Andrew McCubbin and The Hope Addicts

Andrew McCubbin & the Hope Addicts “outstanding….truly affecting” * * * * Rolling Stone Since the mid nineties Andrew McCubbin has been carving a niche for himself in the Australian music scene, and he now occupies a place that can only be filled by him and his unique music. His first band Lamia attracted great reviews and major support tours across Australia but it was later, as a solo singer and songwriter, that McCubbin really shone. His first shows in Melbourne as a solo artist were characteristically filled with the who’s who of Melbourne songwriters and musicians, and word spread fast. His hushed, often half-whispered incantations and dreamy soundscapes frequently had audiences silently transfixed. His first collection of solo songs became the acclaimed album 'Dead Pilot'. A deluge of positive reviews followed including this by the famous Rolling Stone Magazine. "....outstanding…truly affecting” Four Stars, and Single of the Week accolades from other publications for the lovely 'Fog Song'. Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts was formed after 'Dead Pilot' to extend the sound of McCubbin’s evocative songs. The band includes beautiful, well-known players from the centre of Australia's live music scene; both Julitha Ryan (Silver Ray/Mick Harvey) and Mal Pinkerton (The Anyones) play the cello, Gary Aspinall on harmonium and guitars, Andy Papadopoulos (Princess One Point Five/Registered Nurse) on double bass and Shamus Goble (The Plums) on drums. With the Hope Addicts in place McCubbin recorded his second record 'Steer' and toured extensively through Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe garnering radio play and outstanding critical receptions wherever he went, particularly in Berlin where one critic wrote 'such sadness that could break every bone in your body..' ! McCubbin’s connection to Berlin continues to remain essential to his career with annual visits and a growing fan base there. Back home, Beat Magazine called 'Steer' 'brilliant' , and Inpress cut to the chase with 'one of the finest songwriters to emerge from Melbourne'. As a writer McCubbin ranges with effortless grace through Nick Drake like folk sounds with almost pop European aesthetics full of dramatic tidal rushes of emotive instrumentation. His muse is an elusive silvery creature who guides you to the rocks. Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts have recently finished a third album and will head back to the UK and Europe and Canada in 2007.