The Beautiful Girls

The Beautiful Girls are an Australian roots music group founded in Sydney in 2001 by Mat McHugh, Clay MacDonald, and Mitchell Connelly. They have released three extended plays, Morning Sun (2002), Goodtimes (2002), and The Weight of the World (2004), plus five studio albums, Learn Yourself (2003), We're Already Gone (2005), Ziggurats (2007), Spooks (2010), and Dancehall Days (2014). The last four albums have all peaked into the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Spooks and Dancehall Days also debuted at No. 1 on the Australian Independent Chart and No. 7&5 on the American Billboard Reggae Albums Chart,respectively. Their single "I Thought About You" reached No. 60 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

This article is about the Australian band. For other uses, see Beautiful Girl (disambiguation).

The Beautiful Girls
The Beautiful Girls, December 2007
Background information
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresRoots, pop rock, alternative, reggae, dub
Years active2001 (2001)–2012, 2014—present
LabelsIndependent/MGM Distribution, San Dumo, Die!Boredom
Websitethebeautifulgirls.com
Members
  • Mat McHugh
  • Paulie Bromley
  • Paul Derricott
Past members
  • Mitchell Connelly
  • Clay MacDonald
  • Felipe Kmiecik
  • Bruce Braybrooke
  • Ian Pritchett

Songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Mat McHugh has issued two solo albums, Seperatista! (2008) and Love Come Save Me (2012), as well as an EP, Go Don't Stop (2011).

Clay MacDonald fronts multiple bands, including The Orange Bird, The Lung, The Guilty Conscience, The Oort Cloud, and Hungdonkey. He also plays in fuzz rock group Valley Floor.

Mitchell Connelly has written and recorded under the name aliTTLErowBOAT.

MacDonald and Connelly write and record instrumental hip-hop under the name The Undertones. They also have a noise rock band named Salmon Facade. The pair provided the rhythm section on Angus & Julia Stone's first two EPs and first two albums, and toured extensively with the siblings from 2007 to 2009.

By 2014, The Beautiful Girls had toured the world multiple times – including Japan, Canada, Brazil, and the United States – and their total album sales had reached 350,000.

History

The Beautiful Girls formed in Sydney in 2001 as a roots music group with Mitch Connelly on drums and percussion, Clay MacDonald on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Mat McHugh on lead vocals and guitar. Previously, McHugh had travelled to New York to pursue a music career, and he returned to Sydney to record some demos, at which point he founded the band.[1] McHugh chose the name to counter the "macho posturing and the associated tough-guy band names. And a beautiful girl was just about the sweetest, most appropriate opposite I could think of".[2] In March 2002, The Beautiful Girls issued their debut eight-track extended play, Morning Sun, on a self-funded independent label, which was distributed by MGM Distribution.[3] The track "Periscopes" received airplay on national radio station Triple J.[1][4] McHugh explained why they chose not to sign with any major label, saying "It's the way we've always been as a band and the way I've always wanted to do things. I like artists and musicians who I get the vibe of where they’re coming from and an understanding of what kinda person they are. For me it's just a way of conversing back and forth with people".[4] In November 2002, a second EP, Goodtimes, was issued, containing five tracks.

On 22 September 2003, the group released their debut studio album, Learn Yourself, which was co-produced by McHugh and Ian Pritchett.[5][6] United States pop-rocker Mason Jennings provided lead vocals on the track "Freedom (Part 2)", and former Soul Asylum drummer Ian Mussington provided percussion on two tracks.[5]

In 2004, The Beautiful Girls toured Japan, Canada, and the US.[7] In January 2005, they released a four-track EP, The Weight of the World, where the title track was a "rollicking, dance hall tune, featuring, wails of melodica and a tinge of hip hop, [it] has already been added to rotation on JJJ".[7] On their Australian tour promoting the release, they were joined by Brazilian Felipe Kmiecik on harmonica.[7] On 4 July of that year, with Kimieck aboard on melodica, harmonica, and keyboards, the band recorded their second album, We're Already Gone,[8] which peaked at No. 19 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[9] It was produced by McHugh and Pritchett on The Beautiful Girls' own label, San Dumo Records, and distributed by MGM.[8][10] The special edition of We're Already Gone includes a four-track DVD, 'Legged, with live video footage and film clips.[8] The album features guest vocals by Julia Stone (of Angus & Julia Stone).[11] In October 2006, the group issued a compilation album titled Water.[12]

In late 2005, Kmiecik returned to Rio Negrinho, Brazil, to raise his newborn daughter. In 2006, Connelly left the band, citing irreconcilable differences with McHugh. In February 2007, MacDonald left the band as well, for similar reasons. MacDonald and Connelly subsequently worked on Angus & Julia Stone's albums and EPs while working on their hip hop project The Undertones. They then went on to follow their own projects, Connelly with aliTTLErowBOAT and MacDonald with The Orange Bird, Hungdonkey, and later, The Lung, The Oort Cloud, and The Guilty Conscience. In 2009, Kmiecik, as Felipe Harp, issued a solo EP, Back on the Road. The Beautiful Girls continued with McHugh now on lead vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, melodica, and percussion – he was joined by (The Beautiful Girls producer) Pritchett on bass guitar, backing vocals, guitar, keyboards, and percussion, and Bruce Braybrooke (ex-Frenzal Rhomb, The Fantastic Leslie) on drums, percussion, and vocals.[13] On 14 May 2007, the group issued their third album, Ziggurats, on Die!Boredom Records, with McHugh and Pritchett co-producing.[13] The album peaked at No. 21 on the Australian albums chart.[9] It spawned the single "I Thought About You", which peaked at No. 60 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[14] The Sydney Morning Herald felt the group's "sound is punchier and more angular. Lyrically, McHugh has drifted away from the personal politics of relationships to a wider political outlook. The album, in particular the stand-out 'I Thought About You', are a convincing departure from the 'roots' scene".[15]

At the APRA Music Awards of 2008, "I Thought About You" – written by McHugh – was nominated for 'Blues & Roots Work of the Year'.[15] By 2008, The Beautiful Girls had toured Japan, Europe (including the UK), Brazil, the US, and Canada.[15] McHugh launched his solo career, however, late in 2008, a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles forced him to be hospitalised and delayed the release of his album Seperatista!.[16] By 2010, The Beautiful Girls had toured the world twelve times and their total album sales had reached 285,000.[17]

On 25 May 2010, The Beautiful Girls, with the line-up of McHugh and Braybrooke joined by Paulie Bromley on bass guitar, issued their fourth album, Spooks.[18][19] It peaked at No. 18 on the ARIA Albums Chart,[9] and debuted at No. 1 on the Australian Independent Chart.[17] In June of that year, it reached No. 7 on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.[20] In September, a US tour was interrupted when McHugh was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix.[21] In April 2012, McHugh's second solo album, Love Come Save Me, was released on his website as a free download.[22]

By late 2012, McHugh established a new band name, Mat. McHugh and the Seperatista Soundsystem, which first toured in January 2013.[23][24]

Band members

Current members

  • Mat McHugh – vocals, guitar
  • Paulie Bromley – bass guitar
  • Paul Derricott – drums

Past members

  • Mitchell Connelly – drums, percussion
  • Clay MacDonald – bass guitar, vocals, xylophone, recorder
  • Felipe Kmiecik – harmonica, melodica, piano
  • Bruce Braybrooke – drums
  • Ian Pritchett – bass guitar, vocals

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[9]
Learn Yourself
  • Released: 22 September 2003
  • Label: The Beautiful Girls (i008)
  • Format: CD, digital download
 -
We're Already Gone
  • Released: 4 July 2005
  • Label: San Dumo Records (i008)
  • Format: CD, digital download
 19
Ziggurats
  • Released: 14 May 2007
  • Label: Die!Boredom Records (d!b001)
  • Format: CD, digital download
 21
Spooks
  • Released: 25 May 2010
  • Label: Die!Boredom Records (d!b010)
  • Format: CD, digital download
 18
Dancehall Days
  • Released: 3 October 2014
  • Label: MGM (SSSystem 001)
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 -

EPs
Title Details
Morning Sun
  • Released: January 2002
  • Label: The Beautiful Girls (i001)
  • Format: CD, digital download
Goodtimes
  • Released: November 2002
  • Label: The Beautiful Girls (i002)
  • Format: CD, digital download

Compilation albums
Title Details
Water
  • Released: October 2006 (USA)
  • Label: Cornerstone R.A.S. (CRAS-CD-057)
  • Format: CD, digital download
Roots: The Best of... So Far...
  • Released: 2010 (Brazil)
  • Label: Urban Jungle (OIM003)
  • Format: CD, digital download
Seaside Highlife (Greatest Hits: Vol. 1)
  • Released: 2019
  • Label: Die!Boredom Records (DB017V )
  • Format: Vinyl

Singles
  • "Morning Sun" (2002)
  • "Periscopes" (2002)
  • "Black Bird" (2003)
  • "Weight of the World" (2004)
  • "Ashes" (2005)
  • "Let's Take the Long Way Home" (2005)
  • "I Thought About You" (2007) No. 60 AUS[14]
  • "Don't Wait" (2009)
  • "10:10" (featuring Vida Sunshyne) (2010)
  • "My Mind Is an Echo Chamber" (2010)
  • "Dancehall Days" (2014)
  • "Beautiful World" (2018)

Matt McHugh discography

Studio albums

  • Seperatista! (11 October 2008)
  • Love Come Save Me (4 April 2012)
  • Waves (1 October 2015)
  • Mat McHugh meets The Yum Yums (7 June 2020)

EPs

  • Go Don't Stop (10 June 2011)

Live albums

  • Live at Random Hall (4 June 2013) - Mat. McHugh & the Seperatista Soundsystem

Compilation albums

  • Girl (Songs from 2000—2010) (2010)
  • Sound/System/Version (8 October 2015) - sound system version mixes of previous releases

Singles

  • "Darling This Scene Must End" (2008) - Mat McHugh & The Black Bird
  • "More Money" (2014)

Other appearances

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007[25][26] Ziggurats Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated
2010[26] Spooks Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards have been presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[27]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006"Ashes" (Mat McHugh)Most Performed Blues & Roots Work[28]Nominated
"Let's Take the Long Way Home" (Mat McHugh)Most Performed Blues & Roots Work[28]Nominated
2008"I Thought About You" (Mat McHugh)Blues & Roots Work of the Year[15]Nominated
2011"10:10" (Mat McHugh)Blues & Roots Work of the Year[17]Nominated
"Don't Wait" (Mat McHugh)Blues & Roots Work of the Year[17]Nominated

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Lost to
2005[29] We're Already Gone Best Blues & Roots Album Nominated Mia Dyson - Parking Lots

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005[30] We're Already Gone Australian Album of the Year Nominated

Inside Film Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 "I Thought About You" Best Video Nominated

References
  1. "The Beautiful Girls Tour Dates". yourGigs. ninemsn (Nine Entertainment Co., Microsoft). 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  2. Cox, Tim (11 July 2005). "Disc of the Week: Beautiful Girls". ABC Tasmania. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  3. "Morning Sun [sound recording] / The Beautiful Girls". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 22 January 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  4. Hill, Louie (6 February 2012). "An Interview with The Beautiful Girls". Tone Deaf. Tone Deaf Network (Nicholas Jones). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  5. Learn Yourself (Media notes). The Beautiful Girls. Independent Release. 2003. I 003.CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. "Learn Yourself [sound recording] / The Beautiful Girls". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 8 September 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  7. "Beautiful Girls". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  8. We're Already Gone (Media notes). The Beautiful Girls. San Dumo Records. 2003. I008.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Hung, Steffen. "Discography The Beautiful Girls". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  10. "The Beautiful Girls". Australian Music Online. Federal Government Project. July 2005. Archived from the original on 12 August 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  11. "We're Already Gone [Bonus Track] – The Beautiful Girls". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  12. "Water by The Beautiful Girls". iTunes. Apple Inc. 10 October 2006. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  13. Ziggurats (Media notes). The Beautiful Girls. Die!Boredom Records. 2007. D!B 001.CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. "The ARIA Report" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 16 July 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  15. "Nominations > Blues & Roots Work of the Year – 2008". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  16. "Motorcycle Accident Floors Mat McHugh". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 31 October 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  17. "Nominations > Blues & Roots Work of the Year – 2011". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  18. Spooks (Media notes). The Beautiful Girls. Die!Boredom Records. 2010. 010.CS1 maint: others (link)
  19. "Spooks [sound recording] / The Beautiful Girls". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2012. Following their hugely successful third album, Ziggurats and the completion of a mammoth international touring schedule, The Beautiful Girls deliver Spooks. A rich production where stylistic threads run deep. The ever-solid song writing pushes further forward. Spaced-out effects and pulsing synths, skittering drums and dark blue horns, brash toasting and cops-and-rude-boys narrative, offbeat keys and dub undertow pulls Spooks into a world of its own
  20. "Spooks – The Beautiful Girls". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  21. "Burst Appendix Ends Beautiful Girls US Tour". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 29 September 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  22. McCabe, Kathy (26 April 2012). "Free Album from Mat McHugh a Hit with His Fans". Herald Sun. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  23. "Photos: Mat McHugh". Soulshine. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  24. "ABC South East NSW Events". ABC. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  25. "2007 Jagermeister AIR Awards Nominees Revealed". inthemix. 2 November 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  26. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  27. "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  28. "Nominations > Most Performed Blues & Roots Work of the Year – 2006". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2006. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  29. "ARIA Awards: Winners by Year: 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  30. "The J Award 2005". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2005. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
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