Deborah Hocking Band

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DHB News

Fri, 18 November 2005
DHB score a
TREV Nomination
DHB were nominated as the TREV BEST HEADLINING BAND (Entertainment) by Kim Portch from Gordon Institute of TAFE for their performance there in September.
Alas it was not to be as DHB lost out to Regurgitator, which was a shock to all concerned, mainly to DHB drummer Matt Rose who wondered how a band with a major recording contract and with somewhat of a celebrity profile would even be eligible for such a contest. It isn't that Regurgitator isn't a worthy winner; they are, but when you compare them to the other nominees in this category and see a lot of humble, hard-working bands with much lower profiles than the 'Gurge, well, it seems a little one-sided. According to Deb's sister Tammy, it was like "giving a Little Aths award to Cathy Freeman".
It isn't the first time Matt and Regurgitator have crossed paths. Matt was previously the drummer for another Melbourne area band, who had scored an opening slot for the 'Gurge. Without a doubt it most certainly would have been this band's most important gig to date. With only six days remaining until the big show, it was decided that Matt was no longer in the band and that the sound man was immediately replacing him on drums. He was given this news over a $100 "sorry we're sacking you" steak dinner.
So it appears that, as far as Matt is concerned, Regurgitator represents some kind of karmic force destined to ruin his career at every opportunity. On the other hand, it could just be a spooky coincidence.

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Tassie Diaries

Experience all of Deb and Raelene's misadventures on their tour of Tassie, from honing their lyrical prowess with Scrabble sparring, to winning over the St Helens locals on Grand Final Day.

Critics have recognised the underground swell that is awakening the slumber of the contemporary music scene in Australia. These pundits are already privy to what Deborah Hocking Band is delivering — but the secret is getting out.

“Deborah Hocking Band is no stranger to the Melbourne original music scene with Deborah’s captivating vocals and ability to turn a guitar into a tool with which she weaves her captivating sound of passion and inspiration. It is no surprise that once Deborah teamed up with other experienced live artists Matthew Rose on drums and John Dynon on bass that sparks were going to fly.” (Geoff Curry, www.australianmusic.info)

With the attitude and grunt of Patti Smith and channelling the poetic realism of a long legacy of songsmiths, Deborah Hocking Band gracefully straddle the divide between folk, rock and pop. The hum is building... the spirit is spreading.

Left To Spare, launched in 2004, is their first recording and the sonic springboard for Deborah Hocking Band’s direction. It has simultaneously enabled Deborah to embrace her folk roots whilst nurturing an sufficient pop/rock sensibility.

“If it’s uplifting, sophisticated music that you’re after, Deborah Hocking Band’s latest release Left To Spare would be a pleasing treat to the ears — a conglomeration of straight to the heart, down to earth songs… a stellar contemporary release.” (Steph Edwardes, Rockus.com).

Musically, DHB revel in a kind of asymmetric bitter-sweetness, melding dark lyrics and dissonant harmony with catchy, evocative melodies. When describing DHB’s place in the current contemporary music landscape, Neala Johnson (Beat Magazine) beckons, “…come on in, you might even find that Hocking and Co have a dark edge you won’t find elsewhere.”

DHB is equally comfortable launching into crowd favourites — such as the ethereal Winter — as they are entering into the vulnerability of left-of-centre ballad, Magnetic North.

“Magnetic North is a much more subdued soulful track. From the opening line, ‘Will we burn like flesh? / Kiln me in your fire…’, you are compelled to pay attention to this beautiful, wailing song. It confirms the fact that Deborah Hocking is a truly gifted songwriter.” (Frank B, www.bonemachine.net)

In her previous incarnation as a solo performer, Deborah delivered live performances which transported even the most hardened critic through a labyrinth of dark and intoxicating emotions with refreshing audacity.

As a solo artist, Deborah recorded two independently released CDs (now through Suffragette Records),
D-Day and Stage. The debut acoustic album D-Day was recorded live in the studio with only a microphone and guitar, to capture the disarming vulnerability of Deborah’s live performance. As a reflection of her diversity, the Paul Norton-produced EP Stage, delivered a polished pop feast — heavy layers of keyboards, drum loops and wah guitars topped with backing vocals from Wendy Stapleton.

With a sound dubbed ‘gothic folk’, both releases were met with critical praise and placed Deborah Hocking securely on the contemporary singer-songwriter map. Since this time, Deborah’s reputation as a songwriter of note has burgeoned.

Matthew Rose is a versatile drummer shaped by eclectic tastes and influences whilst growing up in the American Midwest. Raised on a balanced diet of progressive rock, fusion, jazz, blues and funk, Matthew’s playing melds a luscious blend of precision and groove.

The search for the final piece of the DHB musical puzzle was completed in the form of bassist John Dynon. With extensive live and studio experience, John brings to the fold his secret ingredient of melodic texture that simmers beneath the warmth and emotion of Deborah’s music.

Since their inception, DHB wasted no time in taking the live circuit by storm. Their first gig was less than two months after their coming together: the next day they entered the studio to record Left To Spare. In their brief history, DHB has maintained a strong live presence, playing throughout Melbourne, including prominent venues such as The Espy, The Evelyn and the Cornish Arms. It should come as no surprise then, that DHB has fostered a loyal local following in Melbourne.

However, unsatisfied with pub gigs alone, a growing number of university and festival gigs have been amassed in recent months, including Deakin University, Darebin and Mt. Beauty Music Festivals. DHB is currently focused on securing its place on the national festival calendar and is channeling its collective energy into spreading their sound far and wide, with plans to tour more extensively throughout regional territories, in 2006.

‘One day I will not care if you approved’ is a lyric that reveals a lot about is writer. While Deborah Hocking is emerging as one of Australia’s premier songwriters, Deborah Hocking Band is fast becoming the not-so-quite achiever. They are a band in demand.