Biography

Introduction

The Presets are a Sydney-based Australian duo, consisting of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. They first met in 1995 at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where they were both studying. In September 2005, they released their debut album, Beams, to positive critical response. Their second album, Apocalypso, was released on 12 April 2008. The album was a commercial and critical success, winning the ARIA Awards for "Best Dance Release" and "Album of the Year" that year. They also recently won the 2009 APRA Awards for Best Songwriters Of The Year. (http://www.getmusic.com.au/news/detail.aspx?nid=942)

History

2003-2004

The Presets released their first EP Blow Up, in 2003. The popularity of the release launched The Presets' career. As a follow up, a second EP was released entitled Girl and the Sea in 2004.

2005-2006

On 20 May 2005, the Presets released their debut album, Beams. For further promotion the single "Are You the One?" was released. A remix of the song, mixed by French DJ Lifelike, was later featured in a BMW 1 Series commercial in Australia.

Afterward, The Presets toured the United Kingdom and United States for three years. While in the UK, the duo released Down Down Down and I Go Hard, I Go Home, in 2006. Both albums were only available in the United Kingdom.

2007–present

Towards the end of the tour, The Presets released another single only distributed in the UK titled "Truth & Lies" ; it featured two songs. In late 2007, The Presets released "My People". Due to the positive response, a second album was released, Apocalypso, which held the iTunes number 1 spot for several weeks.

At the end of 2007, the group toured with Daft Punk on their NeverEverLand tour.

In May 2008, The Presets released an EP, single, and an all remixed edition for "This Boy's In Love" which the song of the same name was still becoming used and played on the radio before its release on a Single/EP.

In October 2008, the band won six ARIAs at the 2008 ceremony.

"Producers of the Year",

"Best Artwork (Artwork by Jonathan Zawada)",

"Best Video (My People, Directed by Kris Moyes)",

"Best Dance Release",

"Best Group",

"Album of the Year".

They are the first electronic music group to receive the ARIA for 'Album of the Year'.

In December 2008, the band was awarded the J Award for 'Australian Album of the Year.'

The Presets appeared in Triple J's Hottest 100 2008 3 times, with "Yippiyo-Ay" at number 56, "This Boy's In Love" at number 8, and "Talk Like That" at number 6.

The Presets performed on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Sound Relief was a benefit concert for victims of the Victorian Bushfire Crisis and the Queensland Floods. Appearing with The Presets at the Sydney concert were, Coldplay, Eskimo Joe, Hoodoo Gurus, Icehouse, Jet, Josh Pyke, Little Birdy, Wolfmother, You Am I and additional artists.

Members

Julian Hamilton – vocals, keyboards
Kim Moyes – drums, keyboards

Discography

Studio albums

2005: Beams
2008: Apocalypso AUS #1 Triple Platinum

Compilations

2006: Resets

EPs

2003: Blow Up
2008: iTunes Live from Sydney

Singles

2003: "Beat On / Beat Off"
2004: "Girl and the Sea"
2005: "Are You the One?" AUS #68
2006: "Down Down Down"
2006: "I Go Hard, I Go Home"
2007: "Truth & Lies"
2007: "My People" AUS #14 (longest staying Australian-released single ARIA Top 100 history) Double Platinum Sales
2008: "This Boy's in Love" AUS #23, US Dance Club Play #25
2008: "Talk Like That" AUS #19 Platinum Sales
2008: "Yippiyo-Ay" AUS #94
2009: "If I Know You" AUS #57, US Dance Club Play #17
2009: "Kicking and Screaming"

Remixes

2005: Midnight Juggernauts - "Devil Within"
2005: Paul Mac - "It's Not Me, It's You"
2006: Caged Baby - "Hello There"
2006: Lenny Kravitz - "Breathe"
2007: Howling Bells - "Low Happening"
2007: Silverchair - "Straight Lines"
2007: Architecture in Helsinki - "Heart It Races"

Awards

2008 ARIA Award - Best Dance Release - Apocalypso
2008 ARIA Award - Best Group
2008 ARIA Award - Album Of The Year - Apocalypso
2008 ARIA Award - Best Album Artwork - Apocalypso (Artwork by Jonathan Zawada)
2008 ARIA Award - Best Music Video - My People (Directed by Kris Moyes)
2008 ARIA Award - Producer of the Year - The Presets - Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes
2008 J Award - Australian Album of the Year - "Apocalypso"
2009 APRA Awards - Best Songwriters Of The Year