Evermore (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Evermore

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Img_capt = Evermore at the Big Day Out 2007
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Feilding, New Zealand
Genre = Alternative rock
Indie rock
Years_active = 1999–present
Label = Warner Music
URL = http://www.evermoreband.com
Current_members = Jon Hume
Peter Hume
Dann Hume

Evermore is an alternative/indie rock band originally from Feilding, New Zealand, now based in Melbourne, Australia. The band consists of the Hume brothers – Jon (guitar, vocals), Peter (keyboards, bass, piano, vocals) and Dann (drums, vocals). The band have released two platinum-selling albums, "Dreams" (2004) and "Real Life" (2006), have been nominated for six ARIA Awards, and have won two Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

History

Background

Evermore consists of brothers Jon, Peter, and Dann. Jon was born in Australia, while Peter and Dann were born in New Zealand. The three were raised and home-schooled in Feilding, Manawatu-Wanganui. [cite web|url=http://www.feilding.co.nz/ |title=Friendly Feilding, New Zealand's most beautiful town|publisher=Feilding|accessdate=2007-12-26] The brothers were introduced to music at a young age by their parents, and frequently listened to their record collection. The name "Evermore" was taken from the Led Zeppelin song "The Battle of Evermore" in 1999.cite web|url=http://wc07.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:apftxq8kldte~T1 |title=Evermore > Biography|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=2007-12-27|author=Jason Ankeny] Jon says the trio's parents were highly supportive of them taking up music, stating "they always wanted us to do something creative...Nothing was too risky." [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10388791&pnum=2 |title=Evermore in the Running|publisher="New Zealand Herald"|author=Barry, Rebecca|date=2006-07-02|accessdate=2007-12-28]

Rise to fame (2000–2003)

In 2000, Evermore entered Rockquest with Richard Higham, who played bass guitar in the band at the time.cite web|url=http://www.soulshine.com.au/_article/2007/28/01/93-pete-hume-evermore.html |title=Pete Hume - Evermore interview|accessdate=2007-12-27|author=Case, Alex|date=2007-01-28|publisher=Soulshine.com.au] The band was successful in the competition, and used the prize money to help fund their studio, Red Sky Studio.

Evermore's first EP, "Slipping Away", was released on 1 December 2002, with only 300 copies pressed. However, the EP received regular airplay on Triple J, and was thus able to garner the band some attention. Their next EP, "Oil & Water", released 13 January 2003 resulted in the band's first concert tour, again supported by Triple J. "My Own Way", the band's third EP, was released on 15 September 2003, after which the band toured with American band Brad.

In August 2003, Evermore appeared on the cover of "New Zealand Musician" in New Zealand, following success in "Project NZM" - a promotion by radio station ZM to gain awareness for up-and-coming bands. [cite web|url=http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/printversion/pi_articleid/632 |title=Evermore August/September 2004 |publisher="New Zealand Musician"|accessdate=2007-12-27]

Dreams (2003–2006)

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title="It's Too Late"
description=23 second sample from "It's Too Late"
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"Dreams", Evermore's debut studio album, was released on 27 September 2004 in Australia. It peaked at number fifteen on the ARIA albums chart, and number thirty on the RIANZ albums chart. Three singles were released from the album; "It's Too Late", "For One Day", and "Come To Nothing"; which charted moderately. [cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=40595&cat=a |title=Evermore - Dreams|publisher=australian-charts.com|accessdate=2007-12-26] The three singles were featured on the New Zealand and Australian promos of "The O.C.", with "It's Too Late" ultimately appearing on the show. A remixed version of "It's Too Late" with Dirty South, titled "It's Too Late (Ride On)", was also released, and appeared on numerous compilation albums. [cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Evermore |title=Evermore|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=2007-12-30]

On "Dreams", Evermore worked with producer Barrett Jones (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Whiskeytown), who was introduced to the band by Brad on their past tour.cite web|url=http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/352/iv-Evermore.shtml |title=Evermore.|publisher=dBmagazine.com.au|author=Sosnowski, Ann Marie|date=2005-02-23|accessdate=2007-12-27] The band's Red Sky Studio in Feilding was flooded in February 2004, [cite web|url=http://www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/news/feb-floods/ |title=The February 2004 New Zealand Floods|publisher=National Climate Centre|accessdate=2007-12-27] so the band relocated to Seattle for recording.cite web|url=http://www.soundgenerator.com/viewArticle.cfm?ArticleID=17417 |title=Evermore - Dreams|publisher=Soundgenerator.com|accessdate=2007-12-27|author=Goodman, Eleanor|date=2006-05-20|work=News Desk]

"Dreams" differed to Evermore's earlier "retro-sounding, riff-based pop-rock" works, and instead contained a more "spacious" sound according to Jon. He said he drew inspiration and was influenced by Silverchair and Muse, as well as Pink Floyd. Jon also noted that the band initially wanted to create a concept album, but stated that "we sort of had to tone it back a bit, because we wanted to make a double album". Soundgenerator.com reviewer Eleanor Goodman described "Dreams" as "clear rather than grungy, soulful rather than angsty".

The band released "The Lakeside Sessions Vol. 1", an iTunes-exclusive live acoustic EP on 20 December 2005. [cite web |url = http://www.warnermusic.com.au/newsfeature,conmap,283120 |title = Evermore record exclusively for iTunes |accessdate = 2007-08-12 |date = 2005 |publisher = Warner Music Australasia]

"Real Life" (2006–present)

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filename=Evermore - Running.ogg
title="Running"
description=25 second sample from "Running"
format=OggListen
filename=Evermore - Light Surrounding You.ogg
title="Light Surrounding You"
description=23 second sample from "Light Surrounding You"
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Evermore's second album, "Real Life", was released on 8 July 2006 by Warner Music. The album peaked at number five on the ARIA albums chart and number two on the RIANZ albums chart, spending over half a year in both.cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=37616&cat=a |title=Evermore - Real Life|publisher=australian-charts.com|accessdate=2007-12-27] It was also certified platinum in Australia. [cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Albums.htm |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2006 Albums|publisher=ARIA|accessdate=2007-12-27] Four singles were released from the album; "Running", "Light Surrounding You", "Unbreakable", and "Never Let You Go". Of these, "Light Surrounding You" charted best, and became Evermore's first number one single.

"Real Life" was initially recorded on the Central Coast of New South Wales, where the band spent three months.cite web|url=http://www.xdafied.com.au/interviews/evermore.html |title=Evermore interview|publisher=Xdafied.com.au|author=Webb, Dan|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2006-07-20] Production moved to Easton, Maryland for an additional three months, and continued recording with producer John Alagía. Says Peter, "we did nearly all of it without him... [we] worked with him because we had to - the record company wouldn't allow us to do it all ourselves." [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10388791&pnum=3 |title=Evermore in the running|publisher="New Zealand Herald"|work=Lifestyle|author=Barry, Rebecca|date=2006-07-02|accessdate=2007-12-27] Following recording and production, the album was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Green Day). [cite web|url=http://www.amplifier.co.nz/video/21881/running.html?full=1 |title=Running|publisher=Amplifier Music NZ|accessdate=2007-12-27]

The album's release was followed by a tour of New Zealand and Australia in September and October with support acts Bob Evans and The Hampdens. On 17 November 2006, Evermore performed at the Make Poverty History Concert in Melbourne, playing "Stand By Me". [cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/we-cant-win-war-on-terror-unless-we-win-this-war/2006/11/17/1163266781732.html |title='We can't win war on terror unless we win this war'|publisher="The Age"|author=Donovan, Patrick|date=2006-11-18|accessdate=2007-12-27] Early in 2007, the band played at the Big Day Out, [cite web|url=http://enjoyperth.net/2006/10/big-day-out-announcement-07/ |title=Big Day Out 2007 - 1st line-up announcement|publisher=EnjoyPerth.net|accessdate=2007-12-27] and on 29 April they appeared at the 2007 MTV Australia Video Music Awards to perform "Light Surrounding You".

Discography

Studio albums

* 2004: "Dreams"
* 2006: "Real Life"

Extended plays

* 2002: "Slipping Away"
* 2003: "Oil & Water"
* 2003: "My Own Way"
* 2005: "The Lakeside Sessions Vol. 1"
* 2007: "Unbreakable"

Awards and nominations

ARIA Awards

Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards

Other awards

Won

*2005 MTV Australia Awards, Supernova Breakthrough Act for "Dreams"
*2005 APRA Silver Scroll Award for "It's Too Late".cite web|url=http://www.apra.co.nz/html/webpage.php?id=5340 |title=Winners History|publisher=APRA|accessdate=2007-12-28]
*2007 Channel V Oz Artist of the Year. [cite web|url=http://www.channelv.com.au/v/promo/arias/|title=Oz Artist of the Year|publisher=Channel V|accessdate=2007-12-27 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5UPvQraPW|archivedate=2007-12-27]

Nominated

*2005 Jack Awards, Best Live Newcomer. [cite web|url=http://www.thejackawards.com/home.aspx|title=The Jack Awards|publisher=Jack Daniels|accessdate=2007-12-28]
*2006 APRA Silver Scroll Award for "Running".

References

External links

* [http://www.evermoreband.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/evermore Evermore's MySpace page]