| The Jezabels | |
|---|---|
The Jezabels, performing an intimate gig at the Clarendon in Katoomba, New South Wales. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Indie pop, indie rock, rock, disco pop |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | http://www.thejezabels.com/ |
| Members | |
| Hayley Mary Heather Shannon Nik Kaloper Sam Lockwood |
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The Jezabels are a four-piece musical group from Sydney. They formed after meeting at the University of Sydney.[1] Their music is hard to define into one specific genre, and has been described as a blend of indie pop, indie rock, rock, and disco pop.[1][2][3][4] The Jezabels themselves, somewhat jocularly, describe their genre to be "intensindie".[5]
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Hayley Mary (vocals) and Heather Shannon (piano/keyboard) first began playing together in Byron Bay before moving to Sydney to attend university, where they met Nik Kaloper (drums) and Sam Lockwood (rhythm guitar), and formed the band.[6]
As of 2011 they have released three EPs and one full-length album (see Discography).
They have received a substantial amount of airplay,[1] including on Sydney's FBi Radio[7] and national youth broadcaster Triple J.[4] On 22 December 2009, they were the Triple J Unearthed featured artist.[8] They have also received airplay in the United States, where in August 2009, they debuted at #114 on the CMJ top 200 and reached #96 for the single Disco Biscuit Love.[9] Their She's So Hard EP was the #3 most added on US college radio.[10]
"Disco Biscuit Love" was featured as the iTunes (Australia) single of the week in the first week of July 2009.[11][12] The single "Hurt Me" was featured as the iTunes (Australia) single of the week in the third week of February 2010,[13] and was Traxx Radio's number 1 track of 2009.[14]
The Jezabels had two songs featured in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2010. "Easy To Love" came in at number 49, and "Mace Spray" at number 16.[15]
They were nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist and Best Single / EP at the 2010 Independent Music Awards.[16]
In December 2011, it was announced that their debut album was voted #6 in the Triple J Album Poll for 2011.
The Jezabels have released music video clips for five of their tracks: "Disco Biscuit Love", "Hurt Me", "Easy to Love", "Mace Spray" and "Endless Summer" (see External Links).
Two versions of the music video clip for "Disco Biscuit Love" were made. The "Hurt Me" clip was aired on Australian national television for a number of weeks in February 2010 by the ABC's popular music video program, Rage.[17] It was also the Rage Indie Clip of the Week in March 2010.[13] "Easy to Love" was aired on Rage in May 2010.[17]
While not an official music video, their song "A Little Piece", is also featured in the Danny MacAskill bicycle trials video "Way Back Home".[18]
The Jezabels state that they are predominately a live act and have been playing the indie circuit around Sydney the last few years.[19] They have played a number of gigs at the Hopetoun and Annandale hotels, to positive reviews.[19][20]
They have also toured the country to promote the release of their EPs. In November 2009, they did an East Coast Tour of Australia to launch their EP She's So Hard.[21] In November and December 2010, they completely sold out all shows of a national tour launcing the EP Dark Storm.[16][22]
The Jezabels have played at a number of festivals around the country. These include the Big Day Out, Falls Festival, Pyramid Rock, Festival of the Sun,[23] Playground Weekender, Come Together, Peats Ridge Festival, St Jerome's Laneway Festival and Soundwave.[24] They are on the line-up to play Groovin' the Moo festival 2011 and Splendour in the Grass festival 2011.
The Jezabels have supported Canada’s Tegan & Sara on their Australian tours, as well as some Australian acts including Regurgitator, Bluejuice, Dukes of Windsor, Van She, Sparkadia,[23] Josh Pyke,[3] Ghostwood, Cassette Kids, and Damn Arms.
In May 2010, they toured with Tegan & Sara around Australia.[25] In June 2010, they toured with Katie Noonan and The Captains.[26]
In October 2010 they played a 13 date tour of North America and Canada as the supporting act for Two Hours Traffic,[27] and will be returning to America for more shows in February and March 2011.
On the 11 July 2011, it was announced on the Jezabels' official Twitter site that their debut album is called Prisoner and will be released on 16 September 2011.
In November 2011, the song 'A Little Piece' was used for the Under Armour 'Are You HERE'commercial featuring basketball star Brandon Jennings.