Boomtown Showdown 2007

BOOMTOWN ANNOUNCE THEIR 2007 NATIONAL SHOWDOWN TOUR!
THE GETAWAY PLAN / IN FICTION / ELORA DANAN / THE AMITY AFFLICTION

In celebration of the label’s fifth birthday, the 2007 Boomtown Showdown tour is set to be bigger then ever, with thirteen dates across our country’s east and west coasts, and a powerful lineup to match no other! The Boomtown Showdown brings The Getaway Plan, In Fiction, Elora Danan and The Amity Affliction your way this November.

What began in 2005 as a one-time show in Melbourne has now become an annual event, which fans across Australia look forward to each year. It is the Boomtown Showdown, a showcase tour for Boomtown Records and their continually expanding catalogue of artists. In November 2007, Boomtown will celebrate their fifth birthday, and will be making an effort to reach out to both the fans and bands that have helped the company grow from a small bedroom operation to a fully-fledged and overflowing office, which now boasts an impressive list of growing artists, each with their identity and accolades. The Showdown, which went national for the first time last year, showcases the diversity and quality within the thriving Boomtown roster.

Headliners The Getaway Plan solidified a successful campaign for their 2006 debut ‘Hold Conversation’ by touring nationally on the personal request of US hard-hitters The Used, and have since spent the last few months recording their debut album ‘Other Voices, Other Rooms’ in Florida with super-producer James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory). The first single from the album, ‘Streetlight’, will be released on November 3, with the forthcoming album due in February 2008. The Boomtown Showdown will be The Getaway Plan’s first shows back in Australia since heading the US in July.

The Adelaide punk / pop five piece, In Fiction, have been riding on the back of their March EP release ‘Ghost’ and subsequent national jaunts with The Matches, Behind Crimson Eyes and Kisschasy. They have received both Nova and Triple J support for their single ‘When The Camera’s Off’ and have just released their latest track, ‘If You’re Up Late’ along with a clip, to radio and TV.

Joining them are Perth rockers Elora Danan. They have recently released their debut mini-album ‘We All Have Secrets’ in August. Debuting in the top forty of the ARIA Charts in Western Australia, the Boomtown Showdown will be the band’s first full-blown national tour – something that will no doubt attract a plethora of East Coast fans who have felt the hype from across the desert.

Rounding out the lineup is the latest signing to Boomtown Records, hardcore act The Amity Affliction, who has been touring nationally with their new lineup throughout 2007. With a reputation for outrageous party antics and intense live shows, The Amity Affliction is quickly becoming one of the most talked about bands in Australian heavy music. They will release their Boomtown debut in the first half of 2008.

With most of the shows reaching an all ages market, and Boomtown Records celebrating with a retail and press campaign aimed at achieving maximum exposure for the artists and tour, Boomtown Showdown 2007 is set to be one of the best local tours of the year.

Celebrating Boomtown's 5th Birthday: Matthew Wright (The Getaway Plan), Joel Birch (The Amity Affliction), and George Green (Elora Danan) prepare for the Showdown!

Anberlin

Artist: Anberlin
Album: Cities (2007)
Label: Tooth And Nail

In 2005, Anberlin made a massive leap into the pop punk scene with 'Never Take A Friendship Personal'. With their 2007 release we see Anberlin evolve without losing their credibility or core sound in 'Cities'.

Readily introduced with ‘Godspeed’, a track so full of energy you will want to break out in your best dance move builds up anticipation for what is to come. And in a single spilt-second, singer/songwriter Stephen Christian can break your groove to an emotional standstill with acoustically driven ‘The Unwinding Cable Car’ and ‘Alexithymia’. Stephen’s natural ability to transform real-life situations into phenomenal rock songs is seen in ‘Dismantle Repair’ and ‘Hello Alone’. Still keeping the listener drawn into their reality, Stephen’s distinctively smooth vocals will leave you forever wondering and wanting with closing track ‘Fin’.

In perfecting their trademark sound Anberlin are living proof that breaking away from their well-known sound can be for the best.

Tegan And Sara

Artist: Tegan And Sara

Album: The Con (2007)
Label: Sire

For the devoted, Tegan and Sara need no selling-point introduction as their music sell and speak soundly for themselves. Having been making music since the age of fifteen, the Canadian twin duo, now at twenty-six have released their long-awaited album, aptly titled The Con.

With no expectations set in mind, then to hear the maturity and quality in their song-writing ability, it was clear that this record was nothing short of melancholic perfection. With lyrics honest and simple, vocals raw and emotional (‘Dark Come Soon’), the signature combination creates an unforgettable listening experience.

Opening with a controversial and affirming protestation in ‘I Was Married’ the girls speaks out to the L-word haters with simplicity and class, whilst the title inspiring synth-driven track ‘The Con’ hooks you in to a sing-a-long. And just when you think this record rings happy tales (‘Burn Your Life Down’), it’ll unexpectedly sink you into darker themes (‘Knife Going In’). Almost like a string of poetic vignettes, each song tells a short and sweet story, with a touch of sadness (‘Soil, Soil’) to the surrounding themes of life, love and loss.

Finding a song to simply dislike on this release is rather impossible.

Artist: Tegan and Sara
Album: So Jealous (2004)
Label: Sanctuary

So Jealous, shaped up to be the soundtrack of my summer...and still is :-)

Modest Mouse

Artist: Modest Mouse
Album: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (2007)
Label: Sony

If you ever find yourself at a loss for words, just turn to Isaac Brock, singer/songwriter and frontman of indie rock band Modest Mouse for inspiration. Brock is the genius behind the sarcastic and disturbing yet pleasing lyrics that make the band’s latest release “We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank” one to live for.

The single ‘Dashboard’ demands your attention without effort, an un-doubtly pop track with a dose of character and attitude for the dancing queens. But if you prefer something a little wild and exquisitely weird ‘Parting With A Sensory’ is sure to satisfy your dark side, taking a stab at the circle of life theory. And if you’re one who tends to do things on the safe side, you may think twice after hearing ‘Missed The Boat’. As the record keeps spinning, you’ll anchor down to the delicate soul-soothing tune that is ‘Little Motel’, before nearing to an end with charismatic ‘People As Places As People’.

Given a few listens, you’ll find the most bizarre mix of songs placed so close together will strangely begin to make sense, even if I don’t.

Brand New

Artist: Brand New
Album: The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)
Label: Interscope

Brand New’s latest release (and follow up to ‘Deja Entendu’), ‘The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me’ opens with 'Sowing Season (Yeah)' that warps you into the dark and desperate lyrical world of singer/songwriter, Jesse Lacey. Lacey delivers the song with haunting growls that cut through your soul and in perfect illustration, reverberates the entire record’s ‘sound’ that leaves nothing but a lasting impression.

The album delves deeper into Lacey’s psyche through cryptic and intensely personal lyrics in “Millstone” (a personal favourite), and unexpectedly terrifies you with the chilling requiem that is epically sad, “Limousine (MS Rebridge)”.

Expect a creation that is far beyond anything that any band in this scene is currently creating, there is genius in each song...just don’t expect to be dancing to this record. It is desolate and eerily honest with a smidgen of subtle hope. This record deserves global recognition beyond the underground music scene.

This is how rock music is meant to sound. It's not perfect. But it is genius.

Paramore

Artist: Paramore
Album: All We Know Is Falling (2005)
Label: Fueled By Ramen

Avril who?...is what you’ll be saying once you’ve been exposed to 17 year old Hayley Williams, singer/songwriter and front-woman of alternative pop/rock band Paramore.

They’re young but not at all restless. The five-piece band had worked tirelessly to sign with the well-known Fueled By Ramen label (alongside Fall Out Boy) in 2005. Paramore have without a doubt created one of the best and most underrated album in “All We Know Is Falling”, which the band describes the album as energetic, emotional and fun.

Existing in the world as a teenager has never been easy. And dealing with the trials and tribulations of love ('My Heart' and 'Let This Go'), friendship ('Conspiracy'), aspirations ('Franklin'), life ('Pressure' and 'Emergency') and loss ('Brighter') are all key ingredients to the mix making an album that’s simply one of the best. Hayley’s emotional yet mature and powerful vocals will pull at your heartstrings and stay with you long after the songs cease.