by Van Walker
Van Walker's new record Underneath The Radar is compiled from five independently released solo albums between 2008 & 2010, a cherry picked collection of incredible songs designed to announce to the rest of the world something Melbournians have known for some time now, Van Walker is a prolific song writing talent, a brilliant performer and a star worthy of wider recognition. Underneath the Radar is a collection of tales, about breaking up, breaking in and breaking out, all delivered with the bittersweet empathy of a gentle tale.
In 2001, Walker moved from the wilds of Tasmania to the Melbourne big smoke intent on following a long dormant musical ambition. He formed The Swedish Magazines in 2003 who released their critically acclaimed debut album, Eat More Baby in 2005 (AGE four star Album of the Week; "Rock 'n' roll oozing in it's most primal form." Kim Salmon). During this time Van was also performing his acoustic solo material around town, winning fans and grabbing the attention of many of Melbourne's biggest names, writing hundreds of songs, with over 100 songs written in 2003 alone!
By 2007 there were enough fans of individual songs to warrant the production of a debut solo album, The Celestial Railroad (2008). Recorded at Mick Thomas' (Weddings Parties Anything) house, the 15 track double album was released again to much acclaim (Four Star Album of the Week, The AGE EG) and Van suddenly found himself sharing stages with the likes of Paul Kelly, Tony Joe White & Old Crow Medicine Show.
Following this, Walker produced nine full length albums in just over two years, and independently released five, without management or funding, building his own name and audience through passion & hard work, a one man cottage industry personified. He even made it to Europe to begin again there, until he was called back to the small island at the bottom of the world where it all began as his Father lay dying.
And so now the Fuse Music Group have stepped in to channel this amazing back catalogue of barely controllable creative energy and launch the music of Van Walker to the wider world via this album. Available now!
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