Luke Escombe’s previous album, Mantown, spent nine straight months in the top ten of the Australian Blues and Roots chart, spawning two unforgettably twisted music videos and garnering comparisons to everyone from Nick Cave to Flight of the Conchords. Now the Sydney singer-songwriter announces the release of his first feature length DVD, Chronic Symphonic, as well as two other live albums – Live on the Coast and Live at the Promethean – all on the same day.
These live releases highlight the remarkable journey Luke has made over the last two years, from blues and roots musician, to provocative musical satirist, stand up comedian, health ambassador and public speaker. Last year he spoke and performed in every major city in Australia, as well as in Auckland and Wellington, where he received a standing ovation at the Te Papa National Museum. Chronic Symphonic is where all of his different identities intersect, backed by an eight-piece band, a giant projector screen and a string section.
The show was recorded at Notes Live in Newtown as part of the 2012 Sydney Fringe. It received a 4 and a half star review from John Shand in the Sydney Morning Herald, who described Luke as “a rock-soul singer, raconteur, blistering blues guitarist, comedian and songwriter, and very good at them all”. The 70 minute performance included an airing of Luke’s gangsta rap music video about living with Crohn’s disease, ‘Master Key’, and a finale that involved the members of the audience joyfully simulating an act of self-love.
Over twelve thousand dollars was raised in just five days last September through crowdfunding website Pozible.com to fund the release of Chronic Symphonic on DVD. This has made it possible to release the recordings of two other live shows: Live on the Coast and Live at the Promethean, the former recorded at Wagstaffe Hall on the NSW Central Coast with Luke’s rock and roll 4-piece, The Corporation, and the latter recorded at the Promethean in Adelaide in a stripped-down duo format, with Luke accompanied by young Melbourne bassist James Gilligan.
Chronic Symphonic and Live on the Coast are both available as physical products, in beautiful packages designed by renowned UK artist Rick Ward, whose previous credits include the design of the Beatles’ One and Anthology covers. Meanwhile, Live at the Promethean will be released in a series of monthly video instalments on Luke’s website and Youtube channel.
All three releases are available to purchase right now through Luke’s website – www.lukeescombe.com. An iTunes release will follow in the coming months.
Friday 16th May
The Lewisham Hotel, Lewisham
Trio, from 9pm
Saturday 24th May
The Music Lounge, Brookvale
Supporting the Sus
Solo, 8pm
Saturday 31st May
The Royal Hotel, Bondi
Full band, from 8pm
Friday 6th June
Naturally Nice Garden Cafe, Brookvale
Solo, 8pm
Saturday 14th June
The Wharf @ Wagstaffe, NSW Central coast
Live on the Coast album launch Part 1
Full band, 8pm
Friday 20th June
The Swamp House
Ngatea War Memorial Hall, Waikato, NZ
Live on the Coast album launch Part 2
Full band + supports