Tag: Danielle Spencer

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Danielle Spencer and Steve Balbi Play Alone and Together

Ethereal singer songwriter Danielle Spencer and former Noiseworks bass player Steve Balbi seem like an unlikely match, but the talented twosome are teaming up for a string of intimate shows next month.

As the name of the tour suggests, the Alone & Together shows will see them performing solo and as a duo. Danielle is continuing to promote her brilliant sophomore album Calling All Magicians. She’ll also undoubtedly look back to stunning debut White Monkey. She recently reworked the disc in acoustic mode for a new album co-produced with none other than Steve Balbi. The pair seem to have enjoyed their time together in the studio recently, as they also laid down a cover of David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes.” You can download it for nix on Danielle Spencer’s Facebook page.

If you like what you hear you can catch the unusual but brilliant pair playing the following venues in October and November.

15 October 2011 – Lizotte’s Dee Why
22 October 2011 – Lizotte’s Central Coast
10 November 2011 – The Vanguard Sydney
27 November 2011 – The Toff In Town Melbourne

Image used with permission from Pod Artist Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sir Bob Geldof, Danielle Spencer, and Jon Stevens Play Charity Show in Sydney

Sir Bob Geldof will join locals Danielle Spencer and Jon Stevens for the Rock & Rebuild charity concert at Star City’s Lyric Theatre on May 1.

The event comes in the wake of recent disasters around the world. All monies raised by ticket sales and donations made on the night will benefit the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund and the Australian Red Cross’ Victoria Floods Appeal, New Zealand Earthquake Appeal, and Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

Image source: International Monetary Fund Photograph/Stephen Jaffe/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Calling All Magicians” – Danielle Spencer

When Danielle Spencer’s latest album Calling All Magicians arrived in my letterbox I could scarcely wait to put it in my stereo. Her 2001 debut White Monkey wasn’t just one of my favourite albums of that year; it remains one of my favourite albums of all time. But, I also felt a little trepidation. That album was conceived a long time ago, a time before her marriage to actor Russell Crowe and the birth of their two children. Could she create an album that moved me in the same way now that her life has entered a much calmer phase?

Happily, and perhaps surprisingly, I found that the answer was yes. While other strong female artists like Tori Amos, Melissa Etheridge, and Alanis Morisette have mellowed since their awe-inspiring debuts, Danielle is still an artist who enjoys the darkness.

While mentioning Tori Amos it’s impossible not to draw comparisons between the two musicians. Just like Tori, Danielle’s music is characterised by her ethereal voice and pounding piano. Yet Danielle is no imitator. Her lyrics tell her own stories, and their allusions to magic and fairytales are compellingly whimsical. Those allusions give Calling All Magicians a wonderfully familiar feel to anyone who enjoyed her first release. The track “Back at the Red Door” even acts as a sequel of sorts to the White Monkey song “Cartoon.”

Danielle doesn’t dwell in the shadows altogether though. “On Your Side” has a playful jaunt to it, and there’s a calm beauty about the closer “End of Story.” We get the impression that for all the darkness, Danielle is in a pretty good place.

Calling All Magicians is a lush and evocative collection of songs, an album that’s one of the best I’ve heard this year. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you loved Danielle’s debut I can guarantee you’re going to adore it. And if you’ve never experienced her music, I encourage you give it a spin.

Image source: Chaos