C O L L E G E F A L L

COLLEGE FALL BIOGRAPHY – JANUARY 2008

Most musicians today are stuck either plying their trade in the brutally callous world of Big Rock Biz or wondering what they need to do to get noticed in this, the cruelest of art industries. So it is such sweet relief to know that a band like College Fall is out there, plying their own trade of heartfelt pop all on their own terms.

Unlike most new bands regurgitated from the major label stables, College Fall do not have members who are fiercely determined, over competitive, bastard sons of industry moguls who barely know each other. No, this trio from Western Australia are a hidden treasure, a real gang of true friends who found each other through their mutual love of music and inevitably for each other. They seem to enjoy each others company as much as they like writing and performing their own brand of inspiring, lyric driven pop. And it shows with everything they do.

Their live shows are ingenious. With dynamic musical shifts and enchanting lyrics encased by sweetly delivered harmonies, quick witted stories and brilliantly captured emotion. And they have an undying passion to engage and satisfy their audience, making sure you never walk away disappointed.

Their debut album Eleven Letters further exposes the unusual integrity of such a brilliant band. It tells the story of the letters written, then sung, between two lovers, Glenn Musto and Jodie Bartlett. It’s a chronological expose’ on how they began and very nearly ended. It keeps you hanging on every word; through fretful goodbyes, hurtful arguments, vulnerable hope and potential reconciliation. It is extremely humbling to listen to a record that is so close to the bone, but boy does it make College Fall stand out from the pack. Their honesty and independent attitude clearly places College Fall in their own pack. Soon they may well make you look back at the competing throng of industry bellowers below and wonder ‘what the hell was I thinking’.

Glenn Musto and Jodie Bartlett met in Perth, Western Australia in 2002 while playing in local bands that were winning awards and making a big impression on the scene - Jodie in Josivac and Glenn in Showbag and The Nordeens. Immediately they hit it off and for a brief time Jodie toured Australia with Showbag as a vocalist, flaming their romantic relationship. As these bands changed their priorities, Jodie and Glenn remained personally involved. After a series of departures and reconciliations (which resulted in the eleven letters) their passion for song writing and each other led to the creation of College Fall. Their debut show in 2005 also doubled as their EP launch, performing to a sold out audience at Perth’s iconic Velvet Lounge.

Self inspired and motivated, the band were not prepared to sit and wait for the world to notice them. In 2006 they quit their day jobs, packed up their bags and trundled over to Sydney to record their debut album before traveling all the way around Europe for a fifty date self organised tour. They met hundreds of incredible people, some becoming friends for life, including a few label managers who fell for their music and stories. They signed two record deals in the UK (Ride and Hooked Up) and Finland (Rhythm Barrel) for the 2007 release of Eleven Letters. Returning to Australia, the band played over 100 duo gigs (and session muso band shows) across the Australian hinterland before instituting the services of former Josivac guitarist (and brother of Jodie) Simon Bartlett, permanently on drums. Simon’s closeness to the couple and his love of their music made him the perfect fit for a duo that know only to well the need to ensure compatibility of band mates. In July 2007 the band returned to Europe to launch their critically acclaimed album, taking on festivals in Italy, England, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Now the band is poised to release this incredible record on their own terms (and own record label) to their home audience.

Rarely does a band have the luxury of displaying brilliant musical arrangements, unique and heartfelt lyrics and beautiful vocal delivery. But College Fall have all the boxes ticked. And to top it off, both Jodie Bartlett and Glenn Musto are rapidly staking their claims as two of the most captivating singers of our generation. They have a right to be proud of their work, but to us, the people who choose to listen to these flecks of musical gold, we are the ones truly reaping all the benefits. Now we have the chance to be one of the lucky people that in a few years can say, “I remember when they toured eleven letters, what a show… what an album” .

ALBUM REVIEWS:

ROUGH TRADE RECORDS – SEPTEMBER 2007

For the fourth release on Plymouth based Ride Records, the label turns its eager ears to the other side of the world. Loveable types College Fall come mightily correct with “Gravity”, an anthemic, radio-friendly track coming on like the b**tard son of Postal Service and Frente, a track so beautiful it made Ride’s A&R swell up with pride. Just watch the old heads sing-a-long while the band takes in dates on their European tour over July and August.

BY RUSSELL BARKER – OCTOBER 2007
www.russelsreviews.co.uk

Another Australian band with a keen ear for a melody, College Fall serve up a delightful album based on the aforementioned eleven letters, sent between two lovers in the autumn of 2004. We can follow the lovers' trials and tribulations, ups and downs, perfectly sound tracked on this album.

'For What It's Worth' leads things off, a piece of classic pop, like early REM or the Go-Betweens. 'Gravity' is composed as if it's one big chorus, it's a massive pop tune, 'It's All Over' is a harder edged pop, sounding a bit like Sugar, then 'Six Or Seven' is the tender sad song, led by a female vocal.

In 'Like It Or Not' there's hope of redemption, 'This Direction' is like a melancholic Death Cab For Cutie and 'Back Down' is a grandstanding lyrical stand off. Most of all, there's enough hooks and melodies on this album to keep even the harshest cynic satisfied.

LIVE REVIEWS

“In this period of music history, where songwriting is second place to marketability, and image rules over content, College Fall scream 'f**k you' through their delicate porcelain-doll songs. The things that used to matter - lyrics, hooks and honesty - abound in every moment of this duo's music.”
(Mike Wafer - X-Press Magazine – Perth, Australia).

“I have hardly seen a band command an audience so effervescently…beautiful acoustic guitar, delectable harmonies and songs that stay in your head for weeks. College Fall are the real deal”
(A Street – DB Magazine – Adelaide, Australia).

“A world class act with beautiful songs. And to think they have been isolated down-under for all these years. I feel privileged to have watched College Fall play tonight… don’t miss them next time they visit our shores”
(Ann Moore – 24/7 Magazine – South West, England)