The Boat People

Combining the pop sensibilities of Crowded House with the artistic ambition of Radiohead, Brisbane four-piece The Boat People have achieved somewhat of a non-pretentious, post-modern, genre-juggling sound in their musical adventures, that tag your subconscious, and attack when you're doing the dishes two days later - three-part harmonies used for good instead of evil.

Think bands like Wilco, Gomez, The Flaming Lips and XTC : "really clever writing without coming across as anything but simple pop, elegant, witty and quietly complex without ever becoming pompous or ponderous – progressive pop if you will," (The Drum Media).

A union of high school students James O’Brien (vox/bass), Robin Waters (vox/keys), Charles Dugan (vox/guitar) and Tony Garrett (drums) on NYE 1999, the foursome developed a solid repertoire and strong live following releasing four CDs to date, The Boat People EP (2001), Squeaky Clean EP (2002), Three Pieces For Small Ensemble EP (2003) and Tell Someone Who Cares (2004), as well as touring the east coast 12 times in the last four years.

Due to the band’s solid reputation, 2005 is already their busiest year yet, with international supporting spots with acts such as The Shins, David Byrne, Dogs Die In Hot Cars and Idlewild. Previous appearances at the Big Day Out, Woodford Folk Festival, live to air on Triple J and supports with many of Australia’s most talented artists such as george, Pete Murray, Missy Higgins, Little Birdy, The Whitlams, David Bridie, Motorace and Dallas Crane, have galvanised the band’s full potential and has taken them to new levels.

Their live shows have been dubbed “awesome” and “utter brilliance” by Time Off; Ozmusicproject said there “must be something in the Brisbane water", and Rave Magazine said they just “keep getting better”. Dogs Die In Hot Cars' Craig McIntosh said "thanks for supporting us and thanks for being an interesting and exciting band. I love the recordings".

Triple J has harboured an ongoing belief in the band from Unearthing them, to adding five songs to rotation in the last two years including Tell Someone Who Cares (Sept ’04/MGM), the first single off the forthcoming debut album.

Rage, MTV and Video Hits also gave the band the opportunity to share their music in the visual medium, with the brilliant clip for Tell Someone Who Cares winning Best Indie Clip at the Below Ground Music Video Festival Awards this year.

But it’s through word of mouth that The Boat People’s witty intelligent approach has been carried steadily and gracefully around the country, and placed the band as one of Australia’s finest and most original young independent bands.