Big Scary

Label:
Barsuk (US)
Pieater/Inertia (AUS/NZ)

Management:
Tom Fraser

Bookings:
Evan Davis (Aus/NZ) - Village Sounds
Mike Greish & Duffy McSwiggin (Nth/Sth America) - Paradigm
Priya Dewan (Asia) - Feedback Asia

Publicity:
Claire Collins (Aus/NZ, Radio & Media) - Bossy Music
Sean Hallarman (US, Media) - Big Hassle Media

Publishing:
Grant Gillies (Aus/NZ) - GaGa
House of Hassle (RoW)

Touring History (past 12 months):
Dec/Jan 2013/14 - (upcoming) Falls Festival, Southbound Festival
Aug/Sept 2013 - National HEADLINE tour
June/July 2013 - National tour supporting Bernard Fanning
March 2013 - National tour supporting Mutemath
November 2012 - India, Singapore
October 2012 - USA, CMJ
March 2012 - sxsw & cmw, USA, Canada
October 2011 - National HEADLINE tour

Band Bio:
Tom Iansek and Jo Syme first emerged from Melbourne’s music scene in 2006, with a recognizable chemistry and genre-defying spirit that would become synonymous with their smart ‘less is more’ arrangements and dynamic songcraft.

Between Iansek’s evocative falsetto, Syme’s economic drumming, and their combined approach to self-sustained production, the pair gifted their core elements with understated ambition.

Inspiration taken from the lounge rooms of suburbia to the elements of Mother Nature herself, any muse resulting in a rich, diverse catalogue of songs and style.

Fuzzy garage rock sat effortlessly beside pocket orchestrated ballads. Idyllic melodies maneuvered through piano-led landscapes, as unfussy textures were unseated by good old-fashioned rock workouts.

Across a number of self-sustained, crafted releases, and tireless touring that saw them selling out headline shows across Australia, Tom Iansek managed to find down-time to hone his production skills under the solo project, Dads.

The product of two minds in unison, Big Scary - now armed with the skills of the studio as well as their songwriting talents - began to wind their stories into the landscape of the road. And in turn, it wound back.

Released in October 2011 through the band’s own newly-formed label Pieater (pronounced pie-eater), Big Scary’s intimately crafted debut, the equally introspective and inventive Vacation, was a beautifully subtle, focused set.

Recorded and shaped with close friend and producer Sean Cook (former bass player of Yves Klein Blue), Big Scary enlisted Welshman Gareth Parton (The Go! Team, Foals, The Breeders) to mix and engineer the sessions.

Vaction’s twin lead singles, the scale-tastic piano explosion of ‘Mix Tape’ and the sensuous but searing garage rock of ‘Gladiator’, lured listeners to an impassioned album of vulnerable, genre-bending tunes that delivered minimalist pop rich in melody and meaning.

The results earned the pair widespread acclaim, feted by fans and critics alike who fell for its emotive charms, its dexterous folds, and simple human appeal.

Iansek and Syme had become one of Australia’s most exciting emerging acts. With their beloved unpredictability and rich character shining through on record and stage, they marched into a successful 2012.

Off the back of Vacation’s third single – the gorgeous paean to the tyranny of distance, ‘Leaving Home’ – they appropriately set out to seek their fortunes abroad in America.

Their adventures overseas took in industry showcases at SXSW, CMW, and CMJ, as well as hopping the coasts for headline shows, stealing the breath of audiences in New York and Los Angeles in delivering their trademark versatility, lovable magnetism, and intelligent songwriting.

After flying the flag for Australia abroad, including a showcase in Mumbai for the
Music Connects India Music Forum, a homecoming beckoned.

They staked a claim to their very own recording studio-come-headquarters in Mixed Business, a humble little Fitzroy domestic for Big Scary to develop new projects in-between ‘crafternoons’.

After nine months of quiet refinement, grooming new music and moods between travel, work, and touring; Big Scary have birthed their second colourful, creative album.

The boldly titled Not Art was recorded and produced by Big Scary’s own Tom Iansek, and mixed by the Grammy Award winning Tom Elmhirst at Electric Lady Studios in New York.