 BAND HISTORY - PART 5 - MELBOURNE - 2002-2008
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In Spring 2002 The Blackeyed Susans returned to the leopard-skin confines of Sing-Sing Studios in downtown Richmond to finally record the lost album of Shangri-La. augmenting their lush velvet tones with op-shop instruments and old vinyl.
The results are a strangely evocative and beautifully twisted album that picks over the trash and treasure of past styles and sounds. Released July 21st, 2002 on Teardrop thru Shock the album garnered The Susans another ARIA nomination.
This time for 'Best Adult Contemporary Album'. Dan and Phil made the trip to the big smoke of Sydney for the awards only to be beaten by the more than worthy Go-Betweens album ŒBright Yellow, Bright Orange¹. Still, was a fine night that was had with dear Gee Dub and Co. The Blackeyed Susans toured extensively before returning to Melbourne to discuss their future.
In 2003 it was decided that in order to accommodate the lives, loves, careers and interests of the band members The Susans would become a part-time affair, performing together as time and interest dictated. In the past few years performances by the whole band have been infrequent, although the 4-piece trio still can be found playing the odd residency around Melbourne.
In the meantime bandmates have busied themselves with all manner of things, most notably Dan Luscombe, first with Paul Kelly and Dan Kelly and currently as a member of The Drones. Kiernan Box continues to play with the very wonderful Augie March.
The other Susans came together in Jan 2008 in Sydney as guests of The Triffids, to pay tribute to songwriter and founder member David McComb in their Sydney Festival show 'A Secret In The Shape Of A Song'. Other guests besides The Susans included Mark Snarski, Steve Kilbey, Mick Harvey, and Toby Martin from Youth Group. The show was part celebration, wake, family reunion, memorial and performance and is the subject of a film currently in production.
In October 2009 The Blackeyed Susans released a 4-disc box-set retrospective Reveal Yourself 1989-2009 that includes the best of their six albums, b-sides and rarities and all the videos.
May you each find your own Shangri-La.
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