Mumford & Sons clearly have a bit of a taste for Australian artists, following on from the popular British nu-folkies hand-picking Yacht Club DJs to support them on their upcoming Gentlemen Of The Road stopovers through America and Canada, band member Benjamin Lovett is taking a young Brisbane band under his wing as he signs them for their UK debut, as News Ltd reports.
The Mumford multi-instrumentalist is the co-founder of the Communion artist hub, a UK-based hub that presents gigs internationally (including at Melbourne’s Toff In Town) as well as handling boutique releases and distribution for artists in England, including a range of Australian acts.
“I do seem to have a fondness for Australia and its music,” admits Lovett, who has issued music by Gotye, Boy & Bear and Matt Corby under Communion, as well as presented shows for Sarah Blasko and Julia Stone. “Communion has become a home to a bunch of great Australian acts and what we haven’t been able to sign to the label, we are putting on their gigs,” says Lovett.
The latest band to pique Lovett’s interest is Brisbane five-piece The Trouble With Templeton, led by 22-year old singer-songwriter Thomas Calder. Lovett says Calder’s talent is “undeniable” and the strength of the band’s songwriting was the chief impetus for their signing to Communion, which released The Trouble With Templeton’s single ‘Six Months In A Cast’. “If the song makes us feel something, we will work incredibly hard to make it a success.” – Ben Lovett, Mumford & Sons
The rollocking tune is taken from Rookie (released today), the band’s second album but their first as a five-piece, which has already been gaining considerable buzz from reviewers, including our own Tone Deaf writer.
The Mumford & Sons musician says that despite receiving some criticism for his affection for Australian bands, the chief focus of the DIY label is to push great talent, regardless of age, origin, or marketability. “We felt we shouldn’t worry about that and we’re proud to get behind this because we are keen to see how things develop for Thomas,” says the Grammy award-winning Lovett.
“Whether something is cool or not is never a conversation. How old they are or what their history is in the industry doesn’t matter,” he explains. “When Matt Corby came to us, a few people were put off by the history of the (Australian) Idol stuff. So what? He’s clearly a talented guy and it’s all about his songwriting,” he explains. “If the song makes us feel something, we will work incredibly hard to make it a success.”
The Trouble With Templeton kick off a national tour in support of Rookie this month, starting at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on 16th August before heading around the country.
The Trouble With Templeton Australian Tour 2013 Dates
16 August – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
(w/ Ali Barter)
17 August – Ed Castle, Adelaide SA
22 August – Transit Bar, Canberra ACT
(w/ Battleships)
23 August – GoodGod, Sydney NSW
(w/ Battleships)
24 August – Republic Bar, Hobart TAS
29 August – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba QLD
(w/ Holy Holy)
30 August – The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
(w/ Holy Holy)
31 August – The Brewery, Byron Bay NSW
(w/ Love Hate Rebellion)
Tickets and info at thetroublewithtempleton.com/shows
