Scroll down for Bio in 3 different formats:
• The Short Version
• The Bigger Version
• The Live Show Version
and then...
• Some Quotes
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Bio (The Short Version):
• With a sound heavily influenced by island roots and reggae, hip-hop, country, The Lion King and even Aladdin's Genie, This is really an act you need to see to understand... But no one walks away the same.
• Born In Vanuatu
• Grew up In the Solomon Islands
• Fell in love with music through The Lion King/Aladdin's Genie and dated pop/reggae/hip-hop music on the local radio
• Boarding school in Australia
• 7 years of busking in the streets of Fortitude Valley
• Full-time musician for 15+ years
• Played some incredible shows and festivals (Bluesfest, PAX AUS, Caloundra Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Island Vibe, Big Day Out, FOTSUN, Sprung Festival, Red Deer Fest, Under The Trees Festival, Valley Fiesta, Butter Factory Blues and Roots and many more...)
• Supported and performed with some amazing artists (Everlast, Matt Corby, Ash Grunwald, The Beautiful Girls, Nicky Bomba, Brad Cox, Katchafire, Evil Eddie (Butterfingers), Pete Murray, Illy, Trinity Roots, Dallas Frasca, Natali Rize, Tikki Taane, Sahara Beck, Karl S Williams)
• Released 2 Albums (The Lyrical, Remember the Roots) and 2 EPs (If I Was Earth, King Of Me)
• Over 15 MILLION Spotify streams
• A proud Official Cole Clark Artist
• Proudly sponsored by Audio Technica
• Proud GenerOzity Charity Team member (With $12,600+ raised through 'Team Lyrical' so far)
• Currently working on his first-ever country/clues record with legendary producer, Govinda Doyle.
• ... aaaand that brings us up to date.
Bio (The Bigger Version):
Born in Vanuatu, Karl moved to the Solomon Islands as a child of only 4 years old. Whilst growing up in Honiara, he played and created music with his neighbour Tommy (a.k.a. Solomon Kwatea). They developed their passion for music together, sitting near the radio, copying the music with their mouths because they had no instruments. "If we weren't doing that, we were drumming on cardboard boxes with chopsticks or blowing through plastic pipe like a trumpet," Karl says of his childhood with a reminiscent laugh."
With a sound heavily influenced by island roots and reggae, hip-hop, country, The Lion King and even Aladdin's Genie, This is really an act you need to see to understand... But no one walks away the same.
The Lyrical rose from the music scene in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The Queensland North Coast has always been a hotbed for new Australian talent in a variety of genres and the hip-hop/reggae scene is no exception to that tradition. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Ben Harper, Bob Marley and Michael Franti, The Lyrical reflects the ingenuity and musical aptitude it takes to be a great artist. The "Unique blend of beat-boxing meshed with folk guitar and socially conscious lyrics is fast becoming the hottest ticket in town,” - City News
The Lyrical has toured both Australia and internationally as well as releasing a hugely popular self-titled album, “The Lyrical,” to critical acclaim. He has supported some amazing artists (Everlast, The Beautiful Girls, Katchafire, Ash Grunwald, Brad Cox, Dallas Frasca, Natali Rize, Tikki Taane, Pete Murray, Illy, Trinity Roots and more), shared the stage and played with the likes of Ash Gruwald, Leon Mobley of The Innocent Criminals, and Blue King Brown. He’s rocked festivals and events such as; BIG DAY OUT, Byron Bay Bluesfest, PAX AUS, Gympie Music Muster, Caloundra Music Festival, Sprung Festival, Party in The Paddock, Island Vibes Festival, Festival Of The Sun, Red Deer Festival plus many, many more. The Lyrical has also had great radio and online success hitting No.1 SEVEN TIMES on Triple J’s Unearthed and gained a No.5 spot for Sweden’s “Top 50 Most Streamed Songs” for the year of 2015.
The Lyrical cut his teeth on the streets busking two nights a week for 7 years in the Valley in Brisbane and quickly became a well-known music champion to the thousands who stopped to dance and play along over the years. "I love busking," tells Karl, "it's the BEST way to talk to everyday people with your music, and when you busk... you hear the REAL truth about it... if people don't like it... they tell you! If they think you're inspiring... they tell you that too - it's a magic place to grow as a musician!"
Bio (The Live Show Version):
My songs don't exist. Not in the way that we play them live.
None of my songs are actually recorded how they ever sound live. All I have ever put on an album are VERSIONS of my songs. And they change and sound different almost as soon as I leave the studio.
It's a mix between not ever being able to capture the spirit of the live emotion, but also even if we do... It's about me wanting to go on adventure every time I play a song and breathe new life into it in the moment.
I completely understand that so many other musicians are probably able to do this while singing the song the same way every time - but I very quickly start to feel trapped if I am forced to just play it the same way for years... Or even weeks haha.
So that's why you should come to a show sometime 😅 Because outside of that... The music you would see there simply doesn't exist anywhere else.
Some quotes:
"Reminiscent of old school John Butler Trio with the awareness of Black Eyed Peas' 'Where Is The Love?' If you want to feel a little 'woke' through music, start here." - Nkechi Anele, Triple J
"... a strong way of expressing [his] peace-minded words. It's really refreshing." - Claire Mooney, Triple J
"With an infectious blend of roots, reggae and hip hop in tow, The Lyrical commands a strong stage presence as he spits his politically charged and socially conscious expressions" - themusic.com.au
"When it comes to writing, well, he's not called The Lyrical for nothing." - Scene Magazine
"A unique blend of beat-boxing meshed with folk guitar and socially conscious lyrics" – MX Magazine
“This band raises the roof of all and any venue they play, truly inspirational.” - MX Magazine
"I'm blown away by the songwriting... I've heard so many original compositions, being a writer, but that was amazing! " - Anna-Maria La Spina