Hugo Race, formerly of The Wreckery and The Bad Seeds, is one of Melbourne’s enduring musical exports, performing, collaborating and producing records worldwide as described in the riveting snapshots of his road-memoir, “Road Series”, published by Transit Lounge in 2016.
Following a 22-date European tour with his Italian band Fatalists, Hugo is back in Australia to promote his new album “Taken By The Dream” (Glitterhouse Records through MGM) with a national tour, performing solo and with special guests:
19.07 Darwin Darwin Railway Club + Michelangelo Russo
26.07 Melbourne Merri Creek Tavern + Michelangelo Russo
27.07 Daylesford Palais + Michelangelo Russo
03.08 Brisbane Junk Bar Solo
08.08 Ballarat Lost Ones + Henry Hugo & Julitha Ryan
09.08 Castlemaine Bridge Hotel + Henry Hugo
10.08 Kyneton Major Tom’s + Henry Hugo
18.08 Adelaide Wheatsheaf Solo
25.08 Melbourne Ember Lounge @ Memo Music Hall + Michelangelo Russo
30.08 Sydney The Vanguard + Henry Hugo
31.08 Canberra Smiths Alternative + Henry Hugo
01.08 Beechworth Tanswells Hotel + Henry Hugo
07.09 Hobart Homestead* Solo
08.09 Hobart MONA* Solo
Following Hugo’s recent excursions into world electronica (Dirtmusic’s ‘Bu Bir Ruya’ and ‘Gemini 4’) meets 21st century blues (‘John Lee Hooker’s World Today’), the new album ‘Taken By The Dream’ is a collection of modern folk songs, a cinematic tapestry of complex emotional states illuminated by mercurial moments of dazzling light and grace.
Recorded in Sicily in collaboration with one of Italy’s most popular and influential instrumental bands, Sacri Cuori, studio guests include New Zealand pop songstress Lisa Crawley, Chris Brokaw (ex-Dirtmusic, Come, Codeine), Bryan Colechin (The True Spirit), violinist Vicki Brown (Calexico), and cameo appearances from Race’s long-time collaborator Michelangelo Russo.
“Race uses simple truth as a starting point, the weakness and vulnerability in us all, then expresses it, tries to understand it, with empathy and striking use of instruments (he and Russo have often reminded me of Morricone’s unique approach to scoring) so that we have, in the end, nothing short of treasure…the listening is other-worldly, yet intimate, gripping, deeply romantic and powerful. ‘Taken By The Dream’ is another CD or LP you’ll play over and over, with the music and songs lodging in your scary crevices.”
– Robert Brokenmouth, I94bar.com, Australia 2019
“Taken By The Dream is an album (as often happens with Race) with a dark, nocturnal mood, characterized by pieces where the melodies, always tinged with a certain melancholic fatalism, float in textural and musical scores, crossing hypnotic rhythms with guitars of all kinds, sounds in reverse, organ, piano, keyboards and violins. It’s a fresh and fascinating sound, these ten long and enveloping songs, permeated by a hint of opiated psychedelia, certainly of blues inspiration, with suggestions of folk as well as by the rhythmic beat of Saharan Africa. This disc is a gem that deserves all your attention.”
– Lino Brunetti, Buscadero, Italy 2019
“(This is) a profound and intimate journey, accompanied by an experienced guide who investigates every dark corner of the human soul, an author who should not be missing in any respectable discography.” (Paolo Dordi, Rockerilla, Italy)
Following Hugo’s 2010 solo album, ‘Fatalists’, a unique mix of alt-country and electronica recorded in Italy with Sacri Cuori, the band took on the name of Fatalists and toured extensively in Italy, consolidating their unique sound on 2012’s ‘We Never Had Control’. A 5-track EP ‘Orphans’ followed in 2014, along with tours in greater Europe and Australia. In 2016 Hugo Race Fatalists’ released ’24 Hours to Nowhere’ to international critical acclaim:
“’24 Hours from Nowhere’ is darker than the darkest Walkabouts song, it’s a scorched earth vision… The songs sound magnificent, the instruments like blocks of grey tones, beautifully picked out, with plenty of room between them… Overall this is a dark Gothic piece that skillfully calls on Lee Hazelwood and Ennio Morricone to create a suite of songs that is beautifully constructed and breathlessly cinematic.” (David Cowling, Americana UK)
“In Australia, Hugo Race is present not only with his music which speaks for itself, but also with a book he has recently published, “Road Series”, an autobiographical Road Novel. In it, he processes his travel experiences of the past 30 years – a mixture of Bruce Chatwin and Jack Kerouac. But despite the unexpected literary success, Hugo Race continues to make music. He needs songwriting as the air we breathe, he says.” (Carsten Beyer, Deutschlandradio Kultur)
‘Hugo Race’s ‘ Fatalists’. An atmosphere combining a David Lynch film with a Cormac McCarthy novel…’ ( Lost Highways, Italy)
