Tiger Blog
The Circus or the Zoo EP
Now available HERE, or on iTunes soon. Physical release only available at gigs.
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This was originally intended as a standard single release, with two tracks taken from our album as an ‘A-Side’ and ‘B-Side’. These were The Circus or the Zoo and Dangerous Creatures. We had another song – Fingers and Thumbs – that we left off the album that we wanted to release at some stage. We like the song and the recording, but always intended to record more songs than we would put on the album, and we ended up leaving this one out for various reasons.
We also found ourselves in the position of having recordings of various bits and pieces that we don’t want to release on our next album or re-record, but thought worthy of release in some form.
A couple of years ago Tobes (accordion) came to me with an idea for a new band. He formed ‘Half-Cut Thief’, with Tiger bass player Tim Keegan on bass and Tiger’s old drummer Paul playing drums. Tiger was still a duo. We recorded an EP’s worth of material, shortly after which I recruited Tim and Paul for Tiger. Then I went and recruited Tobes too, and so we had exactly the same band as Half-Cut Thief, but with Jane too. So Half-Cut Thief died, but the recordings were finished.
We’ve since resurrected one of the Half-Cut Thief EP songs called ‘June’, and currently play it live and intend to re-record. Two of the other HCT songs have gone onto this EP – The Artful Deceiver and The Curse. The other remains locked away in our studio.
Lastly we wanted to release a live recording, because we think some of our songs are at their best when heard live rather than as a studio recording. We recorded our album launch at The Toff in April, and a couple of the tunes came up really well – Oh My Darlin’ has a few solos at the end and captures the spirit of what we do live pretty well I think. Unfortunately some of my ‘least hip guy in the world mid-song talking’ couldn’t be edited out, so I’m there in all my reverse-glory saying ‘give it up for Tim Keegan on bass YEAH’. Whoa. Man.
So we’ve ended up with a six-track EP, rather than a single. It’s intended as extra content for people who already own the album, or a stand-alone release for people who don’t. As with the album, we had Laura Stitzel draw the artwork and Tim Allan do the overall design, and they’ve done us proud again.
We hope you enjoy it.
Thanks
Ade
Coldest Tigers in 14 years!
Jane here kids. I'm at home sick so this blog is coming to you from under a doona and two schnoodles, on the couch, under the window so I can see the blue sky. Being sick sucks, as you all know, but there are upsides. Afore-said doona, schnoodle and couch combo, for instance.
Much has been afoot over the last few weeks so I thought I'd do a little update for you.
Laneway Live
Shortly after finishing the filming of our Laneway Live clip with the genius that is Ty and Dave and team, it was reported in the news that this is the coldest winter since 1996. I think all who were at the shoot can vouch for that report's veracity. It was MENTAL cold. But SUPER great fun! If you haven't seen the photos they're HERE.
We're hearing good noises from LWL HQ so exciting times ahead as we prepare to launch our first ever video clip!
Upcoming Gigs
Although I sound like an emphacaemic, 40-a-day, scotch-slammin wench today, a day is a long time in showbiz. So there's plenty of time for me to recoup before the string of gigs we have lined up starting this week. Check out gigs here and here.
And this is where I will leave you. On this day.
Oh, one more thing... how's this for an opening line to a novel:
"She walked into my office wearing a body that would make a man write bad checks, but in this paperless age you would first have to obtain her ABA Routing Transit Number and Account Number and then disable your own Overdraft Protection in order to do so."
Makes me chortle every time I read it. That gem comes to you from author Steve Lynch - it an other gems can be found HERE.
Out.
Giving Feedback to Artists and the Merits of Automatic Spell-Check
- Friday afternoon thoughts over a bowl of soup -
First things first. Thank you to the two people who pointed out my ironic spelling error in our last mail-out. I can only assume the rest of you either a) don’t read them or b) are too polite to say anything, or possibly c) also can’t spell. It seems when ranting about correct use of apostrophes I misspelled apostrophes. Mmm this egg on my face tastes so delicious.
Second things second. Jane would like it publicly known that she does not, has never, and never intends to watch CSI. The show in question was NCIS. Our drummer Saraj said she lost all respect for both of us (why me?!) when I said Jane was watching CSI.
Apologies to all fans of CSI. Take it up with the J-Dog.
My Dad was the first response to my mail-out spelling gaffe. I think this is funny – big mailing list for band and things going well, and then a response that is not fan mail from a stranger but an email from your Dad.
To me, his quick response is representative of a broader situation, in which he will not hesitate to provide me with helpful feedback on anything, particularly (and most relevant) feedback on music. He is a musician, which helps, and also obviously we know each other well, which also helps. He is one of the few people on whom I can rely on for honest feedback on music (outside the band itself), and it got me thinking as to how important a position this is for an artist of any field, and how fine a line one must tread in giving feedback.
Most musicians I know are insecure about what they write and vulnerable to criticism. Overdo it, and it can be destructive. Having said this, constructive criticism is necessary to artists. The success and appreciation of what we create can ultimately be measured by numbers at shows, reviews, CD sales etc. You soon get an idea for what people like and what they don’t like. What you don’t get is why. This is important. Subtle and specific feedback is extremely helpful.
After shows people either approach bands and say they liked it, or else not approach at all. Even friends who come to shows will say it was good, possibly even if they didn’t think it was. How many times have you said to a musician/actor/poet/whatever “That wasn’t your best and this is why”? It is hard to do without being nasty. And yet if the performance wasn’t great, or had areas that you think could be improved, then how is the artist to know these things without feedback?
I realise I could be opening Pandora’s Box, and should our inbox flood with emails on things that could be improved about our music then I will only have myself to blame…
The trick to it all, in my opinion, is for any criticism to be well thought through, and most of all, constructive. It is also important to point out what you liked. Usually it will seem easier simply to say nothing. I can only speak for myself, but I prefer to hear about both what I do well and what I don’t do well, with a view to doing it better.
And so I return to my Dad. If there was something he didn’t like about a show, he will tell me, and the things he did like, he will tell me. This means the praise is contextual and therefore genuine.
If only his son could just learn how to spell.
Post Album Launch Action + Youtube
album launch
Wow! Did time speed up? It seems like only yesterday that we launched our debut album From a Liar to a Thief to a sell-out crowd at The Toff in Town. Crazy!
Thank you so much to everyone who came along and made it such a raging success! Sorry to those who couldn't get in...
BUT we SOLD OUT the TOFF. RAD!!! But yeah sorry if you missed out chaps.
The gig itself was one of our best, and starting the night with the magic that is Aluka was, well, magic! More magic than Ed Norton in The Illusionist. Yep.
The Inaugural Tiger and Me Choir (ITMC) joined us on stage (well, sort of on stage... it was hard to fit them all in their numerousness on stage!) to open the set with the Tobias Selkirk tune Many Things to great effect, then joined us again on Dangerous Creatures.
Special guests Audrey Boyle (trumpet) and Kel Day joined us for a couple of tunes each, both adding a certain je ne sais quoi to the mix. Actually, je sais. They added awesomeness. Not sure how that translates into French though. Formidable!
Eh?
youtube
During the gig a lovely man by the name of Guy Jukes filmed a few songs and posted them on Youtube. We then got all Youtube savvy and created a The Tiger and Me Channel! Check it out - all The Tiger and Me related videos are up HERE
So what next???
gigs in may
We've got a sweet residency on Friday nights 6-8pm in May at the Builder's Arms Hotel on Gertrude St, Fitzroy. Perfect because:
- it's on Fridays
- it's straight after work
- it's at the Builder's, which has sweet food and drinks AND
- it's FREE!!!
There is nothing bad about these gigs.
Also, we're doing a great Sunday session which is a reunion of sorts - Aluka and The Tiger and Me at The Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood on Sunday 2 May from 3.30pm. That's tomorrow kids. And also FREE.
So, we'll see you sometime in May. Oh baby.
xo
The Tiger and Me ♡ Frankie
The charming Louise from Frankie Magazine has kindly written about us on the Frankie Blog! They've got copies of our NEW album to give away too so check out the blog and find out how to score a freebie!
Don't forget to come to the album launch too - 17 April, The Toff in Town, from 8pm!!! rarrgh!
The Album, Festivals and Residencies
From a Liar to a Thief
Good evening,
Some news on our album. It exists. We're very excited. It is called From a Liar to a Thief. I gave a pre-release to my friend, who does something of a drunk singalong on it. He went and made what you will find when clicking on the link below. We loved it, so he posted it on youtube. It is short, but something of an album preview.
French Dancing Man
We're trying to track the guy down and fly him over for the launch...
Speaking of the launch, it's the 17th April at The Toff in Town, with Aluka.
Thursdays in March
We're back at The Edinburgh Castle for another free front-bar residency. Music from 8:30. Two sets; full band.
Interview in A Fine Line
More nonsensical ramblings on page 58 here.
We're off to Port Fairy for some shows this weekend. See you on the other side of that. Or on Thursday. Yeah. Roar.
I say good day, sir/madam.
Mailout 18/02/2009: Sustainable Living Festival
Two tickets to that thing you love
Hello Tigers,
On Friday we're playing a set as part of the Sustainable Living Festival. We're on the stage at Fed Square at 3:30.
Over two stages (Fed Square and Birrarung Marr), the line-up includes:
Woo Hoo Revue, Barons of Tang, Jordie Lane, Damien Howard and the Ploughboys, Loren, Tiger & Me, khancoban, Gossling, Simon Phillips, Smoking Gun, Slim Whittle, Anita George, The Conch, Rapskallion, Kundalila, Ajak, Hong de Lion Dance, Dan Lethbridge, Indigenous Hip Hop Project, Beast, Ants, Lee 'Sonnyboy' Morgan, Brolga Boys, Son Corners, Uncle Larry Walsh, Chalga Party, Poetry slam, BiscoTTi, Ilan Abrahams, The Nymphs, Melbourne Ukulele Collective, Savannah Jo Lack, Brendan Welch, James Kenyon & The Lloyd Weir, The Litchfield Hallstars and more.
Worth seeing.
Facebook event is here for more details.
In other news our debut LP is at the pressing place being pressed literally right now oh my god I'm going to explode. So... this is good.
We're at Port Fairy in a month or so - if you're there come and say hello, we have five shows in four days.
Oh, and one more thing.
The tickets are now diamonds!
Mailout 21/01/2010: Who is Annie Anyway?
Annie Don't Wear None
This is a quick note masquerading as a fancy mailout, just to let you know that the third of our Builder's Arms post-work Friday drinks residency shows is up tomorrow evening from 6pm-8pm.
Apologies about the false advertising promising full band last week. I was at a spa retreat in the Dandenongs (true) and had to communicate with poor working band members via occasional mobile signal. Said situation = breakdown in communication.
Last week was very rowdy, so much so that we are definitely having full band this week, so as to be heard over the raucacity (I made that word up but I think it is quite good) of the banter. Full band, a couple of new songs, lots of noise and nonsense.
Not just full band, but full band plus 3/4 of The Nymphs, who will be performing a surprise Nymphs' song with us as their backing band.
It is now no longer a surprise. But it is good.
Full band definitely.
I promise.
Love from The Tiger and Me.
ps I have made a habit of including the most recent youtube clip that someone has emailed me, so with that in mind, I direct you here, sent to me from one of the tigers themselves.
Mailout 24/12/2009: Xmas Present Hooray!
Dear Mailing List,
Thanks for being such a lovely mailing list and supporting us this year. To show our appreciation we have a gift for you.
Lots of people ask me after shows if we have a recording of Tobes' banjo song 'Many Things', and the answer is, kind of. The song started life as a Tobias Selkirk solo song, I heard it and said I must have it, Tobes joined the band, and so on. For those of you who like Tobes' band contributions, here is an example of what he gets up to before Jane and I trample all over his delicate melodies with our tiger nonsense - click here to download.
I hope makes you as excited as this kid, but I doubt anything could.
Also, here is some video footage of a classic rehearsal moment we had this year.
Next year is the Chinese Year of The Tiger. The year pretty much writes itself.
Happy Holidays,
The Tiger and Me
Press photos
With the impending release of the single from our debut album looming large, we thought it was high time we updated our press photos. As beautiful as our old press photos are, they tend to suggest 'folk-duo' rather than the, um, 'cabaret/gypsy/folk five-piece' (?) that we've become, so they were somewhat misleading. Thankfully, Tim Allan, the photographer the first time around, has recently re-entered the southern hemisphere and was available to shoot us (photographically).
I will now take this opportunity to plug his work, he did a brilliant job and we couldn't be happier. If you're looking for a designer or photographer then check out his website here. I recommend the shit out of him.
That is all for now.
Check out the photos - they're on this site.
Yeah.
