Following the release of their debut album The Quiet City, beloved Brisbane rockers Chalk are set to please fans further with a remix of “This Is The Story“. The track is one of the earliest songs that Chalk songwriter/singer James Kliemt composed, claiming it was written in the time it took to sing it. Dating from the early days of the band (early 1990s), the song has been reworked for the new album with a completely new chorus. Now, after all those years when the band were living in a shambolic East Brisbane sharehouse, the band finally have a chorus that “fits like a glove” with the original verse.
Becoming a favourite of the exploding Brisbane music scene in those early days, Chalk released a string of singles and EPs on indie label Citadel Records in the 90s with the line-up of James Kliemt (vocals/guitar), Steve Swart (bass), Matthew Clark (guitar/vocals) and James Lees (drums). Over the course of a few years they released several EPs and singles, played in Brisbane constantly, did some festivals, toured the country and shared bills with bands like Died Pretty, Clouds, Falling Joys, Hunters & Collectors, Celibate Rifles, The Church, You Am I and (on one occasion) Radiohead. The band were part of the vanguard of 90s Brisbane bands heralding a newly optimistic sound, attitude and music scene in the city for which it has since become famous. After enjoying good reviews, lots of national touring and a song or two on the radio, Chalk ceased operations around 1997 with band members then pursuing other projects. A well-received reunion show at Brisbane’s The Zoo in 2014 reignited the band’s flame and put Chalk’s second and current chapter into motion.Since 2014, Chalk began reappearing in several Brisbane music venues, and around the same time began working on new recordings. Four years in the making, across three studios and with numerous guest musicians, the band’s debut full length album The Quiet City was released in August 2019. Chalk are also featured in the current Museum Of Brisbane exhibition High Rotation (Brisbane Music 1989-2019).
The band have continued working, pushing and pulling older songs around and also introducing new material. A line-up change occurred with the addition of Dave Gilbert (from much loved Brisbane band Denvar) and more live shows in 2016, including sharing a bill with former Citadel label-mates Died Pretty. Work on the new album continued laboriously across four years and three studios, and with the addition of guest musicians Alison St Ledger (vocals), Adam Cadell (violin), Richard Grantham (viola), Brett Parker (theremin), Andrew Saragossi (saxophone) as well as former member Matt Clark adding backing vocals to several songs. Producer/musician James North completed final recording touches and mixing.
Speaking of their recent album launch, the band explain “we were very relieved and happy to have the album out and do this special show performing the album in its entirety with many special guests”.
Arriving 24 years after their last release, their new music calls back to the sound of the band’s beginnings in 90’s Brisbane but with many new sonic twists and a dual sense of picking-up-right-where-they-left-off familiarity mixed with a fresh take on their signature sound.
