ii (“eye eye”) are hitting the road and serving up their very own blend of ambient pop to destinations around Australia on their first ever national tour. Promising to take audiences to the edges of pop and beyond, ii says the tour is “going to be an opportunity to bring our sound to new places and try it out in new contexts”. Playing a handful of galleries and art spaces, as well as traditional venues, first stop for the Melbourne duo is Canberra.

MORE INFO & DATES…

The recent success of their long awaited first full length album Landlakes, released on independent label Feral Media, has seen ii gain recognition for their ability to use improvisation in their performances and recordings while maintaining purpose to their elusive composition.

Playing all major cities, ii are teaming up with leading local and international acts in a series of shows presented by independent Australian labels; Room 40, Mistletone, Meupe, Feral Media and hellosQuare. Working together in cities around Australia, these labels provide a platform for experimental artists to present to new audiences across the country.

“What’s great about groups like ii is they are able to tap into an array of differing aesthetics. It’s this reason amongst others that have allowed a slew of labels such as Room40 and Mistletone to assist them in arranging events around Oz. This kind of work shows the breadth of sound coming out of this country right now…”                                                     Lawrence English, Room 40

Formed in 2000, ii is the product of long time collaborators Alex Nosek and Jon Tjhia. Over nine years, their inherent relationship has resulted in the duo producing a curious amalgam of guitar pop, post-electro and experimental styles. The surprise addition of guest artists in their largely spontaneous performances adds further depth to the many layers of ii’s sound.  “I know that when listening back to things often it’s hard to tell who’s done what and that to me is a really good sign because it means that we’re both on the same page and we’re not just ploughing away with our own distinctive motifs and sounds” says Tjhia “It also means that hopefully we’ve got enough varied methods that our own creations are not instantly recognisable and therefore a bit predictable”.

With comparisons being made to acclaimed electronic/pop artists coming out of Germany’s Kompakt label, Boards of Canada and Fuck Buttons, ii are quickly becoming the frontrunners of tomorrow’s indie. The release of Landlakes has earned them an early spot in 2008’s “best of”, giving audiences a reason to get up and listen. To download Landlakes feature track “Oho” and music from other exceptional Australian sound practitioners, go to SOUNDS at www.soundtravellers.com.au

DATES

Thu 7 Aug - The Grace Emily, Adelaide
Fri 8 Aug - FELT Art Space, Adelaide
Sat 9 Aug - Hyde Park Hotel, Perth
Sun 10 Aug - Velvet Lounge, Perth
Wed 20 Aug - Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
Fri 22 Aug - Tongue & Groove, Brisbane
Wed 27 Aug - The Toff in Town, Melbourne