In short, The Idea of North is a group of musicians, serious about their music without taking themselves too seriously. Their instrumentation: voice (soprano), voice (alto), voice (tenor) and voice (bass), with some vocal percussion thrown in. They have a distinct sound and style, but they cross many musical genres: jazz, folk, gospel, pop, classical, comedy - exactly what you see and hear at a concert is difficult to describe.
You’ll hear songs you know and songs you don’t. You’ll hear astonishing arrangements of these songs. You’ll hear them performed with great sensitivity, great energy, by great performers. You’ll SEE all these things as well as hear them. You’ll walk away having enjoyed it so much you didn’t notice you just sat through two hours of instrument-free music. You’ll have trouble describing it to your friends. ‘A Cappella’ just doesn’t seem to do it justice. There’s more to it than that. There’s wonder. There’s intrigue. There’s genuine spirit. There’s an amazing connection. You’ll feel you’ve known them for years.
In 2003 The Idea of North won The Harmony Sweepstakes – the largest international open a cappella competition in the world. The Idea of North was the first non-US group to win this prestigious award in its 21 year history. At the same competition they also received the ‘audience favourite’ and ‘best arrangement’ awards. Many other awards both local and overseas – and for performance and recordings - have followed.
A frantic local schedule coupled with frequent overseas touring has become the norm for The Idea of North – Europe, USA, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong - six overseas tours in 2007 with more to follow in 2008.
Now, with 6 albums in the catalogue, a significant local and international fan base, and increasingly regular local and international work, it would seem that despite the difficulty, people are getting better at describing The Idea of North to their friends. You may have heard and even enjoy the CDs, but the best stuff actually happens live and can’t be recorded onto plastic, no matter how shiny it is. You should go and check out a gig. Preferably one of The Idea of North’s. It’s pretty likely you’ll love it. You and the friends you’ll want to bring the next time.
Become a friend of The Idea of North, or go to their website and join their emailing list: www.idea.com.au to keep in touch with what this group is doing. They’re defying the odds of how far a jazz-based vocal-instrumented musical-entertainment group can go.
GIG REVIEWS: Quotes
"...as near as dammit to vocal perfection."
- The Courier Mail
"...that quartet of groovers who rescued instrument-free singing from the 1980s"
- Herald Sun
"...an impeccable standard of musicianship..."
- The Melbourne Age
"The Idea of North swept in and stole every musical plaudit at this year's Fringe."
- The Adelaide Review
"They have class stamped over everything they do."
- The Adelaide Review
"In a country built on pulsating pub rock, the international success of an a capella quartet is simply the makings of a legend."
- Illawarra Mercury
"In terms of quality of ensemble and elegance of arrangements, this group's work is in the same league as that of The Swindle Singers in their heyday. On top of that, they incorporate a wry, deadpan Australian sense of humour that made their performance immensely entertaining."
- Sydney Morning Herald
"...measured and absorbing. Like ABBA dipped in velvet."
IDEA OF NORTH MUSIC SCORESWe have now teamed up with the University of Colorado (USA) to make available some of our charts to the public. UNC has their own online publishing branch where buying scores is as easy as a click away! So check out their website www.uncjazzpress.com and do a search for "Idea of North" to see what you can get your hands on! More will be added as we get permission.
