The Middle East avoid publicity at Splendour

…it seems that while their music is beautiful and excitingly unique, the band themselves are completely media shy. They didn’t do any press at Splendour and were impossible to get a hold of. It’s unfortunate for a band with such talent to be so elusive.

Read the full article here.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Middle East and Splendour…. other band interviews coming soon!!

So it is the day after Splendour in the grass and although I’m stating the obvious…I must say what a flippin’ awsome festival!! Set in the perfect venue, good vibe, good people and such an eclectic mix of music and musicians.

But firstly I must chat a little about the ‘The Middle East’ again.

More Photos from The Old Museum

I just found this photoset from the Old Museum gig. Check it out here. Photography by jxe520.

Probably more than you wanted to know about “Fools Gold”

So the version of “Gold” aka “Fools Gold” aka “Good as Gold” on The Middle East/Sleeping in Trains split EP is quite a bit different to the version on The Recordings of the Middle East. I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing it’s an older version of the song. The vocal melody is the basically same, but there are some extra sections and some parts are a little different. The multiple vocals breakdown part is kind of not quite there. However there is the beautiful amazing outtro that didn’t make it into the Recordings… version.

Now if only there was a version of this song with the more stripped back guitar and the multipart vocals section from the Recordings… version PLUS the amazing outtro from the Sleeping in Trains EP.

Wait.

There is. Please enjoy:

It’s from the EP launch show in Townsville on April 24, 2008. From what I can tell they aren’t playing the outtro in the live set any more, but if they ever did I believe it would be something you would not want to miss.

Byron Bay Tonight

With Holly Throsby and Leader Cheetah. Here is the last.fm page.

Post a comment here if you went to the show.

Splendour in the Grass

The Middle East are playing on Sunday at 12:45 in the GW McLennan Tent. Tell your friends.

If you’re together enough to actually get tickets to Splendour, you probably don’t need me to link to the map and timetables…

Julian Morrow from The Chaser a fan of The Middle East

Julian Morrow was a guest on a talk radio segment called “Brunch” which aired on ABC Radio Sydney on 5th of July. He chooses a few of his favourite songs and one of them is “The Darkest Side”. You can find the podcast of the 30 minute show here. He says he heard it on FBI. Scan about 20 minutes into the podcast mp3 if you want to hear what else he says. (Thanks Doug for finding this one).

“Blood” Played by Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1

The song was part of Zane’s “Fresh Meat” section, which, by the sounds of the Wikipedia article seems like a pretty big deal. You can see the track listing here. Looks like you can’t get his podcast from outside the UK though.

Cairns students to make videos

Film and Television students in Trinity Bay State High School are going to make some videos for The Middle East. Perhaps we’ll see them on rage before the end of the year.

From the myspace wall:

im in year 12 at trinity bay state high school in cairns
im really looking forward to doing a music video with your music.

and:

hey, don’t know if you read the message that went with my friend request, but I’m in the ftv class at Trinity Bay that’re going to make you lads some music videos

The Middle East to support Doves

Some info on the Doves tour here. Looks like no Brisbane shows sadly. Dates taken from myspace:

24 Jul 2009 6:00 P	Byron Community Centre w/ Holly Throsby, Leader Cheetah! AA	Byron Bay, New South Wales
26 Jul 2009 11:00 A	Splendour in the Grass	Byron Bay, New South Wales
28 Jul 2009 8:00 P	The Palace, w/ THE DOVES	Melbourne, Victoria
29 Jul 2009 8:00 P	The Metro, w/ THE DOVES	Sydney, New South Wales
30 Jul 2009 8:00 P	The Metro, w/ THE DOVES	Sydney, New South Wales
1 Aug 2009 8:00 P	Capitol, w/ THE DOVES	Perth, Western Australia