Tom Odell

Frontier Touring can confirm that opening for Tom Odell at his Melbourne and Sydney performances this December and January will be Sydney’s very own singer-songwriter-producer wunderkind Hayden Calnin! This follows the announcement that also supporting Tom will be the exquisite Melody Pool, for what is set to be the perfect way to bring in the New Year.

Hayden Calnin hasn’t put his guitar down since picking it up in his early teens and since then has picked up the drums, a microphone and a film degree majoring in sound design, with each informing the unique traits that  make the rising star such an innovative young artist.

Last year Hayden released his debut EP City (out now through itunes), featuring the stunning single ‘For My Help’ (watch the video here). City is an impressive showcase of reflective lyrics, haunting vocals and experimental sounds that evokes artists like Bon Iver, James Blake and The xx. The launch of City saw Hayden perform to sold-out crowds as well as captivating the audience with an appearance on Australia’s coveted BIGSOUND Music Conference artist line-up.

In a relatively short time Hayden has also gathered quite the collection of accolades; including high rotation radio play on Australia’s Triple J Radio, who picked him as one of their 20 ‘Next Crop’ artists to watch in 2013. He also scored runner-up in the 2012 Qantas SOYA (Spirit Of Youth Awards) Music Category which won him the opportunity to workshop his music with Daniel Johns (Silverchair) and British producer Lee Groves (Goldfrapp, Elbow) and shortlisting as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition for ‘For My Help’.

‘This talented young producer’s debut EP is a collection of moments; they’re ethereal, stunning, capable of silencing outside noise and rooting you to your seat.’ – Inpress Magazine

‘Like Matt Corby, The xx and Bon Iver all morphed into one man. Such a luxurious sound I wanted to lie on the floor and immerse myself in it…’ – Dom Alessio, Triple J Radio

Hot off the huge success of his debut album Long Way Down (out now through Sony Music Australia, watch the clip for ‘Another Love’ here) Tom Odell has captured hearts and honours across the globe, quickly climbing to the #1 spot on the UK and Scotland Albums Charts, sixty six here on the Australian Albums Chart and  becoming the first ever male to win the revered BRITs Critics’ Choice Award, placing him beside former winners Ellie Goulding, Emeli Sandé, Florence and the Machine and Adele.

When Tom Odell takes the stages he commandeers the audience with a level of skill that goes well beyond his years. Combining thoughtful lyrics with stirring melodies and dazzling high energy performances, when Tom plays live he grabs your hand, spreads his wings and takes you soaring into the sky.

‘There's always a level of expectation when you see a break through artist who has won the BRITS critics’ choice award with his debut number topping the UK charts. But that expectation was met in every way. Despite his boyish looks, there is nothing naive or green about this musician who proved why he is a worthy of his chart success’ – Entertainment Wise

Joining Tom and Hayden will be yet another heralded flourishing talent - Melody Pool. Since releasing her debut album The Hurting Scene (out now through Liberation Music) Melody has quickly cemented herself as a name to watch, with a gift for balancing tender lyrics and instrumentation with superb vocals.

What better way to bring in the New Year than with a night bursting with talent and Tom Odell’s headline shows at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel and Sydney’s Metro Theatre promise exactly that.

The Frontier Touring Company has announced that singer-songwriter Tom Odell is set to bring his distinctive blend of insightful lyrics, rousing melody and high energy performances to Melbourne and Sydney this December and January! Joining Odell as special guest will be our very own singer-songwriter Melody Pool, who has been steadily climbing to the top of Australian critics’ one to watch lists.

The Long Way Down Australian tour announce comes alongside the confirmation of Odell’s place in this year’s highly esteemed Falls Festival line-up, highlighting just how quickly the singer has risen among the ranks of his contemporaries and cemented his place as a formidable talent.

Tom Odell has been writing songs since his early teens, nurturing his talent until reaching legal age and promptly making nightly appearances at open-mic nights at pubs and clubs in his home town of Chichester, West Sussex. It was following a move to London things began to soar for Odell and by his fourth gig in the English capital the quietly confident musician had been signed to record label In The Name Of by none other than the head and founder of the label herself, Lily Allen.

Soon after Odell released his debut EP Songs From Another Love (out now through Sony Music Australia), a raw and stirring collection of songs that commandeered the attention of critics and music fans worldwide, drawing comparisons to Jeff Buckley and early David Bowie. The titular single ‘Another Love’ (watch the clip here) has managed that rare feat of being  both a work of art and a smash hit worldwide; entering the top twenty singles charts in no less than eight countries, including the top ten in his homeland of England. Odell gave an emotional performance of ‘Another Love’ on British television institution Later… with Jools Holland which quickly became one of the most beloved performances on the show that year.

This year the 22 year old was the first ever male to win the esteemed BRITs Critics’ Choice Award, following in the wake of previous winners and success stories Ellie Goulding, Emeli Sandé, Florence and the Machine and Adele. Odell has also  received an impressive assortment of nominations including the shortlists for MTV Brand New and BBC’s Sound Of 2013 poll.

Odell’s debut album Long Way Down (also out now through Sony Music Australia) has been equally adored, earning a number one position in both the UK and Scotland and sixty six in Australia’s own ARIA Albums Chart. Drawing on Odell’s love of both film and literature including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jack Kerouac, Woody Allen and Wes Anderson, Long Way Down displays a startling deep spectrum of thematic versatility. Odell says; “I hope the album feels human and real and that there are some flaws – because the flaws help make it what it is. Really, I’d love to live in a time when music felt uncontrived and imperfect and gave people a real sense of elevation. When it’s sad I want it to be REALLY sad. When it’s happy I want it to feel euphoric…I suppose I want the record to express the heightened feelings and emotions we all get in our lives”.

Both Long Way Down and Odell himself have rapidly collected an impressive assemblage of rave reviews;

“Earnest and powerful” – Mojo ????

“His forthcoming debut album showcases a voice full of wounded soul behind the blond boy-band looks singing startlingly immediate love and loss songs that recall Chris Martin at his most naked emotiveness” – Q

“Passionate, precocious, cerebal” – Clash

“Another Love is genuinely chilling…Can't Pretend's gothic atmospherics, febrile melodramatics and sense of imminent collapse recall, variously, Bowie, early Ed Harcourt and Muse. Engrossing" - Sunday Times Culture (UK)

“Odell proves himself a master of both joy and despair”
- The Sun (UK)

Hailing from NSW’s Hunter Region, Melody Pool honed her craft as a support artist on the local music scene for several years before releasing her her debut album The Hurting Scene through Liberation Music. Produced by hailed musician Jace Everett and renowned producer Brad Jones (Missy Higgins) The Hurting Scene is only as delicate as it is powerful, Pool’s poignant lyrics are interwoven with astute instrumentation and a voice straight from heaven.

“Melody Pool follows in the footsteps of other talented young Australian singer/songwriters such as Missy Higgins and Lisa Mitchell, who have both made a name for themselves creating music with a sense of permanence. They do not subscribe to fads, instead preferring to stay true to the integrity of their music and songs” – The Ripe

Tom Odell’s headline shows at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel and Sydney’s Metro Theatre are set to be the perfect way to bring in the new year. Don’t miss your chance to see this exquisite and compelling display of talent.