The Middle East (band)
Encyclopedia
The Middle East were a musical collective based in Townsville in Queensland
, Australia
. Forming in 2005, the group played locally and completed several East Coast tours of mainly Christian festivals throughout Australia. Motivation behind the naming of the band is unclear. Many have speculated this is to appear politically minded and/or up to date with current affairs because the band has nothing in common with this region of the Earth. It is likely the name relates to the band's origins in the middle of the eastern coast of Queensland. In early 2008 they released an album called The Recordings of The Middle East before splitting up. Eight months after this decision was made, the band reconvened and later re-released an abridged version of the debut album, The Recordings of the Middle East as an EP in May 2009 through Spunk Records (AU). This EP was released in North America on 27 October 2009. Their first full album, I Want That You Are Always Happy
was released in Australia and New Zealand on 8 April 2011. The band played their last show on 31 July 2011, at the Splendour in the Grass
festival in Woodford, Queensland.
and slots on several major Australian festivals such as Splendour in the Grass
, the Big Day Out
, Big Sound, Homebake
, and the Woodford Folk Festival
. As well as this, the band have toured with international bands such as British group Doves and have also achieved minor, developing interest in the United States
, where The Recordings of The Middle East was released on 27 October. Much of the interest surrounding the band can be related back to the blogosphere
, with indie blog I Guess I'm Floating introducing the band stateside in May 2009. Thereafter The Middle East had over one hundred blog entries from around the world writing about the band.
Recently, Pitchfork Media
offered a free download of the song "The Darkest Side" as a part of their weekly Forkcast; describing the song as "a simple, finger-plucked acoustic
affair with alternating and harmonizing vocals that lend the hushed track a sense of beleaguered hope". They also were nominated and won the Triple J 2009 ‘Unearthed’ Award.
In October 2009, it was announced that the band would be opening for US band Grizzly Bear
in their Melbourne
shows. They were also announced as the support act for one of the band's Sydney Festival
shows. On 11 November 2009, it was announced that the band would be part of the festival Big Day Out
, announced as part of the second line up, in East Coast areas.
Their songs "The Darkest Side" and "Blood" came in at number 87 and 64 respectively on the Australian Triple J Hottest 100
in 2009.
Their song "Blood" is also featured in the films Accidents Happen
, It's Kind of a Funny Story
and Crazy, Stupid, Love
, as well as an episode of the Australian television comedy-drama series Offspring
and a TV commercial for the European bank BNP Paribas.
The band announced at Splendour in the Grass
that their set that night would be their "last show ever." FasterLouder reported that the band thanked all in attendance, saying that "it makes it special for us." Triple J
presenter Dom Alessio reacted to the news on Twitter
, adding that it was "an amazing band cutting it short before their time."
profile lists the band as "indie", elements of folk
, pop
, post rock, country
and ambience
can be found throughout their music. Instruments used include guitar
—both electric
and acoustic
, drums
, hand percussion
, piano
, glockenspiel
, banjo
and trumpet
. Another distinguishing feature of the band's music is the use of vocal harmony
—in particular close harmony
performed at times by several members.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Forming in 2005, the group played locally and completed several East Coast tours of mainly Christian festivals throughout Australia. Motivation behind the naming of the band is unclear. Many have speculated this is to appear politically minded and/or up to date with current affairs because the band has nothing in common with this region of the Earth. It is likely the name relates to the band's origins in the middle of the eastern coast of Queensland. In early 2008 they released an album called The Recordings of The Middle East before splitting up. Eight months after this decision was made, the band reconvened and later re-released an abridged version of the debut album, The Recordings of the Middle East as an EP in May 2009 through Spunk Records (AU). This EP was released in North America on 27 October 2009. Their first full album, I Want That You Are Always Happy
I Want That You Are Always Happy
I Want That You Are Always Happy is the debut studio album by Australian folk band The Middle East, released in Australia and New Zealand through Spunk Records on 8 April 2011...
was released in Australia and New Zealand on 8 April 2011. The band played their last show on 31 July 2011, at the Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
festival in Woodford, Queensland.
History
The band have gone on to receive national radio airplay on Triple JTriple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
and slots on several major Australian festivals such as Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
, the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
, Big Sound, Homebake
Homebake
Homebake is an annual Australian rock festival, featuring an all-Australian lineup . The festival was first held on 4 January 1996 at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, on the far north coast of New South Wales...
, and the Woodford Folk Festival
Woodford Folk Festival
The Woodford Folk Festival is an annual music festival held near the small country town of Woodford, 72 km north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is one of the biggest annual cultural events of its type in Australia....
. As well as this, the band have toured with international bands such as British group Doves and have also achieved minor, developing interest in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where The Recordings of The Middle East was released on 27 October. Much of the interest surrounding the band can be related back to the blogosphere
Blogosphere
The blogosphere is made up of all blogs and their interconnections. The term implies that blogs exist together as a connected community or as a social network in which everyday authors can publish their opinions...
, with indie blog I Guess I'm Floating introducing the band stateside in May 2009. Thereafter The Middle East had over one hundred blog entries from around the world writing about the band.
Recently, Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
offered a free download of the song "The Darkest Side" as a part of their weekly Forkcast; describing the song as "a simple, finger-plucked acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
affair with alternating and harmonizing vocals that lend the hushed track a sense of beleaguered hope". They also were nominated and won the Triple J 2009 ‘Unearthed’ Award.
In October 2009, it was announced that the band would be opening for US band Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
in their Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
shows. They were also announced as the support act for one of the band's Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival is Australia's largest and most attended annual cultural event running every January since it was first held in 1977. Its program features around 80 events including contemporary and classical music, dance, circus, drama, visual arts and artist talks...
shows. On 11 November 2009, it was announced that the band would be part of the festival Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
, announced as part of the second line up, in East Coast areas.
Their songs "The Darkest Side" and "Blood" came in at number 87 and 64 respectively on the Australian Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100
The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs...
in 2009.
Their song "Blood" is also featured in the films Accidents Happen
Accidents Happen
Accidents Happen is a 2010 Australian coming of age comedy drama film directed by Andrew Lancaster and starring Geena Davis, Harrison Gilbertson, Sebastian Gregory, Harry Cook, Joel Tobeck and Sarah Woods. Written by Brian Carbee, based on his own childhood and adolescence, the story revolves...
, It's Kind of a Funny Story
It's Kind of a Funny Story (film)
It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2010 comedy-drama film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, an adaptation of Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name. The film stars Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Viola Davis...
and Crazy, Stupid, Love
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Crazy, Stupid, Love. is a 2011 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, written by Dan Fogelman, and starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Analeigh Tipton, and Kevin Bacon...
, as well as an episode of the Australian television comedy-drama series Offspring
Offspring (TV series)
Offspring is an Australian television comedy-drama series which premiered on Network Ten in Australia on 15 August 2010. Offspring is centred around 30-something obstetrician Nina Proudman and her family, as they navigate the chaos of modern life...
and a TV commercial for the European bank BNP Paribas.
The band announced at Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
that their set that night would be their "last show ever." FasterLouder reported that the band thanked all in attendance, saying that "it makes it special for us." Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
presenter Dom Alessio reacted to the news on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, adding that it was "an amazing band cutting it short before their time."
Genre
The genre of the band themselves is difficult to specify. Whilst their MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
profile lists the band as "indie", elements of folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, post rock, country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and ambience
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
can be found throughout their music. Instruments used include guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
—both electric
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and acoustic
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, hand percussion
Hand percussion
Hand percussion is a term used to indicate a percussion instrument of any type from any culture that is held in the hand. They can be made from wood, metal or plastic and are usually either shaken, scraped or tapped with fingers or a stick...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, glockenspiel
Glockenspiel
A glockenspiel is a percussion instrument composed of a set of tuned keys arranged in the fashion of the keyboard of a piano. In this way, it is similar to the xylophone; however, the xylophone's bars are made of wood, while the glockenspiel's are metal plates or tubes, and making it a metallophone...
, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
and trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
. Another distinguishing feature of the band's music is the use of vocal harmony
Vocal harmony
Vocal harmony is a style of vocal music in which a consonant note or notes are sung at the same time as a main melody in a predominantly homophonic texture. Vocal harmonies are used in many subgenres of European art music, including Classical choral music and opera and in the popular styles from...
—in particular close harmony
Close harmony
Close harmony is an arrangement of the notes of chords within a narrow range. It is different from open harmony or voicing in that it uses each part on the closest harmonizing note , while the open voicing uses a broader pitch array expanding the harmonic range past the octave...
performed at times by several members.
Discography
- The Middle East / Sleeping in Trains (split EP with Sleeping in Trains, 2006)
- The Recordings of the Middle East (album, 2008)
- The Recordings of the Middle East (EP, 2009)
- Jesus Came to My Birthday Party (EP, 2010)
- I Want That You Are Always HappyI Want That You Are Always HappyI Want That You Are Always Happy is the debut studio album by Australian folk band The Middle East, released in Australia and New Zealand through Spunk Records on 8 April 2011...
(album, 2011) #11 AUS