Bio
The Tiger and Me create indie-pop music as seen through the looking glass of European folk songs. Three lead vocalists lead a troupe of multi-instrumentalists from gentle folk melodies through to riotous frenzied waltzes, with a wink and a nod to the old cabaret den and speakeasy tradition. The Melbourne sextet ignites the stage with a live show that is an event for any rampant feet out there looking for the ultimate place to whirl and stomp.
The Tiger and Me began life as a duo when Jane Hendry and Ade Vincent recorded six songs in late 2007 which, originally intended as demos, were eventually released as an EP. The self-titled EP received strong support from radio in Australia, including leading station Triple J, which interviewed the duo and broadcast several of their songs. They were also featured as one of ‘six of the best’ unearthed roots bands in Australia in Triple J's 'Jmag'.
The EP was successful in generating interest in the duo, however it was their expansion to a band for a sell-out show at Melbourne’s Manchester Lane in mid-2008 that marked the group’s true birth. The show was recorded, capturing the band’s juxtaposition of high-energy shout outs and gentle folk melodies.
Their reputation as an outstanding live act has enabled them to build a strong local fanbase, with regular residencies throughout Melbourne coupled with larger headline shows. Intent on adding to their local popularity they have toured both in Australia and internationally. In 2008 they undertook a tour of Canada, bookended by festival performances at North by Northeast in Toronto and New Music West Festival in Vancouver in 2008, where they were well received by both press and public. They followed this with an Australian East Coast tour with Jess McAvoy in 2009, and will also be performing at Port Fairy Folk Festival in 2010.
In 2009 they were shortlisted as a finalist in the APRA Professional Development Awards.
The Tiger may have started out as a quirky kitten, but it is now well and truly grown, ravaging the curtains and threatening to topple your expectations with its outsize tail.
"Their new single Big Trapeze fits right in with the circus imagery and has a very romantic, European feel to it...It's good fun and very easy listening".
THEDWARF.COM.AU
"The Tiger and Me, a cute romantic and musical couple, delivered a very charming set of spare, violin-laced cabaret-pop...that struck the right balance between grounded and theatrical."
CBC (Canada)
"With both a male and female vocalist, you’re in for a treat with the charming vocal interplay between Jane Hendry and Ade Vincent."
THE DWARF.COM.AU
"...an entwined and tight partnership. The Forsaken Few and Murderer in Uniform fly the album on towards the Paul Kelly/George airstrip, concentrating on a tightly compact and generally profound set of lyrics."
BEAT MAGAZINE (Melbourne)
"The vocals are sung with pure and simple qualities with velvety harmonies bringing together the collection of songs on the album."
"Split lead vocals...showcase how these impressive lyrics are interpreted."
RADIOINDY.COM
"Elements of country rub up against a cabaret feel and some Gypsyish tendencies. Accessible but esoteric enough to still stand out".
NOW MAGAZINE (Toronto)
"a live looped circus act enters...making it hard to know what circus tent you’ve entered!"
BEAT MAGAZINE (Melbourne)
"A feisty, circus-folk ramble with genteel cabaret leanings, in ‘Big Trapeze’ The Tiger and Me walk the treacherous tightrope of new and old; dark and light. Stomping piano and old-world gypsy fiddle transport you to another time, under a Big Top, tapping one’s toe and swinging one’s hips."
GEORGIA FIELDS (Melbourne)
"Their music reminds me a lot of other Melbourne groups like The Spoils and The Orb Weavers with its folk, roots grounding combined with a touch of country and a theatrical element. If you enjoy the sounds of acts like Beirut and Angus & Julia Stone then be sure to check out The Tiger and Me."
THEDWARF.COM.AU
"If you like a little folk music entwined with a little country beat you will not be disappointed when you hear the album 'The Tiger and Me'."
RADIOINDY.COM
WHO IS THE TIGER? WHO IS ME? WHO ARE THOSE OTHER GUYS?
Jane Hendry (The Tiger)
Lead vocal, violin, ukulele
Ade Vincent (me)
Lead vocal, piano, acoustic guitar, banjo
Tobias Selkirk
Lead vocal, piano accordion, banjo
Tim Keegan
Bass, backing vocal, harmonica
Sarah Galdes
Drums
NOW WITH NEW MEMBER
Gerard ‘Fez’ Mason
Electric guitar, banjo, ukulele, backing vocal
