FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MEDIA RELEASE
 After a massive Australian & NZ tour in 2010 that saw sell-out performances, including the AWME showcase in Melbourne, California’s renowned roots reggae band Groundation return to celebrate the release of their seventh album Building An Ark. Performing at WOMADelaide and WOMAD NZ during their tour, Groundation will also be doing a couple of highly anticipated side shows in Sydney & Melbourne. The band’s performance at AWME in 2010 impressed the WOMAD selectors resulting in the band being added to this year’s coveted line-up.
Saying that Groundation is a reggae band is merely scratching the surface; the band’s sound is an organic fusion of classic roots reggae, heavy funk/jazz fusion, and transcendental dub. Their live shows are synonymous with high-energy positive communal vibrations, combining the message and determination of the best reggae music has to offer with perpetually fresh jazz-inspired improvisation.
“Aussie audiences can expect new music from our forthcoming album Building An Ark,” says band leader Harrison Stafford. “There will also be some old classics from the past six albums, and who knows, maybe a Bob Marley, Burning Spear or Culture track. Of course, there will be lots of improvising, long extended solos, dub sections and just musical parts where we can stretch out and try new things. We are a band that truly plays ‘in the moment’, each show is different, each performance is special. We feel the albums are like a painting someone will have in their home and continue to see new things in. There there’s the live show, which is a special 90-plus minutes where we come together with a few thousand of our friends and share a vibe.”
The last time Groundation toured here two years ago, it was the first time the band had ever performed in Australia. Their shows sold-out and garnered them a whole new solid base of Aussie fans. “I think for all of us, the last show in Melbourne, for the musical showcase at AWME [Australian World Music Expo] was fantastic,” says Harrison. “The energy was huge and I personally am so excited to return and take up from where we left off.”
 From the band’s debut release in 1999, they’ve been carving their own route and earning themselves a stellar following among music lovers and their contemporaries. Since their foray into the professional music spectrum over a decade ago, Groundation has shared the stage with legendary acts such as Don Carlos and Pablo Moses, and has recorded with artists such as Apple Gabriel, Don Carlos, The Congos and Marcia Higgs. Their new album is being heralded as the best yet. “Building An Ark is our greatest musical work to date,” Harrison says. “We, as Groundation, say this with complete confidence.”
Don’t miss these special shows as Groundation return to Australia after their sell-out run of dates in 2010. Building An Ark is due for release on March 20, 2012 through M’A Publishing / Soulbeats Records.
Groundation perform at WOMADelaide on Sunday 11th & Monday 12th March and WOMAD NZ on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th March.
Friday 9th March 2012 | 8pm
The Manning Bar, Sydney University NSW
www.manningbar.com.au
Supported by Budspells & Loren
Tuesday 13th March 2012 | 8pm
The Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne VIC
www.thehifi.com.au
Supported by King Charlie’s School of Dub (Red Eyes) & Jesse I & Ras Crucial (Sound System)
For more information please visit www.groundation.com | www.myspace.com/groundation
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