Press
Long form Biography:
The Jed Rowe Band blend rock, blues, folk and alt-country to create a diverse contemporary roots sound. Fronted by singer-songwriter Jed Rowe, the band marries Rowe’s electric, acoustic and lap slide guitars with a dynamic rhythm section in double bassist Michael Arvanitakis and drummer Michael DiCiecco. "Jed's creative & intelligent songwriting shines, a perfect vehicle for his emotive lap steel and powerful and expressive vocals." Helen Jennings, PBS FM.In May 2011 Rowe was selected to participate in the Push Songs program in which he was mentored by acclaimed songwriters Charles Jenkins, Abby Dobson (Leonardo’s Bride) and multiple ARIA winner Jeff Lang. Lang took a shine to Rowe’s songwriting and offered to produce the band’s second album, which was recorded over one week in Lang’s own studio and is due for release in March 2012. The band will release the first double A sided single “Waiting By Your Side and Bloodlines” digitally in November with a launch at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club.
The band toured consistenly throughout 2010, completing two East Coast tours, a Tasmanian tour and numerous regional VIC dates. A string of festival appearances rounded out the year (Maldon Folk Festival, Foodbowl Music Festival, Boolarra Folk Festival, Selby Festival, Renaissance Festival).
The debut album “Midnight Sun” (2009, Green/MGM) contrasted raw roots-rock tracks with lush string, brass and percussion arrangements and was well received by radio, gaining airplay on JJJ, ABC 774, RRR & PBS FM and a host of community radio stations around the nation. "Midnight Sun by The Jed Rowe Band is one of my favourite Australian albums." Gary Young, 3RRR FM.
The Jed Rowe Band formed in early 2006 when multi instrumentalist Michael Arvanitakis was called in to play keyboards on Rowe’s solo EP release “Life” (2006). Arvanitakis moved to double bass for the launch tour, and the pair gained early supports for Clare Bowditch, Ash Grunwald and Dallas Frasca. Michael Di Ciecco joined in early 2010 to replace Peter Wilkins (Blue King Brown).
As a child growing up in a small two room house in the rainforest of Northern NSW, Jed Rowe was surrounded by music. Both his parents played in bands and as a youngster he absorbed not only the sounds of his parents instruments, but also their record collection, soaking up the great 20th century rock, folk and pop artists the way some kids inhale passive smoke and developing a love for music that would later become a career.
The double A sided single “Waiting By Your Side & Bloodlines” plus 4 bonus live tracks will be available on iTunes from Nov 4th.
In 50 words:
The Jed Rowe Band are a roots rock trio based in Melbourne Australia,
set apart by first rate songwriting and front man Jed Rowe's brilliant
lapsteel guitar work. Their debut album "Midnight Sun" (2009) gained
airplay on JJJ, ABC and community radio across the nation.
Notable Quotes:
Jeff Lang - “Jed's tapped into an empathetic style of storytelling that makes for compelling songs, he plays a mean guitar and his band play with a lovely sense of light and shade.” Jeff Lang, 2011.
Triple J Radio - "...simply interesting music, using strong melodies and rhythms to tell good stories with wit, heart and soul."
3RRR FM, Gary Young, Chicken Mary show - "Midnight Sun by The Jed Rowe Band is one of my favourite Australian albums."
PBS FM, Helen Jennings, Roots of Rhythm show - "Jed's creative & intelligent songwriting shines, a perfect vehicle for his emotive lap steel and powerful and expressive vocals. "
Liveguide.com.au - "With the release of their debut full length album 'Midnight Sun,' this Melbourne based act has emerged as a worthy contender on the Australian music landscape."
The Dwarf - "A powerful album full of intelligent guitar, powerful tunes, and harmony all interwoven with Rowe's classical and jazz trained voice. Jed Rowe is a musican with all the tools to go places...."
The Byron Shire Echo - "Stories told through poetic lyrics, characters moving through Australian towns, living real lives,...and you're humming along to the chorus."
Coastal News - "The Jed Rowe Band live are a force to behold."
3RRR FM, Gary Young, Chicken Mary show - "Midnight Sun by The Jed Rowe Band is one of my favourite Australian albums."
PBS FM, Helen Jennings, Roots of Rhythm show - "Jed's creative & intelligent songwriting shines, a perfect vehicle for his emotive lap steel and powerful and expressive vocals. "
Liveguide.com.au - "With the release of their debut full length album 'Midnight Sun,' this Melbourne based act has emerged as a worthy contender on the Australian music landscape."
The Dwarf - "A powerful album full of intelligent guitar, powerful tunes, and harmony all interwoven with Rowe's classical and jazz trained voice. Jed Rowe is a musican with all the tools to go places...."
The Byron Shire Echo - "Stories told through poetic lyrics, characters moving through Australian towns, living real lives,...and you're humming along to the chorus."
Coastal News - "The Jed Rowe Band live are a force to behold."
