We met Cameron Avery last year as the touring bassist for Tame Impala at their sold out First Avenue show. Now the Aussie is back with his own solo album “Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams” and coming to First Avenue’s Entry on 3/28. Tickets are still available HERE
Drink in hand, his bowtie hanging, the Western Australian-born Cameron Avery has arrived as a new breed of nocturnal crooner, a train-wreck romantic creating timeless, ambitious music for the modern age. Utilizing his soulful wit, shrewd arrangements, and a deep, husky baritone, Avery harnesses the dark power and humor of artists like Nick Cave, Scott Walker, and Tindersticks to expertly walk the fine line between vulnerable and venerable.
Hailing from the late 2000’s-era Perth and a healthy scene of hard-hitting garage rock bands, including a long stint as the drummer of Pond, Avery found his musical footing while playing with friends but sought the reward of his own outfit. Encouraged by his friend Kevin Parker of Tame Impala to record on his own, Avery started The Growl as his solo project in 2007, making an EP and an album of aggressive, distorted psychedelic rock and roll. When Parker asked him to join Tame Impala as its touring bassist in 2013, Avery jumped at the chance and rose with that band to the top of the psych-rock heap, but all the while remained focused on carving out his singular identity as an artist and following his own muse.
He began recording new material in a piecemeal manner whenever he found himself at home in Perth. “I wanted to make something that sounded like the old records I love—Johnny Hartman, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James—the big band stuff with less metaphorical lyrics” he says. “So I kept recording, bit by bit, and every time I came back from Tame tour I’d blow another ten grand on string arrangements.
Photo Credit: Zackery Michael
Tour Dates:
Mar 17 Clive Bar Austin, TX
Mar 21 Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles, CA
Mar 22 Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, CA
Mar 24 Holocene Portland, OR
Mar 25 Barboza Seattle, WA
Mar 28 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
Mar 29 Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL
Mar 31 The Rivoli Toronto, Canada
Apr 01 Le Divan Orange Montreal, Canada
Apr 03 Great Scott Allston, MA
