Introducing Australia's Stones...

I came across Angus and Julia Stone when I was chatting a record store guy in Bondi Junction and I asked him to put a CD in my hand that he thought I would love. That CD was a compilation of the 2 EPs they had recorded to date - Heart Full of Wine and the charming Chocolates and Cigarettes.

I was completely hooked. One of the key characteristics of this Sydney North Shore sibling band is that each one writes songs that are instantly identifiable - Angus is more a strum-a-long Elliott Smith type whilst Julia veers from acoustic Bjork to a kind of breathy Joanna Newsom folk sound.

They recently recorded their debut album in the UK (where they fell under the wing of Fran Healy of Travis fame). The album is called A Book LIke This and this is the lead off single, The Beast. I find it uttlerly beguiling and it's a lovely video too.

 

 

The Beast is very much an Angus song. Julia's music is a little more challenging, but it's part of the drama of this band. Have a listen to I'm Yours.

 

I can't wait to see these guys live. By all accounts, it's like seeing two acts... the other melds into the background during each song. But... I'm waiting until a certain someone who's currently in the UK beats a path to my door here in Sydney before I book some tickets. I have a feeling it will be a night that I want to share.

 

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