ARCHIE ROACH – INTO THE BLOODSTREAM new album and concerts

Archie Roach, Australia’s beloved Aboriginal singer and songwriter – the
voice of his people and the voice of many other people too – has a new
lease of life. Literally.  And it has manifested in his new songs, this
wondrous new album and the accompanying live show.

In 2010 Archie suffered immeasurably. Most will know by now that the
venerable and dignified performer, who captured the hearts and minds of
a nation in 1990 with Charcoal Lane and the landmark song Took The
Children Away, lost his partner and soul mate Ruby Hunter. It was
February 2010; she was only 54.

Archie’s grief was immense. Later that year found himself up in the
Kimberley, at a place called Turkey Creek, 800 km or so east of Broome
in amongst the Bungle Bungles when he himself suffered a stroke.

He was taken by Flying Doctor to Broome then Perth and went into heavy
rehabilitation, which left parts of his body, including one of his
hands, inert. In mid 2011 Archie was diagnosed with the early stages of
lung cancer. He got half a lung removed and again went into heavy
rehabilitation.

It could be said that through his long and distinguished career Archie
has sung of suffering, pain and injustice in a manner more effective
than most. But that’s not what has happened in the aftermath of his
horrible year in 2010. Instead he has turned to joy and hope and the
idea of lifting himself and others up through song. As his body recovers
so too does his mind.

The brand new album Into The Bloodstream – and the life affirming live
shows of the same name -is about, he says “finding strength” and then
expressing it.

“Overcoming difficulties,” he says, “and singing more uplifting songs
that are not so much about suffering and pain but rising above that.
Going through what I have has made me realise that a big part of people
getting sick has to do with holding onto pain and not letting it go.
That was the inspiration behind it all. Letting go of the pain and the
bad stuff and holding onto something good and strong.”

The live shows – infused with good doses of uplifting gospel and soul
stirrings – are also in many ways the story of Roach’s life, spanning
his childhood, his stolen years and his long love for Ruby.

There will be a star-studded thirteen-piece musical ensemble under the
direction of Craig Pilkington (Audrey Studios), who has produced and
arranged the album, plus a ten-voice gospel choir headed by Lou Bennett
from Tiddas and the Black Arm Band. Lighting and visuals will be curated
by the accomplished Tim Cole.

Liberation Music’s Managing Director  Warren Costello says:  “We set out
to help Archie create a landmark album in what has already been an
amazing career. Michael Gudinski and I have drawn incredible strength
and inspiration from Archie Roach and from Ruby Hunter over many, many
years. It is once again our pleasure and privilege to be standing
shoulder to shoulder with Archie to launch this new album which we truly
believe is amongst his best work.”

Archie says the album – and these majestic shows – are his good
medicine. Straight Into The Bloodstream.

Into The Bloodstream will be released through Liberation Music on Friday
October 19th, 2012.

ARCHIE ROACH  INTO THE BLOODSTREAM  CONCERTS

Thu 15 Nov        MELBOURNE – Australasian Worldwide Music Expo

Welcome to Country and Archie Roach’s ‘Into the Bloodstream’
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets & info: 1300 182 183*
www.artscentremelbourne.com.au*Transaction fee applies

Sun 30 Dec         WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL  — The Ampitheatre, Woodford, QLD
Tickets and info: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

Fri 25 Jan            SYDNEY FESTIVAL – – State Theatre, Sydney NSW
Full program announced Tuesday October 23rd.

Tickets on sale Monday October 29th.
Tickets & info: sydneyfestival.org.au

Sat 26 Jan           SYDNEY FESTIVAL — The Parade Ground, Old King’s,
Parramatta, NSW             ****Free public event***

Fri 15 Mar            ADELAIDE FESTIVAL – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Tickets on sale 7:30pm (CST), October 30,  2012
Tickets & info: adelaidefestival.com.au

For further ARTIST information and CONCERT announcements please visit:
www.archieroach.com.au
www.facebook.com/archieroach
www.twitter.com/archieroach

‘INTO THE BLOODSTREAM’ album out October 19th, 2012 through Liberation
Music

www.liberation.com.au

Category: News