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'The lingering impressions are of vast distance and space, bold departures and sad farewells.' - The Independent (on Ocean Songs)
'An enrapturing performance of their jazz-affected post-punk.' - Last FM (on Laughing Clowns)
Originating in the UK as an offshoot of the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival, Don’t Look Back concerts present a retrospective of selected artists’ classic albums in their entirety. Sydney Festival is proud to present a double bill of two essential Australian albums on Australia Day.
Dirty Three are Warren Ellis (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Grinderman), Mick Turner (solo/visual artist) and Jim White (Smog, Cat Power, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy). Formed in Melbourne in 1991, this violin-led trio has earned an international fanbase through years of relentless touring and spellbinding live performances.
On Ocean Songs, Dirty Three set out to make a purely instrumental album, void of effects – an instinctual reaction to the primal sound that had been the band’s trademark. Retaining their poetically profound and emotionally honest sound, it has since gone on to become one of their most loved and influential works.
In their initial incarnation, Laughing Clowns existed from 1979 until 1984, releasing some of the most brilliantly executed post-punk and post-modern music ever produced in Australia. Featuring the prodigious talents of Ed Kuepper (The Saints) and drumming genius Jeffrey Wegener, this reunited version of Laughing Clowns also features saxophonist Louise Elliott, stand up bassist Les ‘Biff’ Millar and recent Ed Kuepper sideman, Alister Spence.
History of Rock ‘n’ Roll Vol. 1 compiled many of the out-of print recordings from Ed Kuepper’s label Prince Melon Records. It also illustrated the remarkably smooth co-existence of seemingly arthouse ambitions and the individualistic musical aspirations that made up the various line-ups of the Clowns.
The Dirty Three and The Laughing Clowns will also play other shows around Australia.
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