FOR THORNBURY THEATRE TICKETS 28th November 2009 EMAIL US:
theaprilmaze@gmail.com
We prefer to say inspiration rather than influence, as many artist inspire music to come from the heart and is not neccessarily anything like what we do.... Some artists that inspire..... Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Dar Williams, Cat Stevens, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, Tracey Chapman, Midnight Oil, The Waifs, Gomez, The Dave Matthews Band, Led Zepplin, Crowded House, Goanna, Carol King, Jewel, Damien Rice, The Chemists, India Arie, John Williamson, Fleetwood Mac, Leonard Cohen, Bomba, John Butler Trio, Blue King Brown, Russ MacFarlane and local crew from Play for ya pots @ Mt Dandenong Hotel, Pearl Jam, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Toots and the Maytels, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Jeff Buckly, Jack Johnson, True Live, Hiltop Hoods...and many more....
all music that comes from the heart.
Sounds Like
April Maze currently have 3 songs on the Downunda Thunda Radio Playlist!
Every now and then a band comes along who deviate from the current trend of the industry by presenting music that is fresh and uninhibited. They skirt the edges of the commercial realm, providing an appeal that traverses across the independent and popular spectrum with an original perspective that is persistent and endearing. Melbourne’s April Maze is one of these bands. With two vocalists of different styles and a background firmly cemented in the live music scene, this band attracts the right brand of attention, and remains in the listener’s consciousness long after their songs have finished.
Sweeping onto the vibrant Melbourne music scene in late 2005, April Maze brought with them a fusion of folk and roots, with a splash of reggae, and a catalogue of strong soulful songs. Described as a benchmark somewhere between the likes of Norah Jones, Gomez and John Butler Trio, but with an entirely original slant, the enchanting soundscape created by the distinct instrumentation and earthy vocals of the male and female singers has seen April Maze earn themselves a considerable following in the short time since their inception. Combining this with their unique live performance, the band are forging a strong and unprecedented future in the Australian music scene.
Featuring Sivan Agam (vocals, cello, lap steel, guitar, charango and bass) and Todd Mayhew (vocals, guitars, harmonica and bass), the main focus that makes April Maze stand out from other roots-based bands in the country is their diverse and unique instrumentation. The multi-instrumentalists swap between styles and instruments, blending genres and vocals to create a captivating result. Consequently, their genre is almost impossible to pigeonhole. The influences of jazz, blues, folk, roots, rock and reggae filter through their tracks, and meld together seamlessly to produce an almost new genre of music entirely. It is interesting, progressive and appealing, with an instrumentation that has a musical nuance and a lyrical content that resonates with fans.
With a plethora of gigs under their belt, April Maze released their debut EP in 2008, the first release of many to come. The self-titled EP has already garnered them airplay on Triple J, local ABC, 3RRR, PBS and a large cross-section of community radio stations across the country. Their consistent touring has seen the band play in a variety of venues, from country towns, to iconic city locations and in front of thousands at well reputed festivals including Folk Rhythm and Life, Corinbank, Thin Green Line, Port Fairy, Adelaide Fringe and more.
(Eva Roberts)
The April Maze EP is now available at gigs on itunes, or via the BUY NOW link to April Maze Paypal account from this myspace page and from independent record stores including:
Polyester Records, Brunswick St, Fitzroy, The Last Record Store, Smith St, Collingwood Missing Link, Basement 405 Bourke Street, Melbourne City, Blue Moon Records , 54 Johnston St, Fitzroy Pure Pop Records, 221 Barkly St, St Kilda
To Join the April Maze e-news list and recieve monthly info on gigs and special events, send an email with the subject "Add Me!" to theaprilmaze@gmail.com
"April Maze have a beautiful sound."
Charlie Owen (Beasts of Bourbon, Tex Don & Charlie)
Comments made when April Maze 1st single "Wisdom Teeth" was reviewed at the APRA S3 Sydney Song Summit in April 2008:
“I didn’t have to hear this song for more than 30 seconds to know I wanted to play it on air”
(Caroline Tran, Triple J Radio)
“Great song title! I think it really suits the message in the song, yeah I really like this song”
(Melanie Horsnell, Singer/Songwriter)
“Great song, it is capturing, has great lyrics, great production, great metering, excellent vocals, and a great beat!”
(Matt O'Connor, The A&R Department, www.theaandrdepartment.com)
I Love This Life - Live on the cable car in Wellington, New Zealand - Filmed and produced by Kev Cahill (www.kevcahill.com)
New song 'Saltwater' by April Maze, Live in Studio @ Main Street Studios (April 30th 2009) free audio download available from www.mainstreetstudios.com.au
Hi there! Just letting you know about a gig I have coming up! Sunday 18th October @ Brunswick Hotel, Sydney Road 9pm - with the band support from Simon Gibbs Burke Would be great to see you there! Simone :)
Hi there! How are you? Hope all is going well for you. I have a new song called BRING THE SUN. It would absolutely knock my socks off if you had a listen and let me know what you think of it with a comment!
