He’s been playing music since he was five, and has been in bands since he was in high school. But it’s taken more than 15 years for Tyson Hodges to put out an album with the trio that bears his name. Instrumental prog-rock fusion outfit Tyson Hodges Trio (TH3) will launch its long-awaited, self-titled debut album at Handle Bar on Friday, December 6.
The earliest incarnation of TH3 can be traced back to the early 2000s. A decade later, Hodges launched “mark 2”, which graduated from the band’s original acoustic roots style to a more electric, rockier sound.
Out of that progression came the current line-up, comprising Hodges, drummer Josh DeAraugo, and bassist Bradley Bradford.
Hodges cannot praise his bandmates highly enough. “The musicianship is incredible and has allowed us to expand the sound even further,” he says. “We can delve into prog-rock arrangements from classic rock-type grooves and complement it with heavy, fuzz-drenched, stoner-rock riffs.”
TH3 went into Ladd Studios in October 2018 to begin work on the new album, which was mixed and mastered by Erek Ladd and produced by Hodges.
“I feel like we got the best of both worlds on this album,” he says. “The ‘live in the room’ elements combined with the necessary overdubs to give it an edge. I wanted this record to give listeners a different experience to what they hear live.”
Most of the material was written by Hodges, but two songs were interband collaborations.
“(DeAraugo and Bradford) are such amazing musicians it’s allowed us to push the musical boundaries in both the writing and the arrangements,” he says.
Hodges says he wants people who hear the album to appreciate it for what it is. “Being an instrumental band, it’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea,” he says. “But I know it’s a good record, it’s been a long time coming, and I’m really proud of it.”
From 9pm; free entry.
Also appearing at the venue near you in the next fortnight:
EuRiffka! takes over the Golden Vine on Thursday, December 5, featuring local stoner rock acts Stone Djoser and Sleeping Giant, Brisbane’s Death By Carrot, and psych-loop rock merchant Rowboy. From 7pm; free entry.
Adelaide’s soul-drenched blues trio Lazy Eye bring their Whisky and Gin tour to the All Seasons on Friday, December 6. Support from local blues band Messin’ Around. From 8pm; tickets $20 from Eventbrite.
Local favourites Dorado and The Flannos are joining forces for a night of blues rock at the Golden Vine on Saturday, December 7. From 9pm; $5 entry.
Contemporary folk-rockers Blackthorn returns to the Golden Vine on Friday, December 13. Support from Colonel Vipers Whipstick Band. From 9pm.
Melbourne alt-rockers The Crookeds bring their Sucker For Pain tour to the Golden Vine on Saturday, December 14. Support from fellow Melburnians Rhinosaur and local ambient rockers Die In A Dream. From 8pm.
Written by Lynette Walker
Contact: [email protected]