The Distance finally got to play at the very famous Meeniyan Hall. We had been dying to get down there for the past few years - and it was everything we hoped it would be. We had people make the treck from all over the state, all there with their eskies in hand and their dancing shoes on.
We invited our good friend John Kendell to play with us which is always a serious treat (thanks John). The band played an acoustic based opening set and then came back with all guns blazing for a rockin 2nd set that had everyone in the hall up and dancing. They wouldnt let us stop! Please check the pictures section for some great snaps from the night, I think I've posted about 15 shots all up. Thanks to all who made the effort to get there on the night. And we will be back there real soon, hopefully later on this year.
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GIG INFO, ONLINE STORE & PICS
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ALL THINGS DISTANT...
August 2008
Well we told you it would be an amazing night - were you there? Huge crowd, and one great big show.
KB jumped up on stage with us to play a rocked up version of 'Long Time Gone' an old CSN song. It was a ripper. The Flood - well they are always a treat - giving us a mixture of old and new songs. The Peninsula Lounge crowd making sure they didnt get away without a few encores.
Thanks to all who turned up - hope you had a ball.
Make sure you all get down to our Hallam Hotel show on October 15th. Going to be a great night. And keep your eyes on the lookout for our new clip 'Commin On Fast' due to hit CMC any moment now!
ALL THINGS DISTANT...
July 2008
Get on down to the Peninsula Lounge on Friday 8th August to see The Distance, The Flood and Bill Chambers! Guaranteed amazing night of music right there people. We have just filmed ourselves yet another video clip - the catchy country rocker - Commin on Fast. Should be a ripper. Country Life is still running around the charts - and for the 2nd week in a row is sitting at No.22 on the CMC charts! We are busy planning a heap of shows for later this year - so for all you interstaters - keep your eyes on the gig guide.
ALL THINGS DISTANT...
May 2008
The Distance are supporting legendary Aussie rockers - The HOODOO GURUS at the Chelsea Heights Hotel on Sunday 8th June. Its a great live music venue so for those who have yet to pay the band room a visit, this is your chance!! And what better way to spend your 'long weekend' than to get outta the house and see some great live bands do their thing! Come down and support the live music scene - We need you!!!
ALL THINGS DISTANT...
Apr 2008
GROUNDED AVAILABLE NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Yes that's right - our new album Grounded is now available to be bought from our online store right now. 12 great tracks all for you. The new single 'country life' featuring James Reyne is also now showing on CMC - so keep your eyes peeled for that. If you cant get the CD online then rest assured that it's going to be in all good music stores real soon through our 'One Stop' distribution deal. How cool is that!!!!!
Thanks to everyone who came to our CD launch - great night had by all and certainly moved a few CD's too.
ABOUT THE DISTANCE
There’s something to be said about the ‘company we keep’. On the long and winding road of a constantly traveling country rock band it’s always nice to be among good friends. That's exactly how The Distance have rolled from day one. The band has known each other most of their lives, and it is this chemistry and trust that makes The Distance one of the most invigorating and fresh acts on the Oz country rock scene today. From large outdoor festivals to the corner of smokey bars, the Distance have that uncanny knack of making any stage their own. This is a band that not only has something to say, but has a live show designed to take their listeners on a journey.
Their self titled debut album set the band in it’s stride, spawning 3 radio singles and also 3 supporting video clips, all receiving high rotation on Foxtel's Country Music Channel. The weight of that first album alone was enough to get the guys 8 shows at the 2006 Tamworth Country Music Festival. The band toured the east coast of Australia in support of the album, finishing up in QLD with two shows at the Mud, Bulls and Music festival. The album was a finalist in 3 categories at the Vic CM awards with nominations for best album, song and vocal.
After their country rock dominated debut the band was ready to expand their musical horizons and returned to the studio in 2007. Working with Gavin's younger brother Colin who produced and mixed the album, the band revelled in the comfort of having another familiar face in their fold. Their 2nd studio album 'Grounded' sees the Distance take their musicianship and songwritting to another level. Adding banjo, mandolin, violins and anything else with strings, their sophmore longplayer took on a whole new life. "Grounded is representative of who we are, just 4 down to earth guys who love to play music" says Gavin. Trying to place a finger on the bands influences is a difficult task. The band dips into the same well of American roots music that inspired John Cougar, Jackson Browne, The Eagles or Australian band The Flood, as well as building on their own ability to pen genuine original classic country rock songs. "You listen to any of those guys and you hear music that lasts, it speaks to you and you can always take something from that" says Gavin. Grounded was released in June 2008 through ‘One Stop Distribution’.
The albums first single 'Country Life' features Aussie Crawl frontman and Australian music icon James Reyne on guest vocals. Gavin had become good friends with James after his numerous visits to their family music store.
"James loved the first album and was always asking to be involved with our next one - it was a huge thrill to have someone like James come in and sing on our song"says Gavin. Released to national radio, the video clip for 'Country Life' spent over two months on the CMC Top20 chart. "Very well may lead to another nomination for Reyne at the Golden Guitars" Capital News 2008.
The new album also sees the bands creative nucleus grow, adding another string to their bow with songwritting contributions from the bands other six stringer Mitchell Dean. The rural rocker “Commin on Fast” shows the band in full-fledged country rock mode, infectious harmonies, hard working guitars and a vitality that is born when the pressure is on. The song also released to national radio and a support video clip going on CMC.
With the release of 'Grounded' The Distance have been welcomed into the illustrious 'Fender' family, an endorement offer that is bestowed upon few in the business.
"This is a band that have all their ducks in a row. They incorportate the latest in city sounds while still preserving the ethos of country music" Country Update 2008.
The Distance are :
Gavin Leadbetter (vocals, guitars), Mitchell Dean (guitars, vocals)
Jim Mournian (bass, vocals), & Darren Shiels (drums)
Ruby Jane and Mark O'Connor: Virtuosos of the American Fiddle: http://www.poptech.org/blog/mark_oconnor_and_ruby_jane_smith_virtuosos_of_american_fiddle
Ruby Jane Article in New York Times!! http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/who-do-these-guys-think-they-are/ AND Check out the new pictures and video! Let me know what you think! Ruby Jane
G'day guys. I was down at the Mt Dandenong Hotel over the weekend with my girlfriend and noticed you were playing so we came down Saturday night. I saw your band perform at Deni and to see you guys play again was great which inspired me to buy your Album. Great work really enjoyed the music just could not get my girlfriend to stop playing the bloody video games. See you guys again and keep up the music
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
Hi Guys! Thank you for adding us to your friendlist. You got some really great songs, and we're looking forward to hear some more from you. Please feel free to visit our page and listen to something you don't hear every day: Country Music From Denmark!!!!! Cheers! Lonerock - Scandinavian Country That Rocks!!
Hi The distance, My debut single has finally been released it's all very exciting it is up on my myspace page "CRAWL" Please check it out and leave me a comment :)
Online Now!
