Dukes of Windsor
Dukes of Windsor were an Australian electronic rock group. Although formed in Melbourne, Australia, they were based in Berlin, Germany. They are notable for their single "It's a War", released in Australia in 2008 and in Europe in early 2010, as well as their song "The Others", remixed by Australian electronic group TV Rock. They "fuse minimalist rhythms, punchy bass-lines, cascading guitar riffs, and glacial synths". Their music has been described as "angular and reductive, groovy and melodic", and has been termed the beautiful paradox of "robotic soul".
Dukes of Windsor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | Indie rock, indie electronic, house |
| Years active | 2005–2010 |
| Labels | Island |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | Official EU website Official website |
Biography
The Dukes' career began with the release of the EP Foxhunt in 2005. Debut album The Others followed in 2006, produced in Melbourne by expatriate American Jonathan Burnside (Faith No More, Nirvana). Extra production, mixing and mastering were provided by hardcore producers Pelle Henricsson and Eskil Lövström (Refused – The Shape of Punk to Come, Poison the Well, Hell Is for Heroes) from Tonteknik Studios in Umea, Sweden. After the release of the album, the band embarked on an intensive schedule of touring around Australia. After extensive national radio play, they were showcased as a Next Crop Artist by national broadcaster Triple J in November 2006.
In 2007, the remix of their debut single "The Others" was certified Gold in Australia (50,000 copies), was a top 10 ARIA single, spent three months at #1 on the ARIA Club Chart, and received an ARIA Award nomination. The guys also closed out the MTV Australian Music Video Awards ceremony in Sydney that year.
Second album Minus was released through Island Records in Australia in late 2008. To record the album, the band reunited with Pelle and Eskil, travelling to Tonteknik Studios in the Swedish winter. The album's title both represents these sub-zero temperatures, as well as the fresh clinical approach to the album. The stark sound is balanced with warm synth textures and vocals.
After the release of Minus, the band took in a string of sell-out gigs in capital cities, as well as completing dates nationally with Sneaky Sound System, Sam Sparro, The Music and The Vines. The band also featured heavily on Australian national broadcaster Triple J, with two Number One Most Played songs, and television performances on both Rove Live ("It's a War") and The Footy Show ("Get It"). Three singles were released from Minus, including "It's a War", "Get It" (both 2008), and "Runaway" (2009). The video clip for "Runaway" was also featured as a Ripe Clip of the Week on national music television channel Channel [V].
In the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles (2008) one of his songs makes an appearance which is the song is In The Wild.
In December 2009 the band relocated to Berlin, Germany to continue writing their third full-length album. After signing a management and joint venture deal with local indie label Motor Music, they also released the album It's a War, an album of selected songs from both Minus and The Others. Since then, they are preparing to self-produce their next full-length album.
Band members
- Jack Weaving – vocals
- Oscar Dawson – guitars
- Joe Franklin – bass guitar
- Scott Targett – keyboards, programming
- Mirra Seigerman – drums
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [1] | ||
| The Others |
|
— |
| Minus | 67 |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| It's a War |
|
Extended plays
| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Foxhunt |
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [2] | |||
| 2006 | "The Others" | — | The Others |
| "Handsome Man" | — | ||
| "So Beautiful" | — | ||
| "Tear This Party Down" | — | ||
| 2007 | "The Others" (vs. TV Rock) | 10 | Non-album single |
| 2008 | "It's a War" | 67 | Minus |
| "Get It" | — | ||
| 2009 | "Runaway" | — | |
| "Crystal's Getting High" | — |
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.[3]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "The Others" (with TV Rock) | ARIA Award for Best Dance Release | Nominated |
References
- "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 15th September 2008" (PDF) (968). Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2020 – via Pandora Archive.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - Peaks in Australia:
- "The Others": "Discography Dukes of Windsor". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "It's a War": "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 30th June 2008" (PDF) (957). Australian Recording Industry Association. 30 June 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2020 – via Pandora Archive.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
- ARIA Award previous winners. "Winners By Award - 27th ARIA Awards 2013". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 1 March 2014.