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The Jezabels

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The Jezabels
The Jezabels performing in 2012
L–R: Hayley Mary, Nik Kaloper, Sam Lockwood; Heather Shannon is out of shot.
Background information
OriginSydney, Australia
Genres
Years active2007–2017; 2022–2024
Labels
Members
  • Hayley Mary
  • Nikolas Stephan Kaloper
  • Samuel Henry Lockwood
  • Heather Gail Shannon
Websitethejezabels.com

The Jezabels are an Australian indie rock band formed in Sydney in 2007. It consists of lead vocalist Hayley Mary, guitarist Sam Lockwood, pianist and keyboardist Heather Shannon, and drummer and percussionist Nik Kaloper.[1]

From 2009 to 2010, the group released three EPs, The Man Is Dead, She's So Hard, and Dark Storm—all produced and engineered by Lachlan Mitchell. Two of their releases have reached the ARIA Singles Chart Top 40: the Dark Storm EP (October 2010) and the single "Endless Summer" (August 2011).

The Jezabels released their debut studio album, Prisoner, on 16 September 2011. It peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and won Best Independent Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 2012. Their second album, The Brink, came out on 31 January 2014. Synthia, their third record, was issued on 12 February 2016.

The band went on indefinite hiatus in December 2017[2] and reunited for a concert tour in 2022.

History

[edit]

Formation and EP trilogy: 2007–2010

[edit]

The Jezabels formed in 2007 after the four members met as students at the University of Sydney.[1][3] Their music was described by the national radio station Triple J as a blend of alternative rock, indie rock,[4][5] and disco-pop.[6] The band's Facebook page describes their genre as "intensindie".[7] Their name is based on the biblical character Jezebel, whom Mary perceived as being "misunderstood or misrepresented".[1][5] Hayley Mary and Heather Shannon both went to Byron Bay High School and had performed together as a folk duo in Byron Bay.[8][9] Samuel Lockwood grew up in Bangalow and attended the same school.[10] Lockwood recognised Mary and Shannon when he saw them at university and invited them to join a band for a competition.[3] Mary recalled: "It was a combination of four individual desires to play music and taking whatever opportunities we could find – which happened to be each other ... From there the process has pretty much been one of reconciling musical differences. But we're getting closer".[3]

Hayley Mary performing with the Jezabels in 2009

On 3 February 2009, the Jezabels' debut EP, The Man Is Dead, was released independently via MGM Distribution.[11][12][13] It was recorded at Megaphon & Production Ave Studios and produced by the Jezabels and Lachlan Mitchell.[14][15] On 6 November of that year, the band followed with a second EP, She's So Hard, which included the tracks "Easy to Love" and "Hurt Me".[16][17][18] Both EPs received significant radio airplay, including on Sydney's FBi Radio[19] and Triple J. They also received airplay in the US, where in August, "Disco Biscuit Love" reached No. 96 on CMJ.[14] On 22 December, the Jezabels were the Triple J Unearthed featured artist, described as "[d]ramatic, energetic, uplifting, indie rock with a commanding lead singer. We've picked them to play Field Day – a great way to start the new year!"[4] She's So Hard was the No. 3 most added on US college radio for 2009.[20]

On 1 October 2010, the Jezabels released the third EP, Dark Storm,[21] which peaked in the top 40 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[22] The Age's Peter Vincent felt "[t]heirs is a timeless sound that is radio-friendly: moody female vocals soaring over strong percussion and slow-building guitar and piano/keyboard lines".[23]

The Jezabels performing in Katoomba, 2010

Debut album: 2011–2013

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In August 2011, the Jezabels released a new single, "Endless Summer",[24] which peaked in the top 40 of the ARIA Singles Chart.[22]

On 16 September, they published their debut studio album, Prisoner, which reached No. 2 on the ARIA Album Chart.[22] It was recorded at Sydney's Attic Studios, with Mitchell producing and Peter Katis mixing.[25] Vulture's Anna Moull described it in a review: "a dramatic gothic epic, with a twist of 80's power-house rock. Jezabels singer Hayley Mary sums up their sound perfectly as 'Bronte-esque gothic (and) melodramatic'. Channelling Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury and Cyndi Lauper, Mary's vocals are a force to be reckoned with".[25] The website gave Prisoner 7 out of 10 points. By 31 December 2011, the album was certified gold by ARIA for the sale of 35,000 units.[26]

The Brink, Synthia, and hiatus: 2013–2017

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In late 2013, the Jezabels released a song titled "The End" as the first single from their second album, The Brink, which came out on 31 January 2014.[27]

Synthia, the band's third album, was published on 12 February 2016. Reviewing the record song for song, XS Noize's Sandra Blemster compared Mary to Kate Bush and Chrissie Hynde. She wrote: "On listening to Synthia, I feel like I've paid a visit to the cinema and watched a gripping, extraordinary film. You know when a film captures you that much and you come out, it's daylight and your eyes hurt from the sun? That's how this album felt. Intoxicating stuff: maybe it's a full moon".[28] The Sydney Morning Herald's Jenny Valentish wrote, Synthia was "everything fans love the band for: volatile, provocative and intelligent."[29]

The band entered a hiatus following the tour in support for Synthia. In October 2021, they announced their reunion, with a commemorative ten-year anniversary tour for Prisoner, starting in June 2022.[30]

Touring and side projects

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Heather Shannon on keyboards, April 2011
Nik Kaloper, Southbound Festival, Busselton, January 2012

The Jezabels toured nationally to promote the release of She's So Hard in 2009.[31] In November and December 2010, they undertook another national tour after launching Dark Storm.[32] They also supported Canadian pop-rock sister duo Tegan and Sara on their 2009 Australian tour.[33]

In October 2010, they played a 13-date tour of North America as the supporting act for Two Hours Traffic.[34]

In August 2012, they performed at Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago,[35] and appeared at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal, Canada.[36]

The band appeared as special guests on Depeche Mode's Delta Machine world tour in the UK and Ireland in November 2013.[37]

The Jezabels had to cancel their 2016 world tour shortly before Synthia was released, as Shannon needed immediate treatment for an ovarian cancer that had been diagnosed three years before.[38] In July 2016, the band announced that Shannon was "feeling strong again after her treatment" and that they would start touring again in September. Shannon had used the pause from tour life to collaborate with Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett on his solo debut, A Version of Now.

Hayley Mary appeared on the Birds of Tokyo track "Discoloured", from their 2016 album Brace. On 14 October 2019, she released her debut solo single, "The Piss, the Perfume". She has since issued three EPs, and her first full-length album is set to come out on 25 October 2024.[39]

Band members

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  • Nikolas Stephan Kaloper – drums, percussion
  • Samuel Henry Lockwood – guitars
  • Hayley Mary – lead vocals
  • Heather Gail Shannon – keyboards, piano

Discography

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Albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[22]
Prisoner
  • Released: 16 September 2011
  • Label: The Jezabels (JEZ-004) / Play It Again Sam
  • Format: CD, digital
 2
The Brink
  • Released: 31 January 2014
  • Label: The Jezabels (JEZ-005) / Play It Again Sam
 2
Synthia
  • Released: 12 February 2016
  • Label: The Jezabels (JEZ-0056)
  • Format: CD, digital
 4

EPs

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[22]
The Man Is Dead[11][12][13]
  • Released: February 2009
  • Label: The Jezabels (JEZ-001)
  • Format: CD, digital
 —
She's So Hard
  • Released: November 2009
  • Label: The Jezabels (JEZ-002)
  • Format: CD, digital
 —
Dark Storm
  • Released: October 2010
  • Label: The Jezabels (JEZ-003)
  • Format: CD, digital
 40

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, showing year released, album name, and selected chart positions and certifications
Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[22] 		AUS
Indie
[22]
"Endless Summer" 2011 39 — Prisoner
"Trycolour" — —
"Rosebud" 2012 — —
"City Girl" 80 —
"The End" 2013 81 5 The Brink
"Look of Love" 2014 — —
"Angels of Fire" — —
"Time to Dance" — —
"All You Need" — —
"Come Alive" 2015 — — Synthia
"Pleasure Drive" 2016 — —
"The Others" 2017 — — Non-album single

Awards and nominations

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AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote, and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010[43][44] Dark Storm Best Independent Single/EP Nominated
themselves Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year Nominated
2011[44] Dark Storm Best Independent Single/EP Won
themselves Independent Artist of the Year Won
2012[44][45] Prisoner Best Independent Album Nominated
themselves Independent Artist of the Year Won

APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards have been presented annually since 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association, "honouring composers and songwriters".[46]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2011 Nikolas Kaloper, Samuel Lockwood, Hayley McGlone, Heather Shannon Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated [47]
2012 "Endless Summer" Song of the Year Shortlisted [48]
2015 "The End" Rock Work of the Year Nominated [49]

ARIA Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2011[50][51] Dark Storm Single of the Year Nominated
Breakthrough Artist – Single Nominated
Best Independent Release Nominated
2012[52][53] Prisoner Album of the Year Nominated
Best Group Nominated
Best Independent Release Won
Best Rock Album Nominated
Prisoner album launch Best Australian Live Act Nominated
Prisoner – Lachlan Mitchell Producer of the Year Nominated
Engineer of the Year Nominated
Prisoner – Christopher Doyle Best Cover Art Nominated

Australian Music Prize

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The Australian Music Prize is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The prize commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2011[54] Prisoner Australian Music Prize Won

J Awards

[edit]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 themselves Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated
2011 Prisoner Australian Album of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards are a broad recognition of Australia's live music industry. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017[55][56] Jezabels Live Act of the Year Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Cherrie, Chrysta. "The Jezabels". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  2. ^ Leeson, Josh (25 March 2019). "The Jezabels focus energies on creative not commercial ambitions". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "The Jezabels". The Bowery Presents. 17 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  4. ^ a b "The Jezabels – Featured Artist". Unearthed. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 December 2009. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b Lam, Lana (20 May 2009). "The Jezabels". Central Coast Express Advocate. News Limited (News Corporation). p. 35. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Josh Pyke and The Jezabels". Macarthur Chronicle. News Limited (News Corporation). 26 May 2009. p. 85.
  7. ^ "The Jezabels Official Facebook Page – Info". The Jezabels. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  8. ^ Mulcahy, Terry (11 October 2011). "The Jezabels – Prisoner". Wears the Trousers. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  9. ^ "'Hurt Me' : The Jezabels". OzTrax. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  10. ^ Snel, Claire (11 October 2011). "Interview with The Jezabels". Common Ground Byron Bay. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  11. ^ a b " The Jezabels – The Man Is Dead CD review". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers (News Limited (News Corporation)). 19 February 2009. p. 47.
  12. ^ a b Humphries, Glen (19 February 2009). "The Man Is Dead". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Media. p. 30.
  13. ^ a b Jack, Victoria (5 February 2009). " cd review". The Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 30.
  14. ^ a b "Jezabel's New EP She's So Hard". Two Fish out of Water. 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 8 August 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
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  27. ^ Greg Moskovitch (13 November 2013). "The Jezabels Announce New Album 'The Brink' and Premiere New Video". Music Feeds. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  28. ^ "Album Review: The Jezabels – Synthia". xsnoize.com. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  29. ^ "How the Jezabels survived a trial by fire". smh.com.au. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  30. ^ Gallagher, Alex (31 October 2021). "The Jezabels Announce 'Prisoner' 10th Anniversary Tour for Next Year". Music Feeds. Evolve Media. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  31. ^ The Jezabels 'She's So Hard' Tour – The Jezabels at Annandale Hotel, Annandale, NSW on 26 Nov 09, 8:00 PM. Liveguide.com.au (26 November 2009). Retrieved on 14 December 2011.[dead link]
  32. ^ The Jezabels To Play In April | Beat Magazine. Beat.com.au. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.
  33. ^ "The Jezabels New EP – She's So Hard". seenandheard.com.au. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  34. ^ The Jezabels w/Two Hours Traffic & Galleon @ Ed Castle 27/11/10 Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Ravereview.com.au. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.
  35. ^ Jake Brown (31 July 2012). "Ten Questions We Ask Lollapalooza Performers: The Jezabels". Glorious Noise. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  36. ^ "The Jezabels at Osheaga 2012". Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.[dead link]
  37. ^ "Depeche Mode". Songkick. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  38. ^ "The Jezabels cancel tour as keyboardist undergoes cancer treatment". NME. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  39. ^ "Hayley Mary Announces Debut Album 'Roman XS'". musicfeeds.com.au. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  40. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  42. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". ARIA. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Jagermeister Independent Music Awards Nominations Announced!". 1 September 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  44. ^ a b c "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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  47. ^ "Nominations > Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year – 2011". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  48. ^ "APRA Announce Star-Studded Song of the Year Top 30". Noise11. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  49. ^ "Rock Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2015. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  50. ^ "The Countdown Begins...Nominations Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  51. ^ "2011 ARIA Awards Winners By Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  52. ^ "Winners & Nominees Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  53. ^ "2012 ARIA Awards Winners By Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  54. ^ "Winners & Shortlists". australian music prize. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  55. ^ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  56. ^ "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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