Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey is the maiden U.S. album offering from up-and-coming indie darlings Skipping Girl Vinegar.
This album follows the release of their Chase The Sun EP and film clip earlier this year that put them on the CMJ charts.
Childhood friends and celebrated songwriters, they have released two critically acclaimed albums in their homeland of Australia, which made many 'Album of the Year' lists.
Both albums have received extensive radio play on national Australian youth network Triple J and were championed by ABC and major alternative radio nationwide and saw them extensively tour and play premier festivals. Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey breaks wide open the pop revelation the band hinted at on their debut. A beautifully diverse, yet cohesive album; with every listen you will find new things in the sonic layers and lyrical twists and turns.
The band name, Skipping Girl Vinegar, comes from one of Australia's first and most beloved 1920's moving neon signs of a skipping girl, in their hometown of Melbourne; advertising a now defunct vinegar company.
Skipping Girl Vinegar has carved out their own heart-warming, hobo-pop sound that is testament to the band's old-world authenticity and song craft. The character of the album was built around found objects discarded in dumpsters; breathing new life into them with all their beautiful, dysfunctional qualities.
"Don't be afraid to limp in public" was the advice given to Skipping Girl Vinegar's lead singer and celebrated songwriter Mark Lang by music veteran Ben Harper, when both on the bill at Australian premier music festival Splendour In The Grass.
According to Mark, "This advice gave me the confidence to explore outside of our comfort-zone and search to make something fresh when people are watching what you do next. We had already begun working on the new album and had decided not to make Sift the Noise, volume two. We pushed ourselves - questioning our known process, breaking down everything we did, trying to find new pathways in our writing and recording. This makes you feel extremely uncomfortable and can leave you feeling like you are floating in nowhere land. The temptation to return to what we knew was strong but I'm glad we pushed ahead into the unknown to unravel a new direction," says Mark Lang.
If you take the time to explore the cover art you will see that Skipping Girl Vinegar are not your average collective. With a scrupulous eye for detail and an understanding of human connection, the album artwork is like a whisper that draws you close to see and hear the layers and textures of hidden details and thought. Through photos, cut outs and embossed files, the design reinforces the textured feel of the album.
Skipping Girl Vinegar were offered significant six-figure major label world-wide offers in Australia for their debut album but made the decision to maintain independence in their homeland and find individual label partners in other territories.
The band make their maiden U.S. trip, this October, showcasing Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey to potential U.S industry partners.
Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey was written across two continents and recorded on the Victorian coast, mixed in Nashville by legendary indie engineer Brad Jones (Josh Rouse) and produced by Melbourne indie-wiz Nick Huggins [Kid Sam, Whitley], Caleb James [Yves Klein Blue], Greg Arnold [Stonefield] and SGV's Mark Lang. Rich with sonic landscapes, melodies and lyrical turns the album proudly closes with a special guest performance from legendary singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith (Canada).
Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey is released on October 22, 2012.
"At a time when pop is becoming more disposable, Skipping Girl Vinegar are the real deal." - Music Australia Guide
Skipping Girl Vinegar 'Chase The Sun' - Monkey In Space video:
Skipping Girl Vinegar October 2012 U.S. tour dates:
(Dates and information subject to change.)
10.13 Los Angeles, CA @ LA Showcase at WitZend
10.17 NYC, NY @ Legion (CMJ)
10.19 NYC, NY @ Planetary Stage at Pianos (CMJ)
10.20 NYC, NY @ Aussie BBQ Stage at The Delancey (CMJ)
10.24 Nashville, TN @ Nashville Showcase at The Basement
For the latest tour dates and information, please go to:
Skipping Girl Vinegar Official Website