Bio

SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR – Biography  (Updated April 2013)

Summary:

Skipping Girl Vinegar are one of Australia’s most talked about bands. Childhood friends and celebrated songwriters, they have released two critically acclaimed albums in their homeland, ‘Sift the Noise’ and ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ that made many ‘Album of the Year’ lists. Both albums have received extensive radio play on national Australian youth network Triple J and championed by ABC and major alternative radio nationwide. Where hi-fi swagger meets low-fi sway, Skipping Girl Vinegar have carved out their own heart-warming, hobo-pop sound that is testament to the band’s old-world authenticity and song craft.

“Album of the Year… SGV deliver an edgy, pop masterpiece – 4.5 Stars”, Jeff Jenkins – Inpress; “An indie force of nature, ‘Album of the Year’ Finalist”- The Age; “A wonderful exhibition of the group’s ability to paint masterpieces with each stroke”- The Dwarf; “An absolute gem of an album chock full of timeless tunes… Beautiful stuff delivered with true style – 5 Stars” – Baby Sue “Skipping Girl Vinegar are right on the money with their sophomore album. Subtle and adventurous… This is clever and original which is what good songwriting should be”- Sunday Mail. “Blending Springsteen-esque hope with Luke Steele other worldliness, tracks roar with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club infused energy with Lang’s lyrical strengths on show – 4 Stars”- Rolling Stone.

Charting on the U.S. CMJ charts with their ‘Chase The Sun’ EP (2012), the band were invited to play the CMJ Music Festival in New York in October 2012 alongside showcases in Los Angeles & Nashville. Whilst in the U.S. Skipping Girl Vinegar began recording their third album and released their Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey LP into the U.S (Mon, 22nd October 2012). Their recent U.S. tour saw them climb to #43 in the main CMJ charts, featuring seven weeks inside the Top 100 with numerous #1 and #2 positions across the U.S. (Including 46 Top 10′s). Whilst in Nashville, SGV recorded two new singles with indie legend Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Missy Higgins). With a buzz surrounding the new songs and major U.S. partners, soon to be announced, SGV released the first of these singles ‘Making Our Way’ in Australia (11th March 2013). Fresh from playing Port Fairy Folk Festival and two, packed main-stage performances at this year’s incredible Bluesfest in Byron Bay (Blog), Skipping Girl Vinegar celebrate the release of their brand new single, ‘Making Our Way’ with a set of unique sold out performances on the rooftop next to the classic neon sign of ‘Audrey’ the Skipping Girl Vinegar in Abbotsford, Melbourne (May). The band are currently working on their third album with a second single due for release later this year.

www.skippinggirlvinegar.com

Full Version:

Skipping Girl Vinegar are one of Australia’s most talked about bands. Childhood friends and celebrated songwriters, they have released two critically acclaimed albums in their homeland, ‘Sift the Noise’ and ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ that made many ‘Album of the Year’ lists. Both albums have received extensive radio play on national Australian youth network Triple J and championed by ABC and major alternative radio nationwide. Where hi-fi swagger meets low-fi sway, Skipping Girl Vinegar have carved out their own heart-warming, hobo-pop sound that is testament to the band’s old-world authenticity and song craft.

“Album of the Year… SGV deliver an edgy, pop masterpiece – 4.5 Stars”, Jeff Jenkins – Inpress; “An indie force of nature, ‘Album of the Year’ Finalist”- The Age; “A wonderful exhibition of the group’s ability to paint masterpieces with each stroke”- The Dwarf; “An absolute gem of an album chock full of timeless tunes… Beautiful stuff delivered with true style – 5 Stars” – Baby Sue “Skipping Girl Vinegar are right on the money with their sophomore album. Subtle and adventurous… This is clever and original which is what good songwriting should be”- Sunday Mail. “Blending Springsteen-esque hope with Luke Steele other worldliness, tracks roar with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club infused energy with Lang’s lyrical strengths on show – 4 Stars”- Rolling Stone.

Launched in 2008, their debut album ‘Sift the Noise’ brought the band widespread critical acclaim from senior music writers across the nation. Their debut single, ‘One Chance’, was the Australian iTunes ‘Single of the Week’, added to high-rotation on Triple J and championed by major alternative and ABC radio nationwide. The accompanying animated clip for ‘One Chance’ also received critical praise, with Rage featuring it as their first ever ‘Indie Clip of the Week’ and JTV featuring it as their ‘New Clip of the Week’ before it then charted in their Top 20. They were also highlighted in Triple J’s Oz Music month as a ‘Next Crop’ artist.

Following the success of ‘One Chance’ and with the release of their debut album pending, Skipping Girl Vinegar were offered some serious major label & indie offers to release the album in Australia. They made the decision to maintain their independent route at home and release via their own label Secret Fox & license the album in Australia to indie label Popboomerang and MGM. Released in Australia during September 2008, SGV’s debut album ‘Sift the Noise’ is testament to the band’s obsession with melody, pop-hooks and the search to stretch their song craft. A dark, warm, organic record that reflects the environments and journey of the band, ‘Sift the Noise’ was received ecstatically by public and media alike. Reviews across Australia were rapturous. Rip It Up Magazine in Adelaide and Rave Magazine in Brisbane both made the title track their respective ‘Single of the Week’, and press in Sydney, Melbourne and all other capitals were no less receptive. Drum Media called it “a classic pop sense that doesn’t get bogged in its own vision of itself”, but Rip It Up Magazine were straight to the point: “In an age of downloads and ringtones, Skipping Girl Vinegar stand out from the pack”. JMAG and the Music Australia Guide (MAG) both gave the album 4.5 stars. The title track was added to high rotation on JJJ and ABC local radio nationwide in February 2009. The accompanying animated clip for ‘Sift the Noise’ also received critical acclaim, with Rage featuring it as SGV’s second ‘Indie Clip of the Week’.

And so it has continued. SGV has played many of Australia’s premier festivals including a packed tent at Splendour In The Grass, The Falls Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Sunset Sounds, Pyramid Rock, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Newtown Festival, Northbridge Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival. SGV have also supported the likes of The Lemonheads (USA), Something for Kate, Shout Out Louds (Sweden), Little Birdy, Missy Higgins, Angus & Julia Stone, Kate Miller-Heidke, Weddings Parties Anything (reunion tour) and many more.

Fast forward to 2013, and the band has proudly released their highly anticipated follow up album ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ in Australia [7 May 2011], Chase The Sun EP [25 June 2012], national television performance on Adam Hills in Gordon Street tonight and ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ released in the U.S. (22nd October 2012) alongside showcases in LA, NY & Nashville. Whilst in Nashville, SGV recorded two new singles with indie legend Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Missy Higgins). With a buzz surrounding the new songs and major U.S. partners, soon to be announced, SGV released the first of these singles ‘Making Our Way’ in Australia (11th March 2013). Fresh from playing Port Fairy Folk Festival and two, packed main-stage performances at this year’s incredible Bluesfest in Byron Bay (Blog), Skipping Girl Vinegar celebrate the release of their brand new single, ‘Making Our Way’ with a set of unique sold out performances on the rooftop next to the classic neon sign of ‘Audrey’ the Skipping Girl Vinegar in Abbotsford, Melbourne (May). The band are currently working on their third album with a second single due for release later this year.

 

‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ was written across two continents and recorded on the Victorian coast. It was mixed in Nashville by legendary indie engineer Brad Jones and produced by SGV’s Mark Lang , indie-wiz Nick Huggins [Kid Sam, Whitley], Caleb James [Yves Klein Blue] and Greg Arnold [Stonefield]. The album is rich with sonic landscapes, melodies and lyrical turns, and was received across the country to critical acclaim and made many ‘Album of the Year’ lists. ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ showcases the band’s songwriting prowess with a darker sonic experience to the band’s debut. Their sophomore album is a layered and deeply intricate piece of work with its moods linked by soundscape textures, giving the album and its stories a strong visual, filmic quality. SGV unravel the human connection of love and loss, delivering a contemporary classic album that will be held close by many for years to come.

‘Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey’ proudly closes with a hauntingly special guest performance from legendary singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith (Canada]. If you take the time to explore the cover art on this new album, you will see that SGV are not your average collective. Pushing the boundaries of how music is delivered in the physical form, the band are deeply invested in a holistic approach to making work. Demonstrated by their award winning art-based animation film clips and physical CD art, the roots of the band are deep and intrinsically entwined. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Skipping Girl Vinegar are childhood friends Chris Helm, Mark Lang, Sare Lang, Amanthi Lynch & Kelly Lane.

In March 2012, the anticipated film clip for ‘Chase The Sun’ was launched with a national live performance on the Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight playing ‘Chase The Sun’ and the Gordon Street classic ‘The More I See You’. For the ‘Chase The Sun’ film clip the collective was joined by fellow dreamers, art-makers, scientists and engineers who helped send a hobo monkey (Baker) to the edge of space in a low rent spaceship made from foam and gaffa tape. Attached to a giant weather balloon on the morning of Sat 27th Nov 2011, Baker and the onboard camera soared to 110,000 feet capturing the rolling image that is now part of the new film clip. For the clip and more info go to: www.skippinggirlvinegar.com

Skipping Girl Vinegar released their ‘Chase the Sun’ E.p into the USA on the 25th of June 2012 and recently charting on the U.S. CMJ charts with their ‘Chase The Sun’ EP (2012);  3 weeks on CMJ main charts in the U.S, added to rotation on 125 stations across the U.S, received 70 Top 30′s and reaching as high as #5. In Aug 2012, the ‘Chase The Sun’ film clip featured on international YouTube channel VSauce seeing 480,000 views and growing. In Sept, 2012 the band released their ‘Here She Comes’ film clip; a feel good summer love song off their critically acclaimed album ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’. The clip features 80′s inspired dancing choreographed by Fiona McGrath, along with dancers Sarah Cooper & Daniel Nixon. The clip was lovingly made over a year and half period through the generous energy and talents of all involved. ‘Here She Comes’ was featured Sept, 2012 by Sat Bisla on international radio program Passport Approved.

Charting on the U.S. CMJ charts with their ‘Chase The Sun’ EP (2012), the band were invited to play the CMJ Music Festival in New York in October 2012 alongside showcases in Los Angeles & Nashville. Whilst in the U.S. Skipping Girl Vinegar began recording their third album and released their Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey LP into the U.S (Mon, 22nd October 2012). Their recent U.S. tour saw them climb to #43 in the main CMJ charts, featuring seven weeks inside the Top 100 with numerous #1 and #2 positions across the U.S. (Including 46 Top 10′s). Whilst in Nashville, SGV recorded two new singles with indie legend Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Missy Higgins). With a buzz surrounding the new songs and major U.S. partners, soon to be announced, SGV released the first of these singles ‘Making Our Way’ in Australia (11th March 2013). Fresh from playing Port Fairy Folk Festival and two, packed main-stage performances at this year’s incredible Bluesfest in Byron Bay (Blog), Skipping Girl Vinegar celebrate the release of their brand new single, ‘Making Our Way’ with a set of unique sold out performances on the rooftop next to the classic neon sign of ‘Audrey’ the Skipping Girl Vinegar in Abbotsford, Melbourne (May). The band are currently working on their third album with a second single due for release later this year.

 

“Album of the year? It’s going to be hard to top. Deep & dark and it will haunt you.” - JB MAG

“An intricate work of art… deadly serious compositions, the lyrics dark, winding corridors of meaning.”-
 Herald Sun

“An indie force of nature”, ‘Album of the Year Finalist’- The Age

“Album of the Year. SGV deliver an edgy pop masterpiece- 4.5 Stars”- Jeff Jenkins, Inpress

“Blending Springsteen-esque hope with Luke Steele otherworldliness tracks roar with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club infused energy with Lang’s lyrical strengths on show – 4 Stars”- Rolling Stone (August, 2011)


”Skipping Girl Vinegar are right on the money with their sophomore album. Subtle and adventurous… This is clever and original which is what good songwriting should be” – Sunday Mail 



”Dreamy Soundscapes… Haunting Melodies… full of heartache and hope”- Rave

“A wonderful exhibition of the group’s ability to paint masterpieces with each stroke”- 
The Dwarf


“You find highlight after highlight, deep under the layers of the melody- 4.5 Stars”- Time Off Magazine

“Like a diver you can swim deep into this satisfying release. Part joyful, part rock’n’roll, grown from the experience of life balanced by the healing powers of music… It hinges on Lang’s vocal landscapes and thought out lyric…What cries out is a voice, an understanding and an ability to draw from life a new, uniquely genuine experience.” Canberra Times

Skipping Girl Vinegar are:

Chris Helm – Drums, BV’s, Melodica

Kelly Lane – Violin, BV’s, Percussion, Keyboards

Mark Lang – Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Soundscape Textures

Sare Lang – Bass, BV’s, Percussion

Amanthi Lynch – Piano, Keyboards, BV’s, Percussion

Additional musicians / the ramblin’ hobos are:
Paris Gadsden: Trombone
Rowan Austin: Trumpet
Andy Hazel: Percusion, BV’s, Good Vibes
John Bedggood: Additional Violin, Viola and Soundscape Textures
Nick Huggins: Slide Guitar, Additional Keyboards and Soundscape Textures
Greg Arnold: Additional Piano, keyboards

“At a time when pop is becoming more disposable, Skipping Girl Vinegar are the real deal” - Music Australia Guide

“Most impressive DIY band in OZ” – Sydney Telegraph

“In an age of downloads and ringtones, Skipping Girl Vinegar stand out from the pack”- Rip It Up

 

Contact

BOOKING ENQUIRIES
NEW WORLD ARTISTS
T: +612 9037 4180 // 02 9037 4180
Fax : +612 8323 4383 // 02 8323 4383
P: PO Box 121, Mascot NSW 1460, Australia
E: julia@newworldartists.net
 W: newworldartists.net

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

USA – MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Planetary Group // Adam Lewis
T: 323.952.5050
E: adam@planetarygroup.com
W: www.planetarygroup.com

AUSTRALIA – MEDIA ENQUIRIES
SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR
E: info@skippinggirlvinegar.com
W: www.skippinggirlvinegar.com

SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR
MANAGEMENT & GENERAL ENQUIRIES
info@skippinggirlvinegar.com

WRITE TO THE BAND
Skipping Girl Vinegar
PO Box 7017
Wattle Park, Victoria, 3128
Australia
E: band@skippinggirlvinegar.com
W: skippinggirlvinegar.com