Brillig
Genre:Alt. Folk, Folk
" IF YOU KNOW WHAT COHEN, CASH, CAVE & THE CURE
HAVE IN COMMON, IT'S RIGHT HERE. "
-Periplaneta Magazine, Germany
* BIOGRAPHY
For those who like their folk tales deliciously dark yet strangely uplifting, look no further than acclaimed Adelaide trio Brillig, who have shared their penchant for sea shanties, murder ballads and beautifully tragic folk tales with Festival crowds across Europe, Australia and New Zealand, as well as airwaves around the globe.
Brillig captivates their audiences with lush male/female harmonies and a graceful mix of instruments - Banjo, Autoharp, Bass, Accordion, Guitar, Ukulele, Viola & Harmonica -- and will draw you in with their charming banter, bygone-era dress sense, and cheeky theatricality.
Brillig's latest LP 'The Red Coats' has earned a stack of 5 star reviews everywhere from Europe to USA, and the band has enjoyed supporting such luminaries as Eric Bogle, The Audreys, CW Stoneking, The Blackeyed Susans, Mick Thomas, The Handsome Family & many more.
Signed to Germany's Black Rain indie label for European releases, whilst remaining independent in Australia, Brillig looks forward to returning to Europe for another tour in the near future to support their upcoming new LP (2012). In the meantime, their tracks are getting airplay across the globe, including Germany, Australia (Triple J), UK, Spain, Belgium, Italy, France, Russia, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, USA, Switzerland, Portugal & more.
Currently promoting the release of their popular sea shanty video clip 'The Old Captain' and new whimsical track 'The Hearse Song' (dedicated to their favourite Adelaide Roller Derby team, The Wild Hearses), Brillig loves every opportunity to showcase their sublime mix of innovation & folk traditionalism.
"Like The Dresden Dolls...they bring refreshing and intelligible twists and additions to the old folkways that their core is all about. Both refreshing & intoxicating" - Heathen Harvest, Israel.
"Completely captivating, full of magic. Imperiously recommended." - La Defuncion Spain)
* BRILLIG ARE:
Matt Swayne; vocals, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, banjo, harmonica.
Elizabeth Reid; vocals, autoharp, piano accordion, ukulele, viola
Denni Meredith; bass guitar
* LATEST ALBUM: 'THE RED COATS'
"...a very special gem within the vast ocean of imports [to Europe]! The listener is inclined to be absorbed into a musical world of charm, elegance and distinctiveness . All in all, a total work of art." - Medienkonverter (Germany)
"...a masterpiece that you can not readily pass up.... we hear musical pearls full of fragility and grace." - Uselinks (Germany)
"BRILLIG has this magical 'not-of-this-world' touch. Absolutely recommendable." - Dark Moments (Germany)
"...the atmosphere thickens with a magic charm that increases with each listen to this excellent work of music , where style & experimentation create a nostalgic combination, wise and genuine. 8 out of 10" - Babylon Magazine (Italy)
"...one catchy moment after another -- madness! - it's a compulsory purchase." - Kultur Terrorismus(Germany)
"The Australians have suceeded in delivering twelve beautiful, melancholic and tragic stories that need to be heard." - Whisky Soda (Germany)
"A truly consciousness, mature and well designed brew on the way to the next trip into Wonderland. 8 out of 10" - Schwarze News (Germany)
* GIGS
COMING SOON:
Friday 13 July 2012 - New Set debut at Wheatsheaf Hotel; details TBA
RECENT GIGS:
Sunday 26 February 2012 @ Semaphore Worker's Club - Semaphore Songs Project CD Launch
Brillig plays a short set to help launch the new compilation CD of songs about the Semaphore area. Brillig's track on the LP is "Port Misery", which the band will play on the night, along with sets by other participating artists.
Sunday 18 March 2012 @ Whitmore Square Arts Fair - Brillig returns to Whitmore Square for the annual arts fair, this time in the sunny festival season of March! Details on other acts TBA, but as usual there will be food, drink, art stalls and entertainment all day. Bring the family!
* WHAT DOES "BRILLIG" MEAN?
Brillig take their name from the poem "Jabberwocky", which appears in "Through The Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll. 'Brillig' is essentially a made up word which loosely translates to the early evening time, e.g. when food might be 'broiling' in the kitchen.
"Twas Brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
All mimsy were the borogoves and the mome raths outgrabe."
