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THE YEARLINGS START THE NEW YEAR IN THE SUN - QLD Tour 9th-11th Jan 2009

Sound intriguing and exciting? Then come along to The Yearlings new year tour in sun soaked Queensland at the Icon Cinema in Toowoomba on Fri 9th Jan with the Emma Dean Band, the Music By The Sea Festival on Sat 10th Jan in Sandgate and the Upfront Club in Maleny on Sun 11th Jan.

With their trademark skeletally sweet harmonies and mesmerising blues guitar, alternative blues and folk duo - The Yearlings - have had an outstanding 2008 with the release of their third and highly acclaimed album “Highway Dancing”.

Praise and acclaim has continued to follow them on the live stage with performances in the last 12 months at the New York Guitar Festival, The Spiegeltent, The Basement, The Powerhouse and the Adelaide Guitar Festival. In 2009 the Yearlings continue their National Tour of their 3rd album (including stints at major Festivals) and plan to head to the USA and Canada in June and July.

The Yearlings music has a timeless texture that possesses the rare ability to engage and entertain audiences of all demographics. “Highway Dancing” has received 5 star reviews both nationally and internationally, and follows on from their 2 prior releases which have secured them Golden Guitar and ARIA nominations.

Robyn Chalklen’s voice demands attention - smooth, breathy and fragile, you listen to each syllable pass you by as you lean in, turn it up and immerse yourself in a story told by a fine songwriter devoid of pretence. Her beautiful, ethereal and mysterious songs are the perfect counterpoint to Chris Parkinson’s earthy compositions, while his “hangon-every-note” guitar playing remains as compelling as ever.

The Yearlings continue to tour nationally to sell-out crowds and perform at festivals including the Port Fairy Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival, Queenscliff, FUSE, Apollo Bay and the New York and Adelaide Guitar Festivals.

Please click here for the Media Release (PDF 1.4Mb)

SIMPLE HARMONIES
Style SA, November/December 2008

The hauntingly beautiful harmonies of The Yearlings' Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson put SA's outstanding local talent alongside the world's best at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival.

Described as a root/alternative country duo, The Yearlings' Robyn (Bob) Chalklen loves the simplicity of country music but resists the label. "Country music is deceptively simple, soothing and there's a lot of space in there. That's what I like. I grew up in the Adelaide Hills with lots of trees and space. Chris has called us Alternative Folk.
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THE YEARLINGS ON TRIPLE J

The Yearlings have been receiving airplay on Triple J.

If you'd like to hear more of The Yearlings on the Js, you can make a request from 6pm – 9pm Monday to Friday on Super Request with Rosie Beaton by either:

Text: 1975 7555

Call: 1300 0555 36

Web: http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/requests/make_a_request.htm

Or you can try requesting them anytime by calling 1300 0555 36.

THE YEARLINGS ON HOME GROWN ROOTS COMPILATION

Showcasing Australia’s best artists in the blues and roots scene, Home Grown Roots is full of heartfelt tunes for the new millennium. This is what modern blues and roots is all about.

“Fully hooked up and brilliant Music - This disc is the perfect way of getting the cream of the indie music crop.”
– poprepublic, August 2008

“There’s a hammock, warm, viscous air, and the scuttle of a wave, heaving against the coral beach. Lie back to this outstanding compilation and you’ll dream summer.”
– Drum Media – Vol 2 Review 2007

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BUY ONLINE

Title: Home Grown Roots Vol 3
Distributor: FOG/MGM
Retail: $19.95
Catalogue #: FOG BB 8018

Artists: Paul Kelly(exclusive track), Matthew Barber, Ash Grunwald, Extended Family, Karl Broadie, Luke Escombe, The Yearlings, John Butler(exclusive track), Deadletter Chorus, Adam Cousens, Daxton, Nick and Liesl, Mia Dyson, Natalie D Napolean, The Orphans, Kristy Coote, Nathan Wheldon & The Two Timers, Dali Srhoj and The Paper Band, Benjalu, Matt Heath, Jill Barber, Freetown, Rosie Burgess, Michael Peter, Van Sereno and Luke Koteras.

THANK YOU ADELAIDE

To all our beautiful Adelaide supporters who turned up to the Highway Dancing CD launches at the Promethean last Friday and Saturday . . . THANKYOU from the bottom of our hearts for making them such special and magical evenings (including a sell out on Friday!). We couldn't have done it without you and we wouldn't want to. It's nights like those that make us want to keep doing what we do.

Thanks and Love
Chris & Bob (The Yearlings) xxxx

"HIGHWAY DANCING" NOW AVAILABLE

Welcome to the new The Yearlings website, celebrating the launch their new album "Highway Dancing".

With the release of their third full-length recording including eleven new songs, well known South Australian duo The Yearlings (Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson) have created an album of outstanding beauty. It breathes.

Highway Dancing is a departure from The Yearlings' stripped back, acoustic approach to recording. Using their weaving guitars and seductive harmonies as a base, this album has the backing of a band – giving full favour to The Yearlings' music.

Robyn's voice demands attention - smooth, breathy and fragile, you listen to each syllable pass you by as you lean in, turn it up and immerse yourself in a story told by a fine songwriter devoid of pretence. Her beautiful, ethereal and mysterious songs are the perfect counterpoint to Chris's earthy compositions, while his "hang-on-every-note" guitar playing remains as compelling as ever.

Highway Dancing is a triumph and superb achievement for The Yearlings, their strongest work to date tastefully supported by world-class musicians.

This is one cool record.

THE YEARLINGS GET 4 STARS IN WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN

The Weekend Australian Review, May 10-11, 2008

Highway Dancing
The Yearlings
Mixmasters Records
****

"The Yearlings' previous albums have hinted at great things to come and Highway Dancing may just be it. Recorded in Brooklyn over four days and featuring members of New York band Ollabelle, this is indeed a fully operational Yearlings. From the opening title track, Robyn Chalklen's laid-back, fragile vocals effortlessly counterpoint partner Chris Parkinson, particularly when he takes the lead on tracks such as Will You Be Ready? and Sheets of the Night. Impressive also is the songwriting, and Don't Feel Kind and Precious Time are standouts. The presence of guitarist Larry Campbell, fresh from producing Levon Helm's latest, Dirt Farmer, permeates the album, putting this Yearlings effort into another league. From the pedal steel on The Waiting Song Campbell goes on to provide everything from dobro to fiddle to mandolin. While the wider scope that additional musicians afford give The Yearlings a chance to spread their wings, the most obvious impression throughout Highway Dancing is the great time The Yearlings have had putting it together."
Tom Jellett

LIVE REVIEW @ THE VANGUARD - DRUM MEDIA

"The Yearlings took to the stage fresh from a recording stint in New York. Their well-blended voices and masterfully crafted songs such as Walk On and Sheets Of The Night created a sense of ethereal gentleness. Sweet and atmospheric, this duo proved that you don't have to be from the US to capture the spirit of boundless Americana."
Donne Resio - Vanguard Live Review, Drum Media, 2008

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

"The two previous albums from Adelaide's Yearlings, Robyn 'Bob' Chalklen and Chris Parkinson, were sparse but never dry, down-home music that dug its roots into the soil of mountain country and plains folk blues. With nowt but voices and guitars there were no flourishes but they found the kernel of each story and built a frame around it that held flashes of loneliness, life's driftwood and steadfast love. Those basic ingredients remain but this time Chalklen and Parkinson have brought along a band (drums, Hammond organ, harmony vocals, sliding bass and more) and a deeper reach into the backpocket of country blues, now with a bit of Bob Dylan to add to their Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. The extra instrumentation thickens the mix immediately in the title track, which opens the album with a dash of the soul that will dot several of the 12 songs here. Most of the time though, the "band" remains unobtrusive, their contributions subtly fleshing out the mood and leaving air for the voices to bring the stories home."
Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald, June 15 2008

THE YEARLINGS FEATURED IN SA ROOTS AND BLUES PODCAST 75

The Yearlings are the face of SA Roots and Blues Podcast 75 for June 2008. The podcast begins with The Yearlings' title track for their new album, "Highway Dancing" and can be downloaded at www.sablues.org from June 2008.

THE YEARLINGS TOP THREE D RADIO CHART – MAY 2008

"Highway Dancing" currently tops the Three D Radio chart for the most played release. Please find the top 10 listed below: