Has it really been 10 years since Lior released Autumn Flow? Every time I spot an anniversary tour announcement like this I become incredibly conscious of my age! It really does seem like only yesterday that I first heard “This Old Love” and became instantly besotted.
If that clip’s got you feeling nostalgic, you’ll be interested to know that Lior will rerelease his debut album with previously unreleased tracks to mark the milestone. He’s also announced a string of theatre shows where he’ll play Autumn Flow from start to finish as well as other choice cuts from his back catalogue.
Tickets are available now from Metropolis Touring for the following shows.
9 October 2015 – Anitas Theatre, Thirroul
10 October 2015 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
16 October 2015 – Athenaeum, Melbourne
24 October 2015 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
30 October 2015 – Astor Theatre, Perth
31 October 2015 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
Acoustic folkster Lior is giving music fans a taste of his brand new album with the release of “I Thought I Could Sing On My Own.”
Apparently Lior would prefer to sing with a friend this time around; he’s rounded up Wally de Backer, aka Gotye, to offer backing vocals.
“The song is a somewhat playful revelation that it is the people, rather than the place, that defines experience,” Lior explained. The song was serviced to radio this week, so make sure you listen out for it.
“I Thought I Could Sing On My Own” comes from Lior’s third studio album Tumbling Into the Dawn, which should hit music stores this September.
There are certain concerts you know will be great before you even take your seats. The pairing of Carole King and James Taylor, two of the greatest singer-songwriters in musical history, could never deliver anything but sublime entertainment. My expectations were high, but these two very special musicians didn’t disappoint.
Lior warmed up the crowd with his mellow acoustic folk-pop. He was a great match for the largely middle-aged crowd. I educated the older folks in my party about this “young whippersnapper” as we sipped verdehlo and enjoyed his cruisy tunes. I was already a fan, and I have a feeling he may have found some new ones after his subdued set.
But Carole and James were the main attraction. We clapped rapturously as the pair walked out on stage, arm in arm. The chemistry between these two performers is obvious. Their shared history meant they could easily play on one another’s songs for the shows entirety. We were treated to alternate songs from their back catalogue, hit after hit after hit. After so many decades in the business it’s clear that some songs couldn’t make the set list, but I wasn’t left wanting for anything after almost three hours of music. Continue reading “James Taylor & Carole King @ Hope Estate, Hunter Valley – 3 April 2010”→
If you missed Lior’s amazing Shadows and Light tour, you’ve got one more chance. The Australian troubadour has teamed up with the Sydney Theatre Company for two very special charity shows.
The concerts, scheduled for September 9 and 10, will raise money for Youngcare. The organization finds age-appropriate care for young people involved in serious, debilitating accidents. Currently young people requiring around-the-clock care are housed in aged care facilities, a situation which the charity says simply isn’t good enough.
“The Shadows And Light tour was one of the most fulfilling and inspiring experiences in my career thus far, both artistically and also in the way it seemed to resonate with the audience. At the time of wrapping up the shows, I was invited to the Sydney Theatre Company and I remember looking at the performance space thinking … Wow, it’s like this room was built for the Shadows and Light concept,” Lior explained.
“Around about the same time, I was contacted by a charity group called Youngcare and became very interested in the work they are doing for young people who are suffering and require round the clock care in suitable and dignified conditions. I am always inspired by young people who are committed to helping other young people in need. They approached me about doing a show to raise funds and awareness. It seemed that all the stars had somehow aligned and that the natural thing to do was to pull out the Shadows and Light show one more time later this year in a beautiful setting and for a worthy cause.”
Lior is offering a feast for the senses on his current Shadows & Light tour.
His sweet folk tunes are given a new depth with the addition of a string quartet. Completing the sensory experience is the talents of acclaimed shadow artists Stephen Mushin and Anna Parry. You might remember seeing their amazing work before in the video for Lior’s single “I’ll Forget You.”
For this tour the live shadow puppet plays provide a moving backdrop to songs from Lior’s two albums Autumn Flow and Corner of an Endless Road.
If you’re a fan, you don’t want to miss these shows. They will be Lior’s last before he takes a break to write album number three. See Lior with strings and shadow puppets at the following venues!
14-18 April 2009 – The Studio @ Opera House, Sydney
23 April 2009 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
24 April 2009 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
25 April 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Darwin
29 April 2009 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
30 April 2009 – Theatre Royal, Hobart
2 May 2009 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
3 May 2009 – Capitol Theatre, Bendigo
9 & 10 May 2009 – Tilley’s Divine Café, Canberra
Here in the music channel we’ve been talking about the songs we’re digging right now. Some of them are new, some of them aren’t, but these are the Aussie tunes that have really impressed me lately. I’ll do a roundup of the other blogs lists later on today, which should give you all plenty of cool music to check out.
“I’ll Forget You” is a beautiful collaboration between Lior and Sia. This song is sweetness and joy in musical form, and I just love the shadow puppet film clip.
One good collaboration deserves another, don’t you think? This time we’ve got Paul Mac and Bertie Blackman teaming up for “The Only One,” a totally fun track from the new Aussie movie Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger.
“This Heart Attack” by Faker has been around for a little while now, but it just won’t quit. The film clip freaks me out a little, but this song is just so incredibly catchy.
Josh Pyke’s “Forever Song” was also released a while ago, but for some reason it didn’t seem to get the attention it deserved. Such simplicity, such beauty, Josh Pyke’s just awesome.
Gabriella Cilmi’s sassy ditty “Sweet About Me” is just delicious. I can’t believe this kid’s only 16 years old! She reminds me of a much more together Amy Winehouse.
“Rush” by Claire Clarke is perfect pop with a sexy rock edge. Claire’s another one of the new breed of Aussie artists at just 18 years old. I think the future of Aussie music is safe with such awesome young talent!
“Used to Get High” is the latest mellow groovefest by one of Australia’s coolest bands The John Butler Trio. It’s great to hear these guys playing with a more electric sound.
“Untouched” by The Veronicas is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine at the moment. It’s a perfect slice of pop that I just can’t help singing along to.
Powderfinger’s latest offering “Nobody Sees” is a little bit mellower than what we’re used to hearing from the Brisbane lads, and I think that’s why I like it so much. The stripped back feel really allows the tender lyrics and Bernard’s voice to shine.
My sister introduced me to the music of Angus and Julia Stone as it reminded her of one of our favourite childhood singers, Melanie Safka. That probably won’t mean much to my younger readers, but hopefully they’ll enjoy their new single “Wasted” anyway.
Lior’s debut album Autumn Flow did big things in 2005, scoring a handful of ARIA nominations and achieving gold status. Now he’s set to replicate this success with album number two, Corner of an Endless Road.
“These new songs are intensely personal and candid,” says Lior. “Corner of an Endless Road is a true representation of my musical landscape; think Led Zeppelin jamming with Nick Drake at a teahouse somewhere in the Middle East.”
That’s some description! Sadly we’ll have to wait until February 9 to hear the new disc, although the first single “Heal Me” is out in November.
But fans will have a sneak peek of the album when Lior takes the new songs on the road in November. He’ll play some very special intimate shows, starting at the Governor Hindmarsh in Adelaide on the 16th. From there he’ll visit Melbourne, Sydney, Fremantle, Brisbane, Port Douglas, Cairns, and Byron Bay. Full details of the shows are available at Lior’s website.
