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PANAMA
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Region: Sydney, NSW
Members: Jarrah McCleary - lead vocals, keys, guitar Cam Edwards - bass, keys, vox Trevor Davies - guitar, percussion, vox Lachlan West - drums, vox
Influences: Disco, New Wave, House

A classically trained pianist from the age of six, Jarrah McCleary grew up in the sticky heat of the Northern Territory. His previous project, The Dirty Secrets saw the band working between Australia and London with iconic producer and engineer, Nick Terry (Klaxons, Libertines).

A handful of successful releases later, the outfit were invited to play at festivals such as Big Day Out, Southbound Festival as well as supporting Muse on their Australian tour. The band went on to tour Japan, America (CMJ) and Europe.

After working on ideas for a new record for over two years, in early 2011, McCleary declared a new album and boarded the airplane, bound for Los Angeles.

There are claims that LA is to blame for how quickly the Dirty Secrets pop rock aesthetic was shed and new skins were formed. Between splashes of yacht rock and nods to Peter Gabriel (thanks to the iconic ‘80s Yamaha DX7 synth), definitive genres were pushed overboard and all that was left was a big, golden sea filled with music that made sense.

A short summer experience in the ‘city where dreams are made’ lead to tracks tinged with hints of hopeful house music strewn with the sleaziness of Venice beach and too much free poured tequila.

Panama is the new incarnation for McCleary, who is joined by his old band mate, Cam Edwards (The Dirty Secrets) and a collective of hand-selected local artists to create Australia’s finest five-piece.

The forthcoming Panama album was produced and mixed in Los Angeles by Eric Broucek of DFA fame (Holy Ghost, Eleanor Friedberger, !!!) over two months. During their recordings, Eric’ friend Jim Orso (VHS or BETA) joined them in the studio on drumming duties, adding a layer to the sound that is as relevant and ‘now’ as it is brimful of ‘80s influence.

Panama’s first single, ‘Magic’ is as much soaked in an ‘80s pop sensibility as it is a modern summer anthem for our impending sunshine. ‘Magic’ is due for release early 2012.

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reviews

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Magic
rating:  3/5
Well pretty! Digging the high toms, gives it a mad tropics vibe
triplej



Magic
rating:  4/5
Pretty hard to fault indie pop that's as well executed as this. Bouncy synths and drums and a nice summer vibe throughout. This is one hell of a firs...
triplej



Magic
rating:  4/5
Great classic pop, using 80s flavoured melodies and right-now production. Makes me wanna slow (disco) dance.
triplej



Magic
rating:  4/5
Top stuff guys .. if you "carry on" making music like this you will put more smiles on teddy bears then you ever thought you would. love the little p...
superuser


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