SLOW DANCE UNDERWATER

The origins of Slow Dance Underwater stretch back to 1999, just after Lola (Ray) heard "The Sketchy EP" by Onelinedrawing. For those of you who don't know Onelinedrawing is actually just one guy - Jonah Matranga; who plays all the instruments and handles the recordings and producing, but he does have a little help from his friends. Lola was inspired by Jonah's do-it-yourself mentality, and his wholehearted approach to music making.

A short six weeks later she decided that starting a band by herself was much too much work, plus she couldn't decide on a name. All song lyrics and ideas floated, listless under her bed for a time, until a wondering eyeliner pencil found them again, one grey September morn.

Eight months and a semester of uni passed (Lola was studying music). Then one rainy day before World Music, an unkempt boy in a Cursive shirt sidled up and asked if he could share Lola's umbrella. Elliott (Johnen) became the second member of the band, they were discussing band names and who they would open for by the end of the lecture.

With the new inspiration of a second member, Lola felt energized and she had the brilliant idea for a Slow Dance Underwater sign-up day. Lola and Elliott decided that instead of opting for the low-fi two people sound they wanted as many instruments, and as many talented people as possible. After try-outs and the grueling elimination process, requests from friends, begging, pleading, and bribes they ended up with 11 members.

The final line up was Lola Ray; on lead guitar and vocals, Elliott Johnen; on keys, Frieda Cambria; on guitar, Callum Alexander; on bass; Judy Connolly; on drums, Gerald Smith; as second drummer and percussion extraordinaire, Sam Crow; on trumpet, Veronica; on violin, Audrey & Sabelle; as backup singers/dancers; and Hamish; as the band's magician and extra entertainment, who also plays harmonica.

All members of the band hail from Brisbane, in the sunny state of Queensland. And no matter how famous we get, we will always call Australia home!

Slow Dance Underwater have been called a mix between Broken Social Scene and Cursive. They are a blend of atmospheric indie rock with a sharper edge, making you look beyond the surface of the pop-melodies and realize each song is a well constructed piece of music.

Influences

• Jonah Matranga
• Pinback
• Minus The Bear
• Architechture In Helsinki
• Rilo Kiley