RÜFÜS are one of the record-breaking number of Aussie acts headed to world-renowned music industry conference SXSW this March.
But when American audiences catch the Melbourne electronic trio live for their debut at the Austin, Texas event, they’ll be chanting out a different name, after external pressure has forced RÜFÜS to undergo a change of moniker.
No, they won’t be losing those pesky distinctive umlauts, but instead adding a suffix to their name to settle a legal dispute with an existing American trademark going by the same title (And no, it’s not Rufus Wainwright or Rufus and Chaka Khan); joining a large club of acts that have had to rebrand due to external pressures (the latest being Cub Sport, following a battle with US Cub Scouts).
A press release explains that “the change comes after months of strongly worded letters and colourful internal debate regarding an existing US trademark on the name Rufus.” As a result, the band will henceforth be known as RÜFÜS DU SOL – but only in North America where the band are gearing up to drop their debut record, Atlas (which tied with The Drones as the second best Aussie Album of 2013 according to you lot).
The statement adds: ” Jon, James and Tyrone from the band did not want to make the name change, but came to the realisation that they would be forced to in order to officially release their #1 ARIA and J award nominated debut record, Atlas in North America.” “The change comes after months of strongly worded letters and colourful internal debate…”
After being named among the Top 100 selling albums in Australia last year after scoring a #1 slot on the ARIA Albums Charts, Atlas now sees RÜFÜS (DU SOL)’s release getting issued in the US and Canada via Columbia Records, making them the latest Aussie export to be signed to the iconic label following 80s hitmakers Men At Work and fellow Melbourne exports, The Temper Trap.
“It’s pretty humbling being on the same label as so many iconic artists,” enthuses vocalist Tyrone Lindqvist of the release. “I still have my Fugees CD with the big Columbia stamp on it…. not sure if they are gonna try to do that to Atlas.”
As well as their SXSW 2014 appearance alongside a total 55 local bands (“the most Australian artists in the US at any one time in history,” according to SXSW’s Aussie ambassador Phil Tripp), the newly christened RÜFÜS DU SOL will be playing a 15-date tour across the US and Canada through March (full dates and details below).
Speaking about the upcoming international jaunt, Lindqvist remarks: “We’ve been told all the creepy stories about not getting sound-checks and it taking an hour to carry all your gear from venue to venue on foot because of the crowds…so we’re expecting it to be like that time you fell off your skateboard bombing your local hill as a kid – it hurt a lot but all you remember is how good it felt!”
RÜFÜS (no DU SOL) are currently touring as part of the Big Day Out and teased that further tour plans closer to home are to be announced in the coming weeks.
The news arrives shortly after a selection of tracks from Atlas performed strongly in Triple J’s Hottest 100. RÜFÜS chalked up three hits in the annual countdown – ‘Tonight’ at #91, ‘Desert Night’ at #34, ‘Take Me’ at #21 – and then a further two tracks in the follow-up #101 to #200 results – namely ‘Sundream’ at #184 and ‘Unforgiven’ at #191 – aired on the Monday following the traditional Australia Day broadcast.
The trio also rung in their multiple Hottest 100 appearances in true ‘Strayla’ spirit; by sinking a few VB tinnies backstage with fellow Big Day Out act, Flume, at the Sydney leg of the festival.
RÜFÜS DU SOL US/Canada Tour 2014 Dates
March 7 San Francisco, CA Popscene @ Rickshaw
March 8 Los Angeles, CA CYP2 @ Echoplex
March 11 San Diego, CA Bang Bang
March 12-15 Austin, TX SXSW
March 19 Calgary, AB Commonwealth Bar
March 20 Vancouver, BC Fortune Sound Club
March 21 Seattle, WA Neumo’s
March 22 Portland, OR Holocene
March 26 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
March 27 Washington, D.C U Street Music Hall
March 28 Miami, FL WMC TBA
April 4 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge TBA
April 6 Denver, CO TBA
