Martha's Vineyard (band)
| Martha's Vineyard | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Genres | Acoustic folk-pop |
| Years active | 1986–1990 |
| Labels | Monkey, rooArt, Polygram |
| Associated acts | The Triffids, The Blackeyed Susans |
| Past members | see Members list below |
| Martha's Vineyard discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 1 |
| EPs | 2 |
| Singles | 3 |
Martha's Vineyard were an Australian rock band, formed in Perth in May 1986 by lead singer, Peggy Van Zalm. In June 1989 the group issued their debut self-titled album on rooArt, which was produced by Nick Mainsbridge. It peaked in the top 100 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sound as "reflective folk rock [which] mixed melancholy vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, gentle percussion and spacious arrangements to arrive at a harmonious and intriguing whole". They shared a similar sound and outlook to that of fellow Perth bands like The Triffids, The Honeys and Chad's Tree. Van Zalm's vocals drew positive comparisons with Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde and Joni Mitchell. The group had toured nationally supporting Simply Red, INXS, Eurythmics, The Go-Betweens, Paul Kelly, The Triffids, Mental as Anything, The Saints and Weddings, Parties, Anything, before disbanding in 1990. By 1994 Van Zalm had launched her solo career.
In May 1986 Peggy Van Zalm (ex-Distant Carnival), on lead vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, co-founded Martha's Vineyard with Anthony Best (later known as Bhante Sujato) on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Lisa Jooste on violin, Norman Parkhill (The Scream, Matinee Idols, Photoplay, Scant Regarde) on bass guitar and vocals, and Aidan D'Adhemar on drums, percussion and vocals. The Perth-based band took their name from the holiday resort island off the coast of Massachusetts, United States. Van Zalm had grown up in Cowaramup, a small farming and vineyard town, before studying Fine Arts at Curtin University. The band's first performance was on 21 May 1986 at the Red Parrot nightclub supporting The Saints, three weeks after forming. Soon after they issued a self-titled five-track cassette, recorded at Northlake Studios in Fremantle with James Hewgill, which was followed with a shared single, "Our Day", with Errol H. Tout's "Sounds of Swimming" on Lizard Records/Monkey Music. "Our Day" was written by Van Zalm. Catherine McAuliffe joined on bass guitar and Parkhill switched to guitar.
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