The 12-track CD is available at all good record stores in Australia via MGM Distribution (Cat. No. FLP001),
and features a full-colour 20 page booklet with candid recording snapshots, lyrics, songwriting and recording details, other credits and thankyou’s.

Coming soon: international CD orders.

You can purchase the digital version direct from the artist (also with 20 page digital booklet + inlay/disc art) via Bandcamp. (Available in many versions, including lossless (FLAC) and MP3 320).

The digital booklet is also available with a full album purchase at iTunes:
AU link
US link
UK link

The album is also available at many other online retailers including:
Amazon
emusic
iLike
Tesco (UK)
Napster

You can also listen online and on demand at:
Rhapsody
mog
Spotify, iHeartRadio, PasitoTunes, VerveLife.com, Nokia (Ovi) and Zune.

Here’s what some people are saying:

“I’d always suspected Tyrone Noonan was a genius – now more than totally confirmed! Indy album of the year!!” Troy Swindells-Grose, Humour Australia

“This album is amazing!” Robert Davidson, Topology

“Great!!! The title track is beautiful…it really should be a hit.” Frank Burrows

One of my newest New York friends, a lovely lady called Shira, questioned whether I would really dig the vibe there. I was initially like “Are you kidding? These are my people”. I soon learned that this wasn’t quite true.
Overall I enjoyed my time there, and I certainly do miss my muso friends – most notably the lads from Mon Khmer and the lovely ladies from Desert Stars; but I was glad to “escape” the home of unnecessary beards and one too many vacuous conversations.

One thing I learned is that the place has too many trust fund kids who look the part, but really have no idea about what being a punk, or a rebel, or an artist is really all about. It’s a cliche, but unless you’ve suffered at some point in your life in your pursuit as an artist, then you’re really not going to cut it or even understand just what it is you’re doing.

I think my location, right “in the thick of it”, didn’t help my perspective. I would go to my local coffee shop, deli or bakery in the morning and watch these dilettantes suffer over such hard decisions as to where they were going to shop today, buy their coffee or have their shots. I would notice them sit around and talk about being an artist; not actually being one.

I realised of course, that I too looked the part: I sometimes wear skinny jeans (but being an old school mod/punk I think that’s okay!), have big-rimmed glasses and play in a band. But as one of my friends pointed out: “They’re all trying to be what you are naturally”. So I took that one, he he!

On top of that, the place I lived in was a converted basement, tarted up to look nice, but put together in a very slap dash fashion by what seemed to be a number of people not actually qualified for their trade. Almost every week there was someone traipsing through our place fixing a problem for something that was either installed incorrectly, not connected properly, or just plain didn’t work. We were the landlord’s guinea pigs for an area of his building that had never been inhabited before, at least by humans! Oh and any problems with the building’s sewage (of which there were many) need to be fixed by opening up the floor of our front entrance each time! As we say in Australia, it was Dodgy Brothers all over!

But it seems this kind of experience is a necessary test to living in New York. Pass through a series of suspect experiences and/or rip-offs and you get get your New York “stripes”. But enough of that!

My Italian guitarist Andrea, who I met through mutual friends from Australia as he studied there (my Aussie bass player AJ Hall), was continuing studies at Queens College, and as he was looking for a new place to live, suggested I look at sharing a place in Astoria, Queens. Initially, I had the same reservations as some other New Yorkers: that Astoria wasn’t cool, wasn’t happening, and was the next worse thing to living in Jersey (and God help you if you come from Jersey, ha ha; but hey it worked for Bruce Springsteen)!

Anyway, I immediately fell in love with the place for two reasons: the lack of intensity (like Manhattan), and the lack of pretension (like Williamsburg). Soon I realised that Astoria was a lot like Melbourne: lots of Greeks and Italians, which equals lots of great food! But it doesn’t stop there: there are also a lot of people from Morocco, Lebanon and all around the Mediterranean, from the Balkans/Eastern Europe, from South America, from Asia, and all areas in between. Queens is considered New York’s most culturally diverse borough, and Astoria its most diverse hood, so it’s really like living in a microcosm of the whole world. And unlike politicians and religions would like us to believe, everyone here gets along!

As a result, food is varied, fantastic and cheap, and right now so is rent (much cheaper than my hometown of Brisbane for example), although as it becomes more popular, that is likely to change. Down near 30th Ave and further south to Long Island City, you can see the slow but steady influx of hipsters migrating north. But something tells me that Astoria will never get as stuffy or as pretentious as Williamsburg. Even though it’s only 10 mins on a train from my house to the Upper East Side of Manhattan, that’s still a little too far from the Lower East Side for most dillettantes/trust fund kids! Thank God for geography; you just can’t change it unless mother nature (or perhaps terrorism) decides different.

There is a growing army of people like me here: those who can’t deal with Williamsburg, don’t want to live deep in the heart of Brooklyn, can’t afford to live in Manhattan, but still want to be part of a “scene”. And there is a growing scene here, thanks in part to the continuing efforts of groups like the Astoria Music and Arts organisation. There are more and more bands proud to say they come from Queens, and my band is certainly a part of it; we’re all Astorians! There are plenty of open mic nights in pubs in the area, and live original music happening in numerous venues. I have also come on board to help organise the 4th annual Astoria Music Now! arts and music festival, happening on the river under the Triboro bridge on August 21. Bring it on Queens!

1. The Right Way
As soon as I heard back the recording of the tribal drum intro for this song, I knew
it would be the album opener. And I didn’t realise it at the time of writing, but
there’s definitely a subtle Hall and Oates influence here! My co-writer Nick Stewart
had this latino-sounding riff that I immediately latched onto, and the song built
from there, ultimately turning into a deep rock groove. In our youth and beauty-
obsessed media age, it’s a wary tale about a guy who’s hell bent on dating the one
girl who makes everyone’s heart jump when she enters a room; but ultimately
learns a hard lesson about falling in love with a “man-eater”.

2. Make It Somehow
This song was written during two years I spent living in Ireland as a full-time
musician, playing in a Beatles tribute band (The Beatless) during the week and
gigging with our originals band (The Charm) on weekends. We recorded this as part
of a demo at the time and got close to being signed, but alas, ‘twas not to be. We all
had a blast anyway! I sat on this song for years as I always thought it was “too
Lennon”, but after hearing The Vines, Jet and other bands wearing their musical
hearts on their sleeves I thought, “Why not”? I mean there are backwards sitars in
there and everything!

3. Tight Black Dress
This song was a late addition to the album, and probably the one I’m most proud of,
as it was all recorded at my mate Paulie B’s studio in West End, Brisbane and my
apartment across town with my other friend Justin Tresidder’s A1 mobile recording
rig, alongside assistance from Brisbane sonic gurus JLM Audio. Then it was sent off
to Steve Hodge in the US to mix; and we got so excited when he sent it back. Go
Steve! He’s an amazing guy. The song started from a productive and hilarious
writing session with talented tunesmiths Russ de Salvo and Arnie Roman in Long
Island (New York). Once we knuckled down, we created this ode to the beauty of
woman, particularly when enshrined in a Tight Black Dress. This song may be
considered frivolous but it puts a smile on people’s faces, so I’m happy!

4. Because Of You
This song came about from a serendipitous connection to legendary songwriter/
producer Chas Sandford (“Missing You” by John Waite, “Talk To Me” by Stevie
Nicks etc). My Uncle Peter, a longtime US resident and Professor at Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, had an associate who played in a monthly blues jam band
with Chas at the time of my visit, and was able to arrange a lunch meeting with
him. On top of this, my other Nashville-based Aussie friend Natalie Howard had a
writing session with Chas booked months in advance which coincided with my stay,
and very kindly offered up the time; so the three of us got together and came up
with this uplifting song. It’s a love poem, a tribute to a wonderful woman who has
fallen in love with a man “warts and all”. She can see the good guy inside, and has
helped him get back on the right path, and he’s smart enough to realise how lucky
he is. On the production side, I was influenced by George Harrison’s slide work and
The Pretenders’ jangly country-pop.

5. Magic Carpet Weaver
This was written in the full bloom of love during a long-term relationship, and
judging by the response it evokes in people, I think I somehow managed to capture
an element of that joy, almost permanently like in a jar!, within the song. Co-writer
Nick Stewart had this great riff going, slightly reminiscent of U2 but ultimately
more old school, and the song grew from there. I like the cheeky line in the chorus:
“She’s a princess, I’m her diva!” That puts a smile on my face whenever I sing it. I
certainly ascribe to the belief that sometimes when you’re writing, even if it’s with
your own experience in mind, you can become a channel for other energies, spirits,
whatever you wish to call it. I try not to question what it is and just let it happen
when it does, as it makes me feel part of something much bigger and more beautiful
than we can see. And it also explains the chorus line I quoted above, as I really don’t
know where it came from, ha ha!

6. I Believe
This is probably the most laid-back song on the album. I love how Steve (Hodge, mix
engineer) has mixed my vocals “up close and raw” in the verses, helping to
consolidate the intimacy and vulnerability the song aims to express, along with
Paul’s (Peterson, co-producer) beautiful cascading piano part, as it slowly builds up
to the climactic bridge section. It’s a bittersweet exploration of love and its
aftermath. The protagonist has gone through a break-up, and while he may be
holding a candle to the past, he’s also saying “I (still) believe in love”, no matter how
much it can hurt. So there’s hope! One of my favourite album recording moments
involved laying down extra guitars for the bridge section of this song. Oliver Leiber
had kindly allowed me the use of his “guitar heaven” recording studio while he was
away for a day or two, and myself and Nick Page (“Forever Girl” co-writer) set about
creating this wild sound I could hear in my head, which he understood from my
description, and seemed just as excited about. With all of the guitars, pedals and
amps on offer, I felt like, with Nick’s help, I was finally able to create a part and
sound exactly as I had imagined it. I also have a stripped back mix of this song
which I love and may release sometime after the album.

7. The Family Song
Some people who’ve heard the record say this song doesn’t fit on there, while others
feel it’s the “soul” of the record, so it’s true that you can’t please everybody. My Dad
said to me one day “You’re always writing songs about your ex, so when are you
going to write a song about us?” This was my response! I certainly don’t consider
myself a non-secular artist, but I was proud to win the Gospel/Spiritual category at
the Q Song (Queensland) music awards with this recording and I admit the song is
influenced by American soul and gospel music. I’m very lucky that my folks are still
together and love each other, and as a result we’re a pretty close and loving family,
and this song celebrates that.

8. All Of My Love
A journo friend from my time in the Brisbane street press (Neil Richards) rang one
day to ask if I’d be interested in co-writing with St Paul Peterson, an American
artist he was now managing. The name rang a bell, and when I checked his bio
(which is nuts!) the penny dropped and I jumped at the opportunity, as he was soon
to be visiting Australia. We ended up hanging at Paul’s hotel room and immediately
got on really well, and before long we had written the guts of this song together.
With things off to a good start, we kept talking and eventually Paul became my
album co-producer; a fantastic experience! The song started off on acoustic guitars
but quickly moved to a more hard-edged rock feel (the riffs demanded it!), while also
emanating soul/funk vibes, as lyrically Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On album was a
thematic inspiration, along with the notion of letting go of shackles and stepping
out into the world, flowing into the right energy stream and riding it like a wave!

9. Forever Girl
I wrote this song in LA and, lyrically at least, I think it shows! My cohort Nick Page
and I had been working on these big riffs and slowly turning them into a song, when
he suggested the idea of trying out his buddy Adam Longlands for lyrics. This was
part of accepting new processes for me, as previously I had always written my own
lyrics, or at least co-written them with someone else. So we sent him our song idea
and he bounced back pretty quickly with some great words which resonated with
me at the time, and also suggested we keep in the “la-la-la-la” section which we had
merely placed in the demo as a “space holder” until we came up with something
better, or so we thought … it turned out to be one of the big hooks of the song! It’s a
story about a guy who’s just met this amazing girl, but it’s too early for him to tell if
she’s his “forever girl” or not. He’s being honest but still feels guilty; he “can’t say,
and that’s not right”. Meanwhile she starts dreaming of wedding invitation designs!

10. We’ll Be Gone
This is one of my personal favourites on the album, written with my musical
compadre, Sydney musician/producer Josh Wermut. He had turned me onto artists
like D’Angelo , whose album “Voodoo” just blew my mind, so when it came to co-
writing  I expected us to create something more laid back. Instead we soon moved
into angular, angry rock and punk reggae vibes, as we wanted to convey our feelings
towards the Earth’s politicians and CEO’s who always seem to be at least one step
behind the public in the world of spiritual and general evolution. This song took
some work to finish off, as I kept changing the chorus melody and couldn’t decide on
which one; and then finally it came to me.

11. All That You Need
This is one of my other personal faves on the album, as I really believe in the song’s
message, and I also went to town on the production side, expressing my deep love of
all things reggae. It was exciting to be able to show Steve (Hodge, mix engineer)
reference material for say, an effect on a particular instrument, and then watch him
faithfully replicate it, which we applied to several sounds here. This song is an
honest look at the state of the world today (a shambles, let’s face it) but is still
hopeful in the recognition that more people are “waking up”, jumping off the mind-
control ship, recognising we are all connected and choosing to lead freer lives filled
with love.

12. You’re Not Here
This is probably the most poignant song on the album, as I wrote it a week after my
longest relationship partner left to move overseas, shortly after we broke up. I think
the lyrics speak for themselves; a lot of people have been there! It’s also one of the
biggest songs production-wise on the album, which is another reason why it sits
well as the album’s closer. And it features the previously inimitable Brian May
(Queen) guitar sound! A few days before we arrived at Oliver Leiber’s studio to
record extra guitars, he received a delivery he had been waiting on for 3 years -
made by a Japanese luthier and considered to be the most faithful reproduction of
Brian May’s main guitar (originally designed/created by Brian and his Dad). Oliver
said he had been waiting for the right song to give the guitar a good workout, and
fortunately that just happened to be mine!

http://www.fasterlouder.com.au review page

There are two types of punters who come to tribute gigs: those who want near-copies of their beloved originals to accompany their drinking and those who expect something more.

Despite the depth of talent crammed into a sweltering The Zoo tonight, it’s clear from the outset that only one group will go home happy. And drunk.

Art-rock band Drawn From Bees has collected an impressive range of local acts, organised and promoted this fifth annual The Beatles tribute night, and secured music journalist Ritchie Yorke as MC.

Try as I might, I don’t like Charlie Mayfair. They’re nice kids and their harmonies are sweet, but I just can’t get past the feeling I’ve heard it all before. The folk-pop outfit bumbles through All My Loving like it’s Helter Skelter, with each member determined to butcher the song in a different style. One singer gives it a blues sensibility, Hannah Shepherd plays it straight while the lead guitarist appears to be auditioning for The E Street Band.

She’s Leaving Home is equally disjointed and lacklustre, and a bungled first chorus leaves the singer suitably chastised and unable to recover the sweet, tense front the song requires. They crank it up a notch for Happiness Is A Warm Gun but with volume, they lose clarity. As they leave the stage, I wonder if the track should have been left for a band with more oomph and whether Charlie Mayfair should stick to playing Fleetwood Mac – uh, I mean – their own songs.

Lovers of Modern Art lay down a bass groove thick enough to skate on for mid-career classics Come Together (the riff from Foxy Lady is a nice touch) and Back In The USSR, which gets the weary crowd moving in what feels like 40 degree heat. It’s grand to see girls dancing The Stomp in their 60s-inspired frocks. Bless.

The crowd here is 20 and 30-something dags wearing their thinnest shirts, plus some older Beatles fans and parents of musicians. Band members alone tally 50 of the sold out room.

Grand Atlantic frontman Phil Usher joins Lovers of Modern Art for a rollicking version of Helter Skelter. He’s on the foldback speakers over the crowd doing the rock n roll scream. “Coming down fast now / Don’t let me break you,” he appeals. Aw, you’re no fun.

Between sets, Brisbane’s folk Godfather Ty Noonan serenades the crowd with some of the ballads, including Woman and Beautiful Boy. The fuzzy-headed man with a guitar and soul is a welcome reprieve from the rock.

It seems Inland Sea aren’t quite sure what they’re doing. There’s an on-stage tussle over who will sing the opening number, then what can only be described as a cacophonous cover of All You Need Is Love. Apparently, the song is not true because this band needs no fewer than nine members (one short tonight!) on stage at once. Guitarist Jeremy Hunter shrugs. “We figured it out, it was all right.” They recover for a surf-rock version of Paperback Writer, and as we collectively boogie and sweat out our beers, it feels like the a song about the best of summer.

Only half of Twenty Six are here tonight, bolstered by The Boat People’s Tony Garrett on drums. It’s clearly Twenty Six’s job to cover the acid years, with faithful versions of Strawberry Fields, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Penny Lane. But it’s Tomorrow Never Knows that reminds us of The Beatles’ incredible legacy to modern music. This track is two degrees from modern electronica, and there’s even a trip-hop loop. Throw some keyboards over the top and you could have a thoroughly modern-sounding track from a group like Faithless.

Yorke tells us the gig is a sell out and we’ve raised $10,000 for Queensland flood victims. He says musicians struggle to know how to help in times of disaster. “They’re not plumbers, they can’t go out and do their bit for someone’s house. This is what they can do.”

Blame Ringo has less reason than any of the bands to be here tonight, supporting the Beatles’ legacy. Once called Goodnight Vienna, the band received a tersely worded legal letter from Richard Starkey’s lawyers in 2007 and had to change its name. Now they’re on a mission to “blame Ringo for everything”. They’re angst shines through when they manage to make even It’s Your Birthday sound sinister, with military-style drums.

Dear Grand Atlantic, if you take the Ferny Grove train to Mitchelton, there is a barber on Blackwood St that does $8 haircuts. I’ll even lend you my Go card. Still, it’s nice to see Bill Oddie has a career on bass guitar after The Goodies broke up.

Yorke returns to the stage to read a message Yoko Ono wrote for the crowd: “I wish all people in Queensland a safe recovery from the floods. It seems Mother Nature is expressing her anger at what we are doing to this planet.”

Ono and her late husband would have been proud of what happened next. Noonan returned to the stage to lead an all-in rendition of Give Peace a Chance and the friendly Zoo crowd raised the roof of what many consider a second living room. It was as if we were singing to any flood victims that happened to be walking past, to the ghost of John Lennon and to the tempestuous river that meanders through our city.

Headliners Drawn From Bees are developing an excellent reputation for their finely crafted art-rock releases and strong live show. They dive into Nowhere Man without too much adieu. “The world is at your command,” bass player Stew Riddle wails. During Run For Your Life, singer Dan James is so far out over the crowd, he’s out of spotlight range. He’s singing “Let this be a sermon” and his congregation is entranced. In an age when so many rock stars are espousing faux morals, it’s refreshing to see bands like Drawn From Bees looking after their own. It means we’re bound to keep looking out for them.

Populous Magazine (2010)

“Australian singer, rock musician and friend of Populous, Tyrone Noonan, remembers his time performing in Populous-designed stadia with his former band george”

My dear friend and mentor Ritchie Yorke had been asked to be involved as MC in this charity event, an annual fundraiser put on by great local musicians including Stew Riddle. He knew I would be visiting and in town for the event, and so after checking in with me, he mentioned to the organisers that I was keen to be involved.

As I had performed at a few of these events in previous years, they were happy for me to jump on board; however the band line-up was set and most of the best Beatles songs had been taken.

So I suggested performing early ’70s Lennon tunes, acoustic and solo, in between the bands. They jumped at the idea, and so it came to pass. I didn’t quite realise the challenge I had taken on, holding an audience’s attention in between the full sonic force of some of the best of the current crop of Brisbane bands! But I shouldn’t have worried; the full-capacity crowd were amazing and sung along with every song like a trained choir.

The energy in the room just kept building throughout the night, and I was so pleased to see that the current Brisbane band scene is in great health! I became great friends with the guys from Charlie Mayfair, and I was really humbled to hear some musicians tell me how much my other band george had inspired them to start a band.

As my last song, before the final band, I chose to perform “Give Peace A Chance”, and I invited people from different bands to join me on stage. The feeling was electric; first we got the audience to start the clap, and then I started that sross-rhtyhm strum, and we were away.

The 500+ crowd were all with us, we were one; and I reckon every single person in that place was singing along. I for one almost had an out-of-body experience! I’m going to track down some of the bands and see if anyone recorded it; I’d love to see it. The experiece certainly reminded me of the true power of John Lennon’s music, and its ability to bring people together.

A fantastic way to see in the new year, albeit belatedly!

Here’s a link to a great review of the gig on fasterlouder.com.au: All You Need Is Beatles Review

Bye George! TNT Magazine (2008)

Tyrone Noonan and The Butterfly Effect (2008)

JJJ Australian National Radio Latest Headlines.

Clint Boge from The Butterfly effect talks about sounds for their new record, including contributions from former george member Tyrone Noonan.

Brisbane rockers The Butterfly Effect will release their third album Final Conversation Of Kings this weekend.
While they’ve kept their heavy rock style, they’ve added some new sounds this time round – including a horn section.

Singer Clint Boge told Zan about the unlikely inspiration for that.
“I used to sit at practice and cup my hands over the microphone and make these ‘brrr’ sort of sounds. It sort of sat well with the music and we decided to give it a shot.

“Tyrone Noonan of George came in and put some Wurlitzer and different sorts of keyboards, some Rhodes and stuff as well.”
The Butterfly Effect will be touring the album for triple j all through October and November.

London calling for george boy Noonan  (Courier Mail, 2008)

HOW do you follow up being in a band whose 2002 debut album Polyserena went to No.1 and double platinum and won an ARIA?
“You’ve got to be true to yourself,” is the advice of Tyrone Noonan, who shot to the giddy heights of fame with Brisbane outfit george and has immersed himself in local projects since the band took an extended hiatus three years ago.
They are words he has followed very closely with his debut solo album I Believe, now waiting in the wings for international release.
“This (solo album) is the best reflection of just me. I guess as a person and a songwriter and the kind of music that I really like.”
His individual flavour as a solo artist blends rock with swirls of pop, soul, funk and reggae.
Noonan mixes it all with dexterity, going from crooning a love ballad to belting out a rock tune and sounding just as strong in both.
“That’s what I mean, this record is like a true reflection of a lot of the things that I really love musically,” he says. “So I guess there is a bit of genre hopping there but hopefUlly there’s enough of a thread to make it all work.”
The album has a fair amount of radio appeal, especially the catchy song Tight Black Dress that Noonan says is “probably one of the most whimsical songs I’ve ever recorded”.

“But I’m slowly learning to understand that’s OK. Every different song has their place and their time. I think there are other songs on the record that are deeper than that and if a song like this can draw some interest into the album, then they will also get the other songs as well.”
Ten of the 12 tracks were recorded at Brisbane studio the Tanuki Lounge, owned by former george bassist Paulie Bromley. Industry contacts then gave Noonan the chance to polish it off with Prince protege Paul Peterson (aka St Paul) and Grammy winning engineer Steve Hodge in Minnesota.

“The Americans are really good at pulling off what’s called a big sound. I guess that was part of my idea, to try and mix that big sound of America with a
style that I think is more kind of English influenced. So the idea was to hopefully create a record that was more global sounding,” he says.
The English influence is important, since Noonan is taking his solo career to London on an open-ended ticket late next month.
The last time he went there was with george, where they performed sell-out shows across Britain. It will be a different experience as a solo artist, but Noonan is optimistic.
“I’m going to be hitting the ground running doing a bunch of solo shows, and then my Aussie band members are looking at following me over shortly after, so it’s really getting out into the international arena and looking for the right partner to release my record to the world.”

Tyrone Noonan’s last major public gig before going to London is at Brisbane Powerhouse’s Livespark on Sunday.

By Jane Chudleigh.

And he’s off, by George, headed for Brit success  (MX Brisbane, 2008)

Sunday sessions are back at the Brisbane Powerhouse. with the return of the free Livespark program showcasing local indie pop / rock talent.
Tyrone Noonan plays this weekend – his last public performance before he heads off to further his career in the UK.

Noonan, who is also part of Aria Award-winning Brisbane band George, has already begun cementing his international reputation, after supporting superstars Macy Gray and Jewel, and playing in front of a TV audience of millions at the Rugby World Cup.

“Brisbane will always be in my heart, but it’s time to go overseas and spread out a bit,” Noonan says.

“There’s such a small market here that it sometimes feels like succeeding is almost success at someone else’s expense.
“Playing at the Powerhouse will be a nice way to say goodbye for now’”.

Catch Tyrone Noonan’s farewell performance on Sunday from 3.30pm at the Turbine Hall, Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm.
- ANNA HILTON

Big Wide World  (Scene Magazine, 2008)

Tyrone Noonan, brother of George singer Katie, is farewelling his home town with a gig this Sunday.

With the success of george one would have assumed that Tyrone Noonan had a ticket anywhere afterwards – but he decided to make his way as an independent artist.
“I guess that’s where george started and that seemed like a natural progressIon. so It’s kind of like a new beginning. Obviously It’s with a bit more experience.”

The first EP was partly a learning experience for this singer/songwriter.  “‘Heavy Soul Part 1 was me kind of searching for my sound In a way, because when you’re in a band for so long It kind of ends up influencing your songs and writing process Without you even realising It. SO the record was an attempt at breaking away from that and just rediscovering my own song writing roots in terms of what I really wanted to do and sound like. I think this record (I Believe) is a consolidation of that.”
While his first solo outing was an exercise In lost love. Noonan wants to celebrate the notion that not all relationships are doomed to fail.
“I guess the songs I wrote about my family are all about love, and all that kind of stuff and I guess were lucky to have a family where both of my parents are still together and very much in love, that’s kind of a rarity this day in age
“Basically I’m two years out of a seven year long relationship – a long time – so that’s kind of come through here and there I guess”
Last year Noonan performed at Musexpo With Pete Murray and Dead Day Sun in LA, he eventually ended up staYing for three months With Paul Peterson famed protege of Prince – to finish recording his new album.

“My manger showed me hiS CV and I went: You got to be kidding me this guys a freak I
“He also works with Kenny Loggins by the way and I’ve come to accept that he’s not actually a bad artist. I didn’t t realise he co-wrote the song ‘What a Fool Believes’ by the Doobie Brothers which IS one of my favourite songs so I can forgive him for Footloose’ now.”
Noonan has decided to make the move to London. “It s just time to get out there to the big wide world. I’ve baSically self funded thiS record and I’ve been holding off my options to find the right kind of people to work With and I think I’m going to find it over there.”

Tyrone Noonan plays at the Troubadour on July 24 and the Powerhouse on Sunday July 27.
- Ninjawookie

Tyrone Noonan at Maleny  (2008)

As co-singer and instrumentalist for multi-platinum selling Australian jazz-rock-pop combo george, Tyrone Noonan released a number one, double platinum debut album, won an ARIA award and performed to 1.8 billion people at the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony.
He has also conducted sell-out tours of Australia, UK, Ireland and Japan and supported world-class artists as diverse as Macy Gray, Jewel and Tori Amos.

With george on an extended break, Tyrone has released and toured a top 10 AIR indie chart album with his jazz group Palimpsest, released and toured the solo mini-album Heavy Soul Part 1 and last year represented Queensland at the A&R Worldwide Musexpo conference and the Oz City Song Cycle and Passport Approved showcases in Los Angeles.

He also performed at the premier’s advance expatriate awards at the Rockefeller Centre in New York, was featured in Billboard Magazine’s Underground performance-interview series and produced his upcoming debut full-length album, “I Believe”, with Paul Peterson and mix engineer Steve Hodge.

Ty also undertook a successful Australian solo tour in October-November 2007 with Paul Greene and Karl Broadie, and the Palimpsest track I’ll Bet You Thought I’d Never Find You has been licensed for top UK jazz compilations Messing Around Vol 5 and Jazz Rooms.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Tyrone perform solo and with his jazz group Palimpsest on the Easter weekend at one great venue at Maleny.

WHO: Tyrone Noonan (ex george)
WHERE: UpFront Club Maleny
WHEN: Friday
ALSO: Ty Noonan’s Palimpsest, Saturday
INFO: www.upfrontclub.org

Advance. Global Australians.  Feature Profile.

Singer Tyrone Noonan grew up mostly in Brisbane, and his career has taken him across the globe. Tyrone describes himself as a ‘citizen of the world’, having lived and worked across Australia, LA, New York and Minneapolis, and currently planning his next move to the UK. He discusses what brought him to the USA, the advantages of the American love affair with all things Australian, and memorable moments from his time as co-singer and instrumentalist of the band george.

Where did you grow up in Australia?
I was born in Sydney. I lived there ’til I was nearly 8 years old and then moved to Brisbane with my family.
What brought you to the United States of America? How long have you been here? How long do you plan to stay?
I initially came to the United States to represent my state of Queensland as one of the featured showcase artists at the prestigious Musexpo Music conference in LA (April-May 2007), backed by a world class band featuring US musician Paul Peterson (St Paul) at the famous Viper Room, along with Passport Approved showcases at Nettwerk/The Sync and LA Indie 103.1/www.rehearsals.com.

I also performed at The State Premier’s Queensland Advance Expatriate Awards at the Rockefeller Centre in New York in early May, and I am the only performer to have been featured at two Oz City Song Cycle showcases (for high-profile Aussies in LA @ The Mint, May/July). I was also featured in Billboard Magazine’s Underground performance/interview series (www.billboard.com).

I also completed production on my debut solo album in Minneapolis with Paul Peterson (Prince, Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Lionel Richie, The Beach Boys etc), with mixing duties by Steve Hodge (Grammy winning-producer, Flyte Tyme Studios Chief Engineer 1986-2003 – Janet and Michael Jackson, TLC, George Michael etc); and finally mastering by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound NY (David Bowie, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, The Ramones etc).

While in the US I wrote 14 songs, including two of these as extra album tracks: one a collaboration with LA-based producer Nick Page and Adam Longlands of The Matrix and featuring longtime Prince drummer Michael Bland; the other with legendary Nashville-based songwriter/producer Chas Sandford, the recipient of 12 ASCAP “Most Performed Songs” awards, including John Waite’s “Missing You” and Stevie Nicks’ “Talk To Me”.
I am now currently back in Australia, but I am relocating to London in mid-August 2008 and plan to be visiting the US again before the end of 2008.

What is your current position and your role?
Singer, composer, entertainer, arranger, producer, band leader.

What made you decide on this type of work?
It’s my true passion!

What is the best part of your job? Can you describe some of your most memorable moments I stories?
The best part of my job is connecting with people through my music. One of my most memorable stories is from my time as co-singer and instrumentalist of the Aussie band george.
We had some strong radio and media support for one of my songs, Bastard Son.
It dealt with some heavy issues, including the problem of youth male suicide in regional areas, children brought up in families without love, and the general Aussie male bravado “myth” that we’re all tough as nails.
I was approached by a young man after a gig one night who told me that he’d been abused by his father, and had been contemplating suicide, until he heard Bastard Son on the radio and felt like it was “a voice for his pain”, and somehow helped him snap out of his suicidal thoughts. That just blew me away!

What are the challenges you face in your industry in the USA?
The industry is so big compared to Australia, which is daunting, but exciting.
You have to have the right strategies in place, focusing on the correct markets, states/territories, target audience etc and not just going for an expensive and potentially fruitless scattergun approach.

What are the advantages of being based in the USA?
Having direct access to one of the biggest music markets in the world and being part of a much more developed industry than our own (again due to its size and scope). Having worked extensively in the Australian music industry, you are constantly reminded of the huge potential of the US market.
What are the differences in your industry in the USA compared to Australia?
Size and scale is the main difference as mentioned above; but I find there is one other distinct advantage in general US attitudes.
Firstly, Aussies seem to be perennial favourites amongst Americans – a love affair which began with Crocodile Dundee and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Secondly it’s the way Americans view success, almost an “anti” tall poppy syndrome! It’s a breath of fresh air! As prominent Aussie producer Mark Moffat (who has worked for years in both the US and Australia) has said: “In Australia you’re as big as your last hit; in America you’re as big as your biggest hit”.
How has the overseas experience shaped you?
Without wanting to sound egotistical, my recent overseas experience has helped confirm that I have what it takes to be an international success.

How did you find living in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is a very interesting place … in some ways the most cliched city in America, but then it really can surprise you. There are many amazing people in that city working on fantastic projects all the time; it’s such a creatively industrious town, but I guess the challenge is not to get caught up in some of its more superficial elements. New York however … well I could go on for hours about how much I love that place! And Nashville is songwriting Mecca, and Minneapolis is full of fantastic musos.
Is there anything you miss about Australia?
My family and friends, the general laid-back vibe, rainforests, the weather, the beaches, and the food!! What suggestions do you have for other Australian’s wanting to follow a similar path?
Just Do it! You have to go to the US to really make your mind up about the place; it’s like the best and worst of everything all happening at once … it’s very exciting and you are constantly challenged and invigorated by the possibilities.

Do you plan to return to Australia?
As a Brisbane fashion/creative legend Dawn Peterson recently told me:
“Brisbane’s a great place to live; New York and London are great places to work”.
So yes I plan to buy a property in the hinterland some day soon and will always have a base in Australia, but from here on in I guess you could call me a citizen of the world.

William Barton & Tyrone Noonan join forces for National Close the Gap Day

Internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player and composer William Barton and co-lead singer of Brisbane’s multi-platinum selling Australian jazz/rock/pop combo, George, now turned soloist, Tyrone Noonan, will join this week to sign the Giant Pledge supporting ‘Close the Gap’ – a major national effort to end the health crisis facing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Representatives of Oxfam will take the Pledge to the duo in Queen’s Park Gardens in Brisbane (corner George and Elizabeth Sts), where a National Close the Gap Day Event will be staged on Tuesday 18 September. The city’s office workers are being urged to commit their lunch hour on September 18 to join in marking the national day – which will focus on the theme of ‘black and white together for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health’.

Close the Gap is a coalition of Australia’s leading health, human rights and Aboriginal organisations committed to working with Federal, State and Territory Governments to narrow the life expectancy gap between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and other Australians within a generation.

Being good friends with thriving musical careers, Tyrone and William often find it hard to meet up, but are glad to be able to do so to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity, a cause close to both of their hearts. Tyrone Noonan recently returned from a successful showcase in with gigs in such places as the famous Viper Room and William from an extensive Outback Tour.

The coming together of Noonan and Barton, underlines one of the central themes of the Close the Gap National Day, which will be joining together of black and white Australians to send this important message to Federal and State governments.

Statistics showed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are dying on average 17 years younger than other Australians, with alarming rates in infant mortality and highly disproportionate rates of preventable and chronic diseases. These statistics in many cases place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on a par with developing countries such as and.

Comparing these figures to other developed nations, Oxfam and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation released a report entitled ‘Close The Gap:  Solutions to the Indigenous Health Crisis facing’.

The ‘Close the Gap’ Pledge was officially launched in Sydney’s Telstra Stadium on the April 4th by former Olympic champions Catherine Freeman and Ian Thorpe, drawing attention to the major turnaround within the space of less than 25 years in our Olympic Games performance – from no gold medals at Montreal in 1976 to a record medal haul in Sydney 2000.

Oxfam is an Australian, secular, not-for-profit, community-based overseas aid and development organisation that has worked for 30 years in Indigenous Australia through its Indigenous Australia Program.

Oxfam’s Queensland community campaigns coordinator Ann Matson said anyone could join in National Close the Gap Day at Queen’s Gardens Park – or find out how to organise their own 15 minute Close the Gap Day event  by registering at www.oxfam.org.au/national-day

For further information: Ann Matson – 07-3637 4615 / 0409 641 721 or annmatson@oxfam.org.au
www.oxfam.org.au/national-day

The Sexiest Man Alive?  (Beat Magazine, 2007)

Dubbed “The Sexiest Man Alive” by one gushing Myspace fan, Tyrone Noonan certainly stands out in a crowd. With a vast crop of golden curls, the co-singer and multi-instrumentalist from gender-bending  pop outfit george has always looked like a star – and he’s definitely on the rise. 2006 saw Ty release a slick and’ sophisticated solo EP and follow it up with a national tour over Christmas. April 2007 saw Tyrone representing Queensland at the prestigious A&R Worldwide Musexpo in Los Angeles and 2008 heralds a brand new album from this very prolific young man. Beat spoke with Tyrone about his new lease on life.

Why did george go on hiatus?
“It was a culmination of things, but one of the major factors was the introduction of more babies into the george camp!”

Tell us a bit about your side projects – the theatre work particularly. What were the productions and how did you get involved?
“I love composing for theatre and film, it’s like tapping into another part of your brain away from performing and ‘normal’ songwriting. I have worked with the .Queensland Theatre Company a couple of times, the_ ,last being Hitchcock Blonde, which brought heavy filmic concepts into the theatre. I also have a great relationship with Sean Mee and La Boite Theatre and have composed several soundtracks for them, including David Williamson’s The Operator, where the music ranged from ’60s film noir eeriness to life~style guru piss-take anthems.”

Why did you first decide to go solo?
“It was a natural event. but I think performing solo support on Tori Amos’ last Australian tour (2005) ,confirmed it for me!!!: I am also fortunate to have a fantastic Brisbane band to record and play with.”

How has your experience as a solo artist differed from your work with george?
“It’s more work. just as it’s more work going back on the indie path; you don’t have the same ‘all for one. one for all’ ethos, but then you don’t always have five timetables to co-ordinate (laughs), so it has its advantages and
disadvantages.”     .

Are you and Katie at all competitive?
“Just like any normal brother and sister sure … but the ,experience of working together in george has given us a closeness, understanding and mutual respect that is hard to beat.”

Have the themes or ideas in your ~ changed much?
“Not really … to quote Elvis Costello, I’m still singing about ‘peace, love and understanding’

Noonan Makes A Connection (Courier-Mail, 2007)

FORMER George keys man and songwriter Ty Noonan has kept a low profile this year while working on a solo set which he completed in the US. He spent five weeks in Minneapolis with co-producer Paul Petersen, a protege of Prince in The Time. The album was mixed by Steve Hodge, who was an engineer for Minneapolis hit-machine-team Jam and Lewis. Then he went to Nashville where he ended up writing a new tune, Because Of You, that has been added to the album. The song was co-written with Chas Sandford, who has written mega-sellers including John Waite’s Missing You and Stevie Nicks’s Talk To Me.

“It was one of those freakish connections,” Noonan says. “My uncle is a university professor in Nashville, I mentioned Chas’s name and he said, ‘Oh, another professor here plays with him in a jam band’.” You never know your luck in a songwriting town. “I think the album shows something of my two biggest influence, John Lennon and Marvin Gaye,” Noonan says.

Good foundations to build on. The album will be released next year, but meanwhile Noonan is back on the road with the Heavy Soul tour, which also features songwriters Paul Green and Karl Broadie.
Interview excerpt

How did you find the Musexpo conference this year – what kind of reception did you get? Did you make any useful contacts?
“It was a fantastic experience, a great way to enter a new market, playing my first gig in the US at the Viper Room with a cracking US backing band. Myself and my manager have several important ongoing career relationships as a result of that conference.”

I hear you’ve just completed your debut LP. How did it come together?
“I feel blessed as the whole project has rolled out like a ‘planet-aligned’ process, from Brisbane to the US.”

Where was it recorded and who did you work with?
“Most of the band tracks, some overdubs and some vocals were recorded in Brisbane (at Paulie B’s studio Tanuki Lounge). with more overdubs, vocals and some additional

How does the album represent a step forward for’ you?
“I feel this album will be my most definitive musical statement to date. I have to admit I’m proud of it. it’s been a true labour of love and it sounds world class.”

Catch Tyrone Noonan when he tours with South Coast troubadour Paul Greene and Sydney-based Scotsman Karl Broadie as part of the Heavy Soul tour. They play Ruby’s Lounge Thursday October 18 and Don’t Tell Tom Friday October 19.

Fame Beckons From Afar (Courier-Mail, 2007)

BRISBANE could lose much-loved music son Tyrone Noonan to the US.
Ty’s just back from a three-month sojourn where he showcased before industry heavy-hitters and finished a new album. The trip has paid off, with the US industry taking big notice of the former george frontman.
AB much as he loves his hometown, Ty says he has to make the most of the American interest and move there.
“At this point in my career I am prepared to make that sacrifice,” Ty tells Qconfidential. “Because of the interest I’m getting, it’d seem foolish not to follow through.”

Tyrone’s Australian manager left for the US last week for meetings with US record companies and management, and a deal is in the offing.
“I really can’t say anything until we have the deal,” Ty says.

He reckons the three months he spent in the US were a dream. He played a gig at Viper Room, showcased for music industry bible Billboard in NY and hung out with, erm … Peter Beattie in New York (big Pete’s export posse backed Ty’s trip).

The ‘froed one was in Prince’s hometown of Minneapolis for five weeks where he finished recording his album, working alongside Oliver “son of Jerry” Leiber (who wrote Paula Abdul’s hits), songwriter Chas Sanford, mixer Steve Hodge (Janet Jackson, George Michael) and Prince protege Paul Peterson.
Ty plans to head Stateside later this year or early next year.
“I had a very encouraging meeting with an immigration lawyer in LA before I left,” he says. “And all this happened on my first trip – it’s quite mind-blowing.”

Tyrone Noonan Pete Murray and Lior To Showcase At Musexpo

Tyrone Noonan, Pete Murray and Lior have gigs scheduled on the Sunset Strip as part of Musexpo.
Tyrone and Lior will play the Viper Room on Sunday April 29, Pete Murray will perform at the Viper Room on Monday April 30.

The Skybombers are down for a showcase at The Roxy on Tuesday May 1 while New Zealand’s The Mint Chicks will hit the Key Club stage on Sunday April 29.

Speakers for the convention include CNN’s Larry King, digital music industry innovator Ted Cohen and industry commentator Bob Lefsetz as well as Capitol CEO Jason Flom and former Sex Pistols member and now broadcaster Steve Jones.

Publicity guru Larry Solters, founder of Scoop Marketing, will host the Meet The Press panel on Monday April 29, which will include yours truly. Their ‘Global A&R Forum” will feature Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas and Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy.

Musexpo, dubbed the United Nations of Music and Media, will take place at the Bel Age Hotel on the Sunset Strip between April 29 and May 2nd.

A&R Worldwide’s Artist Of The Week, 2007

Queensland, Australia native Tyrone Noonan is no stranger to the Australasian music scene. As a co-singer and instrumentalist for multi-Platinum selling Australian jazz/rock/pop combo George, Noonan garnered critical acclaim. He’s released a No.1 debut album in Australia, won an ARIA award and performed sold-out tours of Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and Japan.

Noonan’s new mini-album, Heavy Soul Part 1, has been compared to the rock ‘n roll attitude of Lenny Kravitz with a slightly more pop and soul attitude. Heavy Soul Part 1 is produced by Dave Nicholas and Michael Stangel (INXS, Sting, The Veronicas). Noonan is currently available for signing, licensing, synch and legal representation outside of Australia.

A singer/songwriter who’s made his mark in the music scene (Our Brisbane.com, 2007)

Tyrone’s extraordinary talent was a driving force in ARIA award-winning Brisbane band george, one of the great success stories of Australian music.

With double platinum sales, a No. 1 debut album, a swag of hits under his belt and integrity intact, Tyrone has been enjoying playing to audiences on the east coast. Having finished his upcoming full-length debut solo album during a highly successful US trip this year, he’ll be returning stateside for an extended period in 2008.

What’s your favourite:
Word: sláinte (Gaelic for “cheers”)!

Drink: vodka, soda and fresh lime.

Fruit: lime!

Place for a holiday: Mt Tamborine or Springbrook.

Website: www.tyronenoonan.com

Way to spend Sunday afternoon: bushwalking, cycling or staying in bed!

Do you still have anything from your childhood? Yes! My first trophy for third place in “Pot Of Brass” primary school talent quest. Also, some very early issues of my all-time favourite comic, 2000 AD.

Ty’s Take On Split Enz  (Courier Mail, 2007)

Adam Thompson rocks Suncorp. Tyrone Noonan does Split Enz for Red Cross and Aker comments on the Lions v Bulldogs.

LOCAL singer/songwriter Tyrone Noonan turned a Split Enz toon into a fundraising phenomenon yesterday and now there’s an outside chance of it becoming the Red Cross anthem. Ty reworked all the words of I See Red into I See Red Cross Calling at the launch at GoMA.

One For The Show  (Courier-Mail, 2007)

Seasoned muso Tyrone Noonan has been set the ultimate challenge – to interpret the soundtrack to a year in the life,of a 17-year-old girl, circa 1989. Laura Stead reports. ‘”

STEPPING back into 1980s culture is a scary prospect for anyone, but writing a theatre score for a novel set in the period is a challenge that’s proven too tempting for multi-faceted Brisbane musician Tyrone Noonan to pass up.
Noonan’s work will be showcased as part of La Boite Theatre Company’s production of the Rebecca Sparrow novel The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay. Aside from his involvement with ARIA award-winning Brisbane band George, Tyrone lends his hand to electronicacoustic side project T2 and jazz/Latin/soul group Palimpsest. is a solo artist and OJ with a new album, and has composed several soundtracks for film, theatre, animation and multi-media.
For Nick McGowan, however, the focus is firmly on bringing Sparrow’s story of teenager Rachel Hill’s dramatic final year of high school to the fore.
The story, a prequel to Sparrow’s hit novel The Girl Most Likely, follows Rachel’s turmoil as troublesome but enigmatic Nick McGowan moves in with her family after being booted from the school boarding house for his rebellious behaviour.
Those of Generation X will appreciate the It’s a Knockout and bubble skirt references, but it’s Noonan’s interpretation of hits from The Ramones, Pseudo Echo, Simple Minds, The Bangles and others that will set the baCKdrop for the play.

Nick McGowan is Noonan’s third collaboration with La Boite, a company he was first introduced to through contact with director Sean Mee. He has also worked on The Dance of Jeremiah and Rio Saki and Other Falling Debris.
“I first worked with Sean Mee through QUT in the late ’90s when he was working with students on film work:’ Tyrone says.
“I worked doing music for projects he was involved in at QUT and then my first professional production was at the old La Boite theatre in 1999.
“Over the years when I’ve had time, I’ve put my hand up to write with Sean again and La Boite. I really enjoy working with Sean and the company as welL”
Tyrone says theatre is always a welcome change from his regular style.

“I love the challenge that writing for theatre encapsulates:’ he says. “A lot of the music I do you could call serious, so it’s nice to do something like this.”
Tyrone says audiences will find plenty of moments to relate to within the play, especially those who grew up with leg warmers and 80s music.
“I think it’s a fantastic script:’ he says. “It has a cool take on the retro elements and that’s coming out in the music. Some of them are being interpreted to add a sense of irony (such as the country-swing-shuffle version of Huey Lewis’ Hip to be Square).
‘There are a few serious moments underpinning the whole thing and it’s a really fun script.
“It’s referencing all these pop culture icons of the ’80s but Sean has a vision so the way we’ve interpreted some of the songs is to support the dramatic content.”

The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay opens at the Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin Grove, on May 17 2007. For tickets, phone 30078600.

Tune Out (Brisbane News, 2006)

Tyrone Noonan wouldn’t miss the Woodford Folk Festival, even though it will take him an epic 900km drive to get there.
“We’re doing a few festivals and the day of our fIrst gig at Woodford w~’ll be driving from the Peats Ridge Festival in New South Wales,” Tyrone says. “But it will be worth it because 1 love Woodford. It’s a great opportunity to play to a really open-minded audience and it’s a kind of window into a possible post-capitalist neo-feudal socialist utopia.’ I like that. After two or three days at Woodford you seem to just naturally disconnect from mainstream society.”

That sounds like the view of someone ‘from the Woodstock generation. But Tyrone is too young to remember Woodstock (though he won’t reveal his age, working in an ageist milieu, as he does) but he’s now fIrmly part of the Woodford generation. He has played there with George, the band he made his name in alongside sister Katie Noonan, and with jazz OUtfIt Palimpsest, which he’ll be fronting at the festival again this year. Woodford features an impressive lineup including The John Butler Trio, Resin Dogs and plenty more acts from here and abroad.
Tyrone Noonan is sure to get a big welcome when he strides on to the bush stage, being something of a local hero. He’s one of a new generation of artists making it big without having to forsake his hometown.
With multi-platinum-selling jazz-rock-pop combo George he tasted fame (they had, a number one album and performed at the Opera House) and he has since performed as a solo artist around Australia and overseas while George is in hiatus. Last year he toured with Tori Amos and he has-also played with Deep Purple’s Jon Lord.

He actually started his working life in journalism but his pedigree suggested music would always resurface. Mum Maggie Noonan is a well-known Brisbane opera singer and dad Brian, also a journalist, was a crooner in his prime.
“My parents met performing on a national talent show and my mum was teaching music when I was’ born,” he recalls. “I was brought up on both classical and Beatles music.”

He first made his mark, musically, in a Brisbane punk band called The Sadistic Teddy Bears but he has mellowed. He fuses jazz and pop influences and his recent mini-album Heavy Soul Part 1 has spun off a successful single and a national tour last month. A solo album is due next year. But right now Tyrone is hanging out for Woodford. It may not be Woodstock but it is does have that “post-capitalist neo-feudal socialist utopia” kind of appeal. Peace man.
Woodford folk festival is on from Dec 27-Jan 1. www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

A Brisbane Icon (Tsunami Magazine, 2006)

There has been a change in the flow of traffic around the music scene of Iate. Something has cracked, and no it’s not Brisbane’s Riverside Expressway -it’s Brisbane’s very own pop rocker and soul groover, Tyrone Noonan. He’s just released his latest 6 track mini-album, Heavy Soul Part 1, and is going to be out on the road showcasing it in early November.
By Kitty Gordon

Brisbane has brewed an icon, an icon that is so unique and so real that it just cannot be described to anyone. His sound is his own creation. but for comparisons sake, Noonan has previously
been compared to songwriter Jeff Buckley.  The greatly adored george member disappeared for a short time like a magician’s assistant.

“I took some time off for a little while; I lived a normal life while george has been on an extended break,” explains Noonan.
But this musical genius has been chiseling away at his new creation Heavy SOUl Part 1 . His blazing vocals and Inviting guitar sound is what makes Tyrone a distinctive artist who has no limitations. “I’m excited about the possibility of here my music could take me. It’s great to be getting back out on the road, performing around he country ill front of people. I haven’t done it or a while,” says Noonan.

On the topic of why he wanted to go solo, Noonan explains, “When George decided that e were having a break, I sat down by myself in front of the piano and guitar and just decided to write what came into my head without any preconceptions or prejudgements. I think that is hat happens once you spend such a long time working on the one project with one band, you aImost subconsciously as a song writer write in a style to suit the band. I’d think that a lot of other musos would find it a common thing. It’s all about rediscovering and breaking through.”

Noonan is grateful for the people who have stuck by him and been able to grasp the true taste of his music. “1 have some long term fans that have been following my different projects for some time. Some of them’ have been to many of my shows even since the early days in George.” These fans can sleep soundly knowing that Noonan lives and breathes  music and plans to be in the game for the long haul, “I hope to be doing gigs when I’m in my seventies,” Noonan insists enthusiastically.

You would think that this highly sort after musician must have some sensational warm-up ritual before he goes on stage, as his voice is intimidating and perfect from first song to encore. He chuckles as he explains, “It generally involves smudge sticks, chanting and garlic around the neck, okay that’s not true – a nice relaxed vocal warm up. a bit of steam on the throat; maybe a cup of tea. irish Breakfast of course.”

You can catch Tyrone Noonan performing on Friday November 3 at The Columbian Bar in Brisbane and the Sol bar in Coolum on Saturday November 4. Heavy SouI Part 1 is out now through Jellyfish/MGM.

Rolling The Dice On Songwriting (Courier-Mail, 2006)

Noel Mengel Rear View

WHEN someone walks through the door and 20 minutes later you’ve written a song together, you know the dice are starting to roll your way.  Especially when the song is a thumping slice of power-pop like Back (Where I Started From), the debut solo single by Ty Noonan from George.

“When George took an extended break, the moment I sat down to write again I said, ‘No preconceptions, no rules, whatever comes through is good’,” Noonan says.
“When you work in one band for so long I think subconsciously you start writing in a style that suits that band, so this has really been important for me in discovering myself as a songwriter.”
And. with help from new friends such as Michael Stangel, who was first suggested to Noonan as a songwriting partner.

“When you come up with the basics of your new single in 20 minutes you’d be silly to ignore whatever comes from ~t. So Michael co-produced the music with David Nicholas and now he’s playing drums in the band.”
The song features on Noonan’s first solo CD, the six-track Heavy Soul Pt 1.

“I’ve been getting some interesting reviews, where some people say they weren’t fans of George but they like this. Maybe I could update the Regurgitator song and make it ‘They like my new stuff better than my old stuff!”

Like a lot of musical stories, you can trace this one back to the record store.

“I really do owe a debt of gratitude to Damien Nelson from the Toowong Music Centre,” Noonan says. “That’s where I first met The Go-Betweens when I was 10 years old, and where Damien introduced me to so much incredible music.

“I’d hang around the shop after school hearing all these sounds. I caught up with Damien again and he told me that my mum came into the store just to check I wasn’t annoying them too much.”

Ty Noonan plays The Chophouse, Gold Coast, tonight, Columbian Bar, Brisbane, tomorrow, Sol Bar, Coolum, Saturday.

By George, He’s Solo (Inpress /Drum Media, 2006)

TYRONE NOONAN of Brisbane pop group george has returned to his rock roots with his new mini-album, he tells MICHAEL SMITH.

“I wanted-to wait until I had the right team together, the right bunch of people 10 work With,” Tyrone Noonan admits of recording his debut solo album. Not that he’s been exactly idle on the music front since george decided to take a break – last year saw him release an album with his jazz combo, Palimpsest.
“That was a great project to be able to do and I still occasionally do gigs with Palimpsest, though I’ve obviously had to put it to the side for a while now. But playing jazz is fantastic. The great thing is that I can go back to it whenever I want. Even if I don’t go back to it for 20 years, it’s no big deal. Jazz is probably the most non-ageist and yet ever evolving form of music. But my first love is rock’n'roll, so it was inevitable I was going to come back to it at some point!”
And that point is what he’s dubbed a mini-album, Heavy Soul Part 1 (apparently because it’s over 25 minutes, it’s considered an album for charting purposes), something of a bittersweet breakup album wrapped in the most gorgeous
melodies and harmonies. Before looking at that though, there was getting that team together.
“When george decided it was having an extended break, I sat down at the piano and guitar for the first time and just’ decided I’m going to see if I can write whatever I feel, no preconceptions, no pre-moulded ideas. I think when you work so full-on for so long in one project, you start tailoring your writing subconsciously as a songwriter to suit that project, so initially it was about breaking out of that.

“Soon after that, I for the first time started doing co-writing with other people outside my immediate circle or the george circle or Whatever, and wasn’t too sure about it at first, but it’s been a fantastic thing. My manager put me together with this guy Michael Stangel, who turned up one day with an acoustic guitar and started busting out some riffs and about 20 minutes later we had a song pretty much nailed – not lyrically, but the feel and everything else was there.
“So the relationship has blossomed not just into a songwriting partnership but a production partnership, and Michael is one of the major partners in Jellyfish, our label. I’d also worked with [producer] Dave Nicholas, the other partner, before on two george records, so I knew he was a great guy to work with.”

Noonan also co-wrote one song, Memories Of You, with Matt Fell of Butterfly 9, which he includes on the mini-album.
“I don’t mind saying I’m proud of the fact that I feel like I’m getting somewhere in that ability to be able to mould those two seemingly unbinding concepts, writing a classic pop hook melody that sticks in people’s heads while also making it as honest as I possibly can. As a songwriter, it’s taken me a long time to put those two concepts into my head comfortably.
“It took a while. I was forced to admit that it was obviously somewhere I had to go because someone pointed out to me that I have so much respect for these songwriters who were never afraid to expose their inner frailties; people like John Lennon. I thought about that and realised they were so onto it by saying that and that turned one of the locks and I knew I had to get over that fear of exposing myself in such a personal way because ultimately what we all experience is fairly universal.

Heavy Soul Part 1 is out now on Jellyfish/MGM. Tyrone Noonan plays the Northcote Social Club this Friday and the National Hotel this Saturday.

Zoo Fm, The Music Network (Australia, 2006)

MUSIC DIRECTOR STAR 104.5 GOSFORD Rick Shipp

So Rick, what tracks are working for Zoo listeners right now?

“We’re pretty open-minded and judge every song on its strengths. Take Tyrone Noonan example. We don’t play George at all but his new track, Back (Where I Started From) is just great. It’s fairly popular with our listeners too.”

The Map Magazine Interview By Tina Brown (2005)

According to his famous opera singing mother, Tyrone Noonan first sang before he could speak. With music coursing through his veins from such an early age and displaying a natural musical ear, it is no wonder the vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist songwriter is considered by many to be Brisbane’s very own consummate Rock ‘n’ Roll star.

Our answer to the late Jeff Buckley, whose similarly powerful voice reverberates long after the finalnote is unleashed. Dig a little deeper though and the layers peel back to reveal an intriguing, welcoming and extremely happy individual. Hewas a former investigative journalist who almost became a Druid, likes to play The Godfather theme on his piano accordion and is a self-confessed social misfit proud of his Buddhist punk heart.

The Sydney born but Brisbane-raised  raised Tyrone (Ty to many), grew up with an equally passionate interest music and journalism. Finishing school, he actively pursued these interests with the sameamount of intense fervour, securing a cadetship out in the bush at The Dalby Herald before progressing to investigative journalism. All the while he could be regularly found every weekend playing in local “full-on rock bands with chilled out biker hippies, guys who used to work in pig farms.”

Swapping his astute journalism skills for songwriting, Ty penned melodic masterpieces cementing his musical fame some years ago with indie outfit, george. This overwhelming experience saw george conquering the nation with the ARIA award-winning Polyserena, a double-platinum selling album that remained in the top ten for anincredible fifteen weeks.

With george currently on a sabbatical thanks to Ty’s sister and george front woman Katie Noonan giving birth to Dexter almost two months ago, Ty is busy grasping each free moment and actively spreading his creative wings.

Returning from a national tour as a solo support act to Tori Amos, the tousled hair muso is one busy player. Ty is concentrating on his”upcoming and exciting” collaboration with Topology atBrisbane Powerhouse. His multitude of projects range from short film soundtracks, theatrical scores, DJ’ing, gigs with jazz outfit Palimpsest and the funk punk groove sounds of The Spheres, as well as putting the finishing touches on his eagerly anticipated debut solo album.

“I get bored easily,” he laughs, his eyes masked by the requisite oversized sunglasses as we sit outside Watt watching a lazy
Monday afternoon roll by. He smiles before adding, “I enjoy all the different challenges that making music has to offer.”

What are your interests outside music?

“I’m into theological stuff … and knowing what is beyond the physical.

Do you believe in a God, and if so which God?

I believe in a spirit even if it’s just the collective spirit of all of us. Even
quantum physics seems like a white man’s Buddhism. They’ve discovered
things that defy what science thinks that it knows. I’m very excited about those concepts.

I had an amazing session with a psychic and I guess I’ve always suspected there is some
higher power helping out because I’ve just been too lucky!

Do you consider yourself successful and how do you measure that success?

Absolutely. I’m a musician who is off the dole. The success and the
recognition that george has received has definitely opened up
a lot of doors. It has given me the creative freedom.

What has been the greatest challenge you have ever had to overcome?

Having to go back on the dole. I found that personally quite a
demoralising experience and felt there was no recognition for hard
working creative pursuits. I was taking in examples of our success:
we had a top five in the Queensland charts, but it didn’t mean anything
to them because it wasn’t earning any money at the time. I was really
glad when I could go into the dole office and say, ‘See you later!’

What do you hope to achieve with your music?

I think music transcends the physical and taps into something a
lot deeper. Through that philosophy there is a good chance for healing,
putting a smile on someone’s face, making them cry, making them feel
and think for a minute. I’m still idealistic to believe music can have a
very profound effect on the world.

How do you fee! about Sir Bob Geldof and his recent Live 8/Make
Poverty History Campaign?

It’s fantastic! I makes me so very proud of my Irish roots. In the 20th Century
you can count on your hand the number of musicians who have
made incredibly profound impacts on the world, including John Lennon,
Sir Bob Geldof and Bono. The work Bono has done to wipe out third
world debt and poverty is amazing. Now Bob’s back on board it’s great.
I’m really excited about what it may achieve.

Who Inspires you in life and music?

Those guys and also david Bowie, Andre 3000, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Neil Finn… My Mum
and Dad, my sister and her hubby Zac, for their great strength and the amazing bundle
of joy and love they have created together and my partner Felicity. The Dalai Lama and Sogyal
Rinpoche who wrote The Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying; I’m a big fan of impressionist paintings,
so Monet and all those guys. Sir Sidney Nolan -  he freaks me out. I get inspiration from a lot of
my indigenous friends as they have a great connection with the land.

What are your words of wisdom?

It’s borrowed from Tom Waits… “You’ve got to keep moving ‘ cause no dog ever pissed on a moving car’.

Tori Amos Tour Review w’ Tyrone Noonan (2005)

She straddles the piano stool, her fiery locks brush her hands as she intently strikes the keys, then she looks up and flashes a winsome smirk. There is no other pop artist like her – quirky, intense and captivating.

First comes those frenetic notes, then that voice – emotive, powerful and flawless.
Confined to sitting in front of grand piano, organ or keys, she still manages a commanding presence as she writhes around, barely sitting still. Often she reaches across playing organ and piano simultaneousIy, dancing between the two instruments.

Amos brings on stage meandering story telling, Mid-show she devotes her Tori’s Piano Bar covers section – a version of ’60s soul Classic Walk A way Renee included – to the plight of Schapelle Corby.
More original ballads follow and three encores enrapture the crowd. Plenty would have been too young to catch her last visit.

Tyrone Noonan supported Amos’s Australian tour. With George on hiatus, Noonan’s latest’ project is The Spheres, with George guitarist Nick Stewart. The first listen sounded very promising – an acoustic, more-direct sound. And as he pointed out, much easier to say than Palimpsest – his solo debut.

T & T – Topology & Tyrone (2005)

Tyrone Noonan, best known as a member of Brisbane band george, and Topology have joined forces to create almost unrecognisable versions of their favourite covers.

Topology, bassist Robert Davidson, pianist Kylie Davidson, John Babbage on saxophone, violin player Christa Powell, and Bernard Hoey on viola, asked Noonan perform with them because they thought his voice was best suited to the range of music they wanted to cover.
Davidson described the music as “tortured remixes” of familiar tunes.

“Bernard Hoey’s version of ABBA’s Mamma Mia starts with the recognisable piano riff, but ends up in fistfuls of clustering dissonance that never once loses the groove,” she said.
Topology and Tyrone is at the Brisbane Powerhouse on July 22 and 23 2005 as part of the Queensland Music Festival and Brisbane Powerhouse.

Tyrone Noonan worked with Pledge Music in the lead-up to the release of his debut solo album I Believe. The combined campaign was a huge success, raising much-needed funds to assist with promotion and distribution of this independent release.

Pledge is a direct-to-fan music company, allowing artists to get more involved with their fans, and allowing fans to help build and support an artist’s music career. Artists can raise money for their music projects and for charity, offering a wide range of exclusive incentives beyond the traditional CD, including handwritten song lyrics, Skype concerts and even personalised songs.

HERE’S A RUNDOWN OF THE CAMPAIGN PUSH:

“I’m very excited to be releasing my debut solo album I Believe.

It’s been an amazing journey, starting with band recordings made in Australia, and then working with American luminaries including mix engineer Steve Hodge, whose credits encompass Janet and Michael Jackson, George Michael and Sting, and co-producer Paul Peterson, who was discovered by Prince and whose performing, recording and writing credits credits include Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, The Beach Boys, The Corrs and Gavin De Graw.

So I know this may sound like it has all the hallmarks of a major label album, but the whole project, so far, has been funded by little ol’ me  me and now thanks to the gang at Pledge Music you can become directly involved with the crucial final phase of releasing my album to the world.

The bigger the rubber band (smiling, slingshot “pulling back” hand action), the more chance it has to fly!

By offering a basic pledge you will receive exclusive access to behind the scenes videos and photos, live in the studio recordings and interviews and unreleased demos. You will also be the first to receive the album as a download when it’s released, and the first to hear some of the remixes that I’m really excited to be working on at the moment.

On the right hand side of the Pledge Page you will see a number of exclusive items that are only available there, including hand written lyrics to the song of your choice, a skype songwriting session or live concert, a mystery box (ham it up!) and lots of other goodies.

I hope there’s something there to tempt you (smile), and please act now as I must reach my goal or target amount within the project’s limited lifetime. If I don’t reach my goal, then no-one gets charged, and no-one will receive any of this cool stuff!

The other great part of all this is that a portion of the money raised will go to charity. I’m currently based in New York to help promote my music over there, but I was back home  Brisbane during the recent devastating floods, and so I have decided to nominate the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal as my charity.

Thanks very much for supporting my music, it really means a great deal to me. Bye for now, and I hope to see you at a show sometime soon! Cheers Ty”

SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS:

It’s a pretty simple process to pledge. First of all, visit here: https://www.pledgemusic.com/sign_up
A sign-up page will appear. Click on “Fan” (not “Artist” or “Other”), then add your email address and create a password (one that you will remember).

Then it will ask you to create a “Profile”, which you can ignore if you like, but it’s recommended to at least add your name in the name box and then hit the “create” button at the bottom of the page.

Then visit this page: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/tyrone-noonan and pledge away! Once you’ve pledged, it would be cool to share with your social links as well, and it will ask you if you’d like to.

Have your credit card details ready (it’s a secure site), and check the card will be valid In July, as the pledges will not be taken until then (and only if I reach my target amount)!