Main Stage - Live at Red Bull Moontower, SXSW - Vol 2

The Vines

Ivy League, Australia

THE VINES The story of The Vines is one of a band who have experienced an accelerated career lived out very publicly in a whirlwind of brilliant pop records, legendary gigs and gruelling world tours, breakdowns, break ups and the occasional fug of spliff smoke, enough to make lesser mortals run for the hills, never to return to the frontline. In 2002, The Vines were at the very forefront of an exciting new rock movement around the world along with contemporaries The Strokes, The Hives and The White Stripes. Their debut album 'Highly Evolved', sold almost 2 million copies. Their second album 'Winning Days' was a less happy time for the band in spite of its quality when singer Craig Nicholls’ increasingly erratic behaviour led to a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome (a high functioning form of autism) and an extended hiatus as Nicholls learnt to deal with his condition. 'Vision Valley' saw the band re-emerge with a still fragile yet unshakably gifted Nicholls starting afresh. His gradual rehabilitation saw the band re-emerge on to the live stage again with a series of outstanding festival performances in Australia and the UK in 2006. The following year was spent writing and rehearsing songs for what is now known as their latest album ‘Melodia’. No one really had the right to expect to find The Vines in such rude health, but with this album, the band are ready to drop back in where they started. Their last LP sees the band pushing themselves to the polar extremes of their sound – pummelling, speedball fired demento rock amped up to the max while bucolic pop is allowed to tranq out into classically beautiful lazy day territory. Twisted psychedelia? Pure unadulterated gonzoid rock'n'roll? Releasing 'Melodia' on their new label Ivy League Records, The Vines enter the next stage of their career and it’s a safe bet to say that anything goes. OLD MAN RIVER Old Man River is one of Australia’s most unique artists. An incredible, inspiring artist who’s live show - a mix of western and eastern influences - includes a blend of sitars, guitars and grooving rhythms. In 2008 Old Man River toured his show to India, Japan, the US and across Europe - as well as sharing stages in Australia with everyone from the The Violent Femmes, Josh Pyke and The Sleepy Jackson. Old Man River is a staple on the Australian festival circuit and has played and secured a number one single in Japan, number two in Italy and Top 5 albums and singles in Australia and Europe. Ohad Rein exudes music. Just as he inhales inspiration from the world, he exhales songs about life and love and music and dreams. He's a storyteller, a traveler, a natural songwriter and musician, and an insightful observer of all that is around him. Sunshine for your ears. Recorded live at Red Bull Moontower, SXSW 2008 in Austin, Texas.