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CEDARSMOKE Settle Into The Night LOCAL

Cedarsmoke: Into The Wild World (Indie)

26 October 2021
- 4zzz Chris Cobcroft

Jon Cloumassis and Co. are finally saying goodbye to youth and braving the great big adventure that is adulthood on Cedarsmoke’s debut full-length. Or at least they’re drawing some kind of arbitrary divider through their mid-to-late 20s, which, from Hendrix to Cobain is traditionally a dangerous time for rockers. Still indulging their manic habit for surging, bittersweet rock wedded to suicidally depressing lyrics, I can only hope that the two find some kind of uneasy balance, sending them all stumbling Into The Wild World.

Right from the beginning there’s a darkness encroaching on just about everything. Opener We Settle Into The Night looks out on the whole of that Wild World and finds little to like. In all of the history and famous faces, consumer culture and relationships, existential philosophy and far-away places, every single thing blends into the same miasma that’s sapping Cloumassis’ will to live as he sings: “It’s a quarter life crisis on the western front / I even gave up on giving up / Getting sober and getting drunk / Found a job, enrolled in the working class/ Watched my soul depreciate faster than a brand new car.”

21 October 2021
- Livewire Music Australia

Jon Cloumassis & the boys of Cedarsmoke are back, this time with their debut album Into the Wild World. The Brisbane-based music warriors had previously bottled sonic gold with their singles 'Anything' & 'Sadly Ever After,' and now offer up 13-tracks of gilded musical fury to pour right into your ear holes. The album touches on themes of youthful vice, virtue & apprehension:

“The album deals with different aspects of being in your twenties and being in the throes of a quarter-life crisis. It aims to convey that entering adulthood is also like entering the real and wild world and the first time you have to properly confront adult freedoms and responsibilities like work, sex, love, money, alcohol, excess and restraint.”

4 August 2021
- themusic.com.au

Brisbane alt-rock quintet Cedarsmoke have dropped the vid for their brand new tune, Anything - premiering right here with The Music.

A loving tribute to horticulture and balmy Queensland weather, lead singer Jon Cloumassissaid the vid was inspired by a classic Aus telly staple.

“The video was made by film director Flynn Clarkson and was filmed in Django's backyard," he explained.

"It stars our good mate and Academy Award watcher Patrick Crilly (SherWoodstock) as the meticulous gardener who would do anything for his lawn and shrubbery.

"Taking its cues from the lyrics and Better Homes & Gardens, the protagonist proves that he would do anything for what he loves, which in this case is a beautiful backyard."

10 March 2021
- Milky

Aussie five-piece Cedarsmoke are gearing up for the release of their new single, Being Young Is Getting Old, set to drop on Friday! If you’re like us and can’t wait, listen to the song right here on MILKY before its release!

Bringing their fusion of punk and alt-rock to the track, Being Young Is Getting Old navigates the differing views of what it means to be youthful in your twenties, walking the line between holding on to teenage qualities and progressing into adulthood. Built upon a 12-string acoustic guitar line, frontman Jon Cloumassis' vocals take centre stage, captivating listeners with his distinctive raspy vocals. The track is made complete with cascading synths, electric guitar and mellotron, with the songs upbeat chorus juxtaposing the pulled back verses and melancholic lyricism.

16 March 2021
- aaabackstage.com

Indie punk outfit Cedarsmoke have unveiled their brand new single, Being Young Is Getting Old. It’s the first we’ve heard from the 5 piece since their 2020 EP, Everything Is The Worst.

Being Young Is Getting Old is just on four minutes of pure indie rock. It opens with some smooth acoustic guitar that builds into a big vibe in no time. Lyrically the track touches on the coming of age and the motions we go through as a young adult.

26 March 2020
-Gareth Bryant, Scenstr Music

Brisbane band Cedarsmoke are quickly emerging as forerunners to the next batch of great indie music Australia produces.

Their late 2018 single 'Let The Wind Blow' was a gorgeous slice of sunny indie pop married to a brash, rocky riff that gave the track an appealing one-two punch.

Now they present a magnificent collection of indie pop, indie rock charm in the form of new EP, 'Everything Is The Worst'.

The EP explores sensitive topics like the gripping reality of death, scrapping through depression and the monotony of life. In the world we know face, these are issues more pertinent than ever.

Band to Watch: Cedarsmoke

10 December 2019
- Max Hammar, Indie Rock Cafe

For a number of years we’ve been following the Brisbane ‘slacker-rock’ indie band, Cedarsmoke, thanks to the band’s ear-peeking, honest lyrics, and a gritty, yet catchy sound.

The band’s latest single, “Pure Heroin,” is proof-perfect.

“Pure Heroin is a song about Rom-Coms and punk rock,” says vocalist and multi-instrumentalist frontman John Cloumassis. “Specifically, it focuses on the life and death of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen,” he says, adding, “musically, we tried to offset their tragic story with a catchy chorus and bright synth sounds, but it’s still a fairly dark song.”

The band often makes picayune observations of down and out of luck characters wrapped inside of metaphor-heavy lyrics and the band’s own brand of Down Under indie rock music.

12 November 2019
- The Music

"Lyrically, it focuses on the story Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen as well as rom-coms, Jane Austen and heroin."

Brisbane alt-rock five piece Cedarsmoke return today to mix punk and rom-coms for their latest single, Pure Heroin, and we here at theMusic.com.au have the exclusive premiere.

They're a band that put storytelling at the forefront, and Pure Heroin sees frontman Jon Cloumassis riffing on pop culture tropes over a tune that burrows deep into your subconscious.

"This song is a change of approach for us musically," the band told The Music.

"Instead of relying heavily on guitars, the song centres around a piano and synth sounds. Lyrically, it focuses on the story Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen as well as rom-coms, Jane Austen and heroin. "

EMERGE TRACK BY TRACK: CEDARSMOKE

26 October 2021
- Emerge Podcast

There's not much I love more than recording Track by Tracks, our latest feels especially special to me.

In a first for the show, an artist returns for their second Track by Track! Jon from Cedarsmoke joined me last year to talk through their fourth EP 'Everything Is The Worst', an absolute favourite of mine.

The moment I saw the news that my absolute favourites Cedarsmoke had announced their debut album, I was back in Jon's dms organising our sophomore Track by Track. Jon also graced me with an early listen of the album (which officially released this past Friday).

Every day this past month I have listened to this album in its entirety atleast once (more often than not, it was two to three times). Which says a lot considering the album is 13 tracks and has a run-time of 54 minutes.

In that time, 6 minutes short of an hour, not a single second is wasted. In the past two years Cedarsmoke have quickly become one of my favourite bands around, and this album well and truly cements that. From start to finish, a step up in already brilliant lyricism, as well as the band's best melodies and tracks to date.

23 July 2021
-Spill Magazine

Put on your sunnies because there is a solar eclipse coming and it’s the Australian-based alternative/ indie-rock outfit Cedarsmoke who are bringing a newfound positivity to their single “Anything”.

Known for their cynical outlook and self-deprecating humour that is found littered throughout their massive back-catalogue of 5 entire EPs, Cedarsmoke have shifted their outlook for this track that may surprise those who are already familiar with the band.

Bursting with a feel-good, indie-rock buoyancy, this optimistic love song features flourishing mandolin, synths and Jon Cloumassis distinctive and warming vocals which are backed up by some dulcet harmonies from Maddie Keinonen. From nursery rhyme references in the verses to the desperate plea that they’ll do anything for their love in the warming choruses.

16 March 2021
- AUPIUM

Young is the new old.

Aussie band Cedarsmoke weighs in the pros and cons of growing older but still being young in their latest single “Being Young Is Getting Old.” It’s a self-contradicting, mindfucking title but somehow it makes sense as you indulge in the soothing, melancholic riffs as the band contemplates on wrestling with maturity and youth in your twenties. For all of us who are averaging B-/C+ in adulting, this is the song that nails it:

Speaking of the track, frontman Jon Cloumassis shared: “The song is about the downside of youth and being in your twenties. It began with the title which I liked because of the double meaning – it looks at how youth has its negatives and it also looks at how getting old is a constant thing. I think that like most things, it has its pros and cons which is what makes it an interesting subject matter to me.”

20 March 2021
- Female.com.au

In their ambivalent, self-defeating and dark-humoured indie/ alt/ punk-rock style, Cedarsmoke are back at it, scraping through depression and the monotony of life with their relatable new single 'Being Young Is Getting Old'

It was March last year when the band released their 5th EP fittingly titled 'Everything Is The Worst'. Lockdown had only just begun but Cedarsmoke's tracks like 'Feel Bad Hit Of The Summer', 'The Grim Reaper's Song' and 'Local Anaesthetic' were already painting the picture for the drab year ahead.

Moving forward a year, Cedarsmoke continues to solidify their sound with the new single 'Being Young Is Getting Old' - a track that paints a picture that is all too familiar to many. Cloumassis states:

"The song is about the downside of youth and being in your twenties. It began with the title which I liked because of the double meaning - it looks at how youth has its negatives and it also looks at how getting old is a constant thing. I think that like most things, it has its pros and cons which is what makes it an interesting subject matter to me."

29 March 2021
- Jenny Syratt

In their ambivalent, self-defeating and dark-humoured indie/ alt/ punk-rock style, Cedarsmoke are back at it, scraping through depression and the monotony of life with their relatable new single ‘Being Young Is Getting Old’ (Out Now).

It was March last year when the band released their 5th EP fittingly titled ‘Everything Is The Worst’. Lockdown had only just begun but Cedarsmoke’s tracks like ‘Feel Bad Hit Of The Summer’, ‘The Grim Reaper’s Song’ and ‘Local Anaesthetic’ were already painting the picture for the drab year ahead.

Moving forward a year, Cedarsmoke continues to solidify their sound with the new single ‘Being Young Is Getting Old’ – a track that paints a picture that is all too familiar to many…

REVIEW: CEDARSMOKE’S EXPRESSIVE AND IMPRESSIVE ‘EVERYTHING IS THE WORST’ EP

27 March 2020
- Calen Le Couteur, Music is my Muse

Brisbane alt-rock quintet Cedarsmoke have been working around the local music scene since releasing their debut EP False Start To The Rat Race back in 2016. Since then the band has kept busy, releasing their sophomore EP Traffic On Solitude Roadthe following year and Kicked Out Of Edenin 2019. With these, the locals have been honing their craft with better song writing, musicianship and recording quality. This could not be more evident than on their best work to date, Everything Is The Worst, which was set into the wild today. Despite the title, this EP seems their brightest, at least when looking at the instrumental palette used. Over the five tracks, the band uses a variety of instruments from the obvious choices from percussion, keyboards and electric guitars to the more surprising addition of banjo on the stunning EP closer.

EP Focus: Cedarsmoke

5 March 2019
- The Music

EP Title? Kicked Out Of Eden

How many releases do you have now? This is our third EP and our third release in as many years.

Was anything in particular inspiring you during the making? Belatedly discovered The Replacements while writing the songs, and it's probably fair to say their music had a heavy influence. Was also reading Paradise Lost which was largely responsible for the lyrical themes.

What's your favourite song on it? Would have to be Here Alone. It's probably our strongest arrangement and everyone's playing is pretty tight on it.

22 October 2021
- Scenestr.com

An indie rock band brimming with sonic talent (check their previous four EP releases as a guide), Brisbane band Cedarsmoke are now the owners of a debut album.

'Into The Wild World' features 13 songs that traverse from energetic indie rock and acoustic folk-style ballads to piano-driven numbers.

Add subject matter about embracing adulthood and associated responsibilities, and Cedarsmoke have crafted a collection of songs equally at home on AM and community radio as they are on the playlist of any weekend barbie or soundtracking a lazy day reading your favourite book.

"'Into The Wild World' is our debut album following four EPs, it is an amalgam of the musical and lyrical elements encompassed on our previous releases," says the band.

22 October 2021
- Jammerzine

Cedarsmoke have officially premiered their new album titled ‘Into The Wild World’, dropping this Friday (October 22nd).

‘We Settle Into The Night’, the first track on the album, begins the album almost like an experience. That buildup of musical emotions that take us by the hand and guide us through things that are about to come about. Almost like an anticipation, where you want to forward to the next song but stay because you love the journey so far.

From there we get a set of songs, each with their own style and personality, vying not for your attention, but for your heart. You will love these songs, as each ingests you into its music and bind with you to become the soundtrack to your next beautiful memory. Isn’t this what music is supposed to be about?

22 July 2021
- aaabackstage.com

Brisbane indie rockers, Cedarsmoke will release their brand new, feel good single, Anything tomorrow and we’ve been blessed with the very first listen of the sunny new tune.

Following on from their previous single, Being Young Is Getting Old, this sunshine-filled new gem takes Cedarsmokes sound to a higher level. Filled with fast bopping drum patterns, smooth melodies and some real 90’s alt sounding vocals this one is sure to put a smile on your dial.
The track is delivered as a optimistic love song to prove that the band aren’t as cynical as once believed.

16 March 2021
- Arun Kendall

Australian band Cedarsmoke have delivered an imposing and heartfelt single in ‘Being Young Is Getting Old’, a sobering and vivid elegy for the world in which our youth are growing up in.

Frontman Jon Cloumassis, whose whiskey-soaked gravelly vocals sets a yearning and poignant tone, says…

25 March 2021
- Georgia Haskins

Building on the foundations of their debut EP, ‘Everything Is The Worst’, Cedarsmoke are back with their latest single, ‘Being Young Is Getting Old’. Tired of the false realities distorted from the apparent whimsical and ideal times of youth, the band has created a song that not only tells the truth, but lets you hear the truth…

27 March 2020
- Happy Mag EP Review

Earlier this year, when we first stumbled across Cedarsmoke, we were immediately on board with their rich, story-driven indie-rock sounds. The band craft melodic and lyrical sonic gems that simultaneously layered and direct; they’re grounded in a poetic honesty, but flaunt a unique kind of song-craftsmanship.

With the release of their new EP Everything Is The Worst, the band continue to establish their penchant for creating immersive slices of auditory brilliance. If you’re not already familiar with this group, now is the perfect time for you to change that.

On their new EP Everything Is The Worst, Brisbane-based band Cedarsmoke deliver a deeply infectious collection of witty indie-rock classics…

14 November 2019
-Matt Innes, Scenestr Music

Romantic comedy meets punk rock in 'Pure Heroin', the latest single from Brisbane indie five-piece Cedarsmoke.

'Pure Heroin' offers a new perspective on the tragic love story of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, which caught the attention of Cedarsmoke frontman and songwriter Jon Cloumassis. “I decided to read up on [Sid and Nancy] a bit and once I did, I went down the rabbit hole,” Jon says.

“Their story is stranger than fiction, just surreal, and I wanted to write about it. It's also like 'Romeo & Juliet' where it ends in death for both of them. When you think of Shakespeare and Sid Vicious and The Sex Pistols, I found a bit of humour in there. It was fun to write and research.”

The story of Sid and Nancy is probably just as well-known as that of 'Romeo & Juliet' and has become an integral part of the rich tapestry that is rock music history, even being made into a 1986 biopic starring Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb.

12 December 2019
- Good Call Live Music News

Cedarsmoke have just released their new alt-rock single Pure Heroin where they mixed rom-coms and punk-rock together in an ode to the tragic life of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen.

Now to pair with it, Cedarsmoke are dropping their very first music video – an explosion of colourful, psychedelic animation that explores the themes and lyrics of the track. Watch Pure Heroin here.

Made by the animator of Mindfuck Studios who goes by the name of Trippiestef, the illustrations help push this bittersweet and sombre story forward that at the same time is contradicted by the upbeat energy…

Press

Brisbane band Cedarsmoke are quickly emerging as forerunners to the next batch of great indie music Australia produces.

Romantic comedy meets punk rock in 'Pure Heroin', the latest single from Brisbane indie five-piece Cedarsmoke.

Cedarsmoke

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