featured artist article
featured artist:self preservation societySelf Preservation Society is the solo outing for Tristan Newsome who has been scouting the fringe of the Adelaide music scene for a while now in different guises. On the 24th of June 2010 he will be putting on a double EP launch at the Grace Emily. Both EPs showcase strong and colourful song writing skills and get right back to the heart of what a lot of traditional music is about – storytelling. |
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featured 23 june - 13 july 2010
Self Preservation Society combines catchy acoustic tunes with spoken word pieces to provide a theatrical show, generally done simplistically with just an acoustic guitar and vocals. The predominantly folk, blues and roots sound features a strong story telling element in the vain of Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, Paul Kelly, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan who are also all strong influences to Tristan.
Prior to taking on Self Preservation Society as a full time solo project Tristan was the guitarist/singer/front man for Adelaide rock and roll band The Flying Squad who gained some notoriety for their live shows and energetic music drawing on influences from '50s rock and roll, country and more, then modernising that sound. In a relatively short time the band knotched up some great achievements such as winning a battle of the bands competition, getting airplay on radio stations, as well as supporting some great bands such as Special Patrol and Galleon.
Tristan also collaborates with a variety of Adelaide music identities on various live and recorded projects so you have possibly already heard or seen him around town in one of these chameleon-like guises. Local artist Steve O’Connor is a sometime member of Self Preservation Society providing a visually appealing element to the live shows by creating a piece of art live on stage generally themed from a song that’s played on the night.
Self Preservation Society has played solo shows at various venues around Adelaide so far playing the delightful Grace Emily as well as The Deli, The Crown & Anchor and Higher Ground. Along with further live shows planned around Adelaide, Tristan is also hoping to take the show further afield into Victoria and New South Wales before 2010 is out.
For the double EP launch on the 24th June, Self Preservation Society will be officially releasing the first two in a series of three themed EPs in 2010. ‘#42’ The first EP has been available since early May but hasn’t had an ‘Official’ release as such, despite this it has been selling very well and one of the lead tracks from the EP ‘Stumbling Alone’ has been consistently in the top 20 of the Triple J Unearthed roots chart over the last four weeks – so far getting as high as number six. ‘#42’ starts with a spoken word piece which ties in the four apocalyptic spaghetti western blues songs that follow. The evidence of influences such as Tom Waits and Nick Cave as well as ‘Animals’ era Pink Floyd stand strongly on this release.
So far unavailable EP number two ‘Tamworth City Streets’ will be on sale for the first time on the 24th of June. ‘Tamworth City Streets’ again starts with a spoken word piece introducing the four songs following which are loosely based around Tristan’s visit to Tamworth a few years back and the people he met. This EP is significantly different to ‘#42’ in that it has far less instrumentation and is essentially a Folk/ Country Blues album which gives no real indication of what decade it may have been recorded and written. A different lot of sounds are showcased though these songs and influences such as Paul Kelly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bob Dylan standout. Both EPs were recorded, produced, printed and folded in Tristan’s home studio setup so everything you get is ‘Handmade’!! Look for a 3rd EP to be released in October.
In the meantime, get along to the Grace Emily on the 24th June for FREE ENTRY to the launch, with support by by Anthony D’Antonio and Matt Reiner. Both‘#42’ and ‘Tamworth City Streets’ will be available for sale on the night for $5 each and from the 24th of June @ Clarity Records on Pultney St.
At an SPS show expect humour, wordiness, cleverness and most of all a great night of story telling, so come along!
