Cam Avery

Last updated

Cam Avery
Birth nameCameron Avery
Born (1988-04-21) 21 April 1988 (age 35)
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • multi-instrumentalist
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • bass
  • drums
  • piano
  • harmonica
Years active2010–present
LabelsSpinning Top
Member of Tame Impala (touring member)
Formerly of The Growl

Cameron Avery (born 21 April 1988) is an Australian multi-instrumentalist, musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the bands Pond and Tame Impala, and as the frontman for The Growl.

Contents

Early life

Born in East Fremantle, Avery moved around north of Perth for a number of years; living in the town of Broome until the age of 6, when his parents split up. [1] At 7 years old, he temporarily settled in Como, and attended Collier Primary School. [1] He claims he never fit in at school, and "wasn't really good at anything besides choir". [1] Avery then moved on to live in his grandmother's house in Leeming with his mother, and brother Eliott. [1]

From an early age, Avery aspired to be a professional Australian rules footballer and play for the West Coast Eagles in the AFL. [2] He began playing guitar aged sixteen and writing songs at seventeen; and as a child occasionally played piano. In his youth, Avery listened extensively to gospel, blues and soul music, particularly musicians Skip James and Son House. [1]

Career

Avery initially started off as a member in the band, Red Shoes Boy, and played drums for singer Abbe May, but gradually moved off to form The Growl.

From guidance off a friend, he eventually bonded with Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker, and moved in with him. [3] He would then become a part of the Perth music scene; becoming a founding member of Pond, alongside Jay Watson, Jamie Terry and Joe Ryan. Avery would then go on to live with fellow band member and friend Nick Allbrook and create the duo Allbrook/Avery. [4]

As well as playing in Allbrook/Avery and Pond, Avery formed and fronted Fremantle based garage rock band, The Growl, recruiting fellow musicians Clinton Oliver, Marc Earley, Michael Jelinek, Samuel Kuzich and James Ireland. [5] They released their Clever Lever EP in 2011, with their debut What Would Christ Do?? released shortly after in 2013. They also supported Tame Impala around America in 2012 and 2013 and supported English musician Jake Bugg in 2014. [6] In May 2013, it was revealed that Allbrook would leave Tame Impala to pursue other projects. [7] Following the departure, it was confirmed that Avery would replace Allbrook, ultimately becoming a part of the band's new line up. [8]

Not long after joining Tame Impala, he and Parker founded the psychedelic funk band, AAA Aardvark Getdown Services (originally named Kevin Spacey). The formation came about as a fundraiser for another Perth based musician and friend, Felicity Groom, who, whilst heavily pregnant had her car stolen. [9] Avery was featured on bass, along with Parker on drums and fellow musician Cam Parkin on keys. [10] On 21 December 2013, they played a second set under the name The Golden Triangle Municipal Funk Band, with Ben Whitt (former frontman of The Chemist) on guitar and vocals, Avery on bass and Parker on drums. [11] On 22 February 2014 it was announced that AAA Aardvark Getdown Services would play a gig alongside Pond, Peter Bibby, The Silents and Felicity Groom, organised by Fremantle-based record label, Spinning Top. [12]

In 2012 it was revealed that Avery and Allbrook had collaborated with London-based shoegaze band, The Horrors, to record new material for Allbrook/Avery (following their debut Big 'Art, released in 2011). [13] They recorded two LP's in a basement in London with four-fifths of The Horrors' line up. The first record released will be Sunroom, following that will be Wedding Songs. [14] The bands initially came into contact when Allbrook/Avery supported The Horrors on their Australian tour in Laneway 2012. [15] Other musicians such as Jerome Watson from The History of Apple Pie, Holly Warren from Novella and Jason Holt from Spectrum contributed to the record. [16] There is currently no release date.

Pond's sixth album, Man It Feels Like Space Again, was released in January 2015. The record was mixed by Kevin Parker in his Perth studio. [17]

Avery spent the majority of 2016 touring with The Last Shadow Puppets on their Everything You've Come To Expect tour.

After contributing backing vocals to Arctic Monkeys' 2018 album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino , Avery joined them on tour as both supporting act [18] and multi-instrumentalist in the band's newly expanded live line-up. [19]

Solo work

On 10 March 2017, Avery released a solo album entitled Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams. On announcing the album Avery stated "I wanted to make something that sounded like the old records I love—Johnny Hartman, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James—the big band stuff with less metaphorical lyrics." [20]

Pitchfork reviewed the album and stated "Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams is a focused record with several wonderful songs. It's not novel, nor does it attempt to be, just like those old 45s it so fondly recalls." [21] The Skinny stated the album is "blatantly wearing its influences on its sleeve but heartfelt as all hell." [22] Vendor Culture stated that Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams is "an album that's searingly candid but a gritty, cinematic dream nonetheless." [23]

Personal life

In 2018, Avery married model Alyssa Miller. On 29 November 2018 Miller confirmed via her Instagram account the couple had separated. [24]

Related Research Articles

The Growl is a band from Fremantle, Western Australia, formed by Tame Impala bass guitarist, and vocalist Cam Avery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tame Impala</span> Australian psychedelic music project

Tame Impala is the psychedelic music project of Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In the recording studio, Parker writes, records, performs, and produces all of the project's music. As a touring act, Tame Impala consists of Parker, Dominic Simper, Jay Watson, Cam Avery, and Julien Barbagallo. The group has a close affiliation with fellow Australian psychedelic rock band Pond, sharing members and collaborators, including Nick Allbrook, formerly a live member of Tame Impala. Originally signed to Modular Recordings, Tame Impala is now signed to Interscope Records in the United States and Fiction Records in the UK.

<i>Innerspeaker</i> 2010 studio album by Tame Impala

Innerspeaker is the debut studio album by Australian musical project Tame Impala, released on 21 May 2010 by Modular Recordings. The album was recorded and produced by musician Kevin Parker at a remote beach shack in Western Australia during the winter of 2009, who also wrote every track on it except for the interlude after "The Bold Arrow of Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pond (Australian band)</span> Australian psychedelic rock band

Pond is an Australian psychedelic rock band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 2008. Initially featuring a revolving line-up, since 2016 the band has consisted of Nick Allbrook, Jay Watson, Shiny Joe Ryan, Jamie Terry, and James Ireland.

<i>Live at the Corner</i> (Tame Impala album) 2010 live album by Tame Impala

Live at the Corner is a digitally released live album by Australian electronic rock band Tame Impala. It was recorded on 23 October 2009 at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. This recording differs from regular live album releases as it came as a bonus for a limited time with the purchase of their debut album Innerspeaker, and could only be accessed by inserting the CD into a computer CD drive, and was not released in a physical format. This recording is also unique from their discography as the live versions of these previously recorded songs feature extended improvised jams and differ in sound and structure from their recorded counterparts.

<i>Lonerism</i> 2012 studio album by Tame Impala

Lonerism is the second studio album by Australian musical project Tame Impala, released on 5 October 2012 by Modular Recordings. Like the band's debut studio album, Innerspeaker (2010), Lonerism was written, recorded, performed, and produced by Kevin Parker, with live member Jay Watson contributing on two tracks. Recorded mostly in Perth, Australia, and Paris, France, Lonerism builds on the psychedelic sound of its predecessor and features fewer guitars and more synthesisers and samples. Parker attempted to incorporate his love for pop music into his songwriting for the record through catchier melodies. Many tracks feature ambient sounds recorded by Parker with a dictaphone. The album's theme of isolation is reflected in the album cover, featuring an image of a fenced-off Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Parker (musician)</span> Australian musician (born 1986)

Kevin Richard Parker is an Australian singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and DJ, best known for his musical project Tame Impala, for which he writes, performs, records, and produces the music. Parker has released four Tame Impala albums: Innerspeaker (2010), Lonerism (2012), Currents (2015), and The Slow Rush (2020). He has won 13 ARIA Music Awards, two APRA Awards, and a Brit Award, and has received four Grammy Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?</span> 2011 single by Tame Impala

"Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?" is a song by the Australian band Tame Impala, released as a single in 2011. It was recorded during the sessions for the Innerspeaker album in 2009, and released as the fourth single from that album. The single features artwork from Australian artist Leif Podhajsky, who also created the artwork for Innerspeaker and the follow-up Lonerism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apocalypse Dreams</span> 2012 song by Tame Impala

"Apocalypse Dreams" is a song by Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, it was first released on 8 July 2012 as a promo single and first track released in promotion of the band's second studio album, Lonerism as the third track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant (Tame Impala song)</span> 2012 single by Tame Impala

"Elephant" is a song by Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, released on 26 July 2012 as the lead single from their second album Lonerism (2012). The single features artwork from Australian artist Leif Podhajsky, who also created the artwork for Innerspeaker and the follow-up Lonerism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Watson</span> Australian musician (born 1990)

Jay Watson is an Australian multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer and songwriter. He is best known as a touring member of the psychedelic rock band Tame Impala and as a co-founder of the psychedelic rock/pop band Pond, with whom he's recorded nine albums. Watson also records solo material under the name GUM and, as of 2023, has released six studio albums under this name. In addition, he sometimes collaborates with fellow Pond member James Ireland as the duo GUM & Ginoli, remixing songs originally recorded by a variety of different artists, and occasionally contributes production and mixing to the solo projects of fellow Pond members as well as other local Perth musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Allbrook</span> Australian musician

Nicholas Allbrook is an Australian psychedelic rock musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the frontman of Pond, and a member of musical duo Allbrook/Avery. He was a touring member of Tame Impala before leaving the group in 2013.

<i>Live Versions</i> 2014 live album by Tame Impala

Live Versions is the first live album by the Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, released on 19 April 2014 by Modular Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tame Impala discography</span>

The discography of Tame Impala, a psychedelic rock project by the Australian musician Kevin Parker, consists of four studio albums, two live albums, four extended plays, twenty one singles and several collaborations and compilation appearances.

<i>Currents</i> (Tame Impala album) 2015 studio album by Tame Impala

Currents is the third studio album by Australian musical project Tame Impala, released on 17 July 2015 by Modular Recordings. It was released by Interscope Records in the United States and by Fiction Records in the United Kingdom, while Caroline International released it in other regions. Like the project's previous two albums, Currents was written, recorded, performed, and produced by Kevin Parker. For the first time, Parker mixed the music and recorded all instruments by himself; the album featured no other collaborators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shiny Joe Ryan</span> Australian musician (born 1987)

Joseph Michael "Shiny Joe" Ryan is an Irish-Australian psychedelic rock musician, singer and songwriter. He is the founding mainstay multi-instrumentalist and guitarist of Pond, which have released nine albums. Ryan has issued two solo albums, The Cosmic Microwave Background and Shiny's Democracy. He also does the visuals for fellow Australian band Tame Impala.

<i>The Weather</i> (Pond album) 2017 studio album by Pond

The Weather is the seventh studio album by Australian psychedelic rock band Pond. It was released on 5 May 2017 by Marathon Artists. As with previous Pond albums, it is also produced by former member and Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker. It features 10 tracks, led by its first single "Sweep Me Off My Feet".

Camp Doogs is a camping and music festival held in Western Australia's South West region. The festival has featured a number of Australian and international acts. It is held yearly in the Shire of Harvey but in previous years was held in the Shire of Nannup.

<i>Tasmania</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Pond

Tasmania is the eighth studio album by Australian psychedelic rock band Pond. It was released on 1 March 2019 by Spinning Top Records via Caroline Australia. As with previous Pond albums, it is also produced by former member and Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker. It features 10 tracks, led by third single "Daisy".

<i>The Slow Rush</i> 2020 studio album by Tame Impala

The Slow Rush is the fourth studio album by Australian musical project Tame Impala, released on 14 February 2020. It follows the 2015 album Currents and the 2019 singles "Patience" and "Borderline", with the latter serving as the first single from the album. Rooted in psychedelic disco music, the album was positively received by critics and reached the top 10 on many record charts around the world, debuting atop the charts in three countries and as well as on the US Alternative and Rock charts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cool Perth Nights : Articles". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  2. ↑ FBi Radio (21 April 2013). "Cameron Avery 'In The Belly of the Beast' (The Growl) & 'John The Revelator' & live on FBi Radio" . Retrieved 29 June 2019– via YouTube.
  3. ↑ 91X San Diego (5 June 2013). "Tame Impala – Interview with Halloran – 91X X-Sessions" . Retrieved 29 June 2019– via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Clarke, Thomas (25 January 2012). "Introducing: Allbrook/Avery". Danceyrselfclean.com. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  5. ↑ "Music News, Views And All The Latest From Junkee". Junkee. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "THE GROWL". the AU review. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  7. ↑ "Tame Impala Lose Bassist Nick Allbrook". Pitchfork. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  8. ↑ "Bassist Nick Allbrook leaves Tame Impala, Replaced By Cam Avery – Zumic – Music News, Tour Dates, Ticket Presale Info, and More". Zumic. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  9. ↑ Cooper, Leonie (22 July 2013). "Tame Impala form new band to raise money for friend". NME. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  10. ↑ "Tame Impala Members Form New Band For Fundraising Gig". Tonedeaf.thebrag.com. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  11. ↑ R Moocher (21 December 2013). "Kevin Parker/Kevin Spacey- Daffodils, 2nd gig 21/12/13" . Retrieved 29 June 2019– via YouTube.
  12. ↑ "Tame Impala Pond Felicity Groom Allbrook/Avery Peter Bibby GUM Shiny Joe – Spinning Top Music". Spinningtopmusic.com. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "Pond Side-Project Collaborate with the Horrors On New Album". Tonedeaf.thebrag.com. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "Cam Avery Interview". Speakertv.com. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "Pond's Nick Allbrook on The Horrors: "They're hardworking little muppets"". Fasterlouder.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  16. ↑ Cooper, Leonie (17 July 2013). "Pond members collaborate with The Horrors on new album". NME. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  17. ↑ TheFutureHeart (15 January 2014). "Preview "Man, It Feels Like Space Again" – Numerous Albums by Tame Impala and Pond Band Members Due Out This Year". Thefutureheart.com. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "Cameron Avery Supporting Arctic Monkeys Through Europe". Spinning Top. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  19. ↑ Stolworthy, Jacob (3 May 2018). "Arctic Monkeys debut new music during first live show since 2014: The setlist in full". The Independent . Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "Tame Impala's Cameron Avery Announces Debut Solo Album, Shares New Song: Listen | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  21. ↑ "Cameron Avery: Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  22. ↑ "Cameron Avery – Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams album review: The Skinny" . Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "Cameron Avery: Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams Review: Big Band Ambition Crossed with Cool Rock Sensibility". Vendor. 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  24. ↑ Avery, Alyssa Miller (6 April 2018). "All licensed up". Instagram. Retrieved 25 May 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
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