Angus and Julia Stone debut EP - Chocolates and Cigarettes

Press Release

Angus & Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone

There's an unspoken connection that can only come from sharing a family's

history. And on Chocolates and Cigarettes, the debut EP from Newport

Australia's Angus and Julia Stone, this unique bond is more than evident.

This brother and sister duo take a lifetime of shared experience and create

music that resonates with emotion and honesty. A pure sound that says a lot

without trying.

Here on their debut EP, they showcase their considerable talents on six

songs filled with sun kissed harmonies, evocative lyrics and performed with

a laid back, effortless charm. The shuffling drumbeats and percussion are

provided by the backbone of the group Mitch Connelly with Angus and Julia

taking care of alternate lead vocals and guitar.

Both Angus and Julia have distinctive vocal styles, perhaps best described

by The Sydney Morning Herald's Bernard Zuel, one of the band's biggest

champions. “Her voice has a fractured feel like Jollie Holland - his has

a smoke-on-the-beach drawl” he noted following a performance by the duo

at his home. Triple J radio are also featuring Angus and Julia's debut on

high rotation and word is rapidly spreading following a series of acclaimed

performances in their home land. These shows prompted critics to note that

not only were they “unnaturally good” but “they have done

more than warm the room - they have won it hands down”.

Angus and Julia's decision to collaborate was taken just four months ago.

Prior to that both had performed as solo artists, principally at open mic

nights, but with each using the other as a backing partner. Ultimately they

came up with the same idea, “why don't we play together? It kind of

made a lot of sense”. The majority of the songs on Chocolate And

Cigarettes were recorded at their home where they played and recorded

everything live. In terms of composing the material, they write on their

own, then work together on structure and harmonies. It's clearly a process

that works.

This homespun ethic extends to their videos and artwork too. Mitch Connelly

acts as the band's official photographer and his brother IOSHVA looks after

their website and artwork.

The band also directed and shot their own video for Paper Aeroplane and this

can be viewed now on www.myspace.com/angusandjuliastone The duo also take

care of their own merchandise, screen printing their own t-shirts with their

own designs.

Angus, Julia and Mitch have made their first visit to the UK in August and

have been playing selective dates ahead of the EP's release on October 9th.

Rough Trade have already heralded the duo as one to watch making favourable

comparisons with the likes of Portishead, Damien Rice and Paul Simon.

Creating evocative, emotional music that's personal and heartfelt, Angus and

Julia are set to make waves here in the UK in the very near future.

Daniel O'Connell

Gigs

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