ABOUT
‘Means What It Means’ is the long awaited debut album from Triple J Unearthed winners The Ellis Collective, with Richard Kingsmill himself praising the “classic Australian sound” of their studio release.
Winning Unearthed is just one of many highlights in a massive year that has seen them feature on the program of Australia’s largest regional touring festival ‘Groovin The Moo’ beside international names including Architecture In Helsinki, Data Rock and House of Pain. No strangers to a festival stage, The Ellis Collective’s recent successes are testament to their distinctive brand of songwriting that has also won over festival crowds at Australia’s iconic Woodford Music Festival and National Folk Festivals. They have also had the honour of working alongside some of the best in the business including Gotye, Washington and US folk punk legends Tom Gabel (Against Me!) and Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music).
Stepping away from the spotlight in 2010 to focus solely on recording, The Ellis Collective have carefully crafted a studio sound that remains faithful to their unflinching live performances. The Ellis Collective’s debut album ‘Means What It Means’ (out July 2011) was lovingly recorded on old-school two-inch tape at Infidel Studios and is a captivating record of brutally honest Australian song-writing.
The album underscores The Ellis Collective’s ability to seamlessly blend and borrow from a diverse range of styles, wielding an ambidextrous musicality to create a sound that is undeniably unique and unmistakably Australian. Featuring vocals that echo Gareth Liddiard with lyrics to evoke John Darnielle and Conor Oberst set against a backdrop of soaring string sections and multi-layered harmonies, The Ellis Collective take an unconventional approach to storytelling that recounts the jagged-edged disappointments of everyday Australian life. The album has already garnered critical acclaim:
‘a classic Australian sound’ – Richard Kingsmill – Triple J
‘an utter find’ – Timeoff Magazine
‘a masterful storyteller’ – Drum Media
‘one of the most intelligent, compelling and honest male singer/songwriters to emerge in a long while’ – Rhythms Magazine
‘Emotive and gutsy… it takes our breath away’ – BMA Magazine
‘Unflinchingly honest… raw and powerful songwriting’ – Rave Magazine
‘the heart of a struggler and the charm of a millionaire’ – Inpress Magazine