Palace of the King

In the 20 or so years that I’ve been following the Australian indie rock scene, I’m not sure I’ve come across a band receiving as high praise for their debut album as Melbourne’s Palace of the King. In every street press, music blog and on many rock radio stations around Australia, White Bird/Burn the Sky is getting the attention it so rightly deserves.
“Everything has certainly been ticking along nicely,” says guitarist Matthew ‘Harri’ Harrison, playing down the rave reviews they’ve received of late.
“After we recorded the album we were happy with the results – but you never know what other people might think regardless of how you feel about it personally. Now we can’t wait to get out on the road and play in front of those people who have been giving us such awesome feedback – we couldn’t be more proud.”
The six-piece blues-inspired roll ‘n’ roll band is fronted by singer and multi-instrumentalist Tim Henwood, formally of Rogue Traders, The Superjesus and The Androids.
“Tim is the singer in our band, but he just so happens to be one of Australia’s best guitarists as well. Sometimes he makes me feel a little bit small in comparison, because he’s a much better guitarist than me!” Harri laughs.
“He does a lot of recording and producing for bands on the side, and as a result we had the luxury of being able to jump into a studio whenever we felt like it. He mans the desk and we just get going – and he captures our attitude and live energy. That’s how we recorded our EPs and our LP.
“As musicians we really love the improvisational aspect of playing music, and a really big part of playing in a band is the connection to other musicians and to the music,” Harri continues.
“For me that’s something that really heightens the experience of playing music, and hopefully when we’re doing it right it heightens the experience for the listener. I love it when bands throw themselves off the deep end and venture into the unknown – and that’s something we hope seeps into our live set.”
Due to popular demand Palace of the King will embark on their maiden voyage to Europe in October, but if you get in quick you can catch them in the support slot paying homage to the one and only Jimi Hendrix on the 45th anniversary of his passing.
The Experience, lead by Hendrix devotee (and POTK front man) Henwood, and a crack rhythm section featuring Dave Stevens and Michael Stangel, will celebrate the brilliance of a man whose brief time on earth changed the face of rock ‘n’ roll guitar playing forever.
“The idea to do the support made perfect sense. For us as a band Hendrix’s music has been a massive cornerstone and reference point for what we do, and the way we’ve individually grown up as musicians. I’ve even got a Hendrix tattoo on my left leg!” Harri smiles.
“He’s almost single-handedly the reason for me picking up the guitar in the first place.”
Stayed tuned for the announcement of a national tour before the end of the year.
When & Where: The Experience: 45th anniversary of the passing of Jimi Hendrix, Barwon Club, Geelong – September 18
Written by Natalie Rogers