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About Blue Valentine There is a hidden new talent emerging in Regional New South Wales. Two pure voices have combined to create ‘Blue Valentine’. The awesome raw talent and vocals of Fiona Harris has combined with the prodigious and legendary force of Richard Lawson to create a unique and ethereal blend of Country, Folk and Pop Music. They met quite by chance over two years ago when Richard happened to see Fiona performing with a musical friend of his at a local vineyard in Mudgee. He was still playing in another band at the time but the seed was sown that day. Blue Valentine have now been performing for just over 2 years and have already firmly entrenched themselves in the music scene garnering praise and gathering plenty of work. Live, the combination of their soaring harmonies and their emotional and soul felt delivery is proving irresistible to anyone who hears them. First; some history. Richard Lawson has been writing, performing, recording and touring internationally for over twenty years. He was the drummer for the seminal Aussie rock group The Lime Spiders for ten years. At one stage they were voted in RAM magazine as the “loudest band in Australia”; edging out Cold Chisel! In that time they recorded four albums, gained top forty status, topped independent and college radio charts all over the globe and toured constantly, travelling the world. They performed with everyone from Iggy Pop, Blondie, Faith No More and the Cult and were a major influence on bands such as Nirvana, Powderfinger, You am I and Silverchair. They also contributed to various soundtracks including the Australian smash hit 'Young Einstein' Richard left the band in 1992 to concentrate more on keyboards / guitar and soundtrack work forming 'Fig Tree Renaissance' with Swedish singer/ performer Carina Hagg and Greek multi instrumentalist and producer Tom Kazas. The eponymous CD released through Mushroom Distribution on their own 'Figtree' label came out in 1994 to unanimous critical acclaim and is featured on soundscapes and advertising for various TV and Cable channels in France, Belgium, Sweden and Finland. It marked an abrupt about turn in musical content and direction for Richard. Gone were the drum smashing solos, crunching guitars and screaming vocals to be replaced by swirling atmospheric keyboards and dreamy vocals which played more than a passing nod to the emerging sounds of Massive Attack, Enya and Deep Forest. About the same time Richard quit Sydney to relocate and set up an organic olive farm in Rural Mudgee where he successfully ran a guesthouse and food business for ten years. He performed and recorded extensively with various local groups including Tangent and the Celtic music band 'Home Rule'. He is also in demand as a studio musician and music teacher. Fiona Harris is a relative newcomer to the music scene but in the short time she has been singing has created quite a stir. Her Welsh background and innate understanding of traditional and ‘roots’ music combined with her sometimes powerful, emotional; sometimes sensuous and sultry delivery made her a much sought after vocalist in Mudgee. She formed 'Blue Iris' with Annie Capare in 2002, and then played with Liz Slottjke in 'Jakara'. 'Blue Valentine' was initially formed with Cletis Carr in 2003. That's where Richard heard her sing. Blue Valentine performed their first gig at an informal backyard party in 2005. They made the brave decision to dump all other backing instruments and play unplugged in an intimate and soulful mode; just the guitar and their voices. Only then could the songs speak for themselves without adornment. They stripped everything back to its core and have built on it from there. Blue Valentine influences range from the Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell through the roots music of the Appalachian mountains [Gillian Welch, Patti Griffin] and Ireland to more upbeat contemporary music. Their own songs travel far and wide in arrangements and instrumentation but have a solid foundation in traditional roots based material. Their debut CD incorporates all possible elements in the recording repertoire. Mandolins, classical piano, drums combine with dobros and pedal steel guitars and Richard’s keyboards sound scapes to create a lush landscape filled with depth and passion. They were approached by the ABC in 2005 to play live on air at a major Field Day festival and many are anticipating the CD's release which will feature some of Australia’s finest musicians in the Classical, Rock and Folk scene. They have performed extensively in the Central West of New South Wales and in Sydney at the famed Merton sessions in Rozelle. Blue Valentine are in great demand for all manner of concerts, from intimate cafe settings, private parties and pubs to winery functions, radio broadcasts, outdoor markets and festivals. Their music transcends all boundaries and is enjoyed by all ages. For further information: www.bluevalentinemusic.com Richard 0263729009 / 0428720862 rich@bluevalentinemusic.com Fiona 0263727762 / 0410058397 fi@bluevalentinemusic.com Download this Bio |
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