True Live
Encyclopedia
True Live is an Australian jazz rap
band formed in Melbourne, Australia. They had chart success with "TV" reaching #76 on the ARIA Single Chart and The Shape Of It reaching #85 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The group received regular play on radio and television and were chosen to perform at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
.
In 2005 True Live signed with Shock Records
and released its debut release, Mintons EP. The album was critically acclaimed, and received extensive play on Triple J
, the video clip being played regularly on Rage
, Channel V
and Video Hits
. Subsequent songs from the record, such as 'Bounce', received similar coverage. During the 2005-2006 period the band toured, performing at the Meredith Music Festival, the Bangalow Jazz Festival and Big Day Out
among others, performing with acts such as Moby
, Roots Manuva
and De La Soul
. In October 2006 the band released its second release "The Shape of it", the lead single 'TV' receiving being played on a range of commercial stations across Australia, including Nova
and The Edge
and its accompanying video clip appearing on major music programs.
In early 2007, True Live received four stars in Rolling Stone Magazine for their album and succeeded in selling out tours across Australia. In 2007 'TV' was used as the music in the Fox Sports
advertisements and in 2008 'Let Out' was included in the TV mini series 'Underbelly'. In May 2008, True Live released 'The Shape of It' in Japan.
The band has now released its 2nd album 'Found Lost'. In early 2009 True Live signed to Melbourne record label Illusive Sounds
who are also the home of Bliss N Eso
& Paris Wells
. In May through July 2009, True Live took 'Found Lost' on tour across the country.
, The Roots
, De La Soul
, Roots Manuva
, Moby
and Ozomatli
on Australia-wide tours, and have
been a successful part of a number of festivals, including:
project.
Tamil Rogeon is the group's violinist, co-composer and manager. He has studied at the VCA with a particular interest in jazz. He's the co-founding member of The Raah Project, which launched it's first album Score on 2009. He composed the score for the feature film Blame. Blame was screened and received accolades at Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the 47th Chicago International Film Festival. His latest work 24 Hours in Lapa has involved writing for and recording Orchestra Victoria.
Thai Matus is the band's keyboardist. Before joining True Live he had performed extensively with a variety of Australian jazz artists, and studied under composers such as Barney McCall and Greg Sheehan. He has a Bachelor of Music from Southern Cross University.
Tim Blake is the group's cellist. After graduating from the VCA he has worked with compoers such as David Hirschfelder, and has over 50 credits to his name.
Thomas Butt is the group's double bassist and co-writer. Upon graduating from the VCA he has gained extensive experience in the jazz and groove world as a performer and recording artist. He also performs extensively as both DJ tomtom and DJ Lazer Ferrari, and runs music programs with at-risk young people.
Jazz rap
Jazz rap is a sub-genre of hip hop which incorporates jazz influences, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics are often based on political consciousness, Afrocentricity, and general positivism...
band formed in Melbourne, Australia. They had chart success with "TV" reaching #76 on the ARIA Single Chart and The Shape Of It reaching #85 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The group received regular play on radio and television and were chosen to perform at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
.
History
True Live was formed in 2003, consisting of 6 classically trained musicians. Under the leadership of Ryan Ritchie the band began to play gigs around Melbourne, including regular performances at The Evelyn and Revolver. During this time the group established its recognisable style, including a complete string section.In 2005 True Live signed with Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
and released its debut release, Mintons EP. The album was critically acclaimed, and received extensive play on Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
, the video clip being played regularly on Rage
Rage (TV program)
Rage is a popular all-night Australian music video program broadcast on ABC1 on Friday nights, Saturday mornings and Saturday nights. It was first screened on the weekend of Friday, 17 April 1987. With Soul Train no longer being produced, it is the oldest music television program currently still...
, Channel V
Channel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
and Video Hits
Video Hits (Australian TV series)
Video Hits was an Australian music video program that first aired on 15 February 1987. From 7 May 2011 it broadcasted on Network Ten for two hours each Saturday and Sunday morning: 10am – 12pm on Saturdays and 8am – 10am on Sundays. Video Hits was the world's second longest running music show...
. Subsequent songs from the record, such as 'Bounce', received similar coverage. During the 2005-2006 period the band toured, performing at the Meredith Music Festival, the Bangalow Jazz Festival and 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...
among others, performing with acts such as Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
, Roots Manuva
Roots Manuva
Rodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
and De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
. In October 2006 the band released its second release "The Shape of it", the lead single 'TV' receiving being played on a range of commercial stations across Australia, including Nova
Nova (radio network)
Nova is a name given to a group of Australian radio stations. The group comprises five stations all owned by DMG Radio Australia, apart from the Perth station, which is a joint venture between DMG and the Australian Radio Network....
and The Edge
Edge 96.1
The Edge 96.One is a music radio station based in outer Sydney, Australia but licensed to Katoomba. It is operated by the Australian Radio Network.-History:...
and its accompanying video clip appearing on major music programs.
In early 2007, True Live received four stars in Rolling Stone Magazine for their album and succeeded in selling out tours across Australia. In 2007 'TV' was used as the music in the Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)
Fox Sports is an Australia group of sports channels. They are owned by the Premier Media Group, which is in turn owned by News Corporation, and Consolidated Media Holdings. Its main competitors are ESPN, which has little local content and the free-to-air digital channel One HD...
advertisements and in 2008 'Let Out' was included in the TV mini series 'Underbelly'. In May 2008, True Live released 'The Shape of It' in Japan.
The band has now released its 2nd album 'Found Lost'. In early 2009 True Live signed to Melbourne record label Illusive Sounds
Illusive Sounds
Illusive Group is an independent Australian record label & touring company that represents a number of acts including Bliss n Eso, Lowrider, Paris Wells, Downsyde, Metals, True Live, Diafrix and X&Hell.-History:...
who are also the home of Bliss N Eso
Bliss n Eso
Bliss n Eso are an ARIA Award-winning Australian hip hop band based in Sydney, and were originally known as Bliss N' Esoterikizm for their debut EP The Arrival...
& Paris Wells
Paris Wells
Paris Wells is an Australian singer songwriter based in Melbourne. She has released two albums and one EP. Wells has played at festivals such as Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Meredith and Sydney Music Festival...
. In May through July 2009, True Live took 'Found Lost' on tour across the country.
Touring
True Live have supported international touring artists such as DJ ShadowDJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, Roots Manuva
Roots Manuva
Rodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
, Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
and Ozomatli
Ozomatli
Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.In a 2007 NPR interview, band...
on Australia-wide tours, and have
been a successful part of a number of festivals, including:
- The Big Day Out – (V Stage) Melbourne 2005
- Pyramid Rock – Main Stage, Phillip Island 2004, 2006, 2007
- Darling Harbour Jazz Festival - 2007
- Meredith Music festival – 2004, 2005
- We Love Sounds Festival – Opening for DJ Shadow Brisbane 2007
- Woodford Folk Festival – Main Stage 2005/2006, 2008/2009
- MS Fest ’06 – Launceston 2006
- Make Poverty History – Geelong/Perth 2007
- Southbound - Bussleton 2006
- The Falls Festival –Marion Bay, Lorne 2005/2006
- The Feelgood Festival – Luna Park, Sydney 2006
- The Great Escape – Sydney 2006, 2007
- The Commonwealth Games – Melbourne 2006
- Groovin’ The Moo – Maitland, Albury, Darwin 2006, 2007
- The West Coast Blues and Roots Festival – Fremantle 2007
- East Coast Blues and Roots Festival - 2008
- Kiss My Grass Festival – Melbourne 2007
- Rip Curl Pro World Championship Tour – 2005, 2006
- St Kilda Festival – 2004, 2005, 2008
- BBQ Breaks – Brisbane 2007
- Sound Safari - Melbourne - 2010
- musiques en stock - Cluses - 2011
- Sakifo Music Festival - Reunion - 2010
- Festival de La Cité at Lausanne - Switzerland - 2011
Music
True Live combines classical jazz, soul and hip hop music. Rather than relying on a DJ they incorporates violin, keyboard, cello, drums and double bass in live performance. Traditional Jazz riffs are commonplace throughout their music, as are deep contemporary grooves.Members
Ryan “RHyNO” Ritchie is the lead singer/rapper and the groups producer, composer, arranger and songwriter. He is multi instrumentalist, playing guitar, keyboard and programming drums as well as rapping and singing. He is also involved in The Raah Project released through Schema Records and is a central songwriter and producer for the Paris WellsParis Wells
Paris Wells is an Australian singer songwriter based in Melbourne. She has released two albums and one EP. Wells has played at festivals such as Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Meredith and Sydney Music Festival...
project.
Tamil Rogeon is the group's violinist, co-composer and manager. He has studied at the VCA with a particular interest in jazz. He's the co-founding member of The Raah Project, which launched it's first album Score on 2009. He composed the score for the feature film Blame. Blame was screened and received accolades at Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the 47th Chicago International Film Festival. His latest work 24 Hours in Lapa has involved writing for and recording Orchestra Victoria.
Thai Matus is the band's keyboardist. Before joining True Live he had performed extensively with a variety of Australian jazz artists, and studied under composers such as Barney McCall and Greg Sheehan. He has a Bachelor of Music from Southern Cross University.
Tim Blake is the group's cellist. After graduating from the VCA he has worked with compoers such as David Hirschfelder, and has over 50 credits to his name.
Thomas Butt is the group's double bassist and co-writer. Upon graduating from the VCA he has gained extensive experience in the jazz and groove world as a performer and recording artist. He also performs extensively as both DJ tomtom and DJ Lazer Ferrari, and runs music programs with at-risk young people.