| Australian, Sydney based singer/songwriter, Josh Pyke.
Josh has been active in the live music scene for many years as the guitarist/vocalist for successful local acts, Phloem & An Empty Flight, which has seen him support the likes of Foo Fighters and Blink 182 and release an acclaimed EP “Art Vs Commerce” (produced by Paul McKercher).
Whilst recording the follow up to “Art Vs Commerce” Josh was spending his spare time writing tracks influenced by the music he grew up on such as The Doobie Brothers, The Beatles, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Van Morrison. Combining these with newer influences such as Elliott Smith, Augie March, Radiohead, Coldplay and Sparkle Horse, the first seeds were sown. Frustrated with having all these tracks floating around in his head, and no vehicle by which to release them, he headed into the studio, and with $800 and 30 hours to spare, laid down 11 tra cks, performing all parts himself.
He received a grant from the Australia Council to record and release a 3 track sampler, aptly titled ‘Sample of Current Works’. The lead track, ‘Kids Don’t Sell Their Hopes so Fast’ achieved high rotation on JJJ and sampler tracks also received airplay on various community radio stations including RRR in Melbourne and FBi in Sydney.
In February 2004, following the success of ‘Kids Don’t Sell Their Hopes so Fast’, Pyke released his debut EP (under the name 'Night Hour') ‘Current Works Volume One’ which has received much acclaim in the music press around the country. Taking out the Jaxter songwriting award for 2004 with “Kids…” Everything was on a bit of a roll when the single ‘Silver’ was added to rotation on Triple J. Heading back into the studio in September 04, Pyke recorded the third single (again under the name Night Hour) “The Doldrums” with producers Matt Lovell (having previously worked with Silverchair, The Sleepy Jackson, Grinspoon, Spiderbait and Something For Kate) and Chris Joannou (silverchair), the single was instantly added to rotation on Triple J, and again earned Pyke acclaim in music press nationwide.
The band is gigging regularly having supported the likes of Tim Rogers and The Temperance Union, Missy Higgins, Pete Murray, Bob Evans, Sarah Harmer, Frente, Big Heavy Stuff and Chris Whitley, and playing alongside other local talent. |
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