Music
Press
Duttigalla Exile: New EP from the Black Swans of Trespass
Close your eyes. Let every schema you have related to music in your brain flow out of your ears. Leave your mind and your spirit open to new sounds, like the conventional composers of old once did for impressionists like Debussy. Now, and only now, are you ready for what is to come.
Just what is to come?
BSoT's front man and creator, CC Thornley, pictured with his weapon of choice: the banjo. The unique, yet utterly transfixing sounds of Duttigalla Exile, which is the new EP from the Black Swans of Trespass, released earlier this month.
Think blurred lines of Jazz, mashed against the distinctive tones of Bluegrass, Reggae and Funk, driven forward by the incessant march of Rock, and you'll come close to capturing the sound of this release; a sound held ever so delicately together by the strength of CC Thornley's riffs of banjo and the tantalising growl of his Waits-like voice.
Based in Melbourne, the Black Swans of Trespass are the brainchild of the afore mentioned banjoist CC Thornley. Interestingly enough, the only constant line-up of the band is Thornley, while the rest is made of up session musicians hired on a gig-by-gig basis.
Confused?
Think of it this way, every gig there is a fresh sound, coupled with the most constant sound of the band you love. Not only does it work on a professional level, but musically it means the sound never stagnates; it offers the opportunity for listeners to experience the best of the best in terms of musicians; it presents one with a never ending sense of creativity and improvisation – something that is, after all, the heart of genres like Jazz.
Having grown steadily in popularity over the last couple of years, BSoT has been featured on such Melbourne radio stations as the ABC and PBS. Australia is slowly realising the immense talent that lies behind the concept and the music, and I should imagine it shall not be too long before the rest of the world catches on.
For those of you out there who aren't really enthralled by the word 'Banjo', my only advice would be to listen to a track or two, and let your ears do the judging. This is what I did, and I was more than pleasantly surprised. I've seen artists like Tori Amos take the harpsichord and piano to new levels, and now I have witnessed secret side of the banjo.
Latest Release: Duttigalla Exile In ways that so many albums don't, Duttigalla Exile caters for the expectations of even the pickiest of listeners. Kentucky Romanovs, a track featured on the latter part of the CD effectively juxtaposes the haunting sound of an upright Bass against the syncopated rhythm of the more lively banjo; while tracks like the more thoughtful Mainstreet demonstrate the immense musicality amongst the Black Swans of Trespass, and the surprising versatility of CC Thornley's uniquely distinctive voice.
No matter which song you are listening to on this EP, there is no escaping the concise and deliberately written lyrics, which, like so many other things about the Black Swans of Trespass, are the product of front man CC Thornley. If you truly open yourself to music, and the sounds of originality, Duttigalla Exile, will embrace this, and you will not, under any circumstances be disappointed.
To acquire your own personal copy of Duttigalla Exile, contact 'Afterdark Records' in Fitzroy, Victoria Or, alternatively you can contact BSoT direct via their web page, where you will also find information on CC Thornley and the Black Swans of Trespass: www.mypace.com/theblackswanoftrespass. This web page will also allow you to hear some of the music that is so uniquely CC Thornley and the Black Swans of Trespass.
BSoT at a glance:
Who: CC Thornley and various other session musicians playing on a gig-by-gig basis.
Where: Melbourne, Victoria: Australia.
Featured on: Such Melbourne radio stations as ABC (774AM) with Derek Guille, 106.7FM, RRR, 102.7FM & PBS television.
Style: Jazz meets funk, funk meets reggae and reggae meets rock – all juxtaposed against Bluegrass.
Secret Weapon: Daring, edgy lines of Banjo played like the banjo has never been played before.
Label: Duttigalla Records (currently), but they are also open to other offers.
Latest Release: Duttigalla Exile
- Youk Magazine, London, UK
Duttigalla Exile: New EP from the Black Swans of Trespass
Close your eyes. Let every schema you have related to music in your brain flow out of your ears. Leave your mind and your spirit open to new sounds, like the conventional composers of old once did for impressionists like Debussy. Now, and only now, are you ready for what is to come.
Just what is to come?
BSoT's front man and creator, CC Thornley, pictured with his weapon of choice: the banjo. The unique, yet utterly transfixing sounds of Duttigalla Exile, which is the new EP from the Black Swans of Trespass, released earlier this month.
Think blurred lines of Jazz, mashed against the distinctive tones of Bluegrass, Reggae and Funk, driven forward by the incessant march of Rock, and you'll come close to capturing the sound of this release; a sound held ever so delicately together by the strength of CC Thornley's riffs of banjo and the tantalising growl of his Waits-like voice.
Based in Melbourne, the Black Swans of Trespass are the brainchild of the afore mentioned banjoist CC Thornley. Interestingly enough, the only constant line-up of the band is Thornley, while the rest is made of up session musicians hired on a gig-by-gig basis.
Confused?
Think of it this way, every gig there is a fresh sound, coupled with the most constant sound of the band you love. Not only does it work on a professional level, but musically it means the sound never stagnates; it offers the opportunity for listeners to experience the best of the best in terms of musicians; it presents one with a never ending sense of creativity and improvisation – something that is, after all, the heart of genres like Jazz.
Having grown steadily in popularity over the last couple of years, BSoT has been featured on such Melbourne radio stations as the ABC and PBS. Australia is slowly realising the immense talent that lies behind the concept and the music, and I should imagine it shall not be too long before the rest of the world catches on.
For those of you out there who aren't really enthralled by the word 'Banjo', my only advice would be to listen to a track or two, and let your ears do the judging. This is what I did, and I was more than pleasantly surprised. I've seen artists like Tori Amos take the harpsichord and piano to new levels, and now I have witnessed secret side of the banjo.
Latest Release: Duttigalla Exile In ways that so many albums don't, Duttigalla Exile caters for the expectations of even the pickiest of listeners. Kentucky Romanovs, a track featured on the latter part of the CD effectively juxtaposes the haunting sound of an upright Bass against the syncopated rhythm of the more lively banjo; while tracks like the more thoughtful Mainstreet demonstrate the immense musicality amongst the Black Swans of Trespass, and the surprising versatility of CC Thornley's uniquely distinctive voice.
No matter which song you are listening to on this EP, there is no escaping the concise and deliberately written lyrics, which, like so many other things about the Black Swans of Trespass, are the product of front man CC Thornley. If you truly open yourself to music, and the sounds of originality, Duttigalla Exile, will embrace this, and you will not, under any circumstances be disappointed.
To acquire your own personal copy of Duttigalla Exile, contact 'Afterdark Records' in Fitzroy, Victoria Or, alternatively you can contact BSoT direct via their web page, where you will also find information on CC Thornley and the Black Swans of Trespass: www.mypace.com/theblackswanoftrespass. This web page will also allow you to hear some of the music that is so uniquely CC Thornley and the Black Swans of Trespass.
BSoT at a glance:
Who: CC Thornley and various other session musicians playing on a gig-by-gig basis.
Where: Melbourne, Victoria: Australia.
Featured on: Such Melbourne radio stations as ABC (774AM) with Derek Guille, 106.7FM, RRR, 102.7FM & PBS television.
Style: Jazz meets funk, funk meets reggae and reggae meets rock – all juxtaposed against Bluegrass.
Secret Weapon: Daring, edgy lines of Banjo played like the banjo has never been played before.
Label: Duttigalla Records (currently), but they are also open to other offers.
Latest Release: Duttigalla Exile
- Youk Magazine, London, UK
The Banjo has long been pigeon-holed as a genre and not an instrument, claims a musician visiting the Territory who hopes to change all that.
CC Thornley and his band the Black Swans of Trespass are in the Top End for a suite of shows which are intended to shed new light on the fabled instrument. The banjo holds a special place in the heart of Thornley, and his band mates lead singer Jolene Moran and drummer Frank Lees.
The group aims to cross genres as they create an earthy and honest music.
“The banjo has such a strange resonance,” he said.
“I think the banjo has been imprisoned to a genre. I would just play without any concept of what was right or wrong.”
Thornley said there is change in the air for the banjo.
“I Think people are seeing it as less of a gimmick,” he said. “There is a renaissance.”
Thornley said the Melbourne-based band changes and evolves as different members come and go. He said it means the sound is a little;e different each time.
The Black Swans of Trespass are playing with Jess Ribeiro at the Happy Yess tomorrow from 8pm with a $5 cover charge and at the Ski Club on Sunday from 4.30pm for free. Information for members and guests.
They will also play at Mindil Beach on Thursday and on the same night at a free concert at Monsoons from 10.30pm.
By Daniel Bourchier
Northern Territory News
Friday, Aug 8th, 2008
- Northern Territory News
The Banjo has long been pigeon-holed as a genre and not an instrument, claims a musician visiting the Territory who hopes to change all that.
CC Thornley and his band the Black Swans of Trespass are in the Top End for a suite of shows which are intended to shed new light on the fabled instrument. The banjo holds a special place in the heart of Thornley, and his band mates lead singer Jolene Moran and drummer Frank Lees.
The group aims to cross genres as they create an earthy and honest music.
“The banjo has such a strange resonance,” he said.
“I think the banjo has been imprisoned to a genre. I would just play without any concept of what was right or wrong.”
Thornley said there is change in the air for the banjo.
“I Think people are seeing it as less of a gimmick,” he said. “There is a renaissance.”
Thornley said the Melbourne-based band changes and evolves as different members come and go. He said it means the sound is a little;e different each time.
The Black Swans of Trespass are playing with Jess Ribeiro at the Happy Yess tomorrow from 8pm with a $5 cover charge and at the Ski Club on Sunday from 4.30pm for free. Information for members and guests.
They will also play at Mindil Beach on Thursday and on the same night at a free concert at Monsoons from 10.30pm.
By Daniel Bourchier
Northern Territory News
Friday, Aug 8th, 2008
- Northern Territory News
Discography
2006 - Duttigalla Exile
2008 - The Coward's Songbook
Photos
Bio
The Black Swans of Trespass are led by Australia's most original and creative banjo player of all time. CC Thornley has toured his band all over Australia independently for the last 2 years and developed a fearsome reputation for excellent music.
CC is an iconoclast and is loved and hated by folk musicians for his revolutionary and irreverent approach to his instrument and also his mastery of traditional styles, particularly Traditional Australian Folk.
He was the first 5 string player to undertake a Diploma of Advanced Jazz and Contemporary music in Australia, and he continues to boldly take the banjo into areas previous considered forbidden. The BSoT play every style of banjo music, but subscribe to none.
BSoT performances are all about the groove. They wrote the book on trad-fusion, and seemlessly bring together bluegrass, funk, soul, country, rock, reggae, blues and cabaret creating something completely new and utterly engaging.
The BSoT have been behind the scenes of a lot of high profile artists in Australia, playing with the likes of John Butler, Zulya, Jimi Hocking, and far too many to name here. CC is also an accomplished session musican whose credits are extensive.
Links
