Grand Atlantic

“Bands can sometimes do the big guitar pop-rock thing and sometimes do the orchestral pop thing, but somehow Grand Atlantic can do them both equally well and resolve them into an enthralling package” The Courier Mail, 2007


So, you've listened to the ‘supposedly’ great Australian pop records of the last couple of years and you've come to one conclusion: those people are pretenders.
Australia, if you’ve got talent it’s well-hidden. If you're not marvelling at the pretentious hairstyle/facial hair/texta tattoos and ridiculously-complex, over-produced and self-indulgent albums, then you might get around to wondering why those people get to make records at all. So – pay attention, the next bit is important.

Grand Atlantic have managed to do what seemed impossible – created a lush, melody-drenched set of songs that combine minor-key melancholy with killer pop choruses. By ignoring the rules, they have drawn elements from the past and made them seem new again. This is the album that the major-label poodles would have given their right arms to make. You see, you have to be outsiders to pull this off – the kids that sat in the bedroom obsessing over who played on the second Kinks album; the dreamers who analysed every lyric on ‘Pink Moon’; the Audrey Hepburn fans. The thinkers. The romantics.

It's an exciting time for Grand Atlantic right now: Stuart Coupe and Laughing Outlaw Records announced on April 18, 2009 that the label had signed the band to the label, and will release the band’s second album How We Survive on June 1st 2009 via Inertia Distribution.

Grand Atlantic’s 2007 debut was hailed as a modern pop masterpiece and received widespread critical and popular acclaim in Australia and worldwide, with innumerable power-pop blogs in the US and Europe raving over the band’s classic guitar anthems. Audiences across Australia were treated to Grand Atlantic’s impassioned and impressive live shows, and many predicted great things for the band. Those predictions seem likely to come to fruition in the form of their second long-player.

“Grand Atlantic’s album landed in my stereo late last year and stayed there on repeat for four straight days. It’s an impressive and accomplished album, and it’s got a depth that reveals more with every listen. They are a great addition to the label, and we’re looking forward to unleashing this album on lovers of great guitar-pop everywhere…” says Stuart Coupe.


How We Survive was recorded at Aisle 6 in Brisbane, mixed by Magoo (End Of Fashion, Midnight Oil) and mastered in Nashville by Jim DeMain at Yes Master. It showcases the increased confidence that the band has in their songwriting, along with the influence of almost 18 straight months of live shows.

Lead singer and songwriter for the band, Phil Usher, stated “We’re really comfortable with Stuart and the Laughing Outlaw team – they really get what we’re trying to do on this album, and they are music fans first and foremost. We reckon they are the right sort of label for us – and we’re looking forward to those huge royalty cheques rolling in any day now!”

The first single from How We Survive is She’s A Dreamer, a gorgeous, sunny slice of pop perfection. It should be on good radios around the country from the first week of May. Grand Atlantic will officially launch the album at The Zoo in Brisbane on Friday 26th June, with a capital city tour to follow in July. There are a number of live dates happening this month and next - more information at www.myspace.com/grandatlantic. (The GA website is currently under reconstruction…)

Just a Quick bit on laughing Outlaw:

Laughing Outlaw Records is a Sydney based independent record and management company. Its attitude and approach is pretty simple - music fans releasing music for other music fans. Nothing more complicated than that.

Since opening up for business more than eight years ago the label has released over 100 albums. Most of them are on CD but nothing makes the Outlaws happier than also releasing something on vinyl. The label has distribution networks around the globe, an office in the UK and even its own Hi- Fidelity like retail shop if you're ever passing through sleepy Lewisham in the inner west of Sydney.