Backsliders’ Left Field Holler

Iconic Australian blues band Backsliders are back with the highly anticipated new studio album, Left Field Holler.

In your face, amped-up original blues — “Blues” not “Roots”, that is — to all–acoustic unplugged way-down-south delta blues. These guys have been writing, recording & performing acoustic–based blues for 20 years — even before “roots and blues” became a catch–phase with bands across the country.

Multi–media celebrity, Doug Mulray describes them as ‘the best acoustic blues band in the country’.

The new album, the band’s 10th, captures the tough raw edge of Backsliders live performances with an eclectic array of original and diverse tunes. From the opening track Duke — a tribute to a surfing legend, Mekong delta inspired Antihero and Vietnam People, this album is a mix of hard-hitting, frenetic new blues anthems and poignant ballads. In what has become a signature trademark on Backsliders releases, two low-fi recordings of early 20th century blues songs are a welcome inclusion.

The distinctive powerhouse drum and low-tuned slide-guitar combination of Rob Hirst and Dom Turner is supported by the searing harmonica of two of Australia’s leading harmonica exponents on most tracks: either the legendary, and much-emulated harmonica master, Brod Smith (Dingoes, Brod Smith’s Big Combo), or renowned ARIA award winning harp genius, Ian Collard (Collard, Greens and Gravy).

What will be of no surprise to fans is that Backsliders have again stretched the boundaries with Left Field Holler. Since the band’s first release in the late 1980’s, Backsliders have strived for a uniqueness evolving the raw sounds of Mississippi delta blues and melding them into their own original style. And this album is no exception. This is Australian blues based on interpretation rather than re-creation.

Recorded at Megaphon Studios by Guy Dickerson, Left Field Holler was mixed by Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil, Family Dog) and Brent Clarke (Ghostwriters) at Mum’s Studio and mastered by Steve Smart at 301 Studios.

Left Field Holler is available through Shock Records.

“With only guitar, harmonica and drums, they sound like a symphony.” (Sydney Morning Herald)

Check ’em out at one of their upcoming gigs or surf on over to www.backsliders.com.au.

Friday 02 November 2007
Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Victoria

Friday 23 November 2007
Tank Arts Centre, Cairns, Far North Queensland

Saturday 24 November 2007
Joe's Waterhole, Eumundi, Queensland

Saturday 1 December 2007
Loreto Orphanage Benefit Concert, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Friday 7 December 7 2007
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Saturday 8 December 2007
Siem Reap, Cambodia