Management:
The Bedroom Philosopher with an American accent.
The Awkwardstra are:
Andy "Nature Boy" Hazel - Bass
Hugh "Mad Dog" Rabinovici - Drums
Gordon "Gordon" Blake - Sitar/Electric
Michael "Flutes McGee" O'Connor - Flute
Jamie "Hitz Rodriguez" Power - Percussion
Hear BP on Melbourne's 3RRR every Monday night from 7pm. New sketch radio show 'Lime Champions.' 102.7FM or stream it at rrr.org.au.
Winner! Director's Choice award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for 'Songs From The 86 Tram.'
CLICK HERE TO BUY NEW STUDIO ALBUM 'BROWN & ORANGE' FROM iTUNES! (Though with a 16 page colour booklet you'd do well to go old school and buy the CD.)
REVIEWS JUST IN FOR 'BROWN & ORANGE'
“There is a fine line between madness and genius, separated only by the thinnest of margins of subjective taste. From the opening lines of Strange Piece of Music, you are immediately introduced to the core elements of Brown & Orange. The shaky vocal delivery, self-referential lyrics and schizophrenic musical arrangements that move through folkish verses and flute solos only to end in a psychedelic sitar-driven outro. It's a confronting introduction, and one that will deter as many listeners as it will entice to persevere further. But for the brave souls that weather the seven-minute introduction piece, there is a treasure trove of gems that unfold over the course of the album.
From the rollickingly jaunty Party In My Head and What Am I supposed To Be Doing? To the introspective For The Love I Have For You, Brown & Orange traverses a broad palette of styles, melting them down into a fine soup of entertaining and predominantly poppy moments. And sure enough, there are some fantastic lyrical moments, as evidenced from Jesus On Big Brother and the melancholy Circus Bear. But the highlight of the album comes with the penultimate track, YouTube “hit” Wow Wow's Song. Over a verse progression that sounds eerily similar to Coldplay's God Put A Smile On Your Face, The Philosopher adopts a Cookie Monster voice, only for it all to break down in the most ridiculously catchy chorus this century has produced. Six minutes chock full of sublime gimmick pop.
Brown & Orange is a dense, multi-layered affair documenting, at least for the moment, The Bedroom Philosopher's unique perspective on the world around him. It's a lavish production and a thrillingly entertaining and equally exhausting listening experience. And while comedy concept records are few and far between in today's marketplace, The Bedroom Philosopher may just be the dapper dresser to start a whole new fashion.”
Symon JJ Rock, Inpress.
"The Bedroom Philosopher, aka Justin Heazlewood, revealed himself as an hallucinogenic hybrid of Tripod and Syd Barrett on his 2005 cult hit I’m So Postmodern, inevitably putting him in danger of becoming a one-novelty-hit wonder. The BP’s second album Brown & Orange is less explicitly bizarre than the tune that brought him (sort of) fame, placing his eccentric streams of consciousness and oddball stories amidst an apparently earnest style of folk-rock and gentle experimentation (such as placing a taped ‘70s monologue alongside hypnotic Phillip Glass-style repetition).
The swelling orchestral ballad For The Love I Have For You sounds like a straight, serious song, but closer investigation reveals Heazlewood cramming lots of syllables into tiny song spaces, at one point blurting out "Okay, granted, that’s not a very romantic lyric". Tongue still wedged in cheek, then. The spoken-word short story Jesus On Big Brother is fun as well ("More people watched Jesus than The Simpsons and the news and the CSIs combined"). The record is less successful when he goes deliberately ‘wacky’, such as the "comedy" Muppet vocals in Wow Wow’s Song (La La La). But the record’s charm is revealed in the almost Dylan-esque rant Party In My Head and the laid-back country-rock strum of What Am I Supposed To Be Doing?"
Matt Thrower, Rave.
“It is (like the man himself) entirely enjoyable, entirely likeable, and entirely odd. Only The Bedroom Philosopher would try and make brown and orange chic, only he would write the lyrics “I want a Missy Higgins film clip (for Christmas)/I want a long term relationship with an Irish optometrist”, and only Heazlewood would tell us all that “La, La, La, can only take you so far” (there are a lot more great lines, probably better than the ones here – just go and get the album to find your own favourites). Henceforth he proves that he is a master at word-smithing and clearly can’t get enough of being different. The surprise, highlight and almost religious experiences on the album are the tracks (Brown and (Orange), where The Bedroom Philosopher has sampled a recorded letter and joke, respectively, over simple music, and by doing so, the one and only, the wonder kid, The Bedroom Philosopher, has made Brown and Orange chic.”
Timothy Bocquet, BMA.
"The fact that The Bedroom Philosopher is a talented musician with a highly polished production is obvious from the first few bars. A folk-guitar style, the sound of fingers slipping from chord to chord along the strings throughout a ballad with seventies-style jazz flute (a double flute solo, no less) makes me want to weave daisy-chains and skip through the nearest field. The music jumps from song to song between seventies styles, raw old-school Brit pop, folk guitar chords, and psychedelic sounds created by the Philosopher and his Awkwardstra. I laugh out loud on at least four occasions during the first song (Strange Piece of Music) alone. I’m won over by the lyrics –one of a few songs on the album to employ story-teller narration, backed up with beautiful guitar.
The Bedroom Philosopher is a particularly talented and funny writer. As a listener I identify with every single word – which is the hook. But the usual brash take-the-piss Aussie comedy-music style is replaced by the gently hilarious musings of a poet. I almost fall in love. The original 1970’s home-recordings (apparently discovered by the Bedroom Philosopher in a Canberra Op Shop) peppered between a few songs make for some compelling listening. Really, really odd, and really funny.”
Emma Johnston, Artshub.
Wow Wow's Song film clip by Charlotte George (Director) & Leigh Ryan (Animation).
Beck. Eels. Baterz. King Missile. Dave Eggers. Bonzo Dog Band. Edward Lear. Guru Josh. Gary Numan. Donovan. Aimee Mann. John Lennon. Ted Egan. Graham Garden. Radiohead. Ken Heazlewood.
Sounds Like
Wow Wow's Song (La La La):
“Complete genius or utterly terrifying.”
(Inpress)
"Wow Wow is basically a depressed, mildly retarted, reasonably hip version of the Cookie Monster. It's the novelty rock equivalent of burping the alphabet, with sexy accompaniment. All very jolly and hilarious." (Beat)
“The Bedroom Philosopher has dealt up a deliciously enjoyable slice of childlike eccentricity.” (Rave)
The Happiest Boy:
"It's woozy/cute combination of deadpanned witticisms and a sublime flute breakdown make it one of the better indie pop songs of recent memory."
(Inpress)
"...a grassroots hit..."
(Rave)
The Bedroom Philosopher:
"Endearingly sweet, hilarious and occasionally heartbreakingly sad in a glitteringly beautiful way." (DB Magazine)
“If Bob Dylan had spent his time growing up in Berwick he might have more in common with the Bedroom Philosopher…one of the few artists making a genuine attempt to explore the oddness of our age.” (The Age)
"Something Different." (Nan & Pop)
LA LINEA - AS FEATURED IN "GENERATION ABC" THE ORIGINAL METAPHOR FOR LIFE
The Bedroom Philosopher (nee Justin Heazlewood) was born in Burnie, Tasmania, with a complete set of sideburns. From a young age he began raiding his uncle's wardrobe for dress ties and sweater vests in a quest to find meaning in mismatched colour patterns. Needless to say, he's been trapped in a 1970's aesthetic ever since.
Aside from being the chic-geeks’ pin up boy, this self-deprecating witty maverick also knows how to strum a tune. His masterful creations suggest an earnestness and irony that transcends the mainstream pop world and takes listeners on a magical mystery tour like no other. Who would have thought sitars, accordions and a Wurlitzer played simultaneously could sound so good?
If you happen to be sitting next to him on a tram, you could ask The Bedroom Philosopher about his collection of over 300 ties from the 70s, or the dozens of boxes of cassette tapes he's bought from op shops or his opinion on the top 5 songs that would benefit from a sitar solo. Questions to avoid would include asking if he believes that deep down he doesn't deserve happiness so will subconsciously sabotage every relationship he has, or asking to borrow $20.
The Bedroom Philosopher found himself dancing on the tables of the music industry in 2002 with a regular segment on JJJ's Morning Show. His lo-fi idiosyncrasies resonated so much with their audience that when he released his debut album In Bed With My Doona in 2005, he took pride in placing 70th in the Hottest 100 with his ode to absurdity, 'I'm So Postmodern'.
Follow up singles ‘Folkstar’ and ‘Golden Gaytime’ created a storm of cult-nostalgia, with the creator of the fabled ice cream himself becoming a fan, offering to divulge his secret recipe in exchange for a free copy of the album.
Since then The Bedroom Philosopher has played many gigs at venues and festivals you have heard of - The Big Day Out (2007-2008), Falls Festival (2004-2007), Queenscliff Music Festival (2008), Perth International Arts Festival (2008), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2003 – 2006) and National Folk Festival (2003-2004). He has used his Gumby-like flexibility to perform alongside all manner of acts - The Basics, Tripod, Richard In Your Mind, Flacco, Skipping Girl Vinegar and Peter Combe.
The Bedroom Philosophers current live excursion features the fresh faced and dapper dressed five-piece Awkwardstra, comprising of flute, sitar, drums and bass. He has recently released his second studio-album 'Brown & Orange' to critical acclaim, and received the Director's Choice award for his 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show 'Songs From The 86 Tram.' He writes for national magazines Frankie, Jmag and The Big Issue and created the Triple R sketch show 'Lime Champions.' (Melbourne's RRR 102.7pm 7pm Mondays)
The Bedroom Philosopher is currently recording new concept album "Songs From The 86 Tram" due out early next year.
REVIEWS FOR 'SONGS FROM THE 86 TRAM' SHOW.
“One of the two best shows I saw at this year's Comedy Festival. Great songs, great jokes, and dare I suggest, the odd poignant moment, all beautifully performed by a man who clearly knows what he's doing.” Tony Martin, comedy hero.
“I implore, nay insist, that you see this quintessentially Melbourne show as soon as you can: it's as close to perfect a comedy production as I've ever seen.” **** 1/2
Richard Watts, Triple R's Smart Arts.
REVIEWS FOR BROWN & ORANGE
“It's a lavish production and a thrillingly entertaining and equally exhausting listening experience.”
Symon JJ Rock, Inpress.
“It is (like the man himself) entirely enjoyable, entirely likeable, and entirely odd.”
Timothy Bocquet, BMA, Canberra – Album of the Week.
“…ample music invention flavours his dreams of alien abduction, caged bears and Jesus on Big Brother, and unlike the accidentally funny troubadours out there, he knows every joke should have a point.”
Michael Dwyer, The Age.
How are you going?... Looking forward to hearing your new album. When is it out?
We are playing our band launch alongside Courtney Barnett & Alias and The Jams at Wesley Anne on the 10th December at 8.30, $6, hope you can come along
Missed you in Sydney last week but I sent a bunch of friends to check out the show, they love it, I saw you in Surry Hills earlier this year, you were hilarious and knocked my drink over while convulsing on my table : ) I got over it eventually. Look forward to catching your next Sydney show. Nice work as John Saffron btw : )
You mean this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1QTsDMMxI A classic example of angst over things being uneven. Definitely applicable to both haircuts and food portions. The undercut was a home job by my friend during the Summer of Bathroom Haircuts and Shaving Parties.
It's been a while. How are You? We shall have to meet up sometime... When will you be playing in Melbourne again... is it August or September? Look after yourself... Cheers, Sean : )
Listening to Brown & Orange at the library. Could identify with "What am I supposed to be doing?" Looks like you are doing quite a bit according to the myspace...Peter
Has anyone ever told you that you look like elliot from rollercoster - it's an abc show that presents cartoons.. He is suspiciously over enthusiastic about everything (even for a kids show host) .. just thought you should know
Hey :) I was at the Yarrawonga roadshow show thing on Wednesday, and you were rather AWESOME!! (i wasn't the person the yelled out in the audience, but i should have been :P) And then, after the show, You and Felicity Ward were out with the guy who was selling merchandise and I am now SO regretting not running up and giving you a hug. I really think i should have. what do you reckon? (haha, my mum even knew who you were before the show :P) Just shows my awesome taste in comedy :)
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