At the start of the week, the rocking Findlay sisters of Stonefield – drumming frontwoman Amy, guitarist Hannah, bassist Holly, and keys player Sarah – said that they were readying the release of their much-anticipated debut album, noting “we are so proud of the outcome and can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
They weren’t kidding, as now they’ve dropped the release details of their first full-length record along with the first taste of the album and details for a headliner tour.
The Macedon Ranges-bred quartet previously told Tone Deaf that recording their debut album was “one of the best experiences we have had as a band.” The follow-up to last year’s Bad Reality EP, the debut album was recorded at Melbourne’s Sing Sing studios, “it’s an incredible studio and we felt completely at home there,” says the band, who also revealed that they had been recording with the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir.
Fans can hear exactly what Stonefield’s classic rock approach sounds like with the added power of a vocal group in ‘Put Your Curse On Me’, the first single to be lifted from the band’s self-titled debut album, due October.
Opening with the gospel choir’s refrain, the track then dives straight into Stonefield’s classically-influence brand of rock, with Amy Findlay’s searing vocals and drumming along with splashes of vintage organ and needling guitar riffs, all bolstered by the punctuations of the vocal group.
“Having a gospel choir sing on our songs has been a lifelong dream. That was an incredible experience; hearing them work their magic was pretty emotional,” says lead singer Amy of the track.
Stonefield and lead single ‘Put Your Curse On Me’ were produced by Ian Davenport, a British engineer with around two decades experience, who has worked with the likes of Supergrass and the debut solo album from Radiohead drummer Phil Selway. But it was Davenport’s work on the first two albums for US alt-rock outfit Band of Skulls that really impressed the sisters of Stonefield.
“He [has] such a good energy, full of jokes and positivity; making the vibe so much fun,” they say of Davenport, who has worked at capturing Stonefield’s raw and direct sound by recording the band live. The results were then mixed by American Producer (and working friend of Ian Davenport’s) Tim Palmer, who’s CV includes polishing bands like U2 and Pearl Jam.
In conjunction with the album details, Stonefield have announced their first headline shows, heading around the country this August/September, including an appearance as part of the massive 80+ lineup for BIGSOUND Live this September.
Though the quartet have made a string of festival appearances in the last six months – including Cool Summer, Adelaide Festival, and Phillip Island’s MusicFest – these shows mark their first extensive national headline tour since teaming up with Owl Eyes for last year’s Winter Secrets tour.
Full dates and details below. Stonefield is out through Wunderkind/Illusive in October. ‘Put Your Curse On Me’ is available from iTunes from today (Friday 27th July).
Stonefield Australian Tour 2013 Dates & Tickets
Friday, 23 August 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle, NSW | TICKETS
Saturday, 24 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, NSW | TICKETS
Thursday, 29 August 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA | TICKETS
Friday, 30 August 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah, WA | TICKETS
Saturday, 31 August 2013 – Amplifier, Perth, WA | TICKETS
Sunday, 1 September 2013 – Indi Bar, Scarborough, WA | TICKETS
Thursday, 5 September 2013 – Jive, Adelaide, SA | TICKETS
Friday, 6 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC | TICKETS
Saturday, 7 September 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne VIC | TICKETS
Wednesday, 11 September 2013 – The Zoo @ BIGSOUND Live, Brisbane, QLD | TICKETS
More info at http://www.stonefield.com.au/
