Biography

Autumnal, a project of singer songwriter Richard Besley, emerged in 2003 as a regular on the Melbourne roots scene.

Autumnal released its debut LP, The Your Elfin Foot LP in 2006. A gang of Melbourne’s finest classical, jazz and pop musicians got involved over the marathon 3 year recording process at Altantis Recording. Engineered and co-produced by David McCluney (Nick Cave, Vika and Linda, Things of Stone and Wood, Dan Brodie), Your Elfin Foot is a collection of beautiful folk inspired songs, from the percussion driven groove of the title track to the exquisitely delicate ballads of Ache and Warship. Moving and personal, Besley’s heartfelt lyrics rest on a lush arrangement of violins, marimba’s, harmoniums and mandolins with a few hooks and grooves thrown in by the pop meisters.

Features Michael Barker ( John Butler Trio, David Bridie, My Friend the Chocolate Cake),Joe Creighton ( Joe Camalleri, John Farnham, Kylie Minogue etc, etc), Greg Arnold (Things of Stone and Wood), Tony Floyd (Things of Stone and Wood), jazz maestro Dave Beck and classical virtuoso Rebecca Chan.

In 2008 Besley teamed up with producer Wez Prictor (Mick Harvey, Tobias Cummings) who mastered Elfin Foot. This led to an extended period of writing and recording. The result was two LP’s - Hemisphere and Confess the Fire. Release was delayed due to an extended overseas sojourn.

On Hemiphere Wez brings an understated elegance to Besley’s tender, reflective songs about love and loss. Arrangements are pared back to only what is essential to the emotional core of the songs – brushes, Hammond and Silvertone guitar feature. The result is a record of warmth and honesty.

Mixed by David McCluney at Altantis, Hemisphere features Dave Beck (Renee Geyer) on drums and Joe Creighton (Tim Finn) on bass.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS : Hemisphere, Big Wind, Feel so Calm

“Going to live this life in an easy way, going to let the moments press upon me…” sets the gentle, lilting tone of Hemisphere.

The record builds to the dramatic Big Wind – “let the forces of nature take you where they will..” featuring Justin Bradey’s (Things of Stone and Wood) wailing, distorted harmonica.

Things settling back down with the beautiful Feel so Calm, built on a gorgeous Joe Creighton bass line – “I’m dreaming so clearly here, a voice tells me what I must do next….”

The LP Confess the Fire is a more upbeat record. It is yet to be released…….

In 2011 drummer Danny Finkelstein started playing with Autumnal which has been performing as a three piece – Wez on keyboard and guitar. There are plans to return to the studio in 2012 to record a bunch of new songs, which are being performed live.