Management: Leonie Yeoman
Chris Pickering Management
Email: cpmusic@bigpond.net.au
Influences
Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Wilco, The Smiths, Rufus Wainwright, Booker T and the MG's, Elvis Presley, The Band, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Gillian Welch, The Strokes, Nick Drake, Hank Williams, Eric Bogle, George Jones, Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown and Paul Simon.
Sounds Like
A little bit of Jeff Tweedy, Rufus Wainwright and Gram Parsons – all shook up.
With enchanting melodies, insightful lyrics and a fresh-eyed handsomeness, award-winning musician and songwriter Chris Pickering is bridging the gap between Americana and Indie-Pop.
Since releasing his debut EP Hard to Find in 2004 and the follow-up album A Safer Place (2005), he’s been winning over audiences throughout the country (and the U.S.A) with his distinctive sound that combines soaring melodies with lyrics that paint vivid pictures of life's various complications and entanglements, as well as simply illustrating some of the pretty things.
In 2006, CP released his next EP, Ghost City. Produced by ARIA Award-winning legend Magoo, Ghost City earned CP a swag of rave reviews. The accolades continued in 2006 when he won his first QSong songwriting award for ‘Better Off’ (from A Safer Place LP).
CP’s reputation as a musician on the rise was cemented in August 2007, when he secured his second QSong award for ‘The Humming Song’.
In 2008 he performed a showcase and other gigs at SxSW in Austin, TX, with more shows (and some co-writing) in Nashville, TN.
CP returned to Tennessee in July 2008 for more gigs and writing sessions with Nashville luminaries, and headlined a well-received show in Memphis. He was also a finalist in three categories of the 2008 QSong Awards and a semi finalist in the UK Songwriting Awards.
2009 has been a big year so far for CP. He showcased at the International Folk Alliance in Memphis in February, and his latest album, Excuses Excuses, has been released in Australia/NZ on the THINK/Fuse label, to great critical acclaim. He has also relocated to Nashville for most of the year to concentrate on writing, performing and recording his next album, due out in 2010.
Somehow, amongst all this, he also played the famous VIPER ROOM in Los Angeles in April to a great response, as a showcase artist of MusExpo 2009.
Chris also has a FACEBOOK band page these days so if you are on the FACEBOOK, become his fan there as well! Click HERE to go straight there!
REVIEWS
“Keith Partridge in Cowboy Boots – that’s one way to summarize the sound of Chris Pickering. The Australian artist offers up a catchy blend of country and ‘60’s-flavoured pop on Excuses Excuses. Multi-talented Pickering plays guitar, organ, synth, banjo, piano, harmonica, glockenspiel and even cowbell. Highlights include the bluegrass-flavoured “Ghost City”, the hopes-and-dreams ditty “Broken Wing” and “Ruby Ruby”. No more excuses – check out this record.” – Performing Songwriter Magazine (Sept 08)
"...Excuses Excuses reveals considerable growth in Pickering as an artist who touches on a refreshing array of styles while developing a strong musical identity of his own..." – Courier Mail review of Excuses Excuses Feb 08 (4 stars)
“...a record that continues to resonate, captivate, stimulate and surprise long after your first listen...a magnificent debut...” – The Courier Mail review of A Safer Place (4 stars)
“...soaring choruses, quiet breakdowns and thoughtful melodies...if you’ve ever loved a local singer-songwriter you’ll adore this...” – Rave Magazine review of Ghost City
“Instantly likeable...confident and striking...delectably mournful...accomplished
and emotive...an immensely impressive debut.” – Rave Magazine review of A Safer Place
Pick! just made the video yesterday for LA Thursday and you won't believe how beautifully it came out. I'm in awe of the people who helped me . . . anyway it's going to explode and you're the guitar player on it!! yay. are we still going on tour together?
Dear friend CHRIS oh !you have a great talent a listen you it's wonderful l'm very happy with you music the songs and voice an angel and dream congratulations sincerly your friendship from French MARINA
Hi there, we're going to be in Brisbane Saturday 10th Oct to launch our brand new album! Come along to the X & Y Bar in Fortitude Valley, say hi and have a beer! Cheers, SP :)
