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MAGIC DIRT PAY TRIBUTE TO DEAN
With a new EP and Shows
Magic Dirt are set to play a run of shows and release an EP in tribute to Dean Turner. The tour and the EP are among the final projects Dean worked on prior to his recent passing.
Dean founded Magic Dirt in 1992 and played bass in the band until he passed away on August 21 this year. In a statement issued soon after his death Dean’s band mates Adalita, Raul and Adam said “For nine years, Dean battled an extremely rare form of soft tissue cancer called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Being a very private man, Dean chose to fight the cancer in a quiet and dignified manner. He displayed great courage and incredible stoicism. And above all else he had an unshakeable positive attitude throughout his long ordeal. His composure and grace during this time will never be forgotten and is an inspiration to us all."
Dean and Magic Dirt had planned a tour in August but Dean’s deteriorating condition led to the cancellation of the dates. Now the band announces a run of shows as a loving tribute to their dear friend. It offers Magic Dirt and their fans an opportunity to give Dean the rousing and rowdy send-off he so richly deserves.
Adalita, Raul and Adam said when announcing the tour, "Dean loved playing live. He liked to play loud and hard and give it all he had. 110% all the way. We are so proud of Deans legacy and the gifts he has left with us all. His gifts of perseverance, passion and commitment to the music. And his endearing gifts of boyish fun, his invigorating and uplifting attitude on that long hard road and his pure punk rock spirit on stage, behind the scenes and around us at all times."
Playing bass will be Matt Sonic from Sons of the Sun and Matt Sonic & the High Times. Dean produced the first Sons of the Sun record. Matt is a close friend of the bands and filled in for Dean when Dean was unable to play shows in the past.
October 15 THE GOVERNOR HINDMARSH, Adelaide
October 16 CASTERTON TOWN HALL, Casterton
October 17 THE LOFT, Warrnambool
October 24 KAROVA LOUNGE, Ballarat
October 28 CORNER HOTEL, Melbourne
October 30 NATIONAL HOTEL, Geelong
November 5 MANLY FISHOS, Manly
November 6 ANNANDALE HOTEL, Sydney
November 7 FRESHLY PLUCKED FESTIVAL, Orange
Magic Dirt also release the White Boy EP, one of the final recording projects Dean assembled. Alongside White Boy, lifted from the band’s latest album Girl, the EP includes two tracks with special guest vocalists. Dean produced the Rowland S Howard duet with Adalita on the song Summer High and Gareth Liddiard of The Drones joins her on vocals on Love Is The Armour. The EP also features two previously unreleased tracks Deep In A Net Of Red and Valley Of The Rose and also Future Fuck which is lifted off their 2008 tour ep.
The band is also bringing one other final plan of Dean’s to fruition… a DVD of the recent videos the band made for White Boy, Romy and Bring Me The Head Of...to be given away free to the first 100 fans to buy the new EP at the upcoming shows. (NB: there will be a limit of 10 free DVD's per show).
The DVD will also be available to purchase at the shows for $5.
Magic Dirt say,"It was Deans idea to giveaway the first 100 copies of the DVD to our fans at the live shows. Dean felt it was vital to include our audience as part of the whole creative process and it was important for him to give something back to the fans. Dean was deeply pragmatic and always thinking ahead. We wish to honour his hard working spirit with these shows, to unite with our audience that has so deeply shown its respect, appreciation and love for Dean and his music."
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IN MEMORY OF DEAN
(photo by Marty Williams)
Magic Dirt's beloved Dean Turner passed away on Friday August 21st,
2009.
For nine years, Dean battled an extremely rare form of soft tissue
cancer called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). This cancer became
life threatening after it began to metastasize and cause various fatal
tumours.
Being a very private man, Dean chose to fight the cancer in a quiet and
dignified manner. He displayed great courage and incredible stoicism.
And above all else he had an unshakeable positive attitude throughout
his long ordeal.
His composure and grace during this time will never be forgotten and is
an inspiration to us all.
As a founding member of Magic Dirt, Dean was the linchpin, the heart and
soul of the band. He was the rock, the glue, the oracle, the cool
filter. He was deeply dedicated and passionate about the music he made
and the impact the band had on peoples lives.
Dean always came up with fantastic ideas but he tempered these ideas
with a rock solid work ethic and made them not only real but a success.
Dean's bass playing and sound is unique and unmistakable. With a great
flow and organic playing style, Dean dug deep into his role as bass
player, supporting and creating a bedrock, the backbone of the Magic
Dirt sound. And fans will never forget his melodic riffing, heavy
thunder, sonic shimmers and noise fests at Magic Dirt's live shows.
Dean worked tirelessly because music was one of the greatest joys in his
life.
Sadly, Dean had many projects and goals he wanted to achieve that will
remain unrealised.
Dean championed a lot of Australian music, always interested in giving
young bands a go, he was generous with his time and advice to those that
sought his council.
Dean was also a band manager, being instrumental in the rise of Brisbane
band Violent Soho, he guided and tended the band and had an immensely
positive impact on them.
Dean was also an in demand producer. His vision and stabilizing effect
in the recording studio allowed many bands the opportunity to realize
their dreams of making great records. He produced such bands as Violent
Soho, theredsunband, Gersey, Sons of the Sun and lastly worked on
Adalita's (Magic Dirt's front woman) first solo album.
Dean also sat on VIC Rocks grants committee which he loved doing and he
played an active role in giving artists the support they needed and was
asked to return year after year by the board executive.
But the greatest joy and proudest achievement in Dean's life is his
family. He was an extremely dedicated and loving father and husband. His
wife Linda and two children were the loves of his life and he cherished
them with all his being. In the last nine years during his battle with
the cancer he did everything he could to stay with them despite the pain
and suffering he was enduring.
He had a profound effect on people, always leaving a warm and inspiring
feeling.
The surviving Magic Dirt members, Adalita, Raul and Adam are absolutely
devastated at their loss and cannot fathom a future without him. Above
all else they will remember Dean as their beautiful and precious friend.
Kind, gentle, very funny and witty, had impeccable taste, a joy to be
around, a great storyteller, extremely trustworthy, honest, generous, direct, a
brilliant diamond mind. They are so very proud of Dean's brave fight and will do
everything in their power to ensure that Dean's legacy of integrity and
spirit lives on.
The band has postponed their upcoming tour until further notice.
Magic Dirt's love and thoughts go out to Dean's family and to his wife
Linda and two children.
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