There’re Big Things Calling
Off the back of new single Big Things Calling, the first taste of their forthcoming new album, Melbourne’s Perch Creek Family Jugband have just announced their national Dressin’ Up & Shakin’ Down tour.
Originally from Perch Creek on the north coast area of NSW, The Perch Creek Family Jugband is four siblings and one stray partner.
With humble beginnings as a street jug band led by their eccentric father, Bob Hodgkins, The Perch Creek Family Jugband has been performing and evolving over the best part of ten years. Though Bob has since hung up his jug band hat and handed over the reins, he laid in place the foundations for one of the most engrossing and innovative musical acts doing the rounds of Australia today.
From playing live on Spicks & Specks to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Perch Creek Family Jug Band have a long history of working, touring, playing and living together, but interestingly, given their history and lineage, their new studio album (set for early 2014 release) marks the first time they’ve collaborated closely as a unit throughout all stages of the songwriting process.
Realised on a week-long songwriting session in a holiday house nestled in the sand dunes of the Mornington Peninsula, new single Big Things Calling was the first track to come out of the process. Featuring lush five-part harmonies over a chant-like chorus, with lyrics that hint at the melancholic while remaining uplifting and powerful in their themes of change and reflection, Big Things Calling ushers in a new sonic direction for the troupe – one that sees them expanding beyond their traditional jug band roots into a more indi-folk, contemporary sound.
Since returning from the Peninsula trip, the band – Camilla Hodgkins (banjo, keys), Christi Hodgkins (harmonica, trombone, saw), Eileen Hodgkins (banjo-uke, guitar, tap dancing), James Chandler (double bass) and Lear Hodgkins (drums, washboard, jug); all of whom contribute vocals – have been on a roll with collaborative songwriting. The upshot of it all is a brand new album of original material that also sees them experimenting further with harmonies, instrumentation and production, all of which has instilled a new energy and excitement for where the band are at as musicians, individuals and most importantly, as a group.
Now, to take this new sound and the songs that it has spawned (as well as all their crowd favourites) on the road, The Perch Creek Family Jugband are Dressin’ Up & Shakin’ Down Australia, and they’re inviting you to join them. Spritzing up each venue on the tour, pulling on their own best threads and hoping you come along in yours, the Dressin’ Up & Shakin’ Down tour will see the quintet teaming up with a selection of their favourite acts as well as unearthing some other little surprises for new friends and fans along the way.
So get all dressed up, and come shake down with The Perch Creek Family Jugband.
Thu 21 Nov at Civic Hall 6pm
Sat 23 Nov at Civic Hall 6.30pm
Sun 24 Nov at Court House 8.30pm
The Soundlounge Currumbin Friday November 22.
With special guest Daniel Champagne.
Doors 8pm, $22+BF
Find this and many other great gigs in Echonetdaily’s North Coast Gig Guide.
