Eskimo Joe Back to Their Best With “The First Time”

Eskimo Joe haven’t released a single since 2021, but listening to their latest track “The First Time,” it’s like they never left. This song feels so familiar yet fresh. It’s got me all nostalgic about their music, but also excited about everything that’s still to come.

“We really look up to bands like the Rolling Stones and U2 – those guys who keep touring and creating music over and over again,” explained the band’s bass player and vocalist Kav Temperley. “It makes us proud of our musical journey and the people who have taken our songs into their lives. Eskimo Joe is still the three core members. It just wouldn’t be the Eskies without the three of us in a studio or on stage making music together – our friendship is as much a part of the band as the music itself. After an amazing 2023 of playing some huge festivals, there’s this indescribable energy when a massive crowd is singing your songs back at you. We wanted to capture that energy and infuse it into our recording. So, in the first week of January this year, over five days we wrote and recorded ‘The First Time’ at my studio in Fremantle.”

“We wanted to write something that set out to encapsulate the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, that looks back through rose coloured glasses conveniently forgetting the heartache and sleepless nights that came with a certain place and time in our lives. It’s easy in the loneliest moments to look back and take comfort in those memories secretly holding onto that feeling like an addict. The song is also a realisation that holding onto the past might also be holding you back from the present. The subject is nostalgic but so is the sound of this song, it sounds like it could have sat perfectly on the Black Fingernails album.”

“You put so much energy into each song, you build it up, tear it down, build it back up again until it matches the band’s vision. I love the energy in this song and the sentiment, and I’m stoked that we get to release it out into the world,” added lead guitarist Stu MacLeod.

Drummer and guitarist Joel Quartermain is equally enthusiastic, noting, “Once it’s out in the world, a song truly exists. Hopefully people connect with it.”

Eskimo Joe will play Lookout Festival, alongside choice international acts Live and Incubus, before headlining an acoustic theatre tour. Expect to hear all your old favourites and choice new cuts like “The First Time” at the following shows.

6 April 2024 – Lookout Festival @ Sandstone Point Hotel, Kabi Kabi and Joondoburri Country/Bribie Island
7 April 2024 – Lookout Festival @ Broadwater Parklands, Yugambeh Country/Southport
13 April 2024 – Lookout Festival @ Mornington Racecourse, Bunurong Country/Mornington
20 April 2024 – Lookout Festival @ Whitfords Nodes Park, Noongar Country/Hillarys
27 April 2024 – Civic Hall, Ballaarat/Ballarat
28 April 2024 – Wyndham Cultural Centre, Imaroo/Werribee
25 May 2024 – Casula Powerhouse, Cabrogal Country/Liverpool
26 May 2024 – The Concourse Lounge, Cammeraygal Country/Willoughby
31 May 2024 – Logan Entertainment Centre, Yugambeh and Yuggera Country/Logan
21 June 2024 – Red Earth Arts Precinct, Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Country/Karratha
22 June 2024 – Carnarvon Civic Centre, Gwoonwardu/Carnarvon
28 June 2024 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Kinjarling/Albany
30 June 2024 – Esperance Civic Centre, Kepa Kurl/Esperance
5 July 2024 – The Wedge, Gunai Country/Sale
6 July 2024 – Kingston City Hall, Mooroobin/Moorabbin
7 July 2024 – Queanbeyan PAC, Quinbean/Queanbeyan
9 July 2024 – Horsham Town Hall Theatre, Wopetbungundilar/Horsham
12 July 2024 – Swan Hill Town Hall PACC, Matakupaat/Swan Hill
13 July 2024 – The Art House, Darkinjung Country/Wyong
26 July 2024 – Mount Isa Civic Centre, Kalkadoon Country/Mount Isa
28 July 2024 – Rockhampton River Festival, Darambal Country/Rockhampton
7 August 2024 – MECC, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
8 August 2024 – Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Gia Country/Proserpine

Photo credit: Duncan Wright

The Animals, Eskimo Joe, Rick Price Heading to Airlie Beach Festival of Music’s 10th Birthday

Airlie Beach Festival of Music promises one hell of a party when the event celebrates its 10th anniversary this November. Organisers have just announced killer additions to the line-up including Rick Price, Eskimo Joe, and British superstars The Animals.

“I’m sure the weather will be perfect and everybody there will be up for a good time,” said The Animals’ original drummer John Steel, who can’t wait to visit Airlie Beach for the first time. “The onstage setup and the crew will be top class … fans can expect to see and hear a cracking good band performing timeless classics from The Animals repertoire – just sit back and enjoy it; we won’t let you down.”

These acts join those already announced including Ben Lee, Rogue Traders, the Badloves, Mi-Sex, and Bill Chambers.

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music hits Airlie Beach from November 4 to 6. That sounds like a long time away, but with such an amazing line-up the event is sure to sell out. I’d nab some tickets sooner rather than later if I were you!

“The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is the perfect event for visitors to package with a diverse array of accommodation and tours, but due to its ever-increasing popularity I would suggest booking now to avoid disappointment,” added Rick Hamilton, Tourism Whitsundays’ CEO. “This is one of those weekends you don’t want to miss and a unique chance to experience live music in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”

You heard the man. Get on it! Tickets are available now from the Airlie Beach Festival of Music website.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Don’t Wait: Get Your Scene & Heard Tickets Now!

Have you got your tickets for Scene & Heard yet? If not, what are you waiting for? This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, with shows in Cairns and Brisbane complementing the original Newcastle gig.

The line-up is also the stuff early noughties dreams are made of, with The Dandy Warhols, Wolfmother, Alex Lloyd, and Sneaky Sound System all on the bill. There are also a few acts exclusive to each venue, including British India in Brisvegas and Eskimo Joe in Newie. Brisbane and Newcastle also get the Don’t Come Monday Stage, a party zone headlined by the Potbelleez DJs.

Scene & Heard aims to create more than a festival. It’s all about making memories and connecting to the music and one another, rather than worrying about capturing images for your social media profiles. If you’re into that vibe, make sure to snap up your tickets soon!

27 October 2019 – Barlow Park, Cairns
2 November 2019 – Eatons Hill Outdoors, Brisbane
10 November 2019 – Wickham Park, Newcastle

Image used with permission from GYRO Pr; photo credit: J Munns

Wastelands in Store, Eskimo Joe to Tour

If you didn’t know it already, Eskimo Joe’s new Wastelands is in stores today. And if you also didn’t know it, Eskimo Joe will hit the road next month to promote their self-produced, crowd-funded release.

The tour will be fans’ first chance to see Eskimo Joe playing the best cuts from their new synth-laden release. So it’s a good thing that the Western Australian trio will play plenty of shows around the country this October and November. Tickets are on sale now from the venues for the following gigs.

17 October 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
18 October 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
19 October 2013 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
24 October 2013 – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle
25 October 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 October 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
1 November 2013 – Sugarland, Bundaberg
2 November 2013 – Tank Arts, Cairns
9 November 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth
23 November 2013 – Gorgeous Festival, Adelaide Hills

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Eskimo Joe “Got What You Need” With New Single

Eskimo Joe smashed records when they appealed to their fans to fund their new album Wastelands through a crowd-funding campaign. Now those fans get a chance to see what their money’s bought with the release of the first single “Got What You Need”.

This synth-laden number is a real departure from the rock sound we’re used to. However Kav Temperley’s awesome vocals and the catchy melody should be enough to help fans embrace this new direction. Honestly I’m still making up my mind about “Got What You Need”, but I think it might be a bit of a grower.

When Eskimo Joe fans pre-order the Wastelands album, which hits stores on September 20, they’ll receive a free copy of “Got What You Need”. Alternatively the single is available as a standalone track.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Eskimo Joe Warm Up Winter with Acoustic Shows

After smashing targets with their crowdfunding campaign last November, Eskimo Joe are keen to say thank you to their generous fans. They’ll do just that when they showcase some of the new material they’ve been working on as well as treat punters to old favourites on their Winter Warmer Tour.

Kav, Stu, and Joel know it takes something special to bring music lovers out on winter nights, so they’re performing acoustic sets at intimate venues around the country. The sets will also see them reinterpreting highlights from their career so far. Rest assured Eskimo Joe fans, these shows will be worthwhile.

There are still tickets available for the following performances.

26 June 2013 – Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney

28 June 2013 – Old Museum, Brisbane
9 & 10 July 2013 – Moore and Moore, Fremantle
12 July 2013 – Ormond Hall, Melbourne
13 July 2013 – Published Arthouse, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Fans Help Eskimo Joe Make New Album

Eskimo Joe have enjoyed the support of major labels in recent years, but they’ve decided to do things a little differently for album number six. Rather than working with a record company, the Perth band decided to let fans fund the new record through Pozible.

Fans have been quick to embrace the initiative, pledging $54, 600 at last count, far exceeding the $40, 000 Eskimo Joe hoped to raise. With the fundraising drive running until February, they might even end up doubling their target.

Contributors will have the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with helping to support local talent, as well as a few extra perks. Depending on how much they give, people who pledge can earn bonuses like advance copies of the new single and even a barbeque with the band members.

If you’re feeling skint you can still join in on the fun. Eskimo Joe will engage with their fans through social media during the writing and recording process.

“We feel that involving all our supporters like this brings a real responsibility to us to make a fucking awesome record and to also make them feel a real part of it,” the band said in an official statement. “This feels like a new creative beginning for us.”

I must admit to feeling Eskimo Joe’s album was a little lacklustre. I really hope this new direction brings them the inspiration they need to create another Aussie classic!

Eskimo Joe & PNAU Play Live at the Chapel

Following on from The Vines’ appearance earlier this year, Eskimo Joe and PNAU will play the next Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel show. The Aussie acts will rock St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in the Sydney suburb of Newtown on November 23.

This is the first time the Live at the Chapel series has delivered a double act, and it’s sure to be a great night with both acts enjoying great success with recent releases.

Eskimo Joe are at the top of their game, having just scored six ARIA Award nominations, they are the finest rock act in the country, and PNAU are smashing it overseas, they look destined for global success,” said MCM media’s chief exec Simon Joyce. “To be able to present them on the same stage is a defining moment for Live At The Chapel, we’re in for a very special evening.”

As always this Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel show is only for competition winners. For your chance to be amongst them head to the Live at the Chapel website.

Image used with permission from Beam Inc.

“Ghosts of the Past” – Eskimo Joe

I came to Eskimo Joe a bit later in the game. I was always aware of their music through the radio, but it wasn’t until the release of Inshalla that I really connected with the band. So I was pretty excited to see what they served up with their newie, Ghosts of the Past. The single “Love is a Drug” set the bar high, but sadly I’ve got mixed feelings about the disc.

It’s really hard to put my finger on exactly why I haven’t connected with this recording. It sounds gorgeous. Eskimo Joe are a talented trio, and they’re probably incapable of making bad, or even mediocre, music. This disc is really piano rich, and that gives the album an epic feel. It helps the music soar and elevates it beyond the guitar-rock the band used to deliver.

And there are some really great songs here. “Gave it All Away” is such a strong opener, with its big rock sounds and crashing drums. I loved the quirkyness of “Echo,” which has one of the most unusual and compelling melodies I’ve heard in some time. The title track seems destined to become a single. It’s got just the right combination of rocking riffs and melodic hooks to appeal to the MMM set.

A lot of the disc is quite big, but I prefer it when it’s less grandiose. The alt-country feel of “Just Don’t Feel,” with its acoustic guitars and rich strings, was like a breath of fresh air. And I was initially struck by the simplicity of the closer “Sky’s on Fire.” The initial portion feels like it was recorded on an eight-track in a bedroom. That lack of polish gave it a real truth, so I was disappointed when this track too became big.

Frankly I could listen to an album of the small stuff, and that might be where my problem with Ghosts of the Past lies. This album sounds incredible, but such refinement comes at the expense of some soul. The lyrics are really strong, but it’s difficult to focus on them with so much else going on. It’s interesting that Eskimo Joe gave fans a preview of this album with an acoustic tour. Personally I think that stripped back delivery would have made these songs much more compelling than the wall of sound the band’s offered here. Ghosts of the Past is far from a bad album, but it’s not quite the record it could have been.

Image source: Eskimo Joe website

Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts

Gotye has continued his reign at the top of the ARIA singles charts this week. “Somebody That I Used to Know” is still sitting pretty at the number one spot, despite strong competition from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera’s “Moves Like Jagger.”

Jessica Mauboy is also holding steady at number four with her newie “Inescapable.” And it’s worth noting that we’ve even got a chart presence rounding out the top 10. David Guetta might take top billing on “Titanium,” but we all know it’s our Sia that makes it really special.

The albums charts still belong to Adele, but the Aussies are making their presence felt. Eskimo Joe have blasted into the number three spot with their fifth studio album Ghosts of the Past.

Boy & Bear have slipped to number four, but Moonfire is still performing well after last week’s number two debut.

And it’s great to see Jessica Mauboy’s Get ‘Em Girls back in the top 10. The album wasn’t even in the top 50 last week, but it’s zoomed back to number 9, no doubt buoyed by the success of “Inescapable.”

Click below for all the chart action.

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