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Monique Brumby

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Monique Brumby
Monique Brumby performing in Canberra, November 2005
Monique Brumby performing in Canberra, November 2005
Background information
Born (1974-09-16) 16 September 1974 (age 50)
Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
GenresIndie pop, rock
Years active1993–present
LabelsSony, Columbia, Shock, Rajon
Websitemoniquebrumby.com

Monique Brumby (born 16 September 1974)[1] is an Australian Indie pop/rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer.[2] Her debut single, "Fool for You", peaked into the top 40 in the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) ARIA Singles Charts,[3] and provided an ARIA Award for Best New Talent at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996.[4][5] Her single, "Mary", won an ARIA Music Awards of 1997 for ARIA Award for Best Female Artist.[4][6]

Brumby's songs have been used for television: Neighbours, Home and Away, McLeod's Daughters,[7] The Secret Life of Us[8] and Heartbreak High;[9][10] and in the Australian films: Diana & Me (1997) and Occasional Coarse Language (1998).[11]

Early years

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Brumby was born in 1974 in Devonport, Tasmania, and moved to Hobart at age seven.[12] She attended three different primary schools including Lauderdale Primary School (in nearby Clarence) and then secondary school at St Michael's Collegiate School to Year 12; she sang in stage musicals and tried out for women's soccer. In 1991, she was selected for the Australian under-19 youth team in a three test series against New Zealand.[13][14] While still at school, Brumby busked by singing to acoustic guitar in Hobart streets and obtained some part-time gigs.[12][15] In 1993, after leaving school, Brumby had paying gigs in Hobart clubs and then travelled to England on a working holiday as a boarding house mistress for a year;[15] she returned to Tasmania to write songs and, in 1995, relocated to Melbourne, where she performed in local pubs and clubs. She joined a guitar-based band and wrote songs with its members before leaving to concentrate on her own songs.[15] In September 1995, she was the support act for Jeff Buckley's performance at The Athenaeum in Melbourne and at the Phoenician Club in Sydney.[16]

Career

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1995-1997 : "Fool for You" to Thylacine

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Brumby signed with Sony Records,[17] she wrote and recorded her debut single, "Fool for You",[15][18] which was released in April 1996 and peaked at No. 31 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) ARIA Singles Charts.[3] It provided an ARIA Award for Best New Talent at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996.[4][5] The single was also nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Single and Producer of the Year for its producer, David Bridie (member of My Friend The Chocolate Cake).[2][4][5][15] Musicians used on the recording were: Rob Craw on guitar and backing vocals, Will Dickins on bass guitar, Stephen Moffatt on guitar, and Greg Patten (also from My Friend The Chocolate Cake) on drums.[15] In October 1996, Brumby attended a Mushroom Records-run writers' workshop, she worked with Paul Kelly to co-write "Melting".[15][19] Kelly included the track on his Words and Music released in 1998.[9] Brumby's version appeared on her 2006 album, Into the Blue.[20]

"Mary" was released in September 1996. In addition to Craw, Moffatt and Patten, Brumby's session musicians for the EP included: Michael Barker on drums, Bridie on piano and keyboards, and Paul Kelly on harmonica. "Mary" won the 1997 'Best Female Artist' ARIA for Brumby and received another nomination as 'Producer of the Year' for Bridie.[4][6]

Her debut album, Thylacine, was produced by Bridie and released in June 1997 by Sony/Columbia.[21][22] Brumby used session musicians: Barker, Bridie, Craw, Dickins, Moffatt and Patten, with Helen Mountfort (My Friend The Chocolate Cake) on cello, Simon Polinski on bass guitar.[21] In June and July, Brumby was the support act for Kelly on a national tour.[15] Thylacine provided Brumby with an ARIA Award nomination for 'Best Female Artist' and the associated single, "The Change in Me" was nominated for "Song of the Year" in 1998.[4][23] The B-side, "My Friend Jack",[24] was co-written with Maryanne Window, her guitarist/bass guitarist. Brumby was also awarded Young Tasmanian of the Year in the field of the Arts.[25] Also in 1997, an art photography magazine, Black + White, published The black+white album – A visual celebration of Australian music which included semi-nude photos of Brumby.[26]

1998-2002: Eventide to Signal Hill

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Brumby co-produced her EP, Eventide, with Polinski, which was released on Sony/Columbia in August 1998 with its lead track, "Wrecking Ball" receiving most airplay. For the EP, Brumby provided songwriting, vocals, guitars (acoustic and electric) and djembe with Window on acoustic and bass guitars, and co-writing "Way it Goes" with Brumby.[27] Brumby described Eventide:

There's a lot more space in the music on Eventide. The songs have got more of an edge and there's also some experimentation with electronica. We thought we'd release the five tracks as a bit of a taste test[12]

— Monique Brumby, 13 October 1998, The Examiner

Brumby started writing songs and making preliminary recordings for her second album,[12] Signal Hill,[15] however problems occurred with Sony and she left to form her own label, Little Wind. Her first independent release was "Silver Dollars" in November 2000 which was distributed by M. Brumby also provided vocals, guitars and keyboards, with assistance of session musicians including her live band, The Riders, consisting of Window, Tom Rouch and Shamus Goble. Additional musicians were Tim Powels (The Church), Joe Creighton (The Revelators), Barry Palmer (Hunters & Collectors, Deadstar), Angus Husband, Stuart Harrison, Bruce Haymes (The Casuals, Professor Ratbaggy), Chris Wilson, Adam Pedretti (Killing Heidi), Craig Patterson and Rachel Samuel.[28] Signal Hill was released on 7 October 2002 by Little Wind distributed by Shock Records, and was produced by Brumby, Moffatt, Polinski and Paul McKercher.[2] In April 2003 Brumby toured the east coast of Australia as a support act to Michelle Shocked.[29]

2003-2006: "Driving Home" to Into the Blue

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Window became Brumby's manager and a member of Monique Brumby & the Riders to tour in support of Brumby's releases. Other members of the Riders for her 2003 single, "Driving Home", were: Shamus Goble on drums and Tom Rouch on electric and slide guitars.[2][9] She toured extensively throughout Australia, including a performance in her home town of Hobart playing alongside Jewel and george as part of the 'A Day on the Green' concert. Live versions of "The Change in Me" and "Prophecy" by Brumby were released on the associated various artists' album, A Day on the Green, Live!.[30] In 2005 she participated in Garageband, a project from Irish singer, Andy White, she recorded vocals for the band's self-titled album, Garageband.[31] Brumby was the support act on the Australian tour by US group, The Bangles.[32][33]

In March 2006, Brumby released her third album, Into the Blue, produced by Brumby and Doug Roberts (Deborah Conway, Chris Wilson, Jack Jones, The Badloves).[2] The album was mastered by Leon Zervos at Sterling Sound, NYC, features her version of "Melting", co-written with Paul Kelly, who appeared as a guest performer,[20] as well as guest performances by Michael Spiby and Kerri Simpson.

In October 2006 she played as the support act for Pete Yorn's Australian performances.[34]

2007-present: Skeletons' Polka and Monique Brumby

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In 2007 Brumby produced South Australian singer-songwriter, Emily Davis' debut album, Moving in Slow Motion—it was Brumby's first production for another artist.

Emily was looking for a producer so I'd realised her potential and said I'd be interested in helping out. Emily's eyes kinda lit up and it went from there. And it was a great experience as I'd never produced anyone before. So I learnt a lot, especially with Pro Tools. And we actually mixed Emily's album in my lounge room after we'd laid down some good bass and drum tracks at Doug Roberts' studio.[35]

— Monique Brumby, July 2009, Rip it Up

She has since produced the debut album, Zenith Valley, for Melbourne based acoustic rock group, Mosaik.[36][37]

Brumby formed Monique Brumby and the Flash Mob, with Shamus Goble, Maryanne Window, Dave Higgins on keyboards and Sophie Turner on guitar. In 2008 they were the support act for another tour by The Bangles.[38][39][40] From July 2009, she recorded her fourth album, Skeletons' Polka, co-produced with Mark Opitz.[41]

I'm very excited about the new songs. I went 'home' to Tassie for a month and just demoed the songs using a vocal booth and a little eight-track recorder. It was very relaxing – it's always good to get back to Tassie and reconnect – and then I brought the demos home and played around with them using Pro Tools and added reverb and stuff like that before sending them off to Vicki [Peterson of The Bangles]. I also gave copies to people such as David Bride [sic] and Jeff Lang who are going to be playing on the album so that they could begin thinking about what they might be able to add.[35]

— Monique Brumby, July 2009, Rip it Up

Brumby undertook a series of album launches starting on 19 March 2010 in Hobart to showcase Skeletons' Polka and its first single, "They're Still Alive", both issued on Little Wing/Rajon.[42][43]

In 2011, Brumby released "Underground" which was to be released from her fifth album Half Moon, Half Everything (October 2011) but the album never eventuated. Monique's self-titled fifth studio album was released in January 2014, which included "Underground" and singles "All the Ways" and "Silent War".

Personal life

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In the December 1997 issue of Outrage, Brumby acknowledged that she is a lesbian, and although some see her as a role model, her sexuality is only one facet of her personality and she would rather be described as a musician.[44][45]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[46]
Thylacine
  • Released: June 1997
  • Label: Sony/Columbia (487196 2)
  • Format: CD, Cassette
 58
Signal Hill
  • Released: October 2002
  • Label: Little Wind/Shock Records (M1249)
  • Format: CD, Digital
 -
Into the Blue
  • Released: March 2006
  • Label: Little Wind/Rajon Records (CDR0565)
  • Format: CD, Digital
 -
Skeletons' Polka
  • Released: March 2010
  • Label: Little Wind/Rajon Records
  • Format: CD, Digital
 -
Monique Brumby
  • Released: January 2014
  • Label: Little Wind/Rajon Records (201445667)
  • Format: CD, Digital
 -

EPs

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Title Details
Eventide
  • Released: August 1998)
  • Label: Columbia Records (666470-2)
  • Format: CD

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[46]
"Fool for You" 1996 31 Thylacine
"Mary" 78
"The Change in Me" 1998 57
"Silver Dollars" 2000 — Signal Hill
"As Sweet as You Are" 2002 —
"Driving Home" 2003 —
"Daisy Chain" 2006 — Into The Blue
"They're Still Alive" 2010 — Skeletons' Polka
"Underground" 2011 — Monique Brumby
"All the Ways" 2013 —
"Silent War" 2014 —
"I Am Woman" (with Judith Lucy) 2015 — non album singles
"Stop Adani Dirty Coal Mine" 2019 —
"Drive Me Crazy" 2020 —
"Poland" —
"Tom Deliver" —
"Closer to the Truth" 2021 —

Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1996 "Fool for You" Best New Talent Won [4]
Breakthrough Artist - Single Nominated
David Bridie for Monique Brumby "Fool for You" Producer of the Year Nominated
1997 "Mary" Best Female Artist Won [4][6]
David Bridie for Monique Brumby "Mary" Producer of the Year Nominated
1998 Thylacine Best Female Artist Nominated [4]
"The Change in Me" Song of the Year Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Monique Brumby sings for the race". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 October 1999. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e Holmgren, Magnus. "Monique Brumby". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Discography Monique Brumby". Australian Charts Portal. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "ARIA Awards 2008 : History : Winners by Artist : Monique Brumby". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b c "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1996: 10th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  6. ^ a b c "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1997: 11th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  7. ^ "McLeods Daughters – Season Four". McLeods Drovers Run. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  8. ^ "The Secret Life of Us: music". Australian Television Information. Archived from the original on 6 July 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  9. ^ a b c "Brumby, Monique". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 27 January 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Heartbreak High Music – Season 6". Heartbreak-high.com. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  11. ^ "Occasional Coarse Language – soundtrack". Australian Television Memorabilia Guide. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d "No ordinary school prize". The Examiner. 13 October 1998. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  13. ^ 1992 Tasmanian year book. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1992. p. 101. Retrieved 16 July 2009. NOTE: on-line version has limited access
  14. ^ Brumby, Monique (10 September 2004). "Forum > Q & A". Monique Brumby. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2009. NOTE: Archived copy of early official Monique Brumby website: may not have full functionality.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Monique Brumby – The Biography". AAW. 21 February 1998. Archived from the original on 22 November 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2009. NOTE: Archived copy, has white text on white background.
  16. ^ "Jeff Buckley tour". Frontier Touring Company. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  17. ^ Mathieson, Craig (2000). The Sell-In: How the Music Business seduced Alternative Rock. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-0-09-183547-7.
  18. ^ ""Fool for You" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  19. ^ ""Melting" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  20. ^ a b "Into The Blue [sound recording] : [album]". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  21. ^ a b Brumby, Monique (30 August 2007). "Music – Production & Release Notes: Thylacine". Monique Brumby. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  22. ^ "Monique Brumby Thylacine CD Australia". CD Universe. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  23. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1998: 12th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  24. ^ ""My Friend Jack" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  25. ^ McCormack, Louise (20 March 2008). "Monique Brumby". Cherrie. Evolution Publishing. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  26. ^ "Black + White: The Album". Studio Magazines. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  27. ^ ""Way it Goes" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  28. ^ "Brumby, Monique". Music Australia. 24 January 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  29. ^ "Michelle Shocked Tour dates 2003". MichelleShocked.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  30. ^ "A Day on the Green – Various Artists". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  31. ^ "Garageband – White, Andy". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  32. ^ "No more manic Mondays". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 September 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  33. ^ "Vicki Q&A – February 2006 archive". Bangles official website. December 2005. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  34. ^ "Pete Yorn supports announced!". FasterLouder.com. 4 October 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2009.,
  35. ^ a b Dunstan, Robert (July 2009). "Monique Brumby". Rip It Up magazine. Rip It Up Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  36. ^ "Zenith Valley – Mosaik". Play4Me.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  37. ^ "Mosaik – Zenith valley". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  38. ^ "The Bangles/Monique Brumby". Rave magazine. Rave Magazine Pty Ltd. 7 October 2007. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  39. ^ "The Bangles @ The Enmore Theatre, Sydney". FasterLouder.com. 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  40. ^ "The Bangles Australian Tour 2008". LiveGuide.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  41. ^ "Signal Hill – Monique Brumby". CD Baby. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  42. ^ Eliezer, Christie (27 April 2010). "Monique Brumby". Rave Magazine. Colin Rankin. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  43. ^ Turfrey, Claire (10 March 2010). "The unique Miss Monique". The Advocate. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  44. ^ "Monique Brumby-Signal Hill". Sydney Star Observer. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Community Publishing Limited. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  45. ^ Shale, Erin (1999). Inside Out: An Australian Collection of Coming Out Stories. Melbourne, Victoria: Bookman Press. ISBN 978-1-86395-265-1.
  46. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 42.
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