Immigrant Union

Biography

Immigrant Union are a Melbourne-based six-piece band, consisting of members Brent DeBoer (of The Dandy Warhols), Bob Harrow (lead singer with Lazy Sons), Peter Lubulwa (ex of The Galvatrons), Dave Mudie, Bones and Courtney Barnett. Immigrant Union recently completed their self titled debut LP set for release in April 2012. The band travelled to Portland, Oregon, to record at The Trench, with producer Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, The Dandy Warhols, Blitzen Trapper). In an inspired burst, they re...

Immigrant Union are a Melbourne-based six-piece band, consisting of members Brent DeBoer (of The Dandy Warhols), Bob Harrow (lead singer with Lazy Sons), Peter Lubulwa (ex of The Galvatrons), Dave Mudie, Bones and Courtney Barnett.

Immigrant Union recently completed their self titled debut LP set for release in April 2012. The band travelled to Portland, Oregon, to record at The Trench, with producer Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, The Dandy Warhols, Blitzen Trapper). In an inspired burst, they recorded fourteen songs in fourteen days.

The AU Review, after seeing the band, summed up their style of song¬writing nicely in a review of the live show, writing:

“Their music is the classic story telling style of songs that is reminiscent of Neil Young and Bob Dylan… a relaxed set of soulful, folk infused country songs”.

The band is the result of Harrow and DeBoer’s chance meeting at Melbourne’s famous Cherry Bar, and subsequent friendship. After learning that Harrow was a fan of The Dandy Warhols and DeBoer was a fan of Harrow’s favourite artists, the two decided to write some songs together and start a band. There was, inbetween, at least one night spent on a farm outside of Nagambie drinking VB cans and strumming classic country and rock till dawn.

The songs on Immigrant Union’s debut LP are the culmination of many weeks of songwriting on DeBoer’s in-laws back patio. Indeed, the working title for the album was ‘Val’s Backyard’, a tribute to that very “workshop”. Alongside these wonderful original songs with a distinctly “classic” feel, the band recorded two covers; a great take on The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s “The Ballad Of Jim Jones”, and a sensational romp through the Cheech & Chong number, “Up In Smoke”.

Immigrant Union have been building their name through live perform¬ances at some of Australia’s most iconic venues, such as a month-long residency at The Tote (sharing the stage with Stonefield), a successful headline gig at Northcote Social Club, kicking off Boogie 5 Festival and supporting the likes of Graveyard Train and Shayne Nicholson. The band hit the national spotlight with their acclaimed rendition of Rose Tattoo’s “Bad Boy For Love” on Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight in 2010 on ABC TV.
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