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You can buy the debut EP from Waterfront Records using the link below. It's a mere AUD $9.95.
"It’s hard to put my finger on exactly who they sound like, which is often a good sign, apart from the fact that they have that same moody feeling that The National or Interpol have but with the experimental bent of Radiohead. Does the mention of three bands like that give you an indication of how i feel?... Are all Australian bands this good?"
-The Four Oh Five Magazine
"...songwriter James Milsom has a knack for rhyme and a sweet turn of phrase, singing here about heart-break and small moments in the morning, and various other obscure but beautifully expressed sentiments."
- Beat Magazine, on single 'My Soft Bitten Thumb'.
"Ancient Free Gardeners have the appropriate sound to build a dedicated fanbase, with a craft for genuine songwriting leading the way."
- Obscuresound.com
"...its climax is so euphoric and you find yourself anticipating it every time the song starts."
- nakeddwarf.com.au on first single, 'My Soft Bitten Thumb'.
"Beautiful glimpses of everyday moments, stretched heartstrings and car trips on overcast days: with the sweet Australiana of embryonic Paul Kelly in Milsom’s sublime songwriting, these boys would sit nicely between your Even albums and Candle Records boxed set."
- Fasterlouder.com.au
"A solid debut by these old green thumbs. Keep an eye out for what produce next comes out of their orchard."
- nakeddwarf.com.au on the self-titled EP.
If you asked Ancient Free Gardeners to describe themselves in four words they would say 'Melbourne indie quartet', and they would save one word for later use. They know many more words, and some of them are employed in their songs, which waltz along happily, sometimes sadly, and on occasion with some level of anger. Granted, the concept of angry waltzing defies logic, but this is art.
The band has been formed, reformulated and reformed since 2006 around a growing collection of artistic, folkish indie-rock tunes penned and sung by James Milsom. Callum Barter first entered the scene as producer/engineer, but took up his drum sticks when the kit was unattended. From the smoking carcass of extinct Melbourne rockers The Scapes came bassist Gautam Raju and ivory-baron Steve Morfesse.
Debuting in 2007 with a self-titled independent EP, the band has released two single selections thus far, attracting airplay on Triple J as well as strong national and international community radio support. A full length album is slotted for 2008. Sound comparisons – if you must have them – include Augie March, The Frames and Art of Fighting.
And the name?
In Melbourne, the Elizabeth Street tram rolls down the hill from Carlton, past a giant flagpole and plateaus out in the CBD. Just before the city shoots up around you an old building flashes past advertising its tenants as the Ancient Free Gardeners. No member of this band has ever been there, aside from the singer, who was quickly handed a tie and badge set, told it was a secret society, and shepherded out the door. Just weeks later the locals papers ran a story about it citing a 'friendly society' that had shut up shop and quietly slipped out of town. They weren't that friendly...
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