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
MR RASCAL are a contemporary folk collective from Brisbane, Australia. Combining eclectic instrumentation and a musical repertoire ranging from ‘confessionary gospel’ to ‘ramshackle barnyard grumble’ the group’s music is described by Time Off Magazine as ‘songs that sound like old friends even before you’ve heard them’.
Mr Rascal’s latest release ‘My, What a Big Black Cloud!’ is an experiment in song-writing and musicality. Written, recorded and completed in 30 days the release captures the energy and vitality of live performance with the types of universal experiences that can affect any individual in the space of a month. The release has already received glowing reviews, described by Scene Magazine as ‘rather beautiful!’
Mr Rascal’s story began in late 2006 when the group’s founder Christian Duell began writing songs in a tree-house in the inner-western Brisbane suburbs. These songs came about through experience and existed by necessity as a testimony to an era of change in Christian’s life. The greatest change was to occur when Christian took these songs from the safety of his tree-house to an audience of family, friends and later the wider community. From the first collaboration, performing these songs with a few like-minded friends, the concept of Mr Rascal began to take shape. Since this time Mr Rascal has gone from strength to strength, enlisting various musicians and performers with new interpretations of the songs and the stories they portray. The pinnacle of this success to date has been the release of the debut Mr Rascal album, ‘A Pocketful of Smoke’.
‘A Pocketful of Smoke’ was recorded over the course of 9 months from late 2007 and features 16 musicians ranging from bagpipes, soprano vocals, pedal steel guitar, brass, strings as well as the core rhythm section of the band. The release was launched in style at Brisbane’s ‘Queensland Performing Arts Complex’ to a sell-out audience of over 300 people. A unique and ambitious undertaking for a local band’s debut release, the event was received with overwhelming praise, described by a Time Off Magazine reviewer as ‘the most complete, well-rounded and ambitious show this reviewer has had the pleasure of witnessing in some time’.
With a previously ever-changing sea of faces, the time has come for Mr Rascal to consolidate their achievements and focus on the future. And certainly this is a group with a future of promise. Today Mr Rascal comprises a permanent core of multi-talented musicians Christian Duell, Michael Nix, Rebecca Karlen, Grant Davis and David Lee. Together this core band is building on the strength of their previous success to develop a consistency and focus to the sound of Mr Rascal. While maintaining the opportunity for the chance musical encounters and friendships that occur through guest performers, today the strength of this new pool of creative minds is their ability to convey the songs and stories of Mr Rascal with clarity, energy and emotion.
‘Having a show at the Cremorne Theatre in Brisbane's QPAC is an ambitious undertaking to say the least for a local band of any level. However Mr Rascal's Christian Duell clearly has a vision to launch his record 'A Pocketful of Smoke' in style. Little do we know that 'style' will ultimately be the greatest of understatements. In a nutshell, this is the most complete, well-rounded and ambitious show this reviewer has had the pleasure of witnessing from a local artist, no, any artist in some time’. Ben Preece, Time Off (July 2008)
'My, What a Big Black Cloud!' is the product of Christian Duell's 'album in a month' challenge. As an emotional recount of his experiences, it is evident within the tracks that Christian was grieving, healing and looking ahead. Other tracks are just deliciously cute. With an array of amazing instrumentals and gorgeously tender vocals, his sound comes off as rather beautiful! Sam Seljak, Scene Magazine (July 2009)
‘Mr Rascal, from the band’s name through to its loose-roster of blow-ins, is a concept full of charm….’ Simon Topper, Rave Magazine (July 2008)
‘These are songs that sound like old friends even before you’ve heard them’ Matt Thrower, Time Off Magazine (July 2008)
‘We could be witnessing the birth of something significant here ’ Matt O’Neil, Time Off Magazine (February 2008)
‘Keep your ears scanning for sounds of Mr Rascal’s forthcoming debut album A Pocketful Of Smoke, because moments of quiet beauty like this need to be treasured. Winnah.’ Simon Topper, Rave Magazine (February 2008)
‘Let It Roll' is an uplifting folk-rock number, with a driving rhythm section, duelling guitars, banjos, violin, and the prerequisite use of organ necessary to complete such a song. The attraction of 'Let It Roll' is not in the instrumental prowess of Mr Rascal, however, rather it's in the amazing use of melody and harmony, as well as Duell's touching lyrics.’ Gavin Hansford, Before Hollywood (February 2008)
I've been really impressed the more I read about your music history. From listening to your music and looking at your sites (myspace and ReverbNation) I thought you had been playing a lot longer than you have. Good on you for getting it together so quickly. You and your band have a really distinct and good (consistent) sound, as well as good songs.
Was lovely meeting you too. Hope you get the grant! Just to let you know, I've been sending people information about music opportunities etc. they might find useful for a while now, and have gotten to the point where so many people are interested, I'm going to actually do it through a newsletter instead, where people email me to subscribe. The focus is stuff that I stumble across in my travels, so it's from a singing and songwriting focus, but much of it is also relevant to bands and musicians generally. If you would like to join the list, just send me your email address.
Hi Mr Rascal. Thanks for the request. If you had the chance to listen to my tracks, I hope you enjoyed them. Your songs sound cool... somewhat reminiscent of Elliott Smith. I'm playing a show at Rics on 6th October at Rics if you're free. Take Care and All the Best.
Yo don't miss special exclusive fan/friend show, featuring the Good Ship this sunday; relaxed arv vibe, BYO; check out http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116758346330
Friends... we are new on the Brisbane live scene and are desirous of gigs. We will play anywhere for anyone.
If you're a little low and need cheered up, we will play in your lounge. Maybe you have a gig coming up and need some support. Nothing too big or small.
Online Now!
