Steve Parkin (musician)

Steve Parkin
Birth name Stephen R Parkin
Genres alternative rock
Occupation(s) musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist
Years active 1996–present
Associated acts Vinyl
Autopilot
Eskimo Joe
Jebediah
Basement Birds
Website www.steveparkin.com.au

Stephen R. Parkin (born 29 April) is an Australian musician and singer-songwriter. Originally from United Kingdom he was raised in Perth. He has been in various bands including Autopilot and Basement Birds. He co-wrote material for Eskimo Joe's 2009 album Inshalla, which peaked at number one on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Albums Chart. One of the tracks, "Foreign Land", won 'Most Played Australian Work' at the APRA Awards of 2010.

Early life

Parkin was born on 29 April.

Music career

Vinyl

His first band, Vinyl, released a glam rock styled EP Lazeryouthanasia (1996) and subsequently played the 1997 Big Day Out festival nationally.

Autopilot

Parkin formed Perth based group Autopilot in 1998, whose 1999 EP Pure Gold Baby received a four-star review in Rolling Stone magazine and has been cited as an influence by contemporary WA rock and pop acts. Autopilot released their second EP Out of the Sun in 2001.

Steve Parkin & the Foreign Films

He formed Steve Parkin & the Foreign Films and in 2005, which released an independent album Sandytown to critical acclaim.[1] The group toured Australia to promote the album in 2005 and 2006.

Steve Parkin (solo)

Parkin released a solo album, Mighty Big Light, through Warner Music Australia on 22 April 2011. The first single, "Turn It Around", was released on iTunes prior to the album's release and received radio play on Triple J. Undoubtably his most popular Live Performance (As faithfully requested by "Table 26") is a song from this album called California. In the lead up to the release Parkin has released some YouTube clips filmed from his home with acoustic performances of some songs off the new album.

Side projects

Bob Evans backing band

During 2007 and 2008 Parkin played keyboards and guitar in studio sessions and a touring band for Kevin Mitchell (Jebediah) who performed as Bob Evans.[2]

Co-writing

Parkin has co-written for other acts, including Little Birdy, and five songs for Eskimo Joe's 2009 ARIA number one album Inshalla.[3] "Foreign Land" from the album won 'Most Played Australian Work' at the APRA Awards of 2010.[4]

Basement Birds

Parkin is a member of Basement Birds, with Mitchell, Josh Pyke and Kavyen Temperley (Eskimo Joe).[5] They released their eponymous album in 2010 independently, which reached No. 12 in August.[6] Described in the press as a collaborative folk-pop "supergroup", Basement Birds toured Australia.[7] The album was a publishing milestone, being the first in Australia to be released in bundles online through Apple's iTunes store.

Awards

Alongside his Basement Birds band members, Parkin was responsible for the attainment of the 1st place award for the "AAA" (Adult Album Alternative) category in the 2010 round of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC).[8] The Basement Birds was also nominated for an ARIA award in 2010.[9]

As a co-writer for the song, "Foreign Land", Parkin received an APRA award for "Best Rock Work" and "Most Played Australian Song" in 2010 with the band Eskimo Joe.[10]

Management

Parkin is managed by the Catherine Haridy Management (CHM) company.[11]

Label and booking agent

Parkin is signed to the Dirt Diamonds label[12] (co-owned by Eskimo Joe and Catherine Haridy).[13]

Parkin has signed a deal with Australian company, Select Music, which, as of August 2012, serves as Parkin's booking agent. Parkin also signed a publishing deal in July 2012.[14][15]

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Parkin Interview". Perth Music. 31 March 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  2. ↑ Gunnhilder (28 August 2007). "Blanche DuBois, Steve Parkin, Pippa Drysdale @ Fly by Night, Fremantle, (25/8/2007)". fasterlouder.com.au. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  3. ↑ "Discography Eskimo Joe". Australian charts portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  4. ↑ "2010 Winners - APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  5. ↑ Tompkin, Julian (15 July 2010). "Basement Birds – In the Tree of Life". X-Press Magazine (Columbia Press Pty Ltd (Joe Cipriani)). Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  6. ↑ "Discography Basement Birds". Australian charts portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  7. ↑ "Introducing the Basement Birds". Soulshine: Australian Independent Music (Soulshine.com.au). 17 March 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  8. ↑ International Songwriting Competition, Inc (2012). "Previous Winners". International Songwriting Competition. International Songwriting Competition, Inc. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  9. ↑ Inertia (28 September 2010). "News: Sia cleans up at ARIA Award Nominations". Inertia. Inertia. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  10. ↑ Steve Parkin (2010). "Parkin 2010". Steve Parkin MySpace profile. Myspace LLC. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  11. ↑ Catherine Haridy Management (2012). "Steve Parkin". Catherine Haridy Management. Catherine Haridy Management. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  12. ↑ Dirt Diamonds (2012). "Steve Parkin". Dirt Diamonds. Dirt Diamonds. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  13. ↑ Christina Ballico (2009). "Catherine Haridy: Dirt Diamonds Productions". Isolated Sounds. WordPress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  14. ↑ Select Music (2012). "Steve Parkin". Select Music. Select Music. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  15. ↑ Steve Parkin (3 July 2012). "Me and MGMT celebrating my publishing signing with a cheeky champers.". Steve Parkin Facebook fan page. Facebook. Retrieved 29 August 2012.

External links