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Me and the Grownups



Last Updated: 11/16/2009

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Status: Single
City: Melbourne
State: Victoria
Country: AU
Signup Date: 12/4/2006

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Sunday, July 05, 2009 

Current mood:  insubordinate
"It's two in the morning, mama don't know that I'm goin' far away..." - Ben Folds Five, Band.

Ok, so our mums know exactly where we're going. But there's still an element of mystery - when will we decide to send reassuring text messages? Will we ever need those instructions on how to fold a shirt exactly the right way? It's these little ambiguities that make touring so much fun.

What's that?? A TOUR???

Well, apparently it is. See, on Saturday we played at the East Brunswick Club in Lygon St. Melbourne, just near where some members of the famous Gangland War probably went at some point, possibly on Gangland War-related business. Consequently, it was an absolutely fantastic show. The sizable crowd went GaGa (google it).

Then on Sunday - which is now yesterday, even though it still feels like today, unrepresentative Gregorian dogma - we played the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine, where the Victoria Police might have considered placing some key Gangland War-related witness into protection (or WiPro, as they call it, along with the micro-fiber cloths they use to wipe splattered drunkards off the walls). Consequently, it too was absolutely fantastic, because one of the audience members might, lyk, totes have been in on the whole Gangland shit n' shit.

And now, in about an hour, we will be setting off for Tullamarine airport and leaving on a jetplane for Brisbane, where we've never played before and will be like tentative children in the power-tools aisle of an XXX Miter 10. But we have friendly support acts to hold our hands and live appearances on Radio 4ZZZ and ABC Drive to buoy our fragile spirits. As well as the Official Launch of the Brisbane Festival, where we will be performing. That should salve ikkle Gwownups' hurties.

Then on to Sydney, where our established presence looms like the shadow of a nuclear-powered Soviet-made aircraft carrier over the trembling population, and news of our impending appearance has already reached the pages of the Sydney Morning Herald, which reviewed our second album and called it a goodie ("Solid," was the rating, which is good, because otherwise we'd throttle the bastards who charged us to produce physical copies).

On that note, it's worth pointing out that the press has been flooding in like immigrants into our once-pure White Nation, and you can check it all out on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=ts&035;/event.php?eid=94955561953#/event.php?eid=94955561953&ref=share) or in our new photo album, cryptically titled 'Perfect Storm Tour'. There are interviews, reviews, and My Little Pony art. Yayness!

Expect more news to be posted on this blog by us. "That's how it works. If you don't like it, you can get out of my studio. But I'm leaving the last word to you. OK? Go." - Bill O'Rielly, 'Political Commentator'...?
04:52 PM 
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009 

Current mood:  fermented

We're big fans of the Midnight Juggernauts. Who isn't these days?

If you're not you risk social isolation, hate mail and inconvenient physical ailments to boot (an acquaintance of ours who expressed a dislike for the inspiring midtempo common-time of their groundbreaking debut album Dystopia was struck by a speeding bus only days later, and caught clap from it).

On the other hand, if you are, you may witness a sudden upturn in your romantic fortunes, financial succes in just 14 days and, as Adrian and Jonathan will attest, a remarkable increase in the volume and potency of ejaculatory fluid. Also, you'll be equipped to understand this message which, to antidisenjuggernautarians, will be totally inscrutable (unless they listen to this song first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDuwvHmUuc):

Is it a new song? (Yes)
Is it My Perfect Storm? (Yes)
Is it an album? (No)
Is it an E.P.? (Yes)
Is it released soon? (Yes)
Can I download it? (Yes, in a couple of days, from www.meandthegrownups.com - for free!)
When is the disc out? (July)
Is there a launch gig? (Yes)
Where will it be held? (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Castlemaine, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney)
Isn't that 9 gigs? (11 actually, we're playing two each in Melbourne and Canberra)
It is expensive? (No, tickets are $15 full, $12 concession)
When is it happening? (July 4-23, 2009, check our gig list for details)
Are there support acts? (Yes, we'll be teaming up with other local bands in each city)
Is it on pre-sale? (Yes, you can pre-book through the venue, and anyone booking three tickets or more gets a signed copy of the new CD - for free!)
Is there more info? (Yes, what would you like to know?)
That's not an answer. (That's not a question).

A this point the Midnight Juggernauts experienced a fatal error and had to close, leaving behind three smouldering corpses still gently throbbing to the echo of an 80s-revival kick drum. An error report was forwarded to the Microsoft Help Desk; the reply is still pending.

SO:

Melbournians, see you at the East Brunswick Club on Saturday July 4 at 8,30pm!
Castlemainians, see you at the Theatre Royak on Sunday July 5 at 3,30pm!
Brisbanians, see you at Barsoma on Tuesday July 7 at 8pm!
Syndnarians, see you at The Vanguard on Thursday July 9 at 8pm!
Canberrarians, see you at The Street on Saturday July 11 at 3.30 and/or 8.30pm!
Perthenites, see you at The Fly-By-Night on Monday July 13 at 8pm!
Adelaidians, see you at The Promethean on Wednesday July 15 at 8pm!
Hobartoids, see you at The Venue on Friday July 17 at 8pm!
Launcestonians, see you at the Earl Arts Centre on Sunday July 19 at 3.30pm!
Melbtards, see you again at Manchester Lane on Thursday July 23 at 8pm - supported by the Midnight Juggernauts (TBC)!

11:27 AM 
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009 
A-hoy-hoy!

We're back in Melbourne after an incredible run of performances at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

For those who haven't experienced it, this event is just colossal. There would be a minimum of 40 events a night, from bands to theatre, film to opera... it was the most extraordinary month of culture and we were thrilled to be taking part.

Two rather lovely reviews floated our way too! One, from Adelaide's majorest rag, the Advertiser, had these nice things to say:

ME AND THE GROWNUPS

This trio takes elements of old and new world music to blend a curiously alluring mix of classical pop and folksy jazz, from Radiohead covers to their own, better, mercurial mood shifts. The Melbourne outfit of two years, featuring songwriters Anita Lester on vocals, Jonathan Dreyfus on violin and viola and Adrian Sergovich on acoustic guitar, delivers a considered journey through time and aairspace with each player unfolding a distinct musical character without dominating each other's place in the arrangement. Their approach is classically folk: etherial, alternative and commanding. Give them a bunch of commonplace notes and they'll turn them on their ear and give back a song of rare difference. Watch out for Anita's delivery of their typically quirky Peeping Tom.

- Mike Gribble

Um, better than Radiohead...? Well, if you say so mister...

Shortly after, we discovered this plump little nugget on industry website www.artshub.com.au:

Graceful and lilting with soulful sounds, I found I had to forcibly detangle my soul from this amazingly brilliant music, when Me And The Grownups ended their set at this year's Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Playing at the Wheatsheaf Hotel (or the ‘Weatie’ to locals), situated on the fringe of Adelaide city, and an alternative venue of comfortable couches and friendly staff, Me And The Grownups is one of the most vibrant new sounds this year.

Beginning with a little hesitancy and some coy shyness the first song took off with the confidence of seasoned performers and I was enthralled from the very beginning. Each song was applauded, and each applause responded to a modest ‘thankyou’.

Described as a fusion of classical, folk, pop and jazz, Me And The Grownups are a wonderful three piece band of vocals, guitar and violin. The singer, Anita Lester’s vocal range is astounding, with skill to make smooth transition from the top of the high notes to the depths of the bass. Extremely talented, the songs were performed flawlessly including those which, by her own admission are extremely difficult. Supporting Anita were Jonathan Dreyfus on the violin and viola, and Adrian Sergovich on guitar.

Lyrically the songs had feeling as well as being exceptionally poetic. She’s So Pure, a song about Anita’s sister is beautiful, singing to the soul from the heart with the eloquent line “…when she cries, she smiles. And ,forms little pools inside her dimples.”

The violin and viola, played by Jonathan Dreyfus, shapes the vocals and adds an emotional undercurrent. An expressive instrument, which can convey the frivolity of happiness to the depths of emotional turmoil, it is played with a fervour that is aurally mesmerising.

Adrian Sergovich, the quietest member of the ensemble, plays the guitar. He weaves subtle notes through the songs punctuating the numbers with crisp guitar notes providing musical energy to the performance. In several songs, he and Jonathan provide harmony for Anita forming a whole, resolved sound.

Me And The Grownups sends shivers up my spine with the depth of emotion conveyed in each song. With lilting sounds which could be compared to a combination of the Dresden Dolls, Camille and Tori Amos, this group will take off sooner more likely than later.

- Jodie Wildy

Um... amazingly brilliant? Well, if you say so missus...

What a week, what a whack, wet a wick, whip a wall....

See yaz tonight at Gertrudes, Melbournites!
10:42 PM 
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009 

How do you like this:
 


Local genre-pioneering trio Me And The Grownups continue to lead their life in fast-forward, releasing their second album in as many years together.

With Knowing Lovers, Naïve Lovers, singer/songwriter Anita Lester, multi-string instrumentalist and composer Jonathan Dreyfus and guitarist-cum-one man rhythm section Adrian Sergovitch continue the with the gorgeously clean, rich and often minimalist tone set by their debut Battling The Mountains, The Sky And The Sea.

Knowing Lovers is a much more focussed effort than its predecessor, however, with the lengthy instrumental interludes that gave the debut a somewhat cinematic quality making way for a more focussed collection of tracks (which are often more like poems set to music than songs per se) with vulnerable, hopeful and wounded hearts at their core.

It’s their emotive synergy that makes this trio such a delight to listen to… Once again the lyrics and music combine into a stream-of-consciousness flow that is abetted by the refreshing absence of bass or drums. This time the group seem much more comfortable in their minimalism, with Dreyfus in particular relying more on finely-drawn expression in his playing than artificial (yet novel) effects. The tragi-comic air of Beautiful Losers is nicely accentuated by Dreyfus and Sergovitch’s clipped, staccato feel, while the churning, frenetic arrangements of I Shadowed Him So Ghostly cleave perfectly to its conflicted lyrical monologue

This is much more a showcase for Lester’s talents than the previous album, with the young singer’s resonant voice growing in both range and expression. Her lyrical prose is alternately raw and enigmatic, and always rich in evocative visualizations. It is, perhaps, exactly how you would expect a long-time graphic artist to write songs; Knowing Lovers offers a glimpse of Lester’s other talent with an accompanying booklet of artwork that, when examined alongside the music, enables one to experience the album as collage.

MATG show another entirely new string to their bow with the pure a’capella opening of Sail At Dawn, the crystal-clear and full-sounding harmonies inviting the listener in with an expectation of emotional authenticity that is readily and consistently met.

While I must admit I miss the ambitiousness of the instrumental pieces found on Battling The Mountains, the group’s expressive eloquence shines no less with these mature and thematically coherent songs. In this way, Me And The Grownups’ originality is made accessible enough to take a firm foothold in the local scene… and hopefully further.

 

JESSE SHROCK
Beat



Fine by us!

Melbourne readers, check out this week's Beat and Inpress magazines for thought-provoking interviews.


See you tomorrow night, kids!

11:23 AM 
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Thursday, February 12, 2009 
Did you know that 'J' and 'V' were only recently officially incorporater into the English alphabet? Previously, 'I' and 'U' respectivly were used in their places.

Hence, we would have witnessed the following exchange, had typed minutes existed in the mid-16th Century:

Iohn: Good morrow, Daue!
Daue: Iohn, you old uagabond, how dost thou?
Iohn: I am full of ioy and friuolity!
Daue: But why? Haue not your wiues and children caught the Plague?
Iohn: Ay Daue, 'tis true. But my spirits are lifted by news iust recieued from the [as yet undiscovered] Australian colony.
Daue: Speak you of this "Me and the Grownups," news of whom hath set fair London a-talking?
Iohn: Ay, I do! What know you of it?
Daue: Prithee, Iohn, I hear they are a uibrant musical couen, a Slauic half-breed and a colourless Tuton warlock fronted by a siren-uoiced Polish harlott. Do I haue it rightly?
Iohn: Ay, fair Daue, but the news grows fairer still! These ueteran Troubadors haue once again ioined with Planet/MGM [a renouned Elizabethan indie distribution firm] to release their second album [a kind of Haddock], "Knowing Louers, Naiue Louers!"
Daue: Why, it giues cause for iubilation indeed! Not euen the infirmity and ineuitable death of your loued ones should serue to dampen your spirits!
Iohn: Uerily! In fact, I have iust iizzed my iocks!

Having established this, we can now unveil further scintilating details of our newest release, Knowing Lovers, Naive Lovers!

The 45-minute disc contains eight exciting tracks, a combination of live favourites and new numbers. We've left two tasty nuggets for you to sample - skin-free!

Ensconsed snugly betewen dust-jacket and disc will be a 32-page, full-colour graphic novel, illustrated by Anita Lester, an up-and-coming graphic designer whose distinctive style and dark imagary belie her youth. Anita is also the singer in upcoming Melbourne three-piece Me and the Gtownups, check them out! Obviously, if you buy it on iTunes you won't get to see it - HAH!

And former Guns 'n' Roses guitarist Slash makes a fun-filled guest appearance on the record, taking over guitaristic duties track 5, "Buy the Bridge".

Be sure to meet him and other people also at our exciting CD launch at The Toff in Town on Thursday, February 26.

Until then, uroooom, uroooom, errrrrrk!
01:12 AM 
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Sunday, December 14, 2008 

Current mood:  crunk
Category: Romance and Relationships

What a year 2008 has been for Me and the Grownups, and what a fine way to finish it off!

 

We'd like to thank the nearly 100 people who braved the rain to come to our second Spiegelshow! We'd like to thank those who came to the first! We'd like to thank our marvelous woodwind quartet for bring their magical sounds to our stage! And we'd like to thank the Spiegeltent for having us and making it a truly marvelous pair of shows!

BRAVO!!!!!

 

As a last hoorah for the year, we're delighted to point you in the direction of our exclusive performance of Anytime Soon for ABC TV's Sunday Arts, which is available to view online until January 7! Follow this link and grab it which it's hot hot hot!

http://www.abc.net.au/iview/default2.htm?seriesId=2296344

 

Yet rather than looking back on the year that has been, this fine literary suppliment looks ahead to 2009, and we're kicking it off with a mighty steel jackboot to the sphincter - that's right…

 

We're releasing our Second Album!

BRAVO!!!!!

 

It's entitled Knowing Lovers, Naïve Lovers, and it will be launched at the wonderful Toff in Town on Thursday, February 26 at 8pm.

 

Once again, we'll be joined by our sizable woodwinds, and supported by our favourite Australian band, [Me]. Entry will be $12 ($10 conc.), need we even mention that it will be the event OF THE MILLENNIUMMMMMMMM?

 

Other highlights of 2009 will include the Big Day Out, Adelaide Fringe Festival, sixth and second place in Triple j's Hottest 100, our third album, a national tour, and our takeover of EMI Records

BRAVO!!!!!!

 

Stay tuned, stay groomed, stay Grownups!!!!

08:18 PM 
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008 

That's right folks, we're playing two shows at...

the Speigeltent!

On Saturday December 6 & 13, we'll bring our unmistakable folk-classical-pop to this world-renowned venue!

To mark the specialness of the occasion, we'll be joined at both shows by a Woodwind Quartet featuring some of Melbourne's finest classical talent:

Margaret Crawford - flut
Margaret is the former Head of Woodwinds at the Australian National Academy of Music and a revered soloist, chamber musician and teacher.

Anne Gilby - oboe
Anne has appeared as a guest soloist with every Australian symphony orchestra and plays regularly with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Sam Curkpatrick - clarinet
Sam is one of Melbourne's brightest young stars, a Monash student who has already been a soloist with such renowned ensembles at the Tin Alley Quartet.

George Dreyfus - bassoon
George is not only a composer of national renown, he has also performed around the world, playing with some of the finest musicians of the 20th Century.

We're greatly humbled to be welcoming such shining talent to the same stage as us. But the fun doesn't end there. Although details are secret, the two shows will also feature vigorous audience participation...

and Free Gingerbread! Yay!

Both shows commence at 2pm, and advance bookings can be made through Ticketmaster by following this link:
http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artist/1263783/?search_redirect=grownups&tm_link=tm_header_search
or by calling 1300 723 038.

This exciting engagement has sadly meant the cancellation of our December 7 Bennetts Lane show. This means that this Sunday, November 2 is the last Grownup Sundays show for the year!

It's at Manchester Lane from 7pm and, as you've probably heard, sees us launch our second video clip, Tight, But I Like It, which promises to be every bit as exciting as it sounds..... Don't miss out!

Much love,
MatG

05:18 AM 
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Monday, October 06, 2008 

Hello Everybody,

Thank you to all those lovely souls (including the delectable specimens from Adelaide who didn’t quite make it) who made it to Bennetts Lane on Sunday the 5th

Anita ACTUALLY made cupcakes for the audience. They were delicious, like a pavlova in sexy lingerie… or a new video clip… WHAT?

THAT’S RIGHT FOLKS! ANEW VIDEO CLIP!

Join us at Manchester Lane on Sunday November 2nd for the Tight But I Like It VIDEO CLIP LAUNCH.

Wow, that’s a world premier!

Unlike the song itself, the video clip isn’t about tightly wrapping small to medium sized animals in GLAD® Wrap and then being inserted into places which; by means of stimulation, will make your head explode from pleasure, horror, adrenalin or pain.

Hope to see you there, and don’t forge to bring the kids!

Me & the Grownups

11:27 PM 
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Saturday, September 13, 2008 

That's write chappies, this Wednesday the 17th of September your favourite folk-pop-classical trio headlines at the Evelyn Hotel with hot dubsters A Planet in Space! (They have two drumkits, making up for our none - how nice of them.)

So come down, enjoy the lovely night-time weather and cheap entry ($5, and it would be free if it were up to us), we'd love to squee you!

02:07 PM 
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Tuesday, September 09, 2008 

Let us begin by thanking the excellent folk who braved the cold and abstained from Fathers Day to make Grownup Sundays II a most memorable evening! While Manchester Lane may be needing new wallpaper, they certainly won't want to change it too fast...

And special thanks to Pleasing Anna, whose debut gig was about 170 times better than ours (bastards).

Suggestions are now open for the next kind of coitus to which Grownup Sundays III can be compared (the best one will win an awkward silence).

What a busy week awaits the Grownups! On Friday the 12th we are honoured to play the opening and closing salvos of VoiceWorks, an extraordinary festival starring some hot indie noodles, at Trades Hall from 9pm.

Then on Sunday the 14th we join some of Melbourne's most established talent to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dreyfus' dad, George (no, it's not a cruel joke!). Entry is FREE, for which you get 2 hours of music, two movies, seven ensembles and refreshments at bloody interval (yes, FREE!!)!![!!!]!. It's at the Hawthorn Town Hall from 2.30pm, if you don't come you're wierd.

And in finishing, we thought we'd share this lovely review by PBS's Kate Elrington of our July album relaunch at Manchester Lane. Hell, it puts you in a good mood just thinking about being there... and we were! Or something.

Me and the Grownups – Manchester Lane July 10 2008                     
Kate Elrington

Think indie meets classical. Think folk infused pop. Think Sweeney Todd soundtrack. This is what you will get at a Me and the Grownups show. Melbourne based Me and the Grownups are three twenty-somethings who have majestically blended a nostalgic mix of folk, jazz and classical, and all but turn the vintage-style music on its head to produce a distinctly youthful and unique sound.

The launch of their album Battling the Mountains, the Sky and the Sea at Manchester Lane saw the young band take the stage and command the attention of the audience with the confidence of musicians far beyond their years or experience.

Anita Lester on vocals is every bit the modest indie frontwoman. Though pixie-like in appearance, Lester fills the stage and the venue with her understated yet striking presence. Her ethereal voice, beautifully complemented by the violin and guitar, resonates throughout the venue, creating an intense, melancholy atmosphere.

Jonathan Dreyfus plays his violin as if he has had a bow in his hand since birth. His quirky, Napoleon Dynamite-like movements on stage coupled with his glaring playing ability see him steal the spotlight for much of the set.

Guitarist Adrian Sergovich is not such a blatant showman as compared to his bandmates. His energies focus on his playing which, by lack of percussion, acts as the base grounding for each song.

Manchester Lane sees a long show, two sets, each with eight songs separated by an intermission. The first set is taken up by new songs including an unexpected yet surprisingly well-fitting cover of Silverchair's 'Straight Lines'. Songs such as 'You Are!' and 'Insomniac' shine in an already strong set. The music captures the audience, each song telling a melancholy story of youthful happenings with vivid imagery and poetic lyricism.

The second set consists largely of album tacks and older songs. These songs edge closer to a more radio-friendly sound and slightly lift the energy after the despondence of the first set. The album's first single 'Anytime Soon' is the standout song, Regina Spektor-esque with an interesting melody and memorable chorus.

Me and the Grownups' unique sound brings a new air of class to pop music. It is pop for the thinker. Their captivating performance style and ability to hold the interest of an audience for a two-set show is indication of the strength of this young band. Their confidence and belief in their music shines through each song. It is but a matter of time before everyone else believes it, too.

06:55 PM 
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