Rufus du Sol is an Australian indie electronic band that has achieved worldwide acclaim and success over the past decade. They are best known for their lush instrumental soundscapes, uplifting lyrics, and energetic live performances. Some quick facts about Rufus du Sol:
- Formed in Sydney, Australia in 2011
- Consists of 3 members – Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George, and James Hunt
- Their debut album “Atlas” was released in 2013
- Known for hits like “Innerbloom”, “Underwater”, and “Lost in My Mind”
- Have won several ARIA Awards in Australia
- Have toured extensively and played major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the origins and background of Rufus du Sol. Where exactly are they from? How did the group get started and achieve worldwide fame? Read on to learn more about the roots and rise of this talented Aussie trio!
Individual Origins of the Members
The three members of Rufus du Sol – Tyrone, Jon, and James – all hail from different parts of Australia originally. Here is some background on each musician:
Tyrone Lindqvist
– Born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria
– Comes from a musical family, with his father and uncle both musicians
– Played drums from a young age and attended Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
– Formed indie rock band Gypsy & The Cat in Melbourne in 2007
Jon George
– Originally from Maitland, New South Wales
– Taught himself to play guitar as a teenager
– Studied audio engineering and played in rock bands around Newcastle
– Was a session guitarist and audio engineer before joining Rufus
James Hunt
– Grew up on the Central Coast of NSW north of Sydney
– Classically trained pianist from the age of 5
– Studied music composition and performance at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney
– Previously played keyboards with Australian band TV Rock
So while the members grew up in different parts of Australia, they were eventually drawn together by their love of music and performing. The next section explores how Rufus du Sol formed as a group.
Formation of Rufus du Sol in Sydney
Rufus du Sol officially formed as a group in 2011 in Sydney, New South Wales. The three founding members were:
– Tyrone Lindqvist
– Jon George
– James Hunt
Tyrone and Jon had met in 2007 while playing in other bands in Sydney. They recognized their musical chemistry and similar tastes, which ranged from indie rock to dance and electronica.
In 2009, Jon and Tyrone were introduced to James Hunt through some mutual friends. James added another dimension with his keys and piano skills. The trio starting writing and recording together for fun in a studio in Sydney.
This studio experimentation eventually turned into official formation of Rufus du Sol in 2011. The name “Rufus” came from Tyrone’s uncle Rufus, who had passed away but inspired him musically. “Du Sol” is French for “of the sun”, chosen for its optimistic vibe.
Some key milestones and achievements from Rufus du Sol’s early years:
- Released debut EP “Rufus” in 2011 on Indie label Sweat It Out
- Broke through with acclaimed 2013 album “Atlas”, which hit #1 on iTunes Dance chart
- Signed to Universal Music Australia and toured US and Europe for first time in 2013/2014
- Released smash hit single “You Were Right” in 2015, certified Platinum in Australia
- Sold out shows across Australia and Coachella debut in 2016
So while the band members came from different parts of Australia, the spark was ignited when they connected in Sydney. Their distinct blend of indie and electronic music resonated both with Australian and international audiences.
Home Base in Sydney
While Rufus du Sol got its start in Sydney, the band members originally lived all over Australia. So is Sydney still considered their home base and point of origin today?
The answer is yes – Sydney remains the hometown hub of Rufus du Sol’s operations and musical creativity. Some reasons why:
- Their recording studio is based in Sydney, where they write and produce all music
- They organize and prepare for all tours from Sydney
- Band members currently reside in the Sydney area
- Close ties to Australian record label Sweat It Out based in Sydney
- Much of their early success was built through live shows in the Sydney indie scene
While Rufus du Sol now tours the world playing major festivals and venues, Sydney is still central to their identity. Fans can often catch intimate club shows when the band returns home to Australia.
Key elements keeping Rufus rooted in Sydney:
Recording Studio | The band records all music at a studio in Sydney. |
---|---|
Tour Prep | Rehearsals and tour logistics happen in Sydney before heading on the road. |
Member Residency | The 3 musicians live in Sydney with their families. |
Record Label | Sweat It Out label that discovered them is Sydney-based. |
Live Performances | They maintain a local fanbase playing shows in Sydney. |
For Rufus du Sol, Sydney is not just where it started – it remains home and their center of operations while touring the world.
Global Reach, Australian Roots
While Sydney and Australia are still home, Rufus du Sol has undoubtedly reached a global audience over the past decade. Their music resonates with listeners worldwide.
Some indicators of Rufus du Sol’s global success and appeal:
– Headlined major festivals across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
– Sold out shows in cities like Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tokyo
– Millions of monthly listeners on Spotify from all continents
– Top 10 albums and singles across global charts
– Social media followers from Philippines to Poland to Peru
– Support from international DJs like Calvin Harris and Cassian
– Collaborations with global artists like Odesza and Pink Sweat$
Rufus du Sol has toured the world while maintaining their Australian identity. Key elements of their Aussie roots:
- Lyrics referencing Australian themes and landscapes
- Remixes featuring indigenous Australian instruments like the didgeridoo
- Artwork by Australian graphic designers for albums and merch
- Family-like connection with fans and other Aussie bands
- Laidback attitude and friendliness representative of Australian culture
Wherever they travel, Rufus du Sol represents the best of Australian music and maintains a strong connection to their Sydney origins.
Conclusion
In summary, while the individual members hail from across Australia, the heartland of Rufus du Sol is undoubtedly Sydney. The trio came together there, built a local fanbase, and continues to record and operate from Sydney today.
At the same time, their music resonates powerfully with a diverse international audience. Rufus du Sol has achieved the perfect balance between maintaining their Australian indie roots and appealing to music lovers across all continents. They embody the global success possible for homegrown Aussie talent.
Wherever their musical journey takes them next, Rufus du Sol will always represent the vibrant, creative music scene of Sydney for the world to enjoy. Their unique sunny combination of electronic beats and pop sensibility has Australian origins that can’t be duplicated elsewhere.