If superbly-crafted pop-rock and great songwriting is your thing,
then look no further than Steve Lane and The Autocrats…
Rapidly gathering a reputation as a live act not to be missed, you couldn’t ask for a band with a better music pedigree. It includes frontman Steve Lane (voicepopfoible), a prolific musician and music producer; the “Earl Of Bass” Edmondo Amendola (Augie March); “Gentlemanly Purveyor Of Beats” Dave Williams (Augie March, Dan Kelly); coconspirator Jimmy Williams (Paul Kelly & The Dots, The Shedshakers) and “Rhythmic Axeman” Pete Slater (Dalriada).
Paul Kelly, Wilco and The Church inspire their music; chances are The Autocrats will inspire all who come their way…
Steve Lane and The Autocrats are seasoned musicians who deliver honest, heartfelt odes to everyday life, thoroughly wrapped in energetic indie pop-rock with a tinge of roots thrown in for good measure. Presenting their unique take on Australian life in the ‘noughties’, they are musicians who live to play, and love to play live.
Musician/producer/engineer, Steve Lane has spent the last couple of years playing Australia-wide with eclectic festival faves, voicepopfoible. He’s also been busy writing and recording in remote communities as far afield as Timor-Leste, Fiji and outback Australia. In 2008, Steve began a creative collaboration with Central Victorian author John Holton, to write songs that reflect the conflicted nature of everyday life, from memory and longing to the “Aha!” moments and lingering melancholy.
Keen to kick off his own band in 2009, Steve enlisted the services of some good muso friends and hey presto!, The Autocrats were born… The Autocrats feature Steve’s co-conspirator Jimmy Williams (Paul Kelly & The Dots, The Shedshakers) who gives his all playing soulful guitar and piano; Steve’s longtime buddy, “Rhythmic Axeman” Pete Slater (Dalriada); the distinctive “Earl of Bass” Edmondo Amendola (Augie March) and the refined, gentlemanly “Purveyor of Beats”, drummer Dave Williams (Augie March, Dan Kelly).
Along the way The Autocrats have been fortunate to utilise the sublime talents of Ben Gibbons on double bass, Darren Seltmann (The Avalanches) on drums and the gorgeous vocals of Melbourne singer-songwriter, Rachael Kane.
The Autocrats debut album THE ROMANCE OF COMMUNICATION… an album brimming with catchy melodic jangle pop and featuring stripped back warm tales…. was mixed and produced by Steve Lane, and Ben Hurt from Newmarket Studios. It is due for release on October 7th 2011 through ABC Music/Universal.
Steve Lane and The Autocrats release an album that has all the telltale signs of an Australian band bound for longevity…..The Romance of Communication is refreshingly Australian and humble, with echoes of artists like Paul Kelly and Ben Lee.
Izzy Tolhurst fasterlouder.com.au
Steve’s songs have a real ‘Australian’ flavor in both ‘sound’ and ‘lyrical’ content and given the right exposure, Steve Lane could stand proudly alongside well known Australian icon musical artist such as Paul Kelly, Mick Thomas and others
Scott Thurling PopBoomerang Records
* Steve Lane and The Autocrats on facebook
The Romance of Communication Album Launch Tour – Oct/Nov 2011
Wed 19th Oct: The Loft
58 Liebig Street Warrnambool (03)5561 0995
Thur 20th Oct: The Front Gallery & Cafe with Melissa Main
Wattle Street Lyneham. ACT (02) 6249 8453
Fri 21st Oct: The Heritage Hotel
240 Princes Highway Bulli. NSW (02) 4284 5884
Sat 22nd Oct: The Clarendon Guest House
68 Lurline Street, Katoomba. NSW (02)4782 1322
Sun 23rd Oct: The Vanguard
42 King Street Newtown. NSW (02)9550 2990
Thur 27th Oct: Beavs Bar
77-79 Little Malop Street Geelong (03)5222 3366
Fri 28th Oct: The Northcote Social Club with Paper Jane
30 High Street Northcote (03)9489 3917
Sun 30th Oct: The Palais Theatre with Wasp Summer
111 Main Rd Hepburn Springs (03)5348 4849
Sun 6th Nov: Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St New Farm (07)3358 8600