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Agent Fontaine are a Tasmanian pop rock outfit who have produced a delightful debut EP of which title track ‘Superhero’ is a real favourite.
‘Superhero’ provides a strong piano rock sound, with an extra side serving of punk. Its well layered, bouncy and has one of those infectious baselines that will struggle to keep you from tapping your feet. The nature of Agent Fontaine’s piano rock sound draws similarities to Queen, whilst the melodic punk undercurrents are perhaps more comparable to Panic at the Disco. Overall, I would say that ‘Superhero’ is like Elton John got angry, took some drugs, got to his piano and let it all come out on. Except, Elton John has done that, and it doesn’t sound anywhere near as enjoyable as ‘Superhero’ and doesn’t do Agent Fontaine justice.
Superhero is a fantastic listen and forms the crux of an awesome debut EP by Agent Fontaine, so be sure to check them out.
- Aussieplaylist
Opening with attention-grabbing power chords and following through with keys reminiscent of Queen, Superhero is definitely a fitting title track for Agent Fontaine’s debut EP.
Treat your ears to energetic guitar complimented with melodic vocals and organ. It’s easy to imagine yourself enjoying some icy drinks while soaking in the sun when listening to Superhero.
The one disadvantage to opening with such a powerful track is that the energy of it contrasts heavily with the remaining tracks. It leaves you hungry for another high energy track which isn’t there.
Closing track Goodbye, Farewell, Amen gets close with its fast paced guitar but just falls short with its lack of strong vocals. That’s not to say that the vocals are disappointing they just don’t have the same kick as Superhero.
I also can’t deny that the way vocalist Paddy Durkin emphasises the track’s title quickly found me singing along. The EP is full of hooks like these which will drive you insane because of how easily they get stuck in your head.
Touring with the likes of Regurgitator and Trial Kennedy, Agent Fontaine are definitely creating a buzz. After listening to Superhero, you soon realise the wide appeal of their sound. Not bad for a group of five lads from Tasmania.
- The 59th Sound
From 333th to number one in just a few weeks.
You not have heard of Tassie band Agent Fontaine yet, but you probably soon will.
The group is based in Hobart, and they've hit the media spotlight after a fairly short time gigging around, by letting people listen to their music for free online.
"We basically uploaded three of our tracks...they came into the charts at 333th...and then we jumped up to 27th spot and before we knew it we were at number two and we were number two for two consecutive weeks," says drummer Bec Badcock.
"And then we were at number one and we remained at number one for another week."
Bec's talking about Triple J Unearthed, which is a national online environment where up-and-coming bands can upload their music to play it to the world, and the listeners have a direct say in what they think of the music.
The charts are determined by reviews, ratings, downloads and listens by music fans.
Agent Fontaine describe themselves as a band that draws on what they think of as the 'golden age' of rock 'n' roll, the 50s and 60s, something you might not at first expect to be so popular with a 2009 audience.
Agent Fontaine's song Old Loves was their number one hit, but it's not their only success, with Nobody's Baby hitting number two shortly after Old Loves got to the top.
At the time of writing, Old Loves is still sitting at number two in the Unearthed charts, and Nobody's Baby is going strong at number four.
"We've actually experienced interest from interstate as well, we've had people call and say 'wow, we've seen you in Triple J Unearthed' so we're really riding on that at the moment."
The five-piece rock 'n' roll group have been friends for much longer than they've been a band.
"We formed in Hobart in April this year and we started playing gigs in Hobart earlier this year...slowly building up a good Hobart fan base and that's helping us out on Unearthed and that's great."
The next step for the group is to get some gigs interstate, to build on the momentum from Triple J Unearthed exposure.
Want to hear what all the fuss is about?
Head over to Triple J's Unearthed site and listen for yourself. Is Agent Fontaine the next 'big thing'?
- ABC
Discography
2012 - Superhero - EP
Photos
Bio
Agent Fontaine (unbeknownst to its members at the time) was conceived in the clubs of Liverpool in around 1963 but born and schooled in Tasmania's capital Hobart 45 years later as part of a get rich quick scheme.
The five piece band's sound is best described as an evolution of The Beatles, Queen and Ben Folds Five with subtle throwbacks to Australia's music of the late 1980's . If Temper Trap are modern music's answer the psychedelic period of the Beatles, Agent Fontaine provides the refresher from the Beatles Motown driven Rubber Soul, Revolver Period.
Formed from members born throughout the Tasmanian Island, the band features on keys Mozza Morrisby who provides not only the honky piano style of Ben Folds but also the organ shimmer of Billy Preston. On drums, local skins master Jem Kearney who in previous incarnations has played at the Falls Festivals and repeatedly on the national circuit. Launcestonians Grant Cooper and Jimmy O'Shannessey own the rhythm section and provide guitar and bass respectively whilst vocals are handled by Paddy Durkin who has best been described as the love child of Freddie Mercury and Bon Scott.
October 5 2012 signals the launch date of Fontaine’s debut EP ‘Superhero’ recorded at Melbourne’s renown Sing Sing Studios. Following the launch the band will announce the revival of rock ‘n’ roll to the country with an extensive tour of Australia’s eastern seaboard. Aussieplaylist.com has previewed the EP as a “delightful” and “awesome debut EP” with its title track ‘Superhero’ possessing “one of those infectious bass lines that will struggle to keep you from tapping your feet.”
Although only three years old, Agent Fontaine since its inception has been flying the flag for Tasmanian music proudly with national success in Triple J Unearthed. Both songs "Old Loves" and "Nobody's Baby" in 2009 which were uploaded as a demo tasters to the Unearthed website were voted to Number 1 and simultaneously held positions 1 and 2 for two weeks. This success led to national exposure both in local media such as the Mercury and Examiner and further feature interviews on ABC's Radio National and Edge Radio.
The Fontaine's growing national reputation has also been reflected in with its selection as the support for touring acts Regurgitator, Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians, The Vasco Era, Trial Kennedy and Goldfields. Fontaine was also selected as one of two local bands to play at the Soundscape Festival 2011, supporting bands such as Jebediah, You Am I & the Ting Tings. As described by Shantell Rodman of Southern Cross News, Agent Fontaine's gigs "appeal to a mass audience with their groupies running wild on the dance floor eager to bop to that distinctive beat."
With its growing national recognition and strong fan base, Agent Fontaine hopes to compete for Justin Beiber’s place in your stereo very soon...
Band Members
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