Extended Family

EXTENDED FAMILY
Think John Butler meets Jamiroquai ... ?

Fresh from the husky delta of the inner Sydney streets, comes a band that unravels contemporary roots, funk, soul and blues, to create something deliciously sexy and new that you can't help but groove to … Their infamously huge live show has secured industry attention, with one Australian "Cigar" legend describing Extended Family as "a cross between Sly and The Family Stone, and Frank Zappa".

And, Sydney ABC radio presenter & Sydney Morning Herald writer, Richard Glover also said recently, "Australia has a great tradition of exuberant, crowd-thrilling bands --from Daddy Cool and Skyhooks, to Cat Empire and Machine Gun Fellatio. Extended Family is the next in line. It's more than a band, it's a cult - and I want to join.” ??

Following their receipt of the national MusicOz Award 2006 for Best Blues Artist, Sydney-based roots/soul/funk commotion Extended Family toured nationally in 2007, launching their album “The Way Back To Feeling Alright” (Highroad Music/MGM), at The Basement (Syd) and The Northcote Social Club (Melb). The launches were backed up with east and west coast tours, captivating audiences from Warracknabeal in rural Vic to Geraldton in WA.

Extended Family (previously known as Panda) is an experienced touring act; the band has travelling frequently to Victoria, NSW and Qld over the past 5 years, headlining and playing with such acts as Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Kid Confucius, Thirsty Merc, Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, Blue Shaddy, Carus & The True Believers and Angus & Julia Stone. ??

Also in July 2007, they played 10 shows in 11 days on their debut Western Australia tour, funded by a $10,000 2007 Contemporary Music Touring Grant from the federal government. The band has also enjoyed the rare pleasure of playing 6 sold-out headline shows at Sydney's premier venue, The Basement. ??

Extended Family were finalists in the SBS Performer of the Year Award 05, finalists in the Sunscreen Independent Film Clip Competition 06, selected in 2SER's Top 20 Australian Blues Artists 06, and in March 07, chosen as one of 5 Australian export-ready unsigned artists to perform in a world-first Australian SXSW showcase to Austin, Texas via SecondLife.com (sponsored by Sonicbids/Austrade). ??

Their debut single "Rollercoaster", always a crowd favourite, is receiving airplay on Triple J, Qantas Inflight and many community stations across Australia, with the innovative film clip (made for $150) debuting on "Rage" in July 07. "Rollercoaster" was also selected for the 2007 Perisher Blue compilation CD. "Life is like a butterfly with no wings" is another popular single, selected for the Toyota Gympie Muster CD soundtrack. ??

The band has performed at the Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival 07 at Narooma, Caloundra Music Festival 07, Bimbadgen Blues Festival 07 and Toyota Muster 07 in Gympie, The Great Escape 06, main stage Peats Ridge 06, Australian Blues Music Festival 07, Newtown and Surry Hills Festivals, amongst many others. Extended Family also debuted at the 2007/08 Woodford Folk Festival with four shows on 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st December - the highlight being the New Years Eve Countdown on the Blues Stage. ??

With a swag of new songs ready to record for their next album (including the already crowd favourite 'Yesterday Morning'), look out for Extended Family in a town near you.

As one SMH reviewer said - “you’ll dance; you’ll dance like an idiot, and you’ll love it!” ??

To see the band perform live, check out this footage and interview from Sydney's Nocturnal TV,
filmed at Peats Ridge Festival on New Years Eve 06/07.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6XBHd_Evls