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Lionel Lee
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Based in:
Melbourne VIC
Line up(s) available: solo Lionel Lee is the unrestrained chariot, the swerving vehicle for singer/songwriter Matthew E Baird’s meditations on the darker side of what some refer to as Southern Gothic or Gothic Country music. Matthew E Baird prefers to describe his laments as simply being: “tales of bitterness with just a dash of sweet sherry. However, no matter the titles or tags attached, it’s just good old fashioned story telling”. The fictional character ‘Lionel Lee’ (imagined as the somber and introspective ‘Carni Kid’ rising from the dust) has loomed large in Matthew E Baird’s imagination since early childhood fueled by constant road trips through rural Australia. In turn Lionel Lee’s longing for a peaceful home base has inspired a lot of Matthew E Baird’s song writing as an adult.
He has released two Ep’s to date ‘Vexed Grill’ 2006 & ‘Vexed Intentions 2008. In 2006 & 2007 Lionel and band ‘The Lionel lee Trio’ hit the pubs and clubs of Melbourne and regional Victoria racking up a string of headline shows and supports with Spencer P Jones and Ian Rilen (R.I.P) This year Lionel released a solo acoustic Ep followed up with intimate solo performances. He is currently working on an upcoming Lp entitled 'Mysteries Of The Heart; Vagaries Of The Mind. The Lp will be recorded with band and is due to be released late in 2008. Parallel to songwriting & performing Matthew E Baird has contributed to, composed and directed sound tracks for various independent short films & obscure documentaries. Latest Ep Review "Matthew E Baird (aka Lionel Lee) has never failed to deliver heartfelt melodic country rock. This new solo disc finds him in a darker place and I was suitably impressed with his vocals and songwriting. Here, he stands alone with a beautiful echoed acoustic guitar armed with six outstanding 'gothic country' tracks…..and boy can he play a sweet harmonica. Fans of Melbourne's own Spencer P. Jones, Ryan Adams and Neil Young will not be disappointed here. Get out the gin and get ready to drown in your own tears". Review by: John Peeps for: Forte Magazine “The Background Story” Matthew E Baird comes from and is surrounded by a long family lineage of storytellers, singers, musicians, writers, artists and performers. This genetic disposition for the ‘Raconteur’ originated in Ireland & Scotland eventually finding its way to the outskirts of Ballarat Australia, then the barren deserts of the Victorian ‘Mallee Country’ and eventually to Melbourne. Fast forward and it is in Melbourne that Matthew E Baird began his musical career in the early 90’s. The aspiring songwriter/guitarist explored all the dark corners of rock, grunge, folk, country and blues fronting bands such as Schlock, Nylon, Zen for Head, and Bullitt. In 1996 Zen For Head recorded their debut album ‘Down On The Blacktop’ at Atlantis Studios Melbourne. This melodic country pop offering was released at the height of the angst fuelled ‘grunge’ revolution and as they say. “Wrong time, wrong place”. Sometime in 1997 Zen For Head returned to the studio to complete a four track Ep with new band member and session cellist Anita Quayle (Chris Wilson, Tim Rogers & Pete Murray). Zen For head continued to play consistently around Melbourne’s inner city venues until the end of 1998 when Lionel boarded a plane for the UK. Upon returning home a year later, Lionel undertook four years of self imposed exile in Sydney finally returning to Melbourne in 2003. Now permanently residing in Torquay on Victoria’s West Coast Matt began writing new material inspired by his early love of ‘Americana’ folk & alternative country music. In 2005 Matt recorded a four track Ep at Pan Studios in Geelong. This recording was first to be released under the band name of ‘Bullitt’ but with potential copyright issues and a change in direction it was later released under his own name but for reasons of identity confusion (a long story) it was released under the banner of The Lionel Lee Trio and so was born ‘Lionel Lee’.
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