The Guild League

There’s bound to be many a teary punter in Melbourne this week. You see, Australian indie darlings, The Lucksmiths, have called it a day after 16 years and are celebrating with four sold-out farewell shows for the home-town crowd. Of course I’m sad and cursing the fact that we’re not back in Melbourne, but I’m also really excited to see what the future holds for Tali White, Marty Donald, and Mark Monnone. So in honor of this band who provided the soundtrack of my 20s and early 30s, I’m going to profile Tali White’s former side project - now current band, the Guild League.

I’ve been listening to the Guild League on and off since 2002, but thanks to a dear friend, they made their way onto my radar again with their new CD, Speak Up. And this sleeper has become my album of summer 2009! I must confess I’m surprised how much I love this collection of poppy, foot-tapping, ska-tinged songs because perky/poppy music is generally not my thing. But lyrically this CD couldn’t be more grown up -- covering the heavy themes of corporate greed, career ennui, and remaining optimistic amidst the drudgery of adulthood. Now that I’ve whet your appetite, let’s examine in more detail….

Why I love them (and you should too)
The Guild League started as a global affair. Forming in Thailand back in 2000, the band’s first songs were written and recorded in San Francisco and finished in various Melbourne suburbs. The result was their debut album, Private Transport – a collection of songs about love and travel. Included was the only rap/indie hip hop song ever featured on the now defunct Candle Records label. This song, “Siamese Couplets,” pays homage to Thailand capturing all the dizzying sights, sounds, and smells of Southeast Asia.

In these early days, the Guild League was an indie experiment of 16 respected musicians. But by the release of their second album, Inner North, they had condensed their line-up to a more manageable three piece. With Speak Up, they have morphed once again into a six-piece band consisting of Tali (vocals), Cressida Griffith (cello, bass), Gus Rigby (sax), Phil Collings – not to be confused with Phil Collins! (drums), Roger Clark (trumpet), and Basic Shape's Gerry Eeman (guitars).

Working with such diverse bands has really allowed Tali White to push the bounds of indie pop by incorporating hip-hop, folk, ska, pure guitar-driven pop, and even a cappella elements into his songs.

Speaking of a cappella, Tali teaches a class called Alternative A Cappella at Melbourne’s Centre for Adult Education. This is just one testament to the quality of Tali’s pitch-perfect vocals.

And for some totally random Guild League trivia (as I love trivia), Aaron Zelinsky reported in his Huffington Post Blog (February 25, 2009) that President Obama used some lyrics from their song ”Shirtless Sky” in his inaugural address to Congress. There you have it!

With all The Lucksmiths’ farewell festivities and tours, the Guild League have been keeping a low profile. I certainly hope they pick up where they left off with Speak Up because Tali White, amongst this ever-changing collection of musicians, has fast distinguished himself as one of Australia’s finest song-writers.

Listen up!
Here’s “Suit Fits” from Speak Up. This ridiculously catchy song is one of the album’s stand-out tracks and definitely one of my favorites.



Discography: Speak Up (2008) * Inner North (2004) * Private Transport (2002)