Hermitude

Hermitude formed in 2001 when Blue Mountains duo Luke Dubs (Luke Dubber) and Elgusto (Angus Stuart) paired up with a shared love of beats and turntablism. The offspring of profes- sional musicians, they’d performed together in jazz and funk bands since their early teens.

Hermitude’s first EP was the vinyl-only Imaginary Friends out through Elefant Traks.

They followed this up with their debut album in 2003—the critically adored Alleys to Valleys. It established Hermitude’s reputation for impeccable production—esteemed radio figure Tim Ritchie called it “One of the best hip hop/breaks releases I’ve ever heard”.

Their second album Tales of the Drift followed in 2005 after numerous tours and support slots. Their Cuban-influenced rhythms (Elgusto undertook percussion studies in Cuba as a teen) had blended elegantly with their formal jazz and classical background breathing new life into their instrumental hip hop sound. The first single ‘Fallen Giants’ took triple j by storm and sat on high rotation for months.

By now Hermitude had established their reputation for brilliant studio productions with an engaging and innovative live show—incorporating a confident, almost effortless musicianship with a deft grasp of technology. Over the next few years they toured Asia, Europe and the USA playing with underground hip hop artists and electronic acts (DJ Krush, Kentaro, Aceyalone, Dizzee Rascal).

In 2007 they released the Rare Sightings EP before embarking on their third album, Threads in 2008.

Hermitude’s sound progressed into more electronic territory, embracing instrumental hip hop’s electronic relative ‘future beats’. Artists such as Glitch Mob and DJ Krush started dropping Hermitude songs in live sets.

In September 2011 Hermitude dropped the summery monster ‘Speak of the Devil’, landing it in the triple j Hottest 100. Hermitude’s fourth album HyperParadise was released in Feb 2012 and charted in the Australian Top 40. The tour of the same name sold-out nationwide.

Hermitude stepped up their festival appearances joining the Groovin the Moo Tour, playing Come Together and also supporting 360 on his Australian Tour.

The guys have recently made in-roads Internationally, signing a global publishing deal with Sony/ATV and having ‘Speak of The Devil’ released by Regal Recordings/Parlophone (EMI) in the UK and on Astralwerks in the US. The song enjoyed regular spins on BBC Radio 1 and across European radio. To support their European release, Hermitude performed at Fusion Festival (Germany) and played a sold-out headline show in London.

Fresh from their overseas success Hermitude launched back into studio-mode undertaking some high-profile remixes for the likes of The Presets and Missy Higgins. They also co-produced Urthboy’s acclaimed album Smokey’s Haunt.

Hermitude won over new crowds on the Parklife tour in September which was closely followed by them winning an AIR Award for Best Dance/Electronic Release and getting two nominations for ARIAs for Best Dance Release & Best Video.

November saw the duo team up with label-mates to perform at the Sydney Opera House for the Graphic Festival-commissioned Dr Seuss Meets Elefant Traks. Hermitude were also nominated for a j award for Australian Album of the Year.

In December Hermitude were nominated for the prestigious Australian Music Prize. The duo performed at Homebake, Woodford Folk Festival and Rhythm & Alps (NZ) before they embarking on their sold-out The Villain Tour in January/February 2013 including three sold-out shows at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney & The Corner Hotel in Melbourne

What the media are saying about HyperParadise:

ROLLING STONE
"The Best Australian Albums of 2012...thusfar"
HERALD-SUN

“A million miles more advanced than simply producers of instrumental hip hop...”
DRUM MEDIA

“One of the best Australian releases of 2012”
BEAT MAG

This album has colossal unapologetic swagger that makes you want to rock down the street in triumph...”
THE BRAG (Album of the Week)

"Yet another quantum leap ahead... If there’s any justice, this album will be the one that finally launches them into the upper stratosphere of producers, both here and abroad"
THE ORANGE PRESS
"Do believe the hype”
FEATURE ALBUM ON RADAR RADIO, 2SER, FBI RADIO, TRIPLE R & RTRFM, AS PLAYED BY GILLES PETERSON (BBC RADIO 1)