Transvaal Diamond Syndicate – Devil on My Shoulder [Single and Tour News]

Brisbane blues-rock/foot-stomp band Transvaal Diamond Syndicate have a Devil on their shoulder. That whisper in their ear that guides their musical career, telling them to work harder, play harder and show the world what they have. It’s come up aces for the fiery, foot-stompin’ crew, scoring two shows at Byron Bay Bluesfest (Thursday and Friday – April 21/22), alongside national and international acts, such as Xavier Rudd, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Bob Dylan and ZZ Top.

They have listened to that little devil and he has told them to put out their new single, “Devil on My Shoulder” – it’s all about those dirty little secrets, those things that you can’t speak about in “polite” company. It’s out April 1 on iTunes and they are playing gigs in Queensland and New South Wales all through April to celebrate.
Devil On My Shoulder by Transvaal Diamond Syndicate

It has been a rapid upwards journey for Transvaal Diamond Syndicate, almost from the moment of the band’s inception in mid 2009.

A first gig together supporting Ash Grunwald, further support slots including Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, Elliot Brood (Canada), The Beards, Gay Paris and Marshall and The Fro, a Q-Song Highly commended award in the Blues and Roots category 2010, a number 1 song in 4ZzZ’s hot 100 songs of 2010, 2 releases including an almost-sold out run of their EP Diamonds and Dust – produced by Dan James of Drawn from Bees and released in September 2010, numerous headlining tours of QLD and NSW, a top 40 slot in the AMRAP charts for Artists most played on Australian Community Radio in 2010 and now two gigs at Australia’s premier Blues and Roots festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest on the APRA stage, where then up-and-comers-now-stars Dallas Frasca, The Fumes and Ash Grunwald all cut their teeth.

It’s all been the product of hard work for the two core members of TDS, Christian Tryhorn and Tim Price, who have added multi-instrumentalist Matthew Barker to their live arsenal, on percussion, synthesiser and Saxophone.

“This is certainly one of the biggest musical opportunities of our careers,” said frontman Christian Tyrhorn, “…to be playing alongside the caliber of artists at Bluesfest – Bob Dylan, Michael Franti, BB King… it’s a dream, for sure.”

TDS plays Thursday April 21 at 8:15PM and 12PM midday on Friday April 22 on the APRA stage.

Audience participation has become a staple of the live show, often with 8-10 people taking the stage to play all manner of musical instrument in yet another show of the devil on their shoulders telling them to push their boundaries.

Transvaal Diamond Syndicate are heavily influenced by groove and stoner rock and incorporate diverse genres such as blues, roots, rock, grunge, hip-hop and dance into their live arsenal.

“Right up there with contemporaries The Fumes and Dan Sultan.” – Who The Hell
“It’s Blues with Big, Bristling Balls. Seriously Bad-Arse. **** (4 Stars)” – Zoo Magazine
“TDS know what rock n roll was and should be all about – style, sex and transcendence.” – Press Record Online

April 2011 Tour Dates:
Friday April 1 – Apollo Room @ Jubilee Hotel, Brisbane – SINGLE LAUNCH
Saturday April 2 – Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna – with Mojo Webb – Free
Friday April 8 – The Joynt, Brisbane – with The Beards – $5
Friday April 15 – Currumbin Sound Lounge – with Marshall & The Fro – $10
Saturday April 16 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi – with Marshall & The Fro – $10
Thursday April 21 – APRA Stage, Byron Bay Bluesfest – 8:15PM
Friday April 22 – APRA Stage, Byron Bay Bluesfest – 12:00PM
Monday April 25 – Byron Bay Brewery, Buddha Bar – Free
Thursday April 28 – BarSoma, Brisbane – Free
Friday April 29 – Italo Club (Flood Collective), Lismore – with Special Guests – $10