Sirocco (Australian band)

Sirocco is an Australian music group that began in 1980 with three musicians: Bill O'Toole, Guy Madigan and Andrew de Teliga. In 1981 Michael Atherton joined and the group recorded their first album Paths of the Wind.

Sirocco
OriginAustralia
GenresFolk
Years active1980–present
LabelsAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
Past membersBill O'Toole
Andrew de Teliga
Guy Madigan
Michael Atherton
Paul Koerbin
Peter Carolan
Peter Jacob
Paul Jarman
Martin Tucker
Doug Kelly
Chai Chang Ning
Robert Bester
David Hudson
Hugh Moran
Sabahattin Akdağcık
Andrew Tredinnick
Gang Xue
Jonathan Xue
Mark Cain
Websitewww.siroccoz.com

They have been nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release in 1987 (Voyage),[1] for Best Independent Release in 1990 (Port of Call)[2] and for Best World Music Album three times, 1995 (The Wetland Suite), 1996 (Stars and Fires) and 1999 (Falling Leaf).[3]

The concept of the band was to find inspiration from the numerous cultures in Australia. When Sirocco started, the music scene in Australia was classical, rock, jazz and a little folk. However, the numerous migrant cultures, such as Chilean, Turkish, Arabic and Irish, had a vibrant music culture. Sirocco tapped into this and brought many of these expert musicians into the band for guest performances.

The early albums and performances were known for the unusual array of instruments rarely seen outside their community, including the oud, cittern, cabrette, kaval, dumbe, tupan. Their instruments were mixed and matched in the same way as the Australian population. Their performances were wild, always getting the audience up and dancing—"the excitement of rock and roll, the improvisation of jazz and the musicianship of classical". Of interest, they performed at many weddings because there are many intercultural marriages in Australia. The bride and groom came from very different cultures and it was only Sirocco who could perform their music in such an Australian manner.

They are well known for innovation and it was demonstrated in their concert in the endangered Macquarie Marshes in 1993 and the concert with the Dayaks in central Borneo.

Sirocco now have 14 albums released and a video. They have toured over 32 countries including India (four times), Laos, Nepal and Pakistan, and were the first Australian group to tour both Russia and China.

Discography

Albums

Title Details Peak positions
AUS
Paths of the Wind
  • Released: 1982
  • Label: Arika Records (AR004)
  • Formats: LP
Earth Dance
  • Released: 1983
  • Label: Arika Records (AR004)
  • Formats: LP
Voyage
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: Larrikin Records (LRF 184)
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
Port of Call
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Jarra Hill Records (JHR 2009)
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
The Breath of Time
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: ABC Records (842738-2)
  • Formats: CD, LP
A Celtic Breeze in the Antipodes
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Jarra Hill (CDJHR 2018)
  • Formats: CD
  • Compilation of Path of the Wind and Earth Dance
The Evergreen Realm
(with Chai Chang Ning)
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Jarra Hill Records (CDJHR2015)
  • Formats: CD
Australian Voyage - Folk-Rock Symphony
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Arc Music
  • Formats: CD
Wetland Suite
  • Released: 1993
  • Label: ABC Music (4795892)
  • Formats: CD
Stars & Fires
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: ABC Music (4798372)
  • Formats: CD
Walkabout the World
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Musica Pangaea (MP 10001)
  • Formats: CD
Zephyr
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: ABC Music, EMI (72438544582 8)
  • Formats: CD
Falling Leaf
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: ABC Music, EMI (72434945182 7)
  • Formats: CD
Essential Elements - A Collection
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: ABC Music (13162)
  • Formats: CD
  • Note: Compilation

Film/television composer or contributor

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. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1987 Voyage ARIA Award for Best World Music Album Nominated [1]
1990 Port of Call ARIA Award for Best Independent Release Nominated [2]
1995 The Wetland Suite ARIA Award for Best World Music Album Nominated [4]
1996 Stars and Fires Best World Music Album Nominated [4]
1999 Falling Leaf Best World Music Album Nominated [4]

References

  1. "ARIA Awards. Best Indigenous Release", Australian Recording Industry Association
  2. "ARIA Awards. Best Independent Release", Australian Recording Industry Association
  3. "ARIA Awards. Best World Music Album", Australian Recording Industry Association
  4. ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards – Winners by Award – Best World Music Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 November 2018.
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