Clint Crighton:
Clint Crighton biography
Australian singer/songwriter Clint Crighton grew up in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. Crighton has been playing live gigs and writing music since age 14. He released his first self produced, self funded record at age 16, and has been touring throughout Australia, USA and parts of Asia since.
Crighton's first overseas adventure took place in 2005 when renown keyboardist/composer Sam McNally, impressed by Clint's music asked him to go to Beijing for a three month residency in blues club "Ice House". Crighton has kept in touch with his Chinese audience, returning every year since. He's been a featured artist on numerous festivals, radio shows and TV programs in the Peoples Republic of China.
Crighton first ventured to the USA in 2006. This "adventure" turned out to be very fateful. After just two weeks in NYC, Crighton, along with mate and fellow musician Luke Dolahenty had met numerous fellow musicians and had begun playing gigs attracting good audiences. In the third week of Crighton's stay he (with Dolahenty) decided to go and see Grammy Award winning band "Toto" live in concert. Desperate to meet guitar icon Steve Lukather, the pair (thanks to a distracted security guard) stormed the backstage area and introduced themselves. It was here Crighton met "Toto's" manager Anita Heilig of the Fitzgerald Hartley co management firm. Anita was intrigued, and following a short conversation asked Clint to send her a demo. A few months later and back in Australia, Crighton did just that. As a result was signed to Fitzgerald Hartley.
Crighton flew back to the USA in late 07 where he met succesful young producer Mikal Blue (Colbie Collait, Augustana, One Republic) who was immediately interested in working with Clint. The pair, along with Australian guitarist/producer Dale Allison cut four demo tracks. Crighton also performed a number of showcases in LA and NYC.
Wanting to record a full record and not wanting to "wait for anyone" Crighton and Allison immediately put their heads together to think of ways to raise the funds required. The pair created www.talkingmoonmusic.com a fan based record label that gives supporters of Clint's music the oppurtunity to invest in his career. Limited to one thousand members at a cost of $100. In just four months the site generated over four hundred members - enough to fly members of the band to LA and record a record. (the oppurtunity to invest is ongoing until we reach one thousand members).
Crighton begun recording the record with producer Mikal Blue late last year. The bulk of the recording come from Clint and his band - Luke Crighton (bass), Dale Allison (guitars) and Sam McNally (keys). However, the record also had some special guests - Alan Bezozi (Drums - Regina Spektor), Greg Suran (Guitar - Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel), Scarlet Rivera (Violin - Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchel). The record is currently being mixed by multi-Grammy award winner Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan, Toto, Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters) and will be released in Australia and the USA later this year.
At 23, living in California, Clint Crighton is continuing to make great strides in his career. He is a firm believer in the over whelming power of music to evolke positive feelings which result in positive action. Despite his youth Crighton has had numerous adventures thanks to the travelling ticket that is his music. Some have been "trying" - On his first trip to LA he was mugged at gun point and then on his second he was forced to stab a gang member in self defense on the way home from a gig. However, Crighton insists the positive far out ways the negative experiences. One of Crighton's fondest experiences was getting to meet Bob Dylan's violinist Scarlet Rivera and having her not only play on the upcoming album, but also play live with him on gigs throughout LA. Scarlet is a huge fan of Clint's music. Another "favourite experience" for Crighton was when himself and his brother Luke were in China, driving back to Shenzhen from a televised festival in Taishan with five chinese musicians none of whom spoke a word of english and none of whom knew how to get back to Shenzhen. Crighton recalls - "We were sitting in the back of the bus, no idea where we were, when the driver decided he knew a short cut and turned off the main highway, next minute we're lost in the middle of nowhere and in what seemed like a village from 1925! It was hilarious".
Crighton is back in Australia for three months to promote his current EP "The April EP" and also the upcoming release of his new album, before heading back to the states to tour. Whilst in Australia he is playing gigs including opening for Counting Crows on two of their Australian solo dates, East Coast Blues & Roots festival, Surry Hills festival and a one off performance at The Basement in Sydney on April 27th.
He will then return to the USA for a fall tour which is TBA.
For Booking & general inquiries contact:Anita Heilig
34 North Palm Street
Suite 100
Ventura, CA 93001Ph: 805-641-6441
Fx: 805-641-6444
E: [email protected]
