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"Melbourne quartet shoot for the stars on widescreen debut ***" Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Blackchords, fronted by songwriter Nick Milwright, have been widely acclaimed on their native turf and in the UK (“One of the best Australian debut releases”, Reverb Magazine, "LOVE LOVE LOVE Blackchords" Kerrang! Radio Sept 09) with critics raving that their darkly majestic collection of understated songs recalls the best bits of Ryan Adams, Elbow and Jeff Buckley. Blackchords have been around in one form or another since 2005, but it wasn’t until May 2006 that they created quite a stir when, as an unsigned band, their video for the single ‘Broken Bones’ won first place at Melbourne’s prestigious St Kilda Film Festival. In 2009 the same song went on to become a double finalist in the ISC (International Songwriting Competition, for best rock song & video). Since the release of their debut album in April 2009, the band have spent their time fine tuning their live shows and touring the country, spreading the Blackchords love to music fans in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and many places in between. In May 2010, the band packed up and headed to the UK for showcases at The Great Escape and Liverpool Sound City plus two months of shows throughout the UK. With a buzz on the band prior to The Great Escape gigs, the shows were packed to the rafters with people spilling out on the street just trying to catch a glimpse of who UK’s The Fly magazine dubbed “the new Radiohead”. CMU’s Guide to The Great Escape highly recommended the band, raving “innovative, fresh, young and vibrant, you must catch them! Look out for the track ‘At World’s End’ in particular, which has already been Q Magazine’s ‘Track of the Day’”. One of the band’s Great Escape gigs included the famed Aussie BBQ alongside Hungry Kids of Hungary, Dappled Cities, Bluejuice and more, and their performance was met with an amazing response from industry figures from Europe and the US and the band have since been invited to play Canadian Music Week and SxSW in 2011. After the success of both the Great Escape and Liverpool Sound City, Blackchords continued to play shows in the UK until the end of July and also went into the studio to record new tracks for the forthcoming CD with producer Gavin Monaghan at Magic Garden Recording Studios (The Editors, Broken Social Scene). The band’s latest single ‘As Night Falls’ was written for the brand new Australian film, Blame which was premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in July 2010 and will be released nationally in May 2011. The band are currently writing and recording their highly anticipated sophomore album, which will be released in mid 2011. "Soaking up everything from Nick Drake and Ryan Adams to The Smiths and The Cure, Blackchords ring out from their musical sponge of influences deep and reflective music that is at once arrestingly relevant as well as an antidote to everyday life." – The Great Escape Magazine ‘‘Melbourne quartet shoot for the stars on widescreen debut…. From out of nowhere four piece, Blackchords, tick all the boxes and more”. 3 Stars, (Paul Christie) Rolling Stone Magazine “Blackchords’ sound is mood rock – deep, dark and grand. Blackchords is definitely an ‘album’ and one to immerse yourself in.” 3 ½ Stars, Jeff Jenkins, Music Australia Guide ‘This album is nothing short of epic. The overall sound of this record is only what I can describe as a cross between the diverse and atmospheric nature of Interpol combined with the progressive soundscapes of Radiohead. Blackchords are going to be huge and are going to be huge soon”. ‘Blackchords have been working on this, their debut album for years. A whisper of greatness has often followed them in that time as they intermittently pop their heads up for the odd show. Where some may lose their way, Blackchords have survived a tumultuous time to produce an amazing album that will surely win them many more dedicated fans than they already have. In a world where so many are resorting to simple imitation in a vain attempt to become the next big thing, Blackchords have harnessed their obvious influences to produce something that stands tall among them.’ “The sweet frequencies of Diplomat or the acoustic yearning of Raise My Hands sound like a band at ease with their sound....” “A very exciting surprise from Down Under.” – Clash Magazine (UK) “Blackchords can hold their own among the songwriting heavyweights.” “Australia has given us some great music in the past. From AC/DC to Silverchair and Wolfmother, and now Melbourne's Blackchords, whose eponymous debut album is released [in the UK] this month. It's hard not to become enthralled with every note. A more polished Chris Martin springs to mind. Blackchords have produced a debut record to be proud of." – CMU Daily (UK) "You'll be won over after one listen. Imagine Interpol with their top button undone." Q Online Featured artist of the week, Alex Baker "LOVE LOVE LOVE Blackchords" Kerrang! Radio “We were won over. Their widescreen, Americana-tinged sound is never more ambitious than on this (At World's End)”. Record Of The Day UK (Key Music Industry website) Blackchords is out now through itunes. Artwork, Photography & Webdesign by Sasufi
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