powering but transcendent. Sometimes it felt that Kinsey’s solos were being played from another room, not overly loud, but clearly hypnotic and beautifully imagined.” – Tone Deaf Vivid lives review 2015

Don’t miss these unique, intimate Australia exclusive shows this May / June. Tickets For Howler on-sale Friday 31st March. Tickets for Vivid Sydney on-sale now.

VIOLENT FEMMES

“Friday night saw the return of the Violent Femmes to Australia. And what a triumphant return it was. The absolute capacity crowd in front of Stage 2 were in constant motion – ranging from flat out head banging to substance fuelled ethereal swaying as the ‘Femmes powered through all their hits, including “Gone Daddy Gone”, “American Music”, “Kiss Off” and to close the show, “Add It Up”. – The Music: Womadelaide review 

Violent Femmes return to Australia in March 2017 for their most extensive tour since 2005. The autumn tour follows a sold-out national tour in March 2016 that included headline spots at Womadelaide, Golden Plains, Twilight @ Taraonga and A Day On The Green, this time however, the Femmes will  traverse the road less travelled appearing in regional & suburban centres, major cities and an encore performance of their A Day On The Green headline shows with Hoodoo Gurus.

“We would like to continue our decades-long love affair with Australia by bringing the rock to the regions. We will be playing old favourites and new with our usual shambolic splendour.” – Brian Ritchie

Expect to hear cuts old and new including tracks from 2016’s comeback release We Can Do Anything. A triumphant return after a 16 years absence.

“It’s classic Femmes” – The Guardian
“Everything feels remarkably fresh and unforced.” **** UNCUT
“They still sound as brilliantly odd as their seminal self-titled debut.” – Blurt

Video: Memory
Video: Love, Love, Love

Continuing the localised theme, Violent Femmes have also invited Rayella * (an indigenous father-daughter duo from Marlinja in the Northern Territory) along for shows in NSW, N.T and Queensland. Violet Femmes bassplayer Brian Ritchie first encountered Rayella at the Bush Band Bash in Alice Springs in 2014 and both parties hooked up for an informal jam after the Violent Femmes 2016 performance in Perth.

“Eleanor and Raymond’s father/daughter vocal frontline lend authenticity to their stories of life, aspirations and place… Their music is a deep blend of modern life and ancient energy” – Brian Ritchie

Its the Violent Femmes as you know and love them appearing Australia All Over. Tickets for all shows are on-sale 9.00am Friday December 16th (except Brisbane on-sale 10.00am)

CHAIN & THE GANG: MINIMUM ROCK ’N’ ROLL

“ … Chain & the Gang is one of the coolest live bands anywhere” – Henry Rollins

“Ian Svenonius is the greatest rock’n’roll frontman in the world” – Anthony Carew (SMH / The Age)

Just six (6) weeks away from the debut Australian tour of Chain & The Gang – the latest creative vehicle for Washington DC activist Mr.Ian Svenonius, ex-The Make Up / Nation Of Ulysses and a man described by fellow Washington native Henry Rollins as “a genius” – and Feel Presents are pleased to announce two brand new shows.

Fri 10th March: Melbourne, The Curtin Bandroom + Primo & Parsnip
Tue 14th March: Brisbane, The Foundry (double bill with I Heart Hiroshima)

Tickets for both shows are on-sale now.

Svenonius, the sonic-architect behind socio-political minded groups The Make Up, Nation Of Ulysses, Weird War (and others) and one of the worlds GREAT front men formed Chain and The Gang in 2009. Since that time Chain … have released four (4) must have albums including 2014’s Minimum Rock ’n’ Roll, a 31 minute slab of garage-funk with a punk heart and a social awareness that has aspirations beyond the genre – any genre! 

“The first time I saw Ian Svenonius play live was when he jumped onstage with Fugazi and started playing an organ that happened to be onstage. He was amazing. Not only is the man a brilliant musician, having put out records through his many bands, the Nation Of Ulysses, the Make Up, Cupid Car Club, Felt Letters, XYZ, to name a few, his newest incarnation Chain & the Gang is one of the coolest live bands anywhere. The man has more charisma than most. – Henry Rollins

Alongside vocalist and chief provocateur Svenonius, are bassist, synthesist and composer Anna Nasty, guitarist Francy Graham and drummer Fiona Campbell, while Svenonius himself, is also a filmmaker, a dancer, a youtube host and a writer with his author credit appearing on the books “The Psychic Soviet” and “Supernatural Strategies”. Individually these members are scintillating but together they’re something greater than the parts. An irresistible combo that provides the best hope for the future and the only answer to the embarrassing slime pit called “culture” nowadays.

You Tube: Minimum Rock ’n’ Roll
You Tube: Crime Don’t Pay
You Tube: Ian Svenonious interview

All supports are now also confirmed with New War, Terry, Primo, Parsnip, Angie, I Heart Hiroshima and Cold Sweat DJ’s taking out the honours.

“Chain & the Gang are singular, terrifying, unparalleled,  the most ferocious live combo ever witnessed …”

Don’t you dare miss Chain & The Gang live! this March. Tickets for all shows on-sale now!

XYLOURIS WHITE

Xylouris White  round out their Australian summer odyssey with a final run of headline appearances taking in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney alongside a debut appearance for Womadelaide. The March shows follow a recent brace of shows as special guest to PJ Harvey plus a festival appearance at Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival and a headline appearance at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Xylouris White is lute player George Xylouris and drummer Jim White (Dirty Three, Venom P.Stinger). They’re master musicians whose expansive and frequently hypnotic work is characterized by a sense of endless exploration. The duo’s use of space within its songs suggests a sense of possibility and a freedom to see, find and invent. Xylouris-White has toured relentlessly in the last few years, bringing its unmistakable music to audiences throughout Europe, Australia and North America.

As the sun went down, the powerhouse combination of Dirty Three drummer Jim White and famed Cretan lute player George Xylouris delivered an incredibly energetic and full-throttle set under the moniker Xylouris White. Xylouris looped his drone-like lute playing through his amplifier for a rockier sound while the always-confident and charismatic White delivered a frenetic blast of jazz-inspired rhythms.” – Live review as guests of PJ Harvey in Fremantle.

“More and more, it seems the duo are inventing a new musical language, one based on deeply telepathic interplay and pure, transcendent abandon… some of the heaviest music you’ll hear in 2016.” –– Aquarium Drunkard 

Don’t miss these unforgettable shows by two of the world’s most acclaimed musicians. Tickets for all shows are on-sale now!

Ed Kuepper continues his year of activity celebrating four decades since the release of The Saints iconic (I’m) Stranded, with an all new set of Solo and By Request shows.

Last performed in 2014, the By Request shows proved hugely popular, with Kuepper gladly accepting the invitation to tackle material from The Saints, The Aints and Laughing Clowns, alongside various covers versions and material from Ed’s 40 albums strong solo career.

“There was so much happening at this gig: the familial relationship between audience and musician – a room full of devotees who have been keenly following his career for years, if not decades – and the tales of broken bands, ex-collaborators and shitty Countdown experiences all simmered under the surface. I’ve never seen an audience so intimately engaged with a performer; it was honestly amazing. Kuepper, you have my heart.” – The Brag March 17, 2016

Shows and tickets are limited with performances scheduled for Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne & Wheelers Hill only.

Elsewhere Kuepper and drummer Mark Dawson continue their own reinterpretation of Kueppers catalogue with the dynamic duo tacking to the stage each night sans rehearsal for a night of complete spontaneity. Destinations include MONA in Hobart for the Origin Of Art Festival, a rare Perth visit and the Gold Coast for a support to indie-icons, Sunnyboys.

Tickets for all shows on-sale Friday 20th October