True Live

Infobox musical artist
Name =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Melbourne, Australia
Genre = Jazz Rap
Years_active = 2003 — present
Label = Shock Records
URL = [http://www.truelive.com.au/ www.truelive.com.au]
Current_members = Ryan Ritchie
Tamil Rogeon
Thai Matus
Tim Blake
Ivan Khatchoyan
Tom Butt
Joel Mammone

True Live is an Australian jazz rap band formed in Melbourne, Australia. In its short life time it has achieved reasonable success, including 3 songs on the ARIA Charts [ [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ArchivedAustralianReleases-December2005.htm ARIA Charts 2005] . Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd 2005. Accessed 6 June 2007.] , regular plays on radio and television and being chosen to perform at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. [ [http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Festival+Melbourne2006/Performances/profiles/True+Live.htm "True Live"] Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation, 2006. Accessed 6 June 2007.]

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 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 album "The Shape of it", the lead single 'TV' receiving particular success being played on a range of commercial stations across Australia, including Nova and The Edge, its video clip appearing on all major music programs.

In early 2007 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, in 2008 'let out' was included in the TV mini series 'Underbelly'. In May 2008, True Live will be releasing 'The Shape of It' in Japan.

The band has now completed its 2nd album 'Found Lost' and has released the first single 'Damn Right' in Australia through Inertia.

True Live have had the honour to support international touring artists such as DJ Shadow,The Roots, De La Soul, Roots Manuva, Moby and Ozomatli on Australia-wide tours, and havebeen a successful part of a number of festivals, including:
*The Big Day Out – (V Stage) Melbourne 2005
*Pyramid Rock – Main StagePhillip 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
*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
*BBQ Breaks – Brisbane 2007

Music

True Live combines classical and hip hop music. Rather than relying on a DJ it 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 has previously been involved in groups such as the Australian Boys Choir, studied at the Victorian College of Arts (VCA) and arranged for artists such as A-Love and Elf Tranzporter. He is multi instrumentalist, playing guitar, keyboard and drums as well as rapping and singing.

Tamil Rogeon is the group's violinist and occasionally contributes arrangements, and first suggested adding a full string backing to the bands songs. He has studied at the VCA with a particular interest in jazz.

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.

Ivan Khatchoyan is the drummer on the bands recordings. Prior to joining he studied at the VCA, his experience is rooted in deep funk, jazz and soul and is regarded as one of Australia's finest funk drummer.

Joel Mammone is the bands live drummer, coming from an Italian and Brazilian background Joel learned to play drums at 4 coming of age as a percussionist in Brazil's Favelas.

Tom Butt is the group's double bassist. Upon graduating from the VCA he has gained extensive experience in the jazz groove world, he now splits his time between the band and time working as a DJ.

Andy Walters is the group's sound technician.

External links

* [http://www.truelive.com.au/ True Live]
* [http://www.myspace.com/truelive Myspace (has music samples)]

References