iOTA
iOTA burst onto the Australian music scene in the late ‘90s, establishing a devoted live following through relentless
touring and utterly captivating performances. One man, a guitar, candles, those songs and that voice. Audiences were doubling, then tripling, and demand for something more than a demo tape was large.
After being “discovered” busking at Bellingen markets, he was signed and his debut album (The Hipbone Connection) was released. This was a landmark moment in his career which launched him across Australian media and airwaves, making him “the next big thing”. This album contained many of the songs he established his fanbase with, only with adornments such as string quartet and full band.
Further albums were released, tours upon tours embarked upon and albums released. After this arc in the music biz, iOTA closed the chapter and hung up his guitar to take time to regather.
It did not take long, however, for iOTA to return to the stage. This time – iOTA turned his talents to theatre. He was offered the starring role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, in turn winning a Helpmann Award, Sydney Critics Award and a Green Room Award. More theatre roles came, starring in Rocky Horror as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the Fallen Angel in Graeme Murphy’s Berlin with the Sydney Dance Company and many more. iOTA co-wrote the sell out theatre show, Smoke & Mirrors (winning three Helpmann Awards), and infamously became the “Doof Warrior” in Mad Max, Fury Road.
The fans still missed and requested his early work whenever he performed. Those early songs were the soundtrack to many lives and loves. The songs that initially helped him to make his mark from his debut album stayed in CD format and were never put onto streaming services. You had to be there to be in the know, you know?
This is all about to change with the release of iOTA’s first fully acoustic album, Hours Disappear. His first album in a decade.
Classic songs, such as ‘Bitter Wine’, ‘Home Song’ and ‘Come Back For Me’ have been recorded in the fashion that they were heard first - solo and acoustic; self produced; with iOTA playing all that is heard. Just as important – iOTA is debuting new material which is as vital, heartfelt and impacting as ever. ‘Silver Train’ and ‘Same Three Words’ are both ethereal and uplifting while being heavy hitting and emotive.
