Back in the early '90s, Melbourne's Frente were one of the biggest bands in Australia with their quirky brand of indie pop propelling them onto an international stage supporting the likes of Counting Crows and Alanis Morissette – they even appeared on 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien'.
After initial success with a couple of EPs – 1991's 'Whirled' and 1992's 'Clunk' – at the tail end of 1992 Frente (the core duo of Angie Hart and Simon Austin) released their debut album, 'Marvin The Album'.It featured the radio-friendly 'Accidently Kelly Street' (which went viral before going viral was a thing) alongside fan favourites 'No Time' and 'Ordinary Angels'.
"Since we recorded 'Marvin', the Internet was invented, social media arrived (we toured nationally and internationally for over six years without either of them), CDs came and went, we released cassingles for 'Marvin' and we are now around to see their return to favour, we released a few 45s and a 7-inch, but we never released 'Marvin' on vinyl until this birthday," Angie says.
To honour the record's 30th anniversary, Frente return to the road for a national tour (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) in May-June as well as re-issuing the re-issued 'Marvin The Album' vinyl (which sold out after its first pressing last year).
"It's so great to be playing these songs live again. They take on a new meaning and I gain a new and deepened reverence for them every time we open up the book on these songs," Angie says.
"In the decade between the last time we played this album, we seem to always forget how the songs go and what they are about.
"We are approaching them with fresh ears and hearts and seeing them with a different perspective that only time can bring. The love we have for our younger selves now is full of compassion and, at this point, intrigue – we did that?!"
Hart and Austin are joined onstage by bassist Tamara Murphy (Spirograph Studies, Kate Miller-Heidke, Paul Grabowsky), award-winning songwriter Sophie Koh on keys, and percussionist Ben Wiesner (Missy Higgins, The Audreys, Rob Snarski).
"These three are all bringing a different energy and sound to the music and keeping the eclectic ethos of Frente alive," Angie says.
The upcoming shows will also be an opportunity for Frente to connect with their legion of fans, while bringing back the personal, heartfelt nature of the music that has meant so much to so many for so long. "We are really looking forward to seeing everyone," Simon says.
Adds Angie: "We look forward to bringing some supports to the shows that celebrate where we are now and who we are inspired by at present time. We are also armed with anecdotes and bad jokes, so beware!"
Tickets on sale from 10am EDT on 3 March.
Frente 2023 Tour Dates
Sat 6 May - The Corner Hotel (Melbourne)Thu 25 May - Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)
Fri 26 May - The Zoo (Brisbane)
Fri 9 Jun - The Gov (Adelaide)
Sat 10 Jun - Badlands (Perth)
Frente also headline the opening night at 2023 Castlemaine State Festival on 24 March.
