Feint Ruled Line

Popular music has a fine legacy of sibling artistry. Think of Angus & Julia Stone, Rufus & Martha Wainwright, and – most notably in the Antipodes – Tim & Neil Finn. Feint Ruled Line is the latest addition to this legacy. Anthony & Andrew Swann spent their formative years individually studying music, playing in school orchestras and bands, and honing their individual songwriting crafts. However, it was a chance remark by their now-deceased grandfather in late 2005 which was the catalyst for their collaboration.

“Don’t forget – you’re musicians” were the words playing on older brother Anthony’s mind in the three months immediately following their grandfather’s passing. A week-long trip away to Fraser Island with a bunch of mates early in January 2006 allowed him to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of full-time work, to clear his head and consider what direction his music should take. Meanwhile, Andrew was on a getaway of his own, spending the best part of that month in the USA. He too had been thinking musically, purchasing yet another guitar while over there. Upon his return to Australia, he was accosted by Anthony to join musical forces. The collaboration was immediate, refining a few of their then-current individual works as a team. A win at the Goondiwindi River Jam music contest and playing a support slot with James Blundell in June that year reinforced what they both already knew – that their musical collaboration was a sure-fire winner.

Gigs were sporadic in the following months, both brothers juggling their musical passions with work and other commitments. A series of gigs in April 2008 at the University of Queensland’s Red Room were well-received, but proved to be the last in a while, with the band going into hiatus. Andrew continued with a number of solo musical commitments including classical singing and jazz guitar, while Anthony joined up with new Brisbane rock band The Soundcasters to quench his thirst for live performance. Andrew joined up with The Soundcasters on the odd occasion playing lead guitar, fuelling his desire to get Feint Ruled Line back into action. Soon after that, Feint Ruled Line went back into the recording studio, recording a couple of old tunes and one new song. This was documented on their Myspace website, and spotted by a UK promoter who, after reading this and listening to their existing recordings, offered them a support slot with Tom Hingley (formerly of early 90s Manchester outfit The Inspiral Carpets) and Kelly Wood at their Brisbane show as part of their tour of Australia and New Zealand in December 2008.

2009 promises to be even bigger for Feint Ruled Line, with more live gigs, establishment of a dedicated website (www.feintruledline.com), online marketing of their 2008 debut EP (Shapes and Storms) and the recording of a debut album all in the pipeline.