Christian Duell- lead crooning | Chester Wiltshire- lightning licks | Yuri Koscov-Koscov- prolexic consultant | Scott Maynard- percussion | Mikey Nix- official chef to the stars |
Influences
Big Star, Bluebottle Kiss, Neil Young, Elliot Smith, Arcade Fire, Simon and Garfunkel, Television, The Shins, The Go Betweens, Band of Horses, the collective unconscious, births, deaths and marriages...et al
Sounds Like
1. Hear My Train A Comin'
2. Let it Roll
3. Drinkin' With The Gentlemen
4. Why Not Me
5. Little Brown Bed
6. Here Comes Winter
7. Funeral Song
8. Ode to Peace
9. Road to the Morning Sun
10. The Tombstone Express
Mr Rascal was formed in late 2006 when Christian Duell decided to take a handful of songs written in a treehouse out into the big bad world. Around each corner over the last two years, (whether through chance encounters or new musical friendships), a wind of change has blown Mr Rascal into something much more than a solo project.
Beginning with a couple of demos at dear friend Chester Wiltshire's house an idea was hatched to quickly record an EP. Somehow Mr Rascal became a fully-fledged band and busily started demoing songs for the EP which then became known as ‘the mini-album’. As a band Mr Rascal hit the studio in August 2007 convinced that there were enough good songs to record a whole album.
The possibilities of studio recording lead to spontaneous appearances by strangers and friends of friends appearing in the form of pedal steel guitar, bagpipes, trombone, banjo, spoons, melodica, violin and opera singing. The album was then preluded by the release, to much critical acclaim, of the debut single ‘Let it Roll’.
With a recorded album done and dusted Mr Rascal have finally unveiled ‘A Pocketful of Smoke’ to the world, celebrating in style with a sell-out launch event at one of Brisbane’s finest venues, The Cremorne Theatre. A most ambitious undertaking, the launch event brought together an honourable band of Brisbane’s most talented musicians including the core Mr Rascal live band (of guitar, bass, drums, keys and vocals) and a number of special guests (a brass section, strings, and opera singers).
Despite the sense of ambition inherent in the launch event and indeed the making of the album, the debut Mr Rascal album ‘A Pocketful of Smoke’ is not merely an experiment in local collaboration. The album features 10 very genuine and personal stories; some playful, others painful, weaved together by underlying themes of loss and generational change. The sonic possibility of each song is fleshed out in intricate yet subtle arrangements of instruments and production.
In their debut feature-length album, Mr Rascal aim to convey the fine line between joy and pain; ambition and comfort; for no other reason than to strike a chord of commonality with the occasional likeminded soul.
Why thankyou, all the better for hosting your comments on my dear. I hope to make it along to legendary live music venue 'Rics Bar' tomorrow evening to see your large ensemble of musicians take to the stage!
wow man - from hearing the acoustic version of "here comes the winter" ages ago to hearing it now - fantastic mate - you can really hear you guys have blended well - your voice is super? - How many ciggies did you eat to get that husk! - any news on Vic gigs?
have listened a few times now! let it roll is a stunning piece of musical tapestry. well done chaps! if we didn't have rehearsal tonight i'd be at your launch. good luck with it. mars :)
I KNOW!!! I AM excited (and honoured)to be singing with Mr Rascal!! I'm very cranky and sad not to be going to LA : ( brmc have to play two gigs without me......waaah!
hello you. I've been thinking about you alot lately, your whereabouts and such. I'm quite well, off to melbourne real soon. We should catch up for a coffee soon. miss your face. xx
I very much enjoyed your set at zee Zoo the other week with The Grannies. Also I thought we went pretty well last night considering the amount of practice we've had! Looking forward to the next one.
Haha thanks mate! You guys sounded wicked saturday arvo- really dug your guitar playing and was equally blown away by your harmonies. nice one christian. see you round soon. Dan
That is a very nice little demo brother. How's things? My birthday next friday the 2nd. Whooo hooo! Can't wait to see you at the Zoo...Was there just last night watching Ben Kweller.....Very nice. Stay safe M xoxo
