Australian Artists Shane Nicholson & Luluc Announced
Another rich layer added to hit tribute concert.
Zoë Randell from Luluc is “the female Nick Drake”. Lucinda Williams
Shane Nicholson’s “high lonesome tenor is elegant and emotionally powerful… a wonder to behold.” All Music Guide
Much admired Australian alt-country singer songwriter Shane Nicholson and the acclaimed and evocative Australian indie folk duo Luluc are the latest additions to round out the upcoming, highly-anticipated tour of “Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake”.
Following acclaimed, sold-out performances across the UK, this very special evening is on its way to the Sydney Opera House November 11 and the Melbourne Recital Centre November 14 and 15.
Curated by Nick Drake’s original producer, Joe Boyd (at the helm for two of Drake’s albums – Five Leaves Left in 1969, and Bryter Layter in 1970), this concert brings together renowned contemporary singers united by their reverence for the material.
Australians Shane Nicholson and Luluc join the international artists who will sing and re-interpret Nick Drake’s often hauntingly poetic material: folk rediscovery Vashti Bunyan,Scritti Politti front-man Green Gartside, psychedelic pop maverick Robyn Hitchcock, stunning Irish singer Lisa Hannigan, American soul powerhouse Krystle Warren, and UK success-story Scott Matthews.
The band and string section is led by musical director Kate St John, anchored by double bassist Danny Thompson, who played on many of Drake’s albums, and features the original orchestrations arranged by the late Robert Kirby in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Curator Joe Boyd said, “It’s been a wonderful experience putting together the Way To Blue tributes to the music of Nick Drake. Hearing his songs performed by such wonderful singers brings a new dimension to his music and confirms his position as one of the great songwriters of our era. Danny Thompson playing bass, and the original string arrangements by Robert Kirby connect the concerts to those magical recording sessions of forty years ago. I am looking forward to working with Shane Nicholson and Luluc and am sure they will bring something wonderful and new to the mix.”
About Luluc
With the release of their 2008 debut, Dear Hamlyn, Melbourne’s Luluc became a quiet sensation. In a short period, Luluc achieved much, playing major Australian and Canadian festivals and being handpicked to tour with Fleet Foxes, Jose Gonzalez and Lucinda Williams.
A perfect fit for Way To Blue, like a caress, Luluc hold their audiences entranced. Zoë Randell’s silken voice, above a gently thumbed nylon guitar, blends with Steve Hassett’s subtle vocal harmony and guitar to complete a rich and deeply affecting sound.
Of Dear Hamlyn, US music bible No Depression Magazine’s co-founder/editor Peter Blackstock said, “Precious few records I’ve heard in my life have achieved such a wholeness of spirit in sound. This is the most beautiful album I’ve heard in 10 years.” And Woody Mcdonald from the Golden Plains Festival states, “One of the most exquisite albums of the past year is the debut album by Luluc. Pure, unadorned, plain-spoken, a beautiful set of delicate folk songs.”
About Shane Nicholson
A native of Brisbane, Australia, singer/songwriter Shane Nicholson first gained attention as the lead singer/guitarist for rock band Pretty Violet Stain in the late 1990s. After parting ways with the band, he released his solo albums It’s A Movie in 2003 and Faith And Science in 2006 – both receiving wide critical acclaim and a good measure of commercial success.
Shane met Kasey Chambers when she sang some vocals on It’s A Movie and in time the two would go on to marry and record the highly acclaimed #1 album, Rattlin’ Bones in 2008, winning Best Country Album at the 2008 ARIA Awards, and scoring 5 Golden Guitar Awards in 2009, with the album ultimately achieving platinum+ sales. Shane’s albumsFamiliar Ghosts and this year’s Bad Machines have since followed, further cementing his place as one of Australia’s best regarded artists.
World class String Source joins Way To Blue
The organisers of “Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake” are thrilled to announce the inclusion of String Source, an exclusive collective of dynamic string players based throughout Australia. The string section – which will interpret original Nick Drake collaborator Robert Kirby’s orchestrations – is headed up by founder/director Leah Zweck.
While they are well established and highly respected in the mainstream classical world, they are versatile and adept at a multitude of styles, lending themselves to all sorts of cross-genre collaborations. To date, String Source have worked with a range of artists including Harry Connick Jr., Belle and Sebastian, The Whitlams, Patrizio Buanne and Kanye West. Their vibrant onstage presence has seen them appear on TV shows such as Australian Idol, Sunrise, Rove Live, Live at the Basement and Australia’s Got Talent.
Nick Drake fans – make sure you are in attendance for what will be
an unforgettable evening of musical magic and mystery.