John Dowler's Vanity Project live.
Iconic Sydney label Half A Cow is releasing the new album by equally iconic Melbourne-via-Adelaide power pop exponent John Dowler and his band John Dowler’s Vanity Project. "Existential Friend" is the third long-player by the Melbourne-based vehicle for singer and songwriter, a key figure in Australia’s alternative rock’n’roll scene of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
He and the band will launch Existential Friend at The Catfish in Fitzroy in Melbourne with guests Mark Stinson and the Simon Juliff Band, on Saturday January 25.
John Dowler's Vanity Project is a culmination of Dowler's previous work that touches on the art-pop rock of the first band Spare Change and the pub folk-rock of his ‘80s band The Zimmermen. At its heart, however, is the melodic pop rock of his late ‘70s band-most-likely, Young Modern.
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Formed in 2014, JDVP have been steadily building a profile on Melbourne's inner-city scene for a decade.. Guitarists Mark McCartney and Justin Bowd provide colour, detail and spark, combining jangle with some grunt and noise.
McCartney first played with Dowler a couple of decades back, has also worked with the likes of Mick Thomas and Barb Waters, and these days also plays with Meghan Maike & the Cactus Flowers and Jo Meares's Silver Bullets. Bowd has played with Cinema, Jim Kane and with Middle Age Fanclub, and provides a bit more of the sweetness and light. He also contributes some fine tunes.
Drummer Michael Stranges, who has also worked with Kim Salmon on a number of projects, including the Darling Downs with Ron S Peno, drives with a light touch and punctuates perfectly, provides some backing vocals and also contributes to the writing.
Returning bass player Julien Chick - formerly of the Vandas,Blackbirds FC and with Meghan Maike - provides muscle and underpins things sweetly and also helps with the b/vs.
"Existential Friend" was recorded with Craig Pilkington (Killjoys, Archie Roach) at his Audrey Studios.
