Angus and Julia Stone – photo by Mitch Connolly
I went to Splendour in the Grass last weekend, a music festival that goes off in Byron Bay in northern New South Wales every Australian winter (that’s June to August for you northern hemispherians). Byron Bay is an area famous for laid back lifestyle, great swells for the surfing types, hippie-ish attitude with its close proximity to the drug tolerant Nimbin and an abundance of vegetarian/tofu options in restaurant menus. The drive took 14 hours with stops and it had been raining leading up to the weekend. There was not a single patch of green grass to be seen, mud was everywhere. Think Glastonburry.
There were three main stages and I went to start off at the more chilled out sitting down stage at the end of the mud trail. I sat down and saw these guys played to a half empty room which quickly filled up once Julia’s sweet voice wafted through the air. The siblings’ performance was so captivating I didn’t bother to move on to the other bigger profile tent featuring a certain hyped up Swedish prog wannabes Dungen or some other rap/dance combo at the far end stage. It has been a while since I’ve sat through an entire acoustic set, and I’m really looking forward to seeing these guys again.
Angus and Julia Stone are a brother sister combo from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They play with drummer Mitch Connoly, formerly of the Beautiful Girls and a rotating guest bassist. While at first impression they sound like any other midweek acoustic night duo, it is really Julia Stone’s intriguing voice texture that reminds me of Joanna Newsome, albeit without the annoying shrieky bits. A lot of their numbers are down-tempo stories about domestic life and loves, though I suspect it’s only a matter of time before they find an upbeat crossover hit to take on radio.
Angus and Julia Stone – ‘Paper Aeroplane’ (mp3)
http://www.angusandjuliastone.com
http://www.myspace.com/angusandjuliastone
August 8, 2006 12:29 pm
so you guys took on the calming powers of a female I notice.
We did the same a while back. Seems us guys just can’t survive on our own…
Go Julia! Go Sophie!
November 14, 2006 7:56 am
i saw you guys play last night with Kasey at the Sydney Opera House and i just love you so much more now. absolutely awesome and i was totally serious when i said that you’re going to go far. very far.
if anyone ever gets the chance to see these two (three) perform, DO IT. you won’t be disappointed.
January 16, 2007 8:37 pm
hey stumbled across u guys a while back-
wish it was an earlier discovery.. extremely sweet music,massive talent..keeping it real>>am hoping to get to byron 4 blues n roots-so see yas there>>>bella
June 17, 2008 7:44 pm
I was fortunate enough to go backstage after one of their gigs and its great the fact that they are just such peacful people its just so calming being in an enviroment with these inspiring musicians. I sat in my room playing guitar for 4 hours straight after this! haha
October 31, 2008 10:58 am
Angus & Julia Stone’s track “aeroplane” has been released on the very popular album “Hotel Costes X”. The Hotel Costes series compilations are produced by Stéphane Pompougnac a French House DJ, but also musician, composer.
Not really where you would expect to find Angus & Julia’s work, however, their track “aeroplane” very much suits the music styles found of Hotel Costes releases.