Crayon Fields

Crayon Fields’ second album All The Pleasures Of The World has the world increasingly in its thrall. Since its Australian release in September 09, the eerie and hypnotic album has taken the band from well-loved wispy pop kids to something else – aloof, alluring, even sensual. “Sex has entered the room,” is how Australian music site Mess+Noise put it, while Pitchfork agreed that All The Pleasures “ditches the childishness of the debut…without losing sweetness or nuance.”

Formed as a scrappy high school trio in the early 2000s in suburban Melbourne, Crayon Fields really arrived in 2006 with their unruffled and dreamy debut Animal Bells, recalling the minor key majesty and close-knit harmonies of 60s maestros the Zombies, the Byrds and the Beach Boys. With band leader Geoff O’Connor’s gently sly vocals and ringing 12 string guitar, ably accompanied by Brett Hudson’s loping bass, Chris Hung on second guitar and keyboards and Neil Erenstrom on drums, Animal Bells received lavish praise around the world, including a 7.8 review on Pitchfork and top spots in many Australian end of year polls.

Animal Bells also helped the Crayon Fields score support slots for many a touring national and international band, including Stereolab, Cornelius, Peter Bjorn & John, the New Pornographers, Built To Spill, the Unicorns, Dirty Three, Electrelane, Deerhoof, Calvin Johnson, Kelly Stoltz and many more.

Recording began in 2008 on a follow up album, with the band releasing a vinyl seven inch single Mirror Ball late that year,. It sold out almost immediately. This lead to a seven inch deal with UK imprint The Passport Label, who released Voice Of Paradise in April 2009. To support the release, the band took off on a UK and European tour, reaching as far as Latvia and Estonia, including shows with Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, Love is All and Bricolage.

But now with All The Pleasures Of The World, Crayon Fields have expanded their sound, incorporating lush hi fidelity production, beguiling arrangements, and a newfound sexual maturity. It’s an album currently reaching its way around the world, earning a 7.8 review on Pitchfork, innumerable blog raves, unsolicited remixes, and even a release by hip Japanese label Rallye, home to the likes of Au Revoir Simone and The Whitest Boy Alive.