Even (band)
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Even are an
Australian indie rock Australian indie rock is part of the overall flow of Australian rock history but has a distinct history somewhat separate from mainstream rock in Australia, largely from the end of the punk rock era onwards. History Beginnings Rock and roll in ...
three-piece fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist, Ashley Naylor with Matthew Cotter on drums and Wally Kempton (also known as Wally Meanie) on bass guitar and backing vocals. They formed in March 1994 and played regularly around the live music scene and toured both nationally and internationally. They have released eight studio albums, ''Less Is More'' (1996), ''Come Again'' (1998), ''A Different High'' (2001), ''Free Kicks'' (2004), ''Even'' (2007), ''In Another Time'' (2011), ''Satin Returns'' (2018), and ''Reverse Light Years'' (2021).


History


1994–1995: Formation and early EPs

Future members of Even, Matthew Cotter on drums and Ashley Naylor on lead vocals and lead guitar, played music together at a high school in Melbourne. They formed an indie band, The Swarm, with
Francis Leach Francis Leach (born 1968) is an Australian radio announcer, sports editor and journalist. Career Leach began his career at Triple J in the early 1990s hosting the ''Three Hours of Power'' show, the weekly late night heavy metal show. Later on he ...
on vocals and David Rowland on bass guitar. The Swarm issued three independent singles between November 1988 and April 1991 before disbanding. In March 1994 Cotter and Naylor were joined by Roderick "Wally" Kempton (also a member of The Meanies, as Wally Meanie) on bass guitar to form an indie guitar pop group, Even. Even played their first gig in March 1994 at the Empress of India Hotel in
Fitzroy Fitzroy or FitzRoy may refer to: People As a given name *Several members of the Somerset family (Dukes of Beaufort) have this as a middle-name: **FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855) ** Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset, 8th Duke of Beau ...
. Ten years later Naylor told Michael Dwyer of ''
The Age ''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...
'' that "It was very exciting, because we did a soundcheck and people were applauding us... We were bristling to play, absolutely bursting with energy. Flaming youth, Kiss would have called it." Even signed to an independent label, Rubber Records. In May 1995 Even issued a six-track extended play, ''In Stereo'', distributed by
Shock Records Shock Records (now part of Shock Entertainment) is an Australian independent record label. History The three founding members had all previously worked in music retail or distribution: Williams for a Melbourne distribution company called "Musi ...
. It was produced by Andy Baldwin, Andy O'Beirne, Lindsay Gravina and Bruce Mowson. National youth radio station,
Triple J Triple J (stylised in all lowercase) is a government-funded, national Australian Radio in Australia, radio station intended to appeal to listeners of alternative music, which began broadcasting in January 1975. The station also places a greate ...
, added the track, "24 Hour Cynic", to high rotation. In late 1996 they provided a live-in-the-studio version of "24 Hour Cynic" for a various artists' compilation, ''Triple J – Live''. Even followed in November 1995 with a five-track EP, ''Ten to Forty-Six'', which included the lead track, "Stupid Dream".


1996–2003: ''Less Is More'', ''Come Again'' and ''A Different High''

Even released their debut studio album, ''Less Is More'' on 10 June 1996 via Rubber Records/Shock Records. It was co-produced by Even with Greg Wales (
Drop City Drop City was a counterculture artists' community that formed near the town of Trinidad in southern Colorado in 1960. Abandoned by 1979, Drop City became known as the first rural "hippie commune". Establishment In 1960, the four original foun ...
) and mixed by Wales with
Nick Launay Nicolas Launay is an English record producer, composer and recording engineer. He is one of the most sought after record producers in the world due to his success with recent albums by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Anna Calvi, IDLES, Black Reb ...
. Australian musicologist,
Ian McFarlane Ian McFarlane (born 1959) is an Australian music journalist, music historian and author, whose best known publication is the '' Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop'' (1999), which was updated for a second edition in 2017. As a journalist ...
, felt it was "brimming with exceptional tunes ('Karmic Flop', 'Stop and Go Man', 'Dear Morris', 'She Told Me So' and 'Eternal Teen' to name but a handful), a timeless feel and pop hooks by the truckload." He declared that the group had released "one of the best Australian debut albums of 1996." ''Less Is More'' provided three singles, "Don't Wait" (June), "Stop and Go Man" (September) and "Peaches and Cream" (February 1997). After supporting international acts, The Presidents of the United States, The Posies, Ash and Everclear, in Australia; Even toured the United States and then Europe from March 1997. At the
ARIA Music Awards of 1997 The 11th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as the ARIA Music Awards) were held on 22 September 1997 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. The event was hosted by Australian actor–comedian Paul McDer ...
in September ''Less Is More'' was nominated for Best Independent Release. In November 1997 they issued a third EP, ''One Side Not'', with four tracks. It was recorded at Seed Studios by Wales with Tim Johnston. The group issued their second studio album, ''Come Again'', on 28 September 1998, which was produced by
Tony Lash Heatmiser was an American rock band, formed in Portland, Oregon in October 1991. Consisting of Elliott Smith (guitar and vocals), Neil Gust (guitar and vocals), Brandt Peterson (bass; later replaced by Sam Coomes, frontman of Quasi) and Tony La ...
(The Dandy Warhols, Eric Matthews). McFarlane felt it "fulfilled the promise of the debut with its full quota of bright guitar melodies and top-flight songs."
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
's James Damas described it as "one of the most overlooked and consistent rock & roll albums of the late '90s." Tim Rogers of fellow Australian group, You Am I, quipped that it was his "favourite Beatles album". It provided three singles, "No Surprises" (August 1998), "Black Umbrella" (November) and "Sunshine Comes" (September 1999). From early 1999 Naylor collaborated with alternative country artist,
Sherry Rich Sherry Rich or Sherry Rich-Plant (born Lismore) is an Australian alternative country singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher. As Sherry Valier, she formed an all-girl garage rock band, Girl Monstar (1988–93), on lead vocals, harmonica ...
, to form a folk pop duo, The Grapes. They issued a self-titled album in October which McFarlane observed was "full of rich sixties melodies, catchy guitar hooks, perfect harmonies, jangling guitars and country influences." Even's third studio album, ''A Different High'', was issued on 14 May 2001, which peaked at No. 48 on the
ARIA Albums Chart The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...
, and reached No. 10 on the ARIA Alternative Albums Chart. Guesting on the album were
Renée Geyer Renée Rebecca Geyer (born 11 September 1953) is an Australian singer who has long been regarded as one of the finest exponents of jazz, soul and R&B idioms. She had commercial success as a solo artist in Australia, with "It's a Man's Man's Worl ...
on vocals, Graham Lee (ex-
The Triffids The Triffids were an Australian alternative rock and pop band, formed in Perth in Western Australia in May 1978 with David McComb as singer-songwriter, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboardist.McFarlane (1999). Encyclopedia entry fo"The Triff ...
) on pedal steel guitar and Bruce Haymes (of Paul Kelly Band) on organ, piano and Wurlitzer. Damas opined that for ''A Different High'', "the scales begin to tip more heavily toward the more bloated side of '70s classic rock and away from modern pop." David Simons of ''OnStage Magazine'' noticed that it "finds Naylor sharpening the hooks, tightening the grooves, and multiplying the guitar sounds like never before. The result is an album's worth of the most tuneful pop you're likely to find on any continent." The album's lead single, "Shining Star" (April 2001), peaked at No. 21 on the ARIA Alternative Singles Chart.


2004–2017: ''Free Kicks'', ''Even'' & ''In Another Time''

Their fourth studio album, ''Free Kicks'', was released on 6 June 2004 on their own label, El Reno Records. They had recorded some of the tracks in the United Kingdom in 2002. Dwyer declared that it "spearheads a new lease of life for Even... it features a couple of guest appearances by former Small Faces/Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan and follows a watershed London adventure." For the
Hoodoo Gurus Hoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner (songwriter, lead singer and guitarist) and later joined by Richard Grossman (bass), Mark Kingsmill (drums), and Brad Shepherd (guitar, vocals, ha ...
tribute album, '' Stoneage Cameos'' (August 2005), Even covered "Arthur", with Kempton as co-executive producer with Jason Evans. Ned Raggett of AllMusic reviewed their self-titled, fifth studio album which showed they "love their Beatles, their ELO, their power pop, their hints of roots music appreciation. It's all in there and they're not only not hiding it; they revel in it." ''Even'' was issued in 2007, which the group co-produced with
Wayne Connolly Wayne Paul Connolly is an Australian musician, record producer and audio engineer. From 1991 to 1997 Connolly provided lead guitar and vocals in guitar pop group the Welcome Mat, with whom he released two studio albums. In 1994, he formed Knie ...
(You Am I). In June 2008 Even's debut album ''Less Is More'' was voted number 30 of the greatest Australian albums ever in a poll by ''
The Age ''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...
'' readers. Even released their sixth studio album, ''In Another Time'', on 9 December 2011. Mess+Noise's Patrick Emery felt it displayed how "a celebration of the glorious riffs, melodies and elegant style of the '60s and '70s doesn’t need to be an exercise in turgid nostalgia." Edouard Morton of theDwarf.com.au caught their live gig in May 2012 at The Tote, where they "made an all out attempt to burst every eardrum with their endlessly popular, and recognisably Melbourne power rock." In December 2014 the group celebrated their 14th annual Xmas Even at the Gasometer Hotel (in Collingwood) with Jasmin Kaset as their support act.


2018-present: ''Satin Returns'' & ''Reverse Light Years''

In May 2018, Even released their seventh studio album, ''Satin Returns''. Even's eighth studio album, ''Reverse Light Years'' was released in October 2021 and peaked at number 18 on the ARIA charts; the band's highest charting album.


Discography


Studio albums


Compilation albums


Extended plays


Charting singles


Awards and nominations


ARIA Music Awards

The
ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...
is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of
Australian music The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions of ...
. They commenced in 1987. ! , - ,
ARIA Music Awards of 1997 The 11th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as the ARIA Music Awards) were held on 22 September 1997 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. The event was hosted by Australian actor–comedian Paul McDer ...
, ''Less Is More'' ,
ARIA Award for Best Independent Release The ARIA Music Award for Best Independent Release, is an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", since 1987. It is handed out by the Australian Recording ...
, ,


References

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External links

* {{Authority control Victoria (Australia) musical groups Australian indie rock groups Musical groups established in 1994 1994 establishments in Australia