Tarmac Adam
Encyclopedia
Tarmac Adam is a Melbourne
pop band that on its debut album featured two former members of Crowded House
, bassist Nick Seymour
and drummer Paul Hester
.
The band was formed in 2001 by singer-songwriter Matt O'Donnell and also included Sean McVitty (guitar) and Steve Paix (keyboards).
The band released an album in 2003, Handheld Torch
, recorded in Melbourne and Dublin and produced by Seymour. The album was self-funded by O'Donnell after approaches to record companies by Seymour for a recording deal were rebuffed.
O'Donnell explained the band developed from a solo recording project he had begun planning about 2000. "I always had one foot in music," he said. "During my years as an occupational therapist, I'd take time off
each year and go overseas, primarily to Germany, as a solo acoustic act,
sometimes with a band. I've played in bands for 15, 16 years, on and off."
He said he had written a batch of songs and began working with McVitty on demos for about six months. "Sean knew Paul (Hester) through the neighbourhood connections at Elwood
. Paul played on a couple of tracks we worked up and it started to take some shape. Nick (Seymour) was in town over a summer going to see a Big Day Out
. Paul contacted Nick and it went from there. We were all on it part time for the first 18 months and for the last 12 months it has been a full-time process.
Hester died in March 2005 and in 2007 Seymour returned to Crowded House after the band was reunited for an album and tour.
In June 2007 Tarmac Adam announced it was "back jogging on the main arterial as they prepare for the next stage of the journey. It's been a while but the break has been fruitful". The band's website said Handheld Torch would be repackaged, adding unreleased tracks from the early sessions with Seymour and Hester and ambient instrumental re-mixes. In February 2008 the website featured a new song, "You As Me" and noted that "Tarmac Adam music is being made".
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
pop band that on its debut album featured two former members of Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
, bassist Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour is a musician, painter, and record producer. He is best known for being the bass guitarist in the Australasian rock group Crowded House and brother to Mark Seymour of another successful group; Hunters and Collectors.- Biography :Born in Benalla, Victoria, Australia, Seymour studied...
and drummer Paul Hester
Paul Hester
Paul Newell Hester was an Australian musician and television personality; he was the drummer for the related bands Split Enz and Crowded House.-The early years:...
.
The band was formed in 2001 by singer-songwriter Matt O'Donnell and also included Sean McVitty (guitar) and Steve Paix (keyboards).
The band released an album in 2003, Handheld Torch
Handheld Torch
Handheld Torch is the debut album by Melbourne band Tarmac Adam. It was released in 2003 and featured two former Crowded House members, bassist Nick Seymour and drummer Paul Hester...
, recorded in Melbourne and Dublin and produced by Seymour. The album was self-funded by O'Donnell after approaches to record companies by Seymour for a recording deal were rebuffed.
O'Donnell explained the band developed from a solo recording project he had begun planning about 2000. "I always had one foot in music," he said. "During my years as an occupational therapist, I'd take time off
each year and go overseas, primarily to Germany, as a solo acoustic act,
sometimes with a band. I've played in bands for 15, 16 years, on and off."
He said he had written a batch of songs and began working with McVitty on demos for about six months. "Sean knew Paul (Hester) through the neighbourhood connections at Elwood
Elwood, Victoria
Elwood is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip...
. Paul played on a couple of tracks we worked up and it started to take some shape. Nick (Seymour) was in town over a summer going to see a Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
. Paul contacted Nick and it went from there. We were all on it part time for the first 18 months and for the last 12 months it has been a full-time process.
Hester died in March 2005 and in 2007 Seymour returned to Crowded House after the band was reunited for an album and tour.
In June 2007 Tarmac Adam announced it was "back jogging on the main arterial as they prepare for the next stage of the journey. It's been a while but the break has been fruitful". The band's website said Handheld Torch would be repackaged, adding unreleased tracks from the early sessions with Seymour and Hester and ambient instrumental re-mixes. In February 2008 the website featured a new song, "You As Me" and noted that "Tarmac Adam music is being made".