The Beautiful Girls Biography
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In 2001 The Beautiful Girls formed in Sydney as a roots music group with Mitch Connelly on drums and percussion; Clay MacDonald on bass guitar, backing vocals, xylophone and recorder; and Mat McHugh on lead vocals and lead guitar. Previously McHugh had travelled to New York to pursue a music career, he returned to Sydney to record some demos where he founded the band.[1] McHugh choose the name to counter the "macho posturing and the associated tough-guy band names. And a beautiful girl was just about the sweetest, most appropriate opposite I could think of".[2] In March 2002 The Beautiful Girls issued their debut eight-track extended play, Morning Sun on a self-funded independent label, which was distributed by MGM Distribution.[3] The track "Periscopes" received airplay on national radio station, Triple J.[1][4] McHugh explained why they chose not to sign with any major label, "It's the way we've always been as a band and the way I've always wanted to do things. I like artists and musicians who I get the vibe of where they’re coming from and an understanding of what kinda person they are. For me it's just a way of conversing back and forth with people".[4] In November 2002, a second EP, Goodtimes, was issued with five tracks.
On 22 September 2003, the group released their debut studio album, Learn Yourself, which was co-produced by McHugh with Ian Pritchett.[5][6] United States pop-rocker, Mason Jennings, provided lead vocals on a track, "Freedom (Part 2)", and former Soul Asylum drummer, Ian Mussington, provided percussion on two tracks.[5]
In 2004 The Beautiful Girls toured Japan, Canada and the US.[7] In January 2005, they released a four-track EP, Weight of the World, where the title track was a "rollicking, dance hall tune, featuring, wails of melodica and a tinge of hip hop, [it] has already been added to rotation on JJJ".[7] On their Australian tour promoting the release they were joined by Brazilian, Felipe Kmiecik on harmonica.[7] On 4 July that year, with Kimieck aboard on melodica, harmonica and keyboards the band recorded their second album, We're Already Gone,[8] which peaked at No. 19 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[9] It was produced by McHugh and Pritchett on The Beautiful Girls' own label, San Dumo Records, and distributed by MGM.[8][10] The special edition of We're Already Gone includes a four-track DVD, 'Legged, with live video footage and film clips.[8] The album features guest vocals by Julia Stone (of Angus & Julia Stone).[11] In October 2006 the group issued a compilation album, Water.[12]
By 2007 Connelly, Kmiecik and MacDonald had departed – Connelly subsequently worked on Angus & Julia Stone's albums and EPs, and Julia Stone's solo album.[13] MacDonald also worked for Angus & Julia Stone and later formed a rock, punk group, Valley Floor.[14] In 2009 Kmiecik, as Felipe Harp, issued a solo EP, Back on the Road. The Beautiful Girls continued with McHugh now on lead vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, melodica and percussion – he was joined by Pritchett on bass guitar, backing vocals, guitar, keyboards and percussion, and Bruce Braybrooke (ex-Frenzal Rhomb, The Fantastic Leslie) on drums, percussion and vocals.[15] On 14 May 2007 the group issued their third album, Ziggurats, on Die!Boredom Records with McHugh and Pritchett co-producing.[15] The album peaked at No. 21 on the Australian albums chart.[9] It spawned the single, "I Thought About You", which peaked at No. 60 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[16] The Sydney Morning Herald felt the group's "sound is punchier and more angular. Lyrically, McHugh has drifted away from the personal politics of relationships to a wider political outlook. The album, in particular the stand-out 'I Thought About You', are a convincing departure from the 'roots' scene".[17]
At the APRA Music Awards of 2008, "I Thought About You" – written by McHugh – was nominated for 'Blues & Roots Work of the Year'.[17] By 2008, The Beautiful Girls had toured Japan, Europe (including UK), Brazil, US and Canada.[17] McHugh launched his solo career, however late in 2008 a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles hospitalised McHugh and delayed the release of his album, Seperatista!.[18] By 2010 The Beautiful Girls had toured the world twelve times and their total album sales reached 285,000.[19]
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