[News]

[12/3/2009]

The band have just issued the following statement regarding to the international availability of their new album, "Stumbling To Divinity"...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/3/2009

For more information contact:
www.highroadno28.com
www.myspace.com/highroadno28
hrno28@yahoo.com.au
www.myspace.com/wjodistribution
www.myspace.com/ampheadmusic

Highroad No. 28 release "Stumbling To Divinity" Internationally Through Amphead ....

Highroad No. 28 have secured International wide digital distribution of their new album, "Stumbling To Divinity". The digital distribution of the album will see the album available in over 40 countries. www.myspace.com/ampheadmusic In addition, "Stumbling To Divinity" is also available to be ordered from 'all good stores', throughout Australia or bought direct from WJO Distribution at www.wjodistribution.com.au Finally, the band are over half-way through the writing process of their third full-length album, which is scheduled for release in 2010. The band are also in final preparations for their pending live shows in support of "Stumbling To Divinity"....

"Stumbling To Divinity" available through Amphead Music at the following:
Amazon.com
Target.com
HMV Japan Online
HitMeister
Amazon.de Marketplace Listing
VidzOfOZ
CDUniverse
BigWEntertainment
HeraldSunHIT
CDConnection
Play4Me
VibrantSound
ReelTime
TheGreatEscape
emusic.com
+ many more

[20/12/1008]

Hello all. Highroad No. 28 have now acquired Australian-wide physical distribution for their latest CD, "Stumbling To Divinity", and their 2005 album "Unsteady & Steady State". Below is an official press release which describes their deal in fuller detail.
In addition, they will soon announce their international digital distribution release date for "Stumbling To Divinity".

After a quick spate of local shows, the band have now officially wrapped up 2008. 2009 will see the band back stronger than ever, playing a plethora of local shows, and embark on nation-wide touring. They are also currently planning their first jaunt overseas.
Furthermore, early 2009 will see them start pre-production on their third album, tentaviley due out late 2009.

We have updated the Gig/Gigography section, and a new review has been added for "Stumbling To Divinity".

The band would like to collectively thank all those who have supported them throughout the years and continue to.

The band recently issued the following press release...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/12/2008

For more information contact:
www.highroadno28.com
www.myspace.com/highroadno28
hrno28@yahoo.com.au
www.myspace.com/wjodistribution

HIGHROAD NO. 28 SEAL PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION DEAL- AUSTRALIA-WIDE

Highroad No. 28 have secured Australian-wide physical distribution of both their new album, "Stumbling To Divinity", and their previous longplayer "Unsteady & Steady State", with WJO Distribution.

Both albums are now availble to be ordered from 'all good stores', throughout Australia, or bought direct from WJO Distribution at www.wjodistribution.com.au

The band have also secured and international digital distribution deal for "Stumbling To Divinity". A statement will be issued shortly about this.

The band have also just released a new track of their latest album, "Wayward Projectiles", which is now posted on their myspace site, www.myspace.com/highroadno28

Finally, further work has been done on their third full-length album. Feburary 2009 will see the band embark on their first Sydney show, of many, for 2009, before they head interstate again.

The band thanks everyone who has helped/corresponded/played/ with them in 2008.

"We Stumble in the Dark..."

Formed in Late 2008, Highroad No. 28 have slowly, but surely, built themselves into a cogent outfit. They play an eclectic style of rock, replete with electronica elements, and lyrical themes which focus on 'totality'. August 14, 2008 saw the band release their second album, "Stumbling To Divinity"...

For more information contact the above addresses.

[13/11/2008]

Hello all again. Highroad No. 28 will be playing their first live show after the release of their new album, "Stumbling To Divinity", next Saturday 22^nd November, at Talbot St. Studios, 4 Talbot St, NSW, Australia. Copies of the new CD will be for sale at the show.
From this gig, the guys plan further local shows, and interstate shows will begin in the new year.
Meanwhile, work has begun on their third full-length release, which hopefully will be released mid-2009.
We have updated the links section, and also added some reviews for "Stumbling To Divinity"
Furthermore there is a fresh interview with Andrew which can be seen here.

You can find this online HERE.

Interview October 2008 (this has been edited...will release unedited version soon)
They Come From a Land Down Under: A Conversation with Andrew of Highroad No. 28.
By Brian Campbell

They have a brand new full length and are planning on branching out and touring overseas in the near future.

Get eXposed: Brian: Where did the band name come from?
Andrew J. Cantwell: It sounded good, it was original and November 28th is my birthday. The band name has a profoundly strong and spiritual significance inherent to it (at least for me). It’s all about going on and persisting when everything seems so bleak, useless, hopeless and even absurd.

GE: How did the Highroad No. 28 sound develop?
AJC: In a plethora of ways. As time has gone on I have improved musically and, as we all do, changed and developed as an individual. The way the sound has developed is a manifestation of my emotional, psychological, spiritual and musical changes/developments/journeys. I think for every musician, who plays for love of music, it is similar: our emotions/psychology is embedded within what we write. When I started things in 1998 I was really in heavy groove rock…I loved that Drop D guitar sound and only ever played/wrote in Drop D. That being said, the first EP in 1999 was in C sharp. All the riffs I constructed around drum beats- I have been a drummer since I was about 8 or something like that. I still do work in this way to a great extent, but have more appreciation for melody. Things continued in this way for some time, but I always did want to develop. I tried some new things on our second EP in 2002. I was very happy with the release, but still felt there were certain things I was not ‘saying’ with the music that had to be said. I think, at that time, the sound was indeed growing, but not to the extent to what I wanted. In a way, we were confined to one genre and I never want this band confined to any genre. The first album, “Unsteady and Steady State,” marked a definite change and edification to the bands’ sound. Certain things about the way it came out were not consistent with my vision for the album. I realized that in order to reach this vision of musicality I had to a tremendous amount of work. So now, nearly three years later, I have just released “Stumbling to Divinity.” Both musically and lyrically it makes the statements I very much intended for. I am extremely happy with the album.

GE: Tell me about the recording process of ‘Stumbling to Divinity’
AJC: It was extreme. The recording process was not a matter of simply rehearsing for a year, doing some pre-production, then recording. I started writing it way back in March or April 2007. Over a period of six months I wrote over 20 songs, music and lyrics. After writing all the guitars, I started on the vocal melodies, then added keyboards, loops, samples etc. I started, in many ways, from scratch, in terms of the logistics/processes involved in recording. There was a lot for me to learn in a short amount of time. Until the very last day we entered the recording studio I was editing my tracks in the mini studio I have made, and adding certain elements to thicken the sound. I added all the processing then put the mastering suite over the all the songs (which later was removed due to headroom problems). We went in and bass was nailed first. It was such a rewarding process, and I think we all did a really great job. It was very arduous but, because we had a lot to do in a short amount of time. The engineer very much acted as part of the band. After we finished it all I had to go back to correct a few things, but they were not major things. So, after all that, I went and got it mastered.

GE: Who produced it?
AJC: I produced all the sequencer tracks at my home. We added some more samples and effects here and there in the studio to those pre-existing tracks, but that was very minimal. Once all recording was done, myself and the engineer produced it. I did most of the vocal production: I pretty much knew the equalization settings I was after, and with the processing, myself and the engineer winged a lot of it. We split the rest of the production between us, both throwing in ideas. On the band’s prior releases I didn’t play such an active role in production.

GE: Was it important to find just the right producer?
AJC: Yes. It took quite a bit of time to find the fellow we ended up working with. When I spoke to him, I knew straight away he was the guy. We both used the same software, he knew his outboard gear inside out, and we very much saw eye to eye on what would happen during recording. He was a nice and relaxed person too which always helps. He was very much open to my ideas and didn’t cut any corners. He put himself within the music, so to speak. It was very important.

GE: Tell me about your live show. What can fans expect from it?
AJC: They can expect a lot, and a big change. It’s all about energy, and letting go. Something that is inherently intangible. I have not been satisfied in the past by a lot of our live shows, and I knew when this record was being written things had to change in order to pull off the show that really shows what this band is about. A lot of preparation has been done to get things just right; we are running an orchestra of sounds now: vocals, guitars, drums, bass, woodwind, keyboards etc. The shows are more than just playing the songs from the record; they are about being absorbed in the actual soul of the record. I think the greatest thing we can do in a live show is to give people an emotional high, via the music. Or if they feel depressed, they can listen to a song they can relate to and, once again, associate with it and put themselves within the song.

GE: When will you be touring overseas? Do you have dates?
AJC: Late next year, so I can’t announce any dates as yet. We will play in Japan, in addition to other countries. It is greatly contingent upon how our album is received in various countries.

GE: Who are some of your biggest influences as a band?
AJC: I listen to anything- anything which emotional ‘stirs me’. Any genre, any era. I’m actually listening to some old stuff at the moment- Foreigner, Hall and Oates, Chris De Burgh, etc. The other chaps are into a lot of heavy metal, but they are open minded to all types.

GE: Tell me about your song writing approach?
AJC: It’s always been pretty much the same, from the very first EP, back in 1999. I write the stuff, and then give it to the other players to learn. Now, in 1999, up until 2004/2005 I was using some very average gear to do this. I’d record all the guitar parts on a tape with no overdubs. However, I knew what the drum beats were for each song. In 1998/1999, the fellow I recorded with was a live mixer. He helped greatly with the pre-production. I believe we used an old four track, overdubbed bass, vocals, and leads (on top of the drums and rhythm guitar). Once again in 2001/2002 I had five songs prepared and gave them to the guitarist. He learned them well and we just rehearsed and recorded these tapes in rehearsal studios. But there was no idea of the vocal lines, I didn’t drum and sing in rehearsals at that time. I knew what the vocal lines were, but naturally, the other guys wanted to hear them before recording. So we borrowed an old four-track and did the pre-production tape in one rehearsal, then we recorded - that was the ‘Dynamic Introspection’ EP. That’s the only release thus far in which I have not written all the music, the guitarist wrote a couple of tunes, and I thought they fit very well into the Highroad No. 28 sound. For the first record, “Unsteady and Steady State”, in 2005, there was no four-track involved at any stage. ’Stumbling To Divinity’ is a completely different story as pre-production was extensive and ongoing. Once again, I wrote all the riffs, I then layered them with synths, loops, pianos etc. I then added all the vocal melodies and lyrics. Each song got the same treatment. During rehearsal we had all the layers of sound running through my console. When I gave the songs to the other guys, they were, mostly complete (in terms of structure). That being said, a lot of things were added (more keys etc), but the structures were only modified minimally, if at all. At the same time I was mixing, and subsequently, producing all the sequencer tracks. I used a lot of panning and automation to overcome this and at the end of the day everything did come out in the final mix. Fundamentally, the writing process was the same in many ways to prior releases, in the sense that I wrote the riffs and drum beats, and then added the other elements of the song. But the major difference was there was a far greater amount of elements, and I had a lot of software and hardware to play around with.

GE: What can we expect from you guys the rest of the year?
AJC: I have already started the new album, and also am re-writing some older songs. We start our live shows soon, and we will make it interstate here in Australia. Also, we start work on a video clip. There is a lot of planning to do. With Highroad No. 28 you don’t know what to expect!

You can check out the Aussie boys right now online over at MySpace.

Will have further news soon...

[26/09/08]

Some quick news. Highroad No 28 now has new webmasters!
And they are also currently preparing for their Stumbling to Divinity live shows. There'll be more news regarding this soon..

[22/8/2008]

Apologies for long delay. The website has been down due to several issues, but all problems have been rectified. In the coming months, the site will be regularly updated, with many significant additions on the way.

Highroad No. 28 have just released their 2nd album, "Stumbling To Divinity". Attatched below is a press release pertaining to this. The band are currently preparing for their imminent live shows and tours. More news/site changes on the way very soon...

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14/7/2008.]
For more information contact:
www.highroadno28.com
www.myspace.com/highroadno28

[HIGHROAD NO. 28 RELEASE "STUMBLING TO DIVINITY"]
Highroad No. 28 have officially released their second album, "Stumbling To Divinity", today, Thursday, August 14th, 2008.
Two songs from the CD are now on Myspace: www.myspace.com/highroadno28
1. If They Died, Could I Survive?
2. Bleed Torment, Agony, Despair
The 15 songs contained on the record as follows...
1. Of Totality...
2. Divergent Love
3. Where God's and Lover's Reside
4. Wayward Projectiles
5. For Eternity, We Will Be
6. A Ghost I Made
7. Bleed Torment, Despair, Agony
8. Isotopic
9. Danny Go On
10. If They Died, Could I Survive?
11. Onwards Divinity
12. And I Suffer
13. The Dance With Maggots
14. To Transpose the Soul (To Be One)
15. Goodbye For Now, Strange Reality
The CD will soon be available international-wide, both on-line and through record outlets. In addition, people can purchase the CD from today onwards via contact through the band.
The band will are soon to make a return to the live scene, and are currently planning a national tour . Furthermore, writing has 2009 will see the band tour overseas for the very first time.

[November 2008: 10 YEARS...]
The band would collectively like to thank the following: Mr. Jack Haas, Richard and Rupert at Talbot Rehearsals, Simon Cohen, Mark Bolton/MGM, Drum! Media, and all print media that has ever helped the band, Dave at Ariel.com, Michael Lynch, Pete at MAD CD's, Rodney Butts, 'Nana' Mex, Shelley, and Downunder Thunder, and all digital media that has helped the band, Pete/Goose Studios, Philip "Rocky" Brien, Kornelia Perchy, Steve O., Hessel/ Tribe of Noise, Myspace, MysongCast, Allen "CerialBoy", Meredith and Bill at Soundwarp, Paul at Benchmark, Jordie Lane, Chris, Brad Major, Pat and The Empire Hotel, and all the other great venues we have played, all the great bands we have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with (too numerous to list), all the great people/bands who have kept in contact with us (mainly via Andrew) through this site......
More news will be posted shortly, along with dates for their upcoming shows. Finally, the band will be releasing reworked versions of songs from their past releases soon…
Formed in Late 2008, highroad No. 28 have slowly, but surely, built themselves into a cogent outfit. They play an eclectic style of rock, replete with electronica elements, and lyrical themes which focus on 'totality'. August 14, 2008 will see the band release their second album, "Stumbling To Divinity"...
For more information contact the above addresses.

[19/2/2008]

Happy (belated) new years to everyone. The band are back for another year and are as strong as ever. Much is happening on the Highroad No. 28 front as we speak. They have just released what will be (possibly) their last shows before the release of their second album. The shows are....

24 Feb 2008 8:00 PM
Spectrum Sydney
1 Mar 2008 8:00 PM
Paddy Mcguires Sydney, New South Wales
11 Mar 2008 8:00 PM
Sandringham Hotel Sydney, New South Wales
22 Mar 2008 8:00 PM
Lewisham Hotel Sydney, New South Wales

Many thanks to all who came to see the band at their recent show at The Bald Faced Stag Hotel. Much news on their upcoming album will be released soon....

[20/11/2007]

Highroad No. 28 wrap up 2007 and prepare for Final Stages of Recording.

Highroad No. 28 will play their (possibly) last two shows of the year this Thursday at The Sly Fox hotel and December 1 at Newtown RSL. Furthermore, the band are soon to begin their final stages of recording for their second album, the follow-up to 2005's "Unsteady and Steady State". This stage, which includes recording all audio (insstrumental/vocal) tracks to be intergrated with the MIDI/audio they have already recorded and mixed, will be the most demanding stage, which will culminate in the mixdown and mastering. Of the 23 new songs, 15 will be recorded, of which, 11-13 will make the album. In addition, tracks from prior releases will be re-shaped and re-recorded, after the new albums release. The new album is due out early 2008...

[28/08/2007]

Hey all!

Running a little late with the update, but not to worry, plenty of good news!
We've been working extremely hard on the new album, currently vocal pre-production is taking place. Furthermore, the songs are being finalised with the last arrangements being set and the details being fine-tuned. 23 songs have been written, 10 - 14 will make it on to the album which will be released sometime early next year. In the meantime, we'll be playing some local gigs to be announced soon. Finally, we can always be reached at http://www.myspace.com/highroadno28

More news, updates, and suprises coming soon!
LoveHighroad No. 28

[4/1/2007]

Happy new years to all! Highroad No. 28 shall soon be returning to the live scene, around mid Feburary. Expect first gig date for 2007 announced soon.

The band will be loaded with an arsenal of new songs, and, their will also be a few other suprises in store!

The first tour the band embark upon will see them cover:

Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adeilade, and Tasmania (which will be a dual festival taking place in Launceston and Hobart)

Furthermore, the band intend to release a video clip for 'Akward Kid'

Band Merchandise will also be soon be available. Heartfelt thanks to all off those who came and watched us in 2006, spoke to us on the web, met at gigs etcMany thanks to Kelly and ALL the Highroad No. 28 army! You guys are so cool! And Cheers to Rodney for the new homepage pic!

[10/12/06]

Massive update coming very soon. The band have started work on their second album which is going to be a trip into the fundamental nature of this reality, and, as per usual, Andrew's brain! Webmasters have changed hands, in the mean time, check out www.myspace.com/highroadno28 for upcoming shows and to personally contact the band. Love Andrew J. Cantwell, also on behalf of Pep, Marc, and Shadow.

[08/08/06]

Long time no update! The Highroad No. 28 boys have been extremely busy of late. They are now in intense rehearsal mode for their upcoming shows in Melbourne. After Melbourne, the band will play Brisbane, Canberra, Adeilade, and return to Melbourne again. Finally, Tasmania will be visited again - this time, it looks likely they will headline a huge festival showcasing Tasmanian talent- which is too often overlooked. The band will very likely be travelling overseas mid next year, armed with new material for their second album. Recently the guys played the Pulse festival along side bands such as Heifer and Sunk Loto, the same night playing Club Blink. Both shows were very well recieved! On the site soon there will be some new interviews, live shots, gig dates and more. We are just in the middle of sorting out some technical problems. With regards to the last 3 hectic months we have quite a few people we want to thank: First of all, huge thanks and hello's to Kelly, Cathy and the army!, Brenzy, Kage, the adorable Beany, Tasha, Adam Barns, Mark Love, The Barleycorn Hotel in Melbourne, Tanya, Phillip 'Rocky' Brien, Scarlet Fever, Sharon (Shazza!), all the awesome bands (and folks) on Myspace Andrew and Pep have been in contact with - too numerous to list!, Luc from Cog for advice, John Scott from The Mark of Cain for his ongoing help throughout the years, Sascha and all of Drum Media, Lisa and all of Brag, Nick from Beat! in Melbourne, Kel for the Bass rig which Marc blew!, Jase and Blackbelt, Mixdown Magazine, Mark and The Need, The adorable Penny, Angelle from Melbourne, Bella, Tania, Marcia, Nej, Jasmine, Serj, Anthony, Pink, apologises to anyone we forget! Fuck off to all rockstar bands with their petty musical politics, attitudes, and selfishness! Extra special thanks for Michael Richard Cantwell, Heifer and all the bands at The Pulse Fest, Luis (and Frida) from Pulse Touring, Andrew and Club Blink. Andrew J. Cantwell sends special thanks to Phenelzine, Alprazolam, and Quetiapine - oh, how my action potentials love you guys!, Alf and Home & Away, Sienfeld, Jeffrey (1960-1994), Therapy? freaks and all at WOM, my fellow band mates, family and Penny, Arthur Scopenhauer.... Future (smaller!) updates coming soon....

[11/06/06]

As you will see by the gigs section the Highroad No. 28 boys have plenty coming up. In addition check the tour section for some upcoming Melbourne dates. Also, Andrew has started working on their second release which he assures us will be "a significant edification from our last work". The band would like to send a special thanks out to the band Aperture.

[24/04/06]

Highroad No. 28 have officially completed the second leg of their national tour. Next leg includes Perth and Adelaide so watch out. By all accounts, all gigs were awesome, played with utter spirit and passion. There are some pictures up from the gig at The Trout Hotel in Hobart.

Andrew has a special thankyou list for everyone who has helped on the tour -

"I would like to thank and salute the following: firstly and fore mostly, my fellow team members, Pep, Marc and Andy... you guys are awesome! Barleycorn manager Jodie and the awesome mixer their, Chemical Solution, All Melbourne press, including Beat magazine, Adam Todd (enjoy the surprise mate!), 3 strings radio station, and all other radio stations who promoted us. HUGE thanks go for the crew in Tassie... you guys just are too cool! The Saloon Bar in Launceston, The band Lady Crimson (Kyle and all you guys are so damn cool!), Separatist and Solvent Intake (the death metal warriors), Patrick at The Examiner in Launnie, Mercury in Hobart, Ritchie at Deflection7, Bazza (had a good night bro!!!), The Trout bar owner and mixer: you guys rule!, and all other Tassie Press, Darlene Konclin, Marcia, Jasmine, Sergio, Nej, and Anthony. And of course all the great punters who supported us! Especially Kelly from Sydney!"

"We are now coming back to Sydney, doing some good support slots, and then hitting South Australia and Perth. Finally, I would like to thank my lovely family, especially Rhonda "camera girl" Cantwell extraordinaire!"

"Peace to you all"
Andrew J. Cantwell

On the site there are some new articles that were done down in Tasmania.

[14/04/06]

Highroad No. 28 kicked off the second leg of their national tour in Melbourne last night. Don't forget to catch them at Barney's Barn Hotel for some Good Friday craziness tonight.

There are several articles and reviews for you to check out as well as a photo of the current touring line up...

[29/03/06]

Just a quick note to let you know that the gig at Arncliffe has been changed to the 7th of April. Please look at our gigs page to see the details of this and all of our upcoming shows.

[13/03/06]

Details of the new tour have been announced! Go to the gigs page for more information. There is also a new review from Mix Down Magazine.

[02/03/06]

Special review of Unsteady & Steady State straight from Jon Scott of The Mark Of Cain...

"Highroad No 28 have found themselves a unique voice and sound to deliver their songs of passion regarding disparate personality schisms and trying to make sense of a world partially obscured by mental illness. The semi-pop sensibilities of the opening songs are outweighed by the heaviness of the later songs and this helps provide an overall balance. Faves - opening 2 songs and second to last song."