In a nutshell, sonicanimation are arguably this country’s premiere live electronic act. It all started way back in 1994, when original trio Adrian Cartwright, Rupert Keiller and Steve Bertschick (who later chose not to stick around) casually began jamming. Having drummed for bands such as Circus Charlie back in the ‘80s (highlight: supporting Kids in the Kitchen!), Adrian was looking for new musical collaborators, while former UK resident Rupert was busy immersing himself in the indie/goth and rave scenes. After meeting up and discussing a mutal love for indie rock, Adrian and Rupert formed Scarlet Garden, but alas a spot play on “Simon Townsend’s Wonder World” was to be their only success. Looking elsewhere for inspiration, Adrian salvaged a keyboard from one of his former outfits and began experimenting with a new style of writing. It was when he and Rupert handed a tape full of compositions over to Steve, who could often be found spinning discs at various clubs and parties, that the seeds of sonicanimation were sown. After Adrian attended his first rave the future was set.

While Rupert and Adrian were used to writing individually and then collaborating, the new-look trio didn’t want to stay locked in the studio. Deciding to focus on taking their music to the live realm, they began playing a variety of club gigs (Melbourne’s Filter, Sydney’s Totem) and eventually scored slots at huge outdoor raves across the country. Thanks in part to sonic’s debut release, the 12” “Time Is An Illusion” single (which sold 1500 copies in Europe), sonicanimation soon found themselves playing to thousands of punters, supporting the likes of CJ Bolland, The Prodigy and Resistance D, alongside slots of festivals such as Homebake and the Big Day Out. 1997 saw the release of debut album, Silence Is Deafening, as well as the departure of Steve, who left to explore his own musical style.

Since then Rupert and Adrian have gone on to success after success, licensing tracks to international compilations, taking on side projects (Rupert’s Dr Rupa and Adrian’s Chaos in a Box) and releasing countless hit singles (1999’s “Love Lies Bleeding” and “Theophilus Thistler”, not to mention winning “Best Live Band” at the first DMA Dance Music Awards. (And then there’s those furry critters, Theo and Rupert.) Their second album, the double CD Orchid For The Afterworld, was then been followed up with the excellent Reality By Deception, (released in 2002 via Festival Mushroom Records). Their hit “I’m A DJ” was released in the UK late in 2002, with the dance remixes by The Sharp Boys (Mary J Blige, Kylie Minogue, Jamiroquai). It became a UK club hit with plenty of support from MTV Europe. Sonicanimation are currently writing and recording their next album with the first single to be released late in 2003. Stay tuned for more news about this album.

ELEVEN : a retrospective journey

into eleven years of SONIC ANIMATION

Released through Inertia

Stabbing guitar, whirling synths and family-size beats showcase sonic animation's sound and style.   Combining diverse musical fashion, lyrical wit and a quirky sense of humour has created the up-beat music that Australian audiences have come to love.  

Rupert Keiller and Adrian Cartwright began their recording career as sonic animation with their first independent white label 12-inch release, ‘Time is an Illusion'.   This self-funded production was distributed in Europe through MMS, where it sold 1500 copies.   Since then the band has released four albums (Silence is Deafening-1997, Reality by Deception-2002 and Defective Perspective-2004) and ‘Orchid for the Afterworld (1999) which reached gold sales status, as well as three EPs and numerous 12-inch singles.

sonic animation's fame was fuelled by the gigantic furry creatures that originally featured in the video for Theophilus Thistler .   Named Robert Rollie and Theophilus Thistler, these furry costumes have appeared on stages all around Australia.   sonic animation have also been known to invite fans to be in the suits and dance on stage with them at their shows.  

sonic animation have won awards for Best Video and Best Live Act at Australia's Dance Music Awards, as well as being nominated for 2 ARIA's.   Their reputation as an energetic and frenetic live act has seen them play the Big Days Out nationally four times; and they have supported The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Underworld and Fat Boy Slim.   sonic animation have played countless dance parties including Ministry of Sound, and filling in for CJ Bolland when he refused to get on the plane from Germany!   They have done remixes for Kylie Minogue and Amiel, and worked with top-notch Australian producer Josh Abrahams.

‘Eleven' will be the final album release from the duo known as sonic animation.   Their album launch tour in September 2005 was their final ‘headline' tour with the festival dates in summer including the Big Day Out) and these shows will be the last opportunity for fans to get up close and personal.   For all of the sonic fans out there, this album sparks a little hint of sadness but also a celebration of what has been a fun and outrageous eleven years…

‘Eleven' features:

•  3 brand new songs: But Myself , Love Puppet (produced by internationally renowned Melbourne Breaks wizard EK) and Rocktronica

•  All of the sonic animation hits including Theophilus Thistler, I'm a DJ, Love Lies Bleeding and Get Up and more

•  A track from every album and EP since 1994 including their first ever white label vinyl track Time Is An Illusion

•  Bonus mix CD featuring remixes by Infusion, Phil K & Nubreed; EK, BeXta, Frontside, UK's Sharp Boys and previously unavailable tracks

IMC IS EXTREMELY PROUD AND HONOURED TO HAVE WORKED WITH SONICANIMATION FOR OVER HALF OF THEIR CAREER. WE SALUTE YOU, ADRIAN & RUPERT, FOR SEVEN WONDERFUL YEARS OF INCREDIBLE 'SONG & DANCE'!

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