Steve Lane & the Autocrats

Steve Lane & the Autocrats introduced themselves with aplomb in 2011 with their debut album The Romance Of Communication. Now they are back with their second album, Birds Taking Flight.

‘Thirteen’ is the shining new single from Birds Taking Flight.

With surging strings and the rock-solid rhythms of Augie March rhythm section David Williams (Drums) and Edmondo Ammendola (Bass), this powerful and raw ballad tells how a father’s concern for his daughter can be the same no matter the culture, rich or poor… that she may be all she wants to be and live in safety.

Rolling Stone’s Darren Levin says, “Birds Taking Flight is a bunch of mates writing tightly- honed songs with their blinkers on… Lane’s heart is in the right place when he pays tribute to Pakistani activist Malala Youssafzai on Thirteen.’’

To celebrate this, Steve Lane and The Autocrats is embarking on an East Coast Tour in late July. For this tour, Steve’s son Kai Lane U’Ren replaces Edmondo on bass duties, joining David, Steve and legendary Dots gunslinger Jimmy Williams on lead guitar.

With moments of 70s rock, twanging instrumentals and open-hearted ballads, The Romance Of Communication found itself shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize as well as scoring the coveted album of the week on ABC DIG Music.

Steve Lane & the Autocrats were featured on The Wiggles tribute album alongside the likes of Sarah Blasko, Busby Marou and Clare Bowditch.

Album #2 Birds Taking Flight is a much more personal affair with Steve and co-lyricist (and author) John Holton looking inward for inspiration more so than describing what’s around them. If Matt Bernigner grew up in Bendigo he would be writing songs like Steve Lane.

Birds Taking Flight was written and produced by Steve and recorded mostly with the gang from the first album and mixed by Rangemaster’s underrated resident genius David Carr (currently receiving accolades for Russell Morris’s latest album Sharkmouth.)