Hundreds filled the Left Bank for the launch of Tourist's latest release "A Toast to Absent Friends". Perfect October weather, a laid-back funky crowd and a full moon shining over the band made for a perfect start to the evening. The band kicked off with "Gridlock", a track from the new EP. This was a great introduction to the talented musicianship of all band members….

Pumping drum lines captured the crowd's attention, initiating everyone to Steve's precision and groove. This, accompanied with the smooth synchronised riffs executed by the bass player and lead guitarist throughout the night, enabled the melodies to shine. Lead singer 'Dave' sings with such passion and intense emotion, the music demands to be listened to.

Although displaying a definite rock influence, Tourist bring a distinctly original element to their music. Funky grooves coupled with precise, understated use of pedals and effects, separate these guys from a standard rock outfit. Combine this with pure vocals and raw emotion and you have a strikingly unique sound.

As well as projecting a unique sound, Tourist played a variety of styles throughout the night. Although primarily playing songs from the new EP, the band performed some recently written material and a number of popular tracks from previous releases. This got people dancing and had fans singing along to some favourites.

They kept the whole performance interesting by interchanging a range of styles and song pace. After working the crowd with their rockiest material they brought out "Hopeless", the single from the new EP. All eyes were on Dave as he captured the audience with his stunning vocals. Supported with the backing of three very talented musicians, Dave projects a sense of quiet confidence when performing.

Tourist's impeccable sense of timing is one of their greatest assets, this coming through in all songs. The band comes across as being original, well-rehearsed, talented and unpretentious. As an audience member you feel as if the band is inviting you to share in their love of music and enjoy their creations. There were many happy punters out there listening to Tourist for the first time and this launch was a great opportunity for them to hear a wide range of their impressive material.

Impeccable timing, raw emotion
Talented musicians, obvious devotion
Smooth guitar and bass work, minimal effects
Incredible drum lines, funky riffs
Pure vocals, passionate playing
Original Perth Band - 'Tourist', the name
Let Steve, Mike, Luke & Dave
Capture your attention & blow you away.

(Skye Fitzgerald)

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Tell us about "Tourist"

Formed in 2002 through a chance meeting between Dave (Vocals) and Steve (Drums) at a local pub, "Tourist" grew from there, by recruiting Luke Brown on guitar and getting Steve's brother Mike on bass.

After intensive rehearsal and writing; 2003 saw the band play a heavy handful of shows to critical acclaim, road testing the material to be recorded on "The Places We All Go" EP between October 2003 and February 2004. With engineer Gerry Fernandez (Johnny Diesel and the Injectors, Jebediah) tweaking the controls and sharing production duties with the band "The Places We All Go" E.P was released to a capacity crowd at "Heat" nightclub in September 2004. Spurred on by the success of their first single "Truth"; "Tourist" began receiving national airplay after Nova Perth selected "Tourist" as Western Australian's "artist of the month" which landed them on the much coveted Planet Rock radio circuit, gaining high rotation on 70 radio stations nation-wide. A featured act on the premiere episode of Base TV, (a documentary series on Perth original music), "Tourist" became firmly established as an act to be reckoned with.

By 2005, the band had realised that the new material was moving in a new direction and the bands sound had become more cohesive, as the four began writing more from the creative bursts that were musically conceived in the rehearsal rooms, sound-checks and late night /early morning sessions. 3 years of constantly playing together had matured the bands musical and telepathic song writing process in which the band, together with their long time live sound engineer, GJ Snook, set-up their own mobile studio and began writing and recording this new found musical adventure in whatever room the inspiration landed.

The result was "A Toast to Absent Friends", which will be released Saturday October 7th @ The Left Bank Hotel

"A Toast To Absent Friends" follows the hugely successful first single, "Hopeless", which was nominated for WAM song of the year (2005) and has received high rotation on the Nova 93.7 play list, as well as consistent play on 96fm and JJJ since its official capacity crowd single release show in February (2006). Proving that the power of first class song writing can transcend industry hype and fickle trends; "Tourist" was hand picked by writer/producer Dave Courtney (Roger Daltrey, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and David Gilmore) in June 2006 for a segment on UK's biggest commercial radio station. "The Mike Mendoza show" considerably raised the bands profile through the shows average 16 million audience.

Dave Paddon: Vocals / Guitar
Luke Brown: Lead Guitar
Mike Richardson: Bass / Backing Vocals
Steve Richardson: Drums / Percussion

Which styles of music do you most closely identify yourselves with and what directions would you like to take your music in?

Our influences are too varied to really mention. Check their website: http://www.Touristband.com.au
The writing process is very organic and not preconceived at all. One thing we have learned is that trying to intellectualise what you do can take the vibrant, raw energy away from the initial idea that gave birth to the song in the first place.

Planning for a direction, for us, is like trying to map out the future and destiny. There's only really 2 types of music and (1) is good and the other (2), is bad. We have swung from heavy to light, funk to country. Whatever feels good - We take pride in the fact we can speak more than one language with our musicianship and aren't musically racist.

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What successes have you had with the single "Hopeless", released earlier this year?

Nominated for Wam song of the year 2005 for "Hopeless" in demo form. Received high rotation on "Nova 93.7"; which is a big achievement for a band without a massive label behind them. The Band received a featured spot on Triple JJJ's roots and all. Basically since its February 21st release it has hung in on rotation with commercial stations. This shows a good song will bypass all the industry prerequisites. Hopefully (no pun-intended) we can take the next stuff further.

What inspired the concept and creation of the EP "A Toast to Absent Friends"?

The artwork is a hat-tip to Led Zeppelin's "In through the out door" record and contains certain references (motif's if you will) to our first E.P. "The Places We All Go..."
"A Toast to Absent Friends" is a reference I came up with to almost summarise the lyrical content on the whole E.P. Although Dave writes the lyrics and there is a song called Absent Friends on the E.P. that reflected some personal changes that was happening when the songs were written.

A sense of abandonment maybe,.. betrayal by those closest.

What are the plans for 2007?

An album and East Coast tour - But to put out a big collection of new songs that break the sound barrier.

Being a successful Perth band, what are your opinions on the WA live music scene?

Great but cliquey, Thriving but calculated, opportunity for prosperity, but ran by a small minority, who have a very big monopoly in the city.
Some fantastic bands and most that have made it; have deserved it through hard work and determination (e.g. Karnivool).

I guess there could be statements made about who is pushing the envelope? Or who is pushing for careers, it seems there is always a compromise.

I think some great bands suffer from a lack of smart management and a bigger vision through fear, but that is not just a Perth live scene issue, more the "state of the music industry issue". People have forgotten that the power is in the artist hands, rather than the power being in the labels hands, which is forcing cookie cutter mediocrity, as musically engaging as a Big Mac, to be fed upon those who don't know any better.

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