The Tonights

Artist Information

Biography

Formed out of a desire to have a water-tight creative unit unbounded by genre or fashion, The Tonights’ are built around the core trio of chief songwriter/pianist & bassist Eva Fritz, her guitar & bass playing brother Henry and her husband Christian Paul Sargeant, who fills the role of both drummer & producer. The bands' sound is augmented by multi-instrumentalist Col McIntyre.

From hooky guitar riffs to atmospheric, piano-led mantras, The Tonights’ diverse yet distinctive sound journeys from symphonic pop to minimalist balladry; neo-psychedelia to undiluted rock -occasionally within the life of a single song. Always providing the bridge between these sometimes disparate styles is vocalist Eva Fritz-whose warm, melodic voice is at once sultry but vulnerable; reflective but hopeful, and can possess an almost hymnal quality suggesting higher powers....


Praise for The Tonights’ debut album:

'....a stunning first-off effort' THE SUNDAY MAIL
'....a corker!' RAVE MAGAZINE
'....a lavish and romantic concoction of vivid musicality' TIME OFF MAGAZINE
'....an extremely promising debut ....moments of true majesty' SCENE MAGAZINE
'.....immaculately produced ....a stack of fine tunes' THE COURIER MAIL
'...recalls the likes of Bettie Serveert and Belly...an entirely promising album' ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Instrumentation

EVA FRITZ-lead vocals, keyboards, bass
HENRY FRITZ-electric & acoustic guitars, bass
CHRISTIAN PAUL SARGEANT-drums, sampler, backing vocals
COL McINTYRE-saxophones,flute,bass

Discography

'The Tonights' [self-titled debut album]
Released: 14th November 2005
Label: Sun & Air
Distributor: MGM
Catalogue # SUNAIRCD001

'Tiptoes Remix EP'
Released: 26th March 2007
Label: Sun & Air
Distributor: Sun & Air
Catalogue # SUNAIRCD002

Both releases available through iTunes, Napster, CD Baby etc

Both releases playlisted with 70+ Australian community radio stations across the nation.

Streamed broadcast through ILR, Dandelion Radio [UK], SAS Radio [UK], Bleeding Edge Podcast amongst others.

Links

• MySpace

Audio

• Tiptoes [Album Version]
  Listen   Download
• Homunculus
  Listen   Download
• Immobilized
  Listen   Download
• Red Velvet Goat
  Listen   Download
• Circus Minding
  Listen   Download
• Trace
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Tiptoes
• Immobilized
• Red Velvet Goat
• Circus Minding
• Trace

Video

Promo Film Clip for the single 'Tiptoes'

Photo Gallery

Press

• Album Review-All Music Guide [+ Show ]
  

  A showcase for the alluringly smoky-voiced singer-songwriter Eva Fritz, Australian trio the Tonights...A showcase for the alluringly smoky-voiced singer-songwriter Eva Fritz, Australian trio the Tonights proffer a mature, understated version of AAA pop with elements of Tori Amos, late-era Everything But the Girl and electro-folkie Beth Orton. Fritz's vocals are the songs' focal point, and with good reason: a subtle but instantly appealing singer who favors minor-key moodiness over big-note showboating, Fritz is the group's strongest asset. Musically, the album is about evenly split between downtempo-influenced semi-electronica like "Circus Minding" and the creepily atmospheric, loop-based "Homunculus" and more straightforward piano-driven pop tunes like the quietly self-assured "Trace," which features the album's most assertive and catchy chorus. Opening track and first single "Tiptoes" is another highlight, adding a brash alt-rock edge that recalls near-forgotten '90s faves like Bettie Serveert and Belly. Overall, this is a low key but entirely promising album.
  
  3½ stars out of 5
  

• Album Review-The Courier Mail [+ Show ]
  

  ‘The Tonights’ THE TONIGHTS (Sun & Air) Another immaculately produced Australian recording com...
  ‘The Tonights’
  THE TONIGHTS (Sun & Air)
  
  Another immaculately produced Australian recording comes from Brisbane band The Tonights and their self-titled debut album (Sun and Air/MGM Distribution).
  It’s a tight unit with singer-songwriter Eva Fritz, guitarist brother Henry and Eva’s husband, drummer Christian Paul Sargeant.
  What’s so striking about The Tonights is that they know how to construct an album of varied colours rather than saying the same thing a dozen times over, using brass, congas, lapsteel or whatever else can do the job.
  Their songs range from haunting piano ballads (see Glass Apple) to widescreen, slow-mo rock (Strangers at a Disco, Immobilized) and massive instrumentals (see the Roxy Music-meets-Chemical Brothers anthem Homunculus).
  Big Sky features double bass and tasty trumpet around its slinky rhythms, Drop the Ball builds around a lonely harmonica before erupting into a soul-fired rave-up, while Bugs is a mysterious collision between a bluesy organ figure and emotive slide guitar.
  Fritz has a warm, inviting voice and a stack of fine tunes, and the attention to detail, from Eva’s superb cover art to Sargeant’s sure production, delivers an album that deserves to spread their music to an international audience.
  
  
  [THE COURIER-MAIL, Brisbane 05-08-2006]
  

• Album Review-Time Off Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  THE TONIGHTS Self Titled (Sun & Air/MGM) The Tonights’ debut album is a lavish and romantic co...
  THE TONIGHTS
  Self Titled (Sun & Air/MGM)
  
  The Tonights’ debut album is a lavish and romantic concoction of vivid musicality. ‘Tiptoes’ is all demure, feminine desire and saucy, cyclical guitar riffs, while the gentle keyboard on ‘Trace’ perfectly complements Eva Fritz’s ethereal vocals. From the languid melancholy of ‘Strangers at a Disco’ to haunting harmonica and subtle guitar in ‘Drop the Ball’, the tracks evoke the freedom of those long, balmy summer afternoons.
  
  A steel guitar interlude in ‘Bugs’ leads to the second part of this atmospheric album. Self-conscious affirmations of independence in ‘By Myself’ are embellished by trumpet. ‘Homunculus’ delivers another instrumental interlude incorporating foxy bass work, while ‘Big Sky’ features stunning brass arrangements. The guitar in ‘Circus Minding’ articulates open spaces and seventies psychedelia, before the intimate confessions of ‘Red Velvet Goat’.
  
  An introspective collection of lyrical treasures and cerebral caresses, enhanced by Christian Paul Sargeant’s chic production. This debut album is (along with Eva Fritz’s dazzling ladybeetle sleeve art) brimming with a fresh sound, reminiscent of the more creative of our Brissie music legends.
  
  4½ stars out of 5
  
  [TIME OFF Magazine, Brisbane 25-1-2006]
  

• Album Review-Scene Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  ‘The Tonights’ THE TONIGHTS (Sun & Air) Cut from a slumber-pop cloth reminiscent of the Redsun...
  ‘The Tonights’
  THE TONIGHTS (Sun & Air)
  
  Cut from a slumber-pop cloth reminiscent of the Redsunband and New Buffalo, Brisbane outfit The Tonights have seemingly come out of nowhere with this extremely promising debut album. Singer Eva Fritz warbles her way dreamily through 13 tracks which range from basic, raw ballads to some sprawling psychedelia. This is a release which shows some signs of a band in its infancy but contains some moments of true majesty also. I, for one, look forward to hearing a lot more.
  
  [SCENE Magazine, Brisbane 23-11-2005]
  

• Live Review-The Zoo [Album Launch] [+ Show ]
  

  THE ZOO 14-01-2006 Album Launch Show w/The Informants + Ethan Azarian [Texas, USA] The stage i...THE ZOO 14-01-2006
  Album Launch Show w/The Informants + Ethan Azarian [Texas, USA]
  
  The stage is darkened and The Tonights appear in a kaleidoscopic explosion of drums, guitar and classy sax. Eva Fritz is slinky in red, and pork pie hats are de rigeur. Fritz’s vocals are slightly muffled but by the seamless introduction to ‘Trace’, the sound has improved and her voice holds more power. The interchangeable stage lineup features eight exceptionally talented and versatile musicians including a percussionist, two saxophonists and a trumpet player. Fritz calms the enthusiastic crowd with her delicate keyboard playing for ‘Glass Apple’, as drummer Christian Paul Sargeant displays super-intense concentration. Casting her spell with a raunchy performance of The Motels’ Total Control, she takes on the bass with all the furious timing and oompah of Goldfrapp sans tuba.
  
  There’s a relaxed interplay between the musicians and plenty of eye contact. Sargeant provides some growly soft backup vocals to ‘Circus Minding’ and ‘Tiptoes’ showcases Fritz’s rock-chic ingénue. Knickers are tossed on stage and Henry Fritz performs a fiery guitar solo before launching into the elegant chord progression of ‘Red Velvet Goat’. A very physical harmonica player and others hop up for the beery encore.
  
  Megan Yarrow
  [TIME OFF Magazine, Brisbane 18-1-2006]
  

• Radio Feedback
  

  One of the best discs I’ve heard this year.

• Radio Feedback
  

  Very cool sounds, rhythms that grab you, vocals that are absolutely luscious.

• Radio Feedback
  

  Very inspirational…. on heavy rotation on our mid day prime time show…

• Radio Feedback
  

  Beautiful vocals! Great band, and GREAT lyrics!! 10/10

• Radio Feedback
  

  Loved it! The material is great and fresh.

Setlist

45 minute, 10-12 song set.

Basic Requirements

Calendar