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'''My Friend the Chocolate Cake''' are an Australian [[chamber pop]] group formed in 1989 by mainstays, [[David Bridie]] on vocals and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals (both ex-[[Not Drowning, Waving|not drowning, waving]]). They have released seven studio albums with two reaching the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] top 50, ''[[Brood (album)|Brood]]'' (1994) and ''Good Luck'' (1997). The band has twice won the [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album]] category: for ''Brood'' in [[ARIA Music Awards of 1995|1995]] and ''Good Luck'' in [[ARIA Music Awards of 1997|1997]].{{fact|date=May 2019}}
'''My Friend the Chocolate Cake''' are an Australian [[chamber pop]] group formed in 1989 by mainstays, [[David Bridie]] on vocals and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals (both ex-[[Not Drowning, Waving|not drowning, waving]]). They have released seven studio albums with two reaching the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] top&nbsp;50, ''[[Brood (album)|Brood]]'' (1994) and ''Good Luck'' (1997). These two album have both won the [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album]]; in [[ARIA Music Awards of 1995|1995]] and [[ARIA Music Awards of 1997|1997]].<ref name="ARIA 1995"/><ref name="ARIA 1997"/>


==History==
==History==
===1989-1992: Career beginnings ===

My Friend the Chocolate Cake were formed, initially as an acoustic side project, in 1989 in Melbourne by [[David Bridie]] on vocals, piano, [[Pump organ|harmonium]] and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Bridie and Mountfort were members of an ambient, world music ensemble [[Not Drowning, Waving|not drowning, waving]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="McFarlane NDW"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> In 1989 Bridie took a holiday in New Zealand and wrote "a few more breezy compositions" that did not fit into the style of not drowning, waving.<ref name="Website"/> Upon return to Melbourne Mountford joined his project with her own writing.<ref name="Miranda"/>
My Friend the Chocolate Cake were formed initially as an acoustic side project in 1989 by [[David Bridie]] on vocals, piano, [[Pump organ|harmonium]] and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Bridie and Mountfort were members of an ambient, world music ensemble [[Not Drowning, Waving|not drowning, waving]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="McFarlane NDW"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> In 1989, Bridie had taken a holiday to New Zealand and had written "a few more breezy compositions" that did not fit into the style of not drowning, waving.<ref name="Website"/> Upon return to Melbourne, Mountford joined his project with her own writing.<ref name="Miranda"/>


My Friend the Chocolate Cake took their name from a song title by an obscure Sydney band, Ya Ya Coralle.<ref name="Dib"/> Bridie admitted that one reason they chose an all-acoustic act was so they did not have to carry around amplifiers.<ref name="Mountfort"/> Charles Miranda of ''[[The Canberra Times]]'' observed, "[their] emotive, in some instances ambient tunes, takes you to places you've been to in the past or would like to go to in the future."<ref name="Miranda"/>
My Friend the Chocolate Cake took their name from a song title by an obscure Sydney band, Ya Ya Coralle.<ref name="Dib"/> Bridie admitted that one reason they chose an all-acoustic act was so they did not have to carry around amplifiers.<ref name="Mountfort"/> Charles Miranda of ''[[The Canberra Times]]'' observed, "[their] emotive, in some instances ambient tunes, takes you to places you've been to in the past or would like to go to in the future."<ref name="Miranda"/>
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Although the intention was to play a handful of shows,<ref name="Frazier"/> the band developed a following after securing a residency at Madigan's, a now-defunct venue in [[Brunswick, Victoria|Brunswick]].<ref name="Levin"/> By 1990 Bridie and Mountfort were joined in the group by Russell Bradley on percussion, Andrew Carswell on mandolin, Hope Csutoros on violin and Andrew Richardson on guitar.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> With a budget of $800, the group released their debut self-titled album, ''My Friend the Chocolate Cake'', in 1991.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} It was co-produced by Bridie, Carswell and Mountfort with Tim Cole for [[Warner Music Australasia|Warner]]/[[East West Records|East West]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> [[Ian McFarlane]], an Australian musicologist, cited music journalist, Bruce Elder's review of the album in [[Rolling Stone Australia|''Rolling Stone'' Australia]], "one of the best albums of high-art pop ever recorded in Australia."<ref name="McFarlane"/>
Although the intention was to play a handful of shows,<ref name="Frazier"/> the band developed a following after securing a residency at Madigan's, a now-defunct venue in [[Brunswick, Victoria|Brunswick]].<ref name="Levin"/> By 1990 Bridie and Mountfort were joined in the group by Russell Bradley on percussion, Andrew Carswell on mandolin, Hope Csutoros on violin and Andrew Richardson on guitar.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> With a budget of $800, the group released their debut self-titled album, ''My Friend the Chocolate Cake'', in 1991.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} It was co-produced by Bridie, Carswell and Mountfort with Tim Cole for [[Warner Music Australasia|Warner]]/[[East West Records|East West]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> [[Ian McFarlane]], an Australian musicologist, cited music journalist, Bruce Elder's review of the album in [[Rolling Stone Australia|''Rolling Stone'' Australia]], "one of the best albums of high-art pop ever recorded in Australia."<ref name="McFarlane"/>


===1993-1997: ''Brood'' & ''Good Luck''===
While alternating performances between not drowning, waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake,<ref name="Miranda"/> the latter group's second studio album, ''[[Brood (album)|Brood]]'' (1994), was being recorded from mid-1993 with Bridie and Mountfort co-producing with Jim Rondinelli.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> McFarlane described how it, "[showed] a more serious aesthetic at work. [It] had been recorded with a generous budget and mixed in New York... [and] featured an intimate, accessible sound that ranged from the uptempo pop of the [second] single 'Throwing It Away' to the gentle ballad 'The Old Years'."<ref name="McFarlane"/>
The group began recording their second studio album in mid-1993, while maintaining performances between not drowning, waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake.<ref name="Miranda"/> ''[[Brood (album)|Brood]]'' was released in July 1994. McFarlane described how it, "[showed] a more serious aesthetic at work. [It] had been recorded with a generous budget and mixed in New York... [and] featured an intimate, accessible sound that ranged from the uptempo pop of the [second] single 'Throwing It Away' to the gentle ballad 'The Old Years'."<ref name="McFarlane"/> ''Brood'' peaked at No.&nbsp;32 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]].<ref name="AUS Charts"/> By that time Bradley was replaced by Michael Barker on percussion and drums (ex-[[Daryl Braithwaite]], [[the Black Sorrows]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> The lead single, "I've Got a Plan", was released in November 1994.<ref name="McFarlane"/> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1995]], ''Brood'' won the [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album]].<ref name="ARIA 1995"/><ref name="AMO Interv"/> Barker was replaced in turn during 1995 by Greg Patten on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/>


''Brood'' peaked at No.&nbsp;32 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]].<ref name="AUS Charts"/> By that time Bradley was replaced by Michael Barker on percussion and drums (ex-[[Daryl Braithwaite]], [[the Black Sorrows]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> The lead single, "I've Got a Plan", was released in November.<ref name="McFarlane"/> not drowning, waving disbanded during that year while Bridie and Mountfort continued with My Friend the Chocolate Cake.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="McFarlane NDW"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> ''Brood'' won [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album|Best Adult Contemporary Album]] at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1995]].<ref name="ARIA 1995"/><ref name="AMO Interv"/> Barker was replaced in turn during 1995 by Greg Patten on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/>
My Friend the Chocolate Cake's third album, ''Good Luck'' was co-produced by Bridie and Mountfort with Jeremy Allom and was released in 1996.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> It peaked at No.&nbsp;44 on the ARIA Albums Chart.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> McFarlane opined, "among the band's most accomplished and direct statements to date."<ref name="McFarlane"/> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1997]], it won ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.<ref name="ARIA 1997"/> The group played a sell-out show at [[Edinburgh Festival]] in Scotland and toured Europe. They followed with a live album, ''Live at the National Theatre'', in December 1997.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/>


===1998-2009: ''Curious'' & ''Home Improvements''===
Their third album, ''Good Luck'' (1996), was co-produced by Bridie and Mountfort with Jeremy Allom.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> It peaked at No.&nbsp;44 on the ARIA Albums Chart.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> McFarlane opined, "among the band's most accomplished and direct statements to date."<ref name="McFarlane"/> It won Best Adult Contemporary Album at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1997|1997]] ceremony.<ref name="ARIA 1997"/> The group played a sell-out show at [[Edinburgh Festival]] in Scotland and toured Europe. Mountfort played as a guest musician on the [[Nick Cave]] and [[Kylie Minogue]] duet, "[[Where the Wild Roses Grow]]", which was a hit single in 1996. They followed with a live album, ''Live at the National Theatre'', in December 1997.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/>
From 1998 the group went into hiatus while Bridie developed an interest in the musical environment of [[Papua New Guinea]] and moved there in 2000. Bridie began experimenting with the local string music scene, with a band called Hotel Radio.


From 1998 the group went into hiatus while Bridie developed an interest in the musical environment of [[Papua New Guinea]] and moved there in 2000. A side-project, Hotel Radio, had Bridie experimenting with the local string music scene. My Friend the Chocolate Cake's contract with Mushroom Records ended in 2000 and they decided to represent themselves independently. Gathering briefly in 2002 the group released an up-beat, fourth studio album, ''Curious'', in May of that year, via Capitol Records.<ref name="ARIA Report 640"/> It was co-produced by Bridie, Mountfort and Christian Scallan.<ref name="Holmgren"/> It peaked at No.&nbsp;14 on the ARIA Australasian Artists Albums chart and No.&nbsp;19 on the related Alternative Albums chart.<ref name="ARIA Report 640"/> They followed with another hiatus from 2003.{{fact|date=May 2019}}
In 2000, My Friend the Chocolate Cake's contract with Mushroom Records ended and they decided to represent themselves independently. Gathering in 2002 the group released their fourth studio album, ''Curious'', in May of that year, via Capitol Records.<ref name="ARIA Report 640"/> It was co-produced by Bridie, Mountfort and Christian Scallan.<ref name="Holmgren"/> It peaked at No.&nbsp;14 on the ARIA Australasian Artists Albums chart and No.&nbsp;19 on the related Alternative Albums chart.<ref name="ARIA Report 640"/> They followed with another hiatus from 2003.{{fact|date=May 2019}}


In 2005 independent Australian label [[Liberation Music]] re-released My Friend the Chocolate Cake's back catalogue. The band resumed recording in 2007 and released their fifth studio album, ''[[Home Improvements]]'' – its title refers to its lyrical observations of suburban Australian life, a reoccurring theme in the band's music. The album reached the ARIA Albums Chart top&nbsp;100.<ref name="ARIA Report 890"/>
In 2005 independent Australian label [[Liberation Music]] re-released My Friend the Chocolate Cake's back catalogue.


The band resumed recording in 2006 and released their fifth studio album, ''[[Home Improvements]]''in March 2007 – its title refers to its lyrical observations of suburban Australian life, a reoccurring theme in the band's music. The album reached the ARIA Albums Chart top&nbsp;100.<ref name="ARIA Report 890"/>
Andrew Carswell retired from performing in July 2010. The group's sixth studio album, ''Fiasco'', released in 2011, had Bridie admitting that Carswell's departure had removed a part of their folky element. Their seventh studio album, ''The Revival Meeting'', was released in 2017.<ref name="Badgley"/>


Andrew Carswell retired from performing in July 2010.
In June 2018 the group announced "the upcoming MFTCC shows will be their last shows for some years, as they will be taking an indefinite hiatus to pursue other projects".<ref name="hiatus"/>


===2011-2018: ''Fiasco'' & ''The Revival Meeting''===
==Musical style==
In February 2011, the group released "25 Stations", the lead single from their sixth studio album, ''Fiasco'', released in April 2011. Bridie admitting that Carswell's departure had removed a part of their folky element. In May 2014, the band released ''Best Cake in Show'', a compilation of live tracks. In January 2016, the group performed a one-off concert with [[Archie Roach]] at the [[Sydney Opera House]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/archie-roach-and-mftcc-announce-one-off-concert/|title= Archie Roach and MFTCC announce one off concert|website=The Music Network|date=1 December 2015 |accessdate=27 February 2020}}</ref>


Their seventh studio album, ''The Revival Meeting'', was self-released released in May 2017.<ref name="Badgley"/> In June 2018 the group announced "the upcoming MFTCC shows will be their last shows for some years, as they will be taking an indefinite hiatus to pursue other projects".<ref name="hiatus"/>
Like not drowning, waving, My Friend the Chocolate Cake's music can be seen to straddle the worlds of [[Ambient music|ambient]] and [[world music]], with an emphasis on piano and violin-led acoustic music. The band's collective musical influences are diverse and include: [[Penguin Cafe Orchestra]], [[Folk music of Ireland|Irish]] and [[Scottish traditional music|Scottish]] [[folk music]], [[Joy Division]], [[Arvo Pärt]], and folk / pop / rock performers such as [[Billy Bragg]], [[Talk Talk]], [[John Cale]] and [[Michelle Shocked]].


==Musical style==
Each album displays a range of styles from subtle [[chamber music]] instrumentals to atmospheric folk/pop ballad fusions through to full scale romps. The group has a string section as a permanent fixture to their line-up, headed by Helen Mountfort, which greatly affects their song writing. Bridie, the group's main lyricist, often writes songs inspired by Melbourne suburban life. Other themes that are frequent include community politics and young love. Bridie sings with a distinctly Australian accent, differing from most vocalists who tend to emulate an American accent.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
My Friend the Chocolate Cake's music can be seen to straddle the worlds of [[Ambient music|ambient]] and [[world music]], with an emphasis on piano and violin-led acoustic music. The band's collective musical influences are diverse and include: [[Penguin Cafe Orchestra]], [[Folk music of Ireland|Irish]] and [[Scottish traditional music|Scottish]] [[folk music]], [[Joy Division]], [[Arvo Pärt]], and folk / pop / rock performers such as [[Billy Bragg]], [[Talk Talk]], [[John Cale]] and [[Michelle Shocked]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}


==Television==
==Television==

In the 1990s, the song "The Romp" was frequently used on promotional adverts on Australia's [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] channel.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} A number of the band's songs have appeared in the Australian adolescent television drama ''[[Heartbreak High]]'' including "Salt", "Your Ship Is Gone" and "Talk About Love".<ref name="HH 4"/> "I've Got a Plan" was used in episodes of the Australian [[soap opera]], ''[[Home and Away]]'', broadcast in the UK on 16 March 2012.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
In the 1990s, the song "The Romp" was frequently used on promotional adverts on Australia's [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] channel.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} A number of the band's songs have appeared in the Australian adolescent television drama ''[[Heartbreak High]]'' including "Salt", "Your Ship Is Gone" and "Talk About Love".<ref name="HH 4"/> "I've Got a Plan" was used in episodes of the Australian [[soap opera]], ''[[Home and Away]]'', broadcast in the UK on 16 March 2012.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of studio albums with chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="ARIA Report 890"/>
|-
! scope="row"| ''My Friend the Chocolate Cake''
|
* Released: 1991
* Label: [[EastWest Records]]/ [[Warner Music Australia]] ‎<small>(903175819-2)</small>
* Format: [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[Compact cassette|cassette]]
| -
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Brood (album)|Brood]]''
|
* Released: July 1994
* Label: White/ [[Mushroom Records]] ‎<small>(D31136)</small>
* Format: CD, cassette
| 32
|-
! scope="row"| ''Good Luck''
|
* Released: September 1996
* Label: White/ Mushroom Records ‎<small>(TVD93462)</small>
* Format: CD, cassette
| 44
|-
! scope="row"| ''Curious''
|
* Released: 27 May 2002
* Label: [[EMI Music]] ‎<small>(7243540166-2)</small>
* Format: CD
| -
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Home Improvements]]''
|
* Released: March 2007
* Label: [[Liberation Music]] ‎<small>(LIBCD9231.2)</small>
* Format: CD
| 89
|-
! scope="row"| ''Fiasco''
|
* Released: April 2011
* Label: [[Shock Records]] ‎<small>(MFTCC20)</small>
* Format: CD, [[Music download|digital download]]
| -
|-
! scope="row"| ''The Revival Meeting''
|
* Released: 17 May 2017
* Label: My Friend the Chocolate Cake ‎<small>(MFTCC22)</small>
* Format: CD, DD, [[Vinyl record|LP]]
| -
|-
|}


===Live album===
* ''My Friend the Chocolate Cake'' (1991)
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
* ''[[Brood (album)|Brood]]'' (1994) – [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]: No.&nbsp;32<ref name="AUS Charts"/>
|+ List of live album with selected details
* ''Good Luck'' (1996) – AUS: No.&nbsp;44<ref name="AUS Charts"/>
! scope="col" style="width:11em;"| Title
* ''Curious'' (27 May 2002)
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Details
* ''[[Home Improvements]]'' (18 September 2007) – AUS: No.&nbsp;89<ref name="ARIA Report 890"/>
|-
* ''Fiasco'' (2011)
! scope="row"| ''Live at the National Theatre''
* ''The Revival Meeting'' (2017)
|
* Released: 1996
* Label: Mushroom Records <small>(MUSH33072.2)</small>
* Format: CD, CD+VHS
|}


===Live albums===
===Compilation album===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of compilation album with selected details
! scope="col" style="width:11em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Details
|-
! scope="row"| ''Review''
|
* Released: 1997
* Label: Mushroom Records <small>(MUSH4CD)</small>
* Format: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''19 Easy Pieces''
|
* Released: November 1999
* Label: My Friend the Chocolate Cake <small>(CC1199M)</small>
* Format: CD
* Note: A collection of song from film soundtracks, theatre, compilations and b-sides.
|-
! scope="row"| ''Parade – The Best Of...''
|
* Released: June 2004
* Label: Liberation Music
* Format: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Best Cake in Show''
|
* Released: May 2014
* Label: My Friend the Chocolate Cake ‎<small>(MFTCC21)</small>
* Format: CD, DD
* Note: A collection of live recordings spanning the bands 25 year career.
|}


===Singles===
* ''Live at the National Theatre'' (1996)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Title
! scope="col" width="220"| Album
|-
| 1991
| align="left"| "A Midlife's Tale (Get It Back Now)"
| ''My Friend The Chocolate Cake''
|-
| 1994
| align="left"| "I've Got a Plan"
| rowspan="3"| ''Brood''
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1995
| align="left"| "Throwing It all Away"
|-
| align="left"| "Song from Under the Floorboards"
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1996
| align="left"| "Talk About Love"
| rowspan="2"| ''Good Luck''
|-
| align="left"| "Lighthouse Keeper"
|-
| 1997
| align="left"| "Your Ship Has Gone"
| ''Good Luck'' (bonus disc)
|-
| 2003
| align="left"| "Let's Go Walk This Town"
| ''Parade – The Best Of...''
|-
| 2006
| align="left"| "Home Improvements"
| ''Home Improvements ''
|-
| 2011
| align="left"| "5 Stations"
| ''Fiasco''
|-
| 2017
| align="left"| "Jeffrey Smart"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9bA5_aXb9Y&feature=emb_title|title=My Friend The Chocolate Cake - Jeffrey Smart (Silver City)|website=YouTube|date=5 July 2017|accessdate=27 February 2020}}</ref>
| ''The Revival Meeting''
|-
|}


==Awards==
===Compilation albums===
===ARIA Music Awards===

The [[ARIA Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [[Australian music]]. My Friend the Chocolate Cake has won 2 awards from 2 nominations.
* ''Review'' (1997) <small> (UK Compilation) </small>
* ''19 Easy Pieces'' (1999)
* ''Parade – The Best Of...'' (2004)
* ''Best (Cake) in Show'' (2014)

===Singles===


{{awards table}}
* "A Midlife's Tale (Get It Back Now)" (1991)
|-
* "I’ve Got a Plan" (1994)
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1995|1995]]
* "Throwing It all Away" (1994)
| ''Brood''
* "Song from Under the Floorboards" (1995)
| [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album|Best Adult Contemporary Album]]
* "Talk About Love" (1996)
| {{won}}
* "Lighthouse Keeper" (1996)
|-
* "Your Ship Has Gone"(1997)
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1997|1997]]
* "Home Improvements" (2006)
| ''Good Luck''
* "25 Stations" (2011)
| [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album|Best Adult Contemporary Album]]
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:51, 27 February 2020

My Friend the Chocolate Cake
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Years active1989 (1989)–2018 (indefinite hiatus)
Labels
Members
  • David Bridie
  • Helen Mountfort
  • Hope Csutoros
  • Greg Patten
  • Dean Addison
  • Andrew Richardson
Past members
  • Russell Bradley
  • Andrew Carswell
  • Michael Barker
Websitemftcc.com

My Friend the Chocolate Cake are an Australian chamber pop group formed in 1989 by mainstays, David Bridie on vocals and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals (both ex-not drowning, waving). They have released seven studio albums with two reaching the ARIA Albums Chart top 50, Brood (1994) and Good Luck (1997). These two album have both won the ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album; in 1995 and 1997.[1][2]

History

1989-1992: Career beginnings

My Friend the Chocolate Cake were formed initially as an acoustic side project in 1989 by David Bridie on vocals, piano, harmonium and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals.[3] Bridie and Mountfort were members of an ambient, world music ensemble not drowning, waving.[3][4][5] In 1989, Bridie had taken a holiday to New Zealand and had written "a few more breezy compositions" that did not fit into the style of not drowning, waving.[6] Upon return to Melbourne, Mountford joined his project with her own writing.[7]

My Friend the Chocolate Cake took their name from a song title by an obscure Sydney band, Ya Ya Coralle.[8] Bridie admitted that one reason they chose an all-acoustic act was so they did not have to carry around amplifiers.[9] Charles Miranda of The Canberra Times observed, "[their] emotive, in some instances ambient tunes, takes you to places you've been to in the past or would like to go to in the future."[7]

Although the intention was to play a handful of shows,[10] the band developed a following after securing a residency at Madigan's, a now-defunct venue in Brunswick.[11] By 1990 Bridie and Mountfort were joined in the group by Russell Bradley on percussion, Andrew Carswell on mandolin, Hope Csutoros on violin and Andrew Richardson on guitar.[3][5] With a budget of $800, the group released their debut self-titled album, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, in 1991.[citation needed] It was co-produced by Bridie, Carswell and Mountfort with Tim Cole for Warner/East West.[3][5] Ian McFarlane, an Australian musicologist, cited music journalist, Bruce Elder's review of the album in Rolling Stone Australia, "one of the best albums of high-art pop ever recorded in Australia."[3]

1993-1997: Brood & Good Luck

The group began recording their second studio album in mid-1993, while maintaining performances between not drowning, waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake.[7] Brood was released in July 1994. McFarlane described how it, "[showed] a more serious aesthetic at work. [It] had been recorded with a generous budget and mixed in New York... [and] featured an intimate, accessible sound that ranged from the uptempo pop of the [second] single 'Throwing It Away' to the gentle ballad 'The Old Years'."[3] Brood peaked at No. 32 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[12] By that time Bradley was replaced by Michael Barker on percussion and drums (ex-Daryl Braithwaite, the Black Sorrows).[3][5] The lead single, "I've Got a Plan", was released in November 1994.[3] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1995, Brood won the ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.[1][13] Barker was replaced in turn during 1995 by Greg Patten on drums.[3][5]

My Friend the Chocolate Cake's third album, Good Luck was co-produced by Bridie and Mountfort with Jeremy Allom and was released in 1996.[3][5] It peaked at No. 44 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[12] McFarlane opined, "among the band's most accomplished and direct statements to date."[3] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997, it won ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.[2] The group played a sell-out show at Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and toured Europe. They followed with a live album, Live at the National Theatre, in December 1997.[3][5]

1998-2009: Curious & Home Improvements

From 1998 the group went into hiatus while Bridie developed an interest in the musical environment of Papua New Guinea and moved there in 2000. Bridie began experimenting with the local string music scene, with a band called Hotel Radio.

In 2000, My Friend the Chocolate Cake's contract with Mushroom Records ended and they decided to represent themselves independently. Gathering in 2002 the group released their fourth studio album, Curious, in May of that year, via Capitol Records.[14] It was co-produced by Bridie, Mountfort and Christian Scallan.[5] It peaked at No. 14 on the ARIA Australasian Artists Albums chart and No. 19 on the related Alternative Albums chart.[14] They followed with another hiatus from 2003.[citation needed]

In 2005 independent Australian label Liberation Music re-released My Friend the Chocolate Cake's back catalogue.

The band resumed recording in 2006 and released their fifth studio album, Home Improvementsin March 2007 – its title refers to its lyrical observations of suburban Australian life, a reoccurring theme in the band's music. The album reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 100.[15]

Andrew Carswell retired from performing in July 2010.

2011-2018: Fiasco & The Revival Meeting

In February 2011, the group released "25 Stations", the lead single from their sixth studio album, Fiasco, released in April 2011. Bridie admitting that Carswell's departure had removed a part of their folky element. In May 2014, the band released Best Cake in Show, a compilation of live tracks. In January 2016, the group performed a one-off concert with Archie Roach at the Sydney Opera House.[16]

Their seventh studio album, The Revival Meeting, was self-released released in May 2017.[17] In June 2018 the group announced "the upcoming MFTCC shows will be their last shows for some years, as they will be taking an indefinite hiatus to pursue other projects".[18]

Musical style

My Friend the Chocolate Cake's music can be seen to straddle the worlds of ambient and world music, with an emphasis on piano and violin-led acoustic music. The band's collective musical influences are diverse and include: Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Irish and Scottish folk music, Joy Division, Arvo Pärt, and folk / pop / rock performers such as Billy Bragg, Talk Talk, John Cale and Michelle Shocked.[citation needed]

Television

In the 1990s, the song "The Romp" was frequently used on promotional adverts on Australia's ABC channel.[citation needed] A number of the band's songs have appeared in the Australian adolescent television drama Heartbreak High including "Salt", "Your Ship Is Gone" and "Talk About Love".[19] "I've Got a Plan" was used in episodes of the Australian soap opera, Home and Away, broadcast in the UK on 16 March 2012.[citation needed]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums with chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[12][15]
My Friend the Chocolate Cake -
Brood
  • Released: July 1994
  • Label: White/ Mushroom Records ‎(D31136)
  • Format: CD, cassette
 32
Good Luck
  • Released: September 1996
  • Label: White/ Mushroom Records ‎(TVD93462)
  • Format: CD, cassette
 44
Curious
  • Released: 27 May 2002
  • Label: EMI Music ‎(7243540166-2)
  • Format: CD
 -
Home Improvements 89
Fiasco -
The Revival Meeting
  • Released: 17 May 2017
  • Label: My Friend the Chocolate Cake ‎(MFTCC22)
  • Format: CD, DD, LP
 -

Live album

List of live album with selected details
Title Details
Live at the National Theatre
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Mushroom Records (MUSH33072.2)
  • Format: CD, CD+VHS

Compilation album

List of compilation album with selected details
Title Details
Review
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: Mushroom Records (MUSH4CD)
  • Format: CD
19 Easy Pieces
  • Released: November 1999
  • Label: My Friend the Chocolate Cake (CC1199M)
  • Format: CD
  • Note: A collection of song from film soundtracks, theatre, compilations and b-sides.
Parade – The Best Of...
  • Released: June 2004
  • Label: Liberation Music
  • Format: CD
Best Cake in Show
  • Released: May 2014
  • Label: My Friend the Chocolate Cake ‎(MFTCC21)
  • Format: CD, DD
  • Note: A collection of live recordings spanning the bands 25 year career.

Singles

Year Title Album
1991 "A Midlife's Tale (Get It Back Now)" My Friend The Chocolate Cake
1994 "I've Got a Plan" Brood
1995 "Throwing It all Away"
"Song from Under the Floorboards"
1996 "Talk About Love" Good Luck
"Lighthouse Keeper"
1997 "Your Ship Has Gone" Good Luck (bonus disc)
2003 "Let's Go Walk This Town" Parade – The Best Of...
2006 "Home Improvements" Home Improvements
2011 "5 Stations" Fiasco
2017 "Jeffrey Smart"[20] The Revival Meeting

Awards

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. My Friend the Chocolate Cake has won 2 awards from 2 nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 Brood Best Adult Contemporary Album Won
1997 Good Luck Best Adult Contemporary Album Won

References

General
  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 3 October 2013. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
Specific
  1. ^ a b "ARIA Music Awards winners, 1995". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2018. Note: ARIA website erroneously lists the album as, "I've Got a Plan", which is its lead single.
  2. ^ a b "ARIA Music Awards winners, 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l McFarlane, 'My Friend the Chocolate Cake' entry. Archived from the original on 30 September 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  4. ^ McFarlane, 'not drowning, waving' entry. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Entries on Australian Rock Database:
    • My Friend the Chocolate Cake: Holmgren, Magnus; Bridie, David. "My Friend the Chocolate Cake". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 21 December 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
    • Not Drowning, Waving: Holmgren, Magnus; Bridie, David. "Not Drowning, Waving". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
    • David Bridie (1989–present): Holmgren, Magnus; Bridie, David. "David Bridie". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 21 December 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2018. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 30 September 2013 suggested (help)
    • Helen Mountfort (1989–present): Holmgren, Magnus. "Hope Csutoros". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 26 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
    • Hope Csutoros (1990–present): Holmgren, Magnus. "Hope Csutoros". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 27 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
    • Michael Barker (1994–95): Holmgren, Magnus. "Michael Barker". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 17 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  6. ^ "My Friend The Chocolate Cake: bio". Mftcc.com. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Miranda, Charles (19 March 1992). "Chocolate Cake for any Mood". The Canberra Times, Good Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 794. p. 15. Retrieved 3 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Dib, Lisa (27 May 2011). "interview: my friend the chocolate cake". Lipmag.com. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  9. ^ "The rise of My Friend The Chocolate Cake..." Helen Mountfort and David Bridie, MTV Australia, 1 January 1997
  10. ^ "Breakfast with Justine Frazier: My Friend The Chocolate Cake: David Bridie Interview". Blogs.abc.net.au. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  11. ^ Darren Levin. "The next tasty little morsel". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  12. ^ a b c Hung, Steffen. "Discography My Friend the Chocolate Cake". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Australian Music Online. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 6 September 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2012. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ a b Kellaghan, Ronan (3 June 2002). "Week Commencing ~ 3rd June 2002 ~ Issue #640" (PDF). The ARIA Report (640). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 11–12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2002. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  15. ^ a b Wallace, Ian (26 March 2007). "Week Commencing ~ 26th March 2007 ~ Issue #890" (PDF). The ARIA Report (890). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 2, 6, 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Archie Roach and MFTCC announce one off concert". The Music Network. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  17. ^ Badgley, Aaron (2017). "Spill Feature: The Revival Meeting – A Conversation with Helen Mountfort of My Friend the Chocolate Cake". Spill Magazine. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  18. ^ "My Friend the Chocolate Cake". mftcc.com. 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018. The upcoming MFTCC shows will be their last shows for some years...
  19. ^ "Music". Heartbreak High. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  20. ^ "My Friend The Chocolate Cake - Jeffrey Smart (Silver City)". YouTube. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2020.

External links

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