Angus and Julia Stone - An Open Book

Since coming together as a musical twosome early last year, brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone have been on an amazing journey together – always discovering more about themselves and each other. After performing all around the UK, the recent release of their debut album and a nation-wide sold out tour; Sydney’s favourite siblings are now preparing to take on the summer festival circuit, which brings them to Falls Festival late December.

On the strength of their previous EPs Chocolate and Cigarettes and Heart Full of Wine, the darling duo released their first full-length record, A Book Like This, in September. Debuting at number six on the ARIA charts and enjoying a spot as Triple J’s feature album for the week, the album has been an immediate success. For Angus, more important was simply the act of expressing their art to the public. “The album’s been going well. I really enjoy the fact that we can release where we’re at with songwriting at the moment, and people can come to the shows after listening to it and get into it.”

Speaking fondly of their childhood experiences on holiday at their great-grandparent’s house, Angus recounts where he and Julia found the inspiration underlying the record.
“We used to go up there for little holidays and fish old bottles out of the river and stuff, and we used to stay in this old house which now is a real derelict sort of place – nothing’s been touched for a good twenty years. Julia and I saw a pile of books and on top of the pile was this book of these three children looking up at a signpost; and they all had this look on their faces like they didn’t know where they were meant to go.”

This theme of searching, uncertainty and personal discovery is one that Angus and Julia take to heart, and believe that others can relate to as well. “I can see everyone as those kids,” Angus says. “Not knowing what to do and figuring things out as you go… and hopefully eventually finding something really beautiful.”

From playing on Travis frontman Fran Healy’s 18th century grand piano, to their mother’s lounge room in Sydney – the recording process for A Book Like This was a memorable experience for the Stone siblings.

“We just recorded wherever there was a microphone really. Most of it was done in London and then we came back home and we asked our friend who owns a studio and recording gear if we could set up a recording studio in our lounge room around at mum’s house in Sydney. It was awesome, we all sat down and did the whole live thing - the dog was running around, there was food… it was just a really cool vibe. “

While Angus and Julia cannot imagine music without each other now, they didn’t always share the same musical path. Prior to forming the brother/sister act they known as now, the siblings were writing and performing separately at local open mic nights before moving on to playing split sets. “I was doing my songs and then Julia would come on after and we’d both back each other with harmonies,” recalls Angus.

Eventually their Aunt Cathy suggested what had been lingering above them the entire time – that the two collaborate and come together as a unified musical act. “It was something that was bound to happen eventually,” says Angus. “Cath said to us, ‘Why don’t you just go into the studio and put something down as one, something you do together and we’ll see how it goes.’ We were pretty much already doing that so we thought why not? So I guess that’s how it all started.”

Not only was the pair setting off on a brand new musical journey, but it also gave them the chance to re-discover each other. “When we were growing up we didn’t really know each other too well. I mean, I used to pass Julia in the hall and kind of think to myself ‘Who is that girl in my house?’” Angus jokes. “When you’re with each other every day in a working environment or in a creative environment, you do become quite attached and you find out things that you can relate to. We’re from the same genes and certain things just make sense to one another. I really enjoy working with Julia - she’s awesome. She’s got some really good stuff to say and I really enjoy it.”

The duo’s latest adventures together have included traveling to the UK, serenading the locals in London, Ireland and Scotland. Releasing both their previous EPs in London, the smoky city quickly became like a second home to the siblings, who reveled in the freedom that it offered above the confines of life in Australia. But despite the contrast of the respective scenes, according to Angus, location means little when it concerns their music, “It doesn’t matter where you really are – if you’ve written something down on paper that’s from your heart and it’s something that’s real, people will listen to it.”

The Sydney-siders have just come home after completing their latest national sell-out tour – their best yet, according to Angus. “It’s an evolving process. The more we play, the more we enjoy doing what we do because we become comfortable with the songs and the band that we’re playing with. This tour’s been the best for us, it’s been awesome.”

Having already visited Tasmanian shores earlier this year for the Southern Roots Festival, Angus and Julia are particularly looking forward to returning to play in Marion Bay for the annual Falls Festival. “We loved it,” Angus says of their previous visit.“I’ve never been to Canada but it gave me a sort of Canada vibe – the pine trees, the big lake… It was a really calming relaxing environment. Everybody is real chilled out, and there’s just such a great vibe. We can’t wait to get back there.”

Share this article on Facebook