Carus Thompson
Carus Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Frontman of Carus and The True Believers (1995–2008); solo music career |
Carus Thompson is a singer-songwriter hailing from Perth, Western Australia. Between 1995 and 2008, he was the frontman of Carus and The True Believers before embarking on a solo journey. To date, Thompson has produced four studio albums: Creatures of Habit (2009), Caravan (2011), Island (February 2017), and Shakespeare Avenue (October 2019).
1995–2008: Carus and The True Believers
At the age of 18 in 1995, Carus Thompson established the band Carus and The True Believers, regularly performing across local pubs. Drawing inspiration from Paul Kelly, the band opened for notable Australian musicians including Mick Thomas of Weddings Parties Anything, Ed Kuepper, and Neil Murray.
Their initial EP, self-titled, was launched in 2000, followed by Mind's Eye in 2002, which marked the start of their tours beyond Western Australia. In December 2002, the trio—comprising Thompson, drummer Paul Keenan, and bassist Noel Manyam—recorded their first full-length album, Songs from Martin St., in Melbourne. This record was co-produced with Thompson’s brother Christian and featured guest appearances by Vikki Simpson of the Waifs and John Butler. The album’s fusion of rock, reggae, and folk music peaked at number 18 on the Australian Independent Records chart. After moving to Melbourne and replacing Keenan with Jason McGann on drums, the group toured extensively across Australia and Europe.
A live solo session at Fremantle's Norfolk Hotel was captured and released as a double live album titled Acoustic at the Norfolk in October 2003, showcasing acoustic arrangements highlighted by violin and mandolin.
In April 2004, the band recorded their sophomore studio album, Long Nights are Gone, completing it within a single day in Fremantle. By 2005, they had issued a five-track EP called Breakdown, featuring musicians Johnston, Gare, Ben Franz on bass, and Howle Johnstone on drums. Their third studio effort, Three Boxes, came out in May 2007 before the group ultimately dissolved in 2008.
2008–present: Solo
Thompson debuted as a solo artist with his album Creature of Habit in March 2009, followed by the release of Caravan in 2011.
His third solo project, Island, was unveiled in February 2017. Tex Miller from Forté magazine awarded it four-and-a-half stars out of five, commending its "brilliant riffs, honest heartfelt lyrics and an element that is sure to have you singing along with a smile."
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Songs from Martin St. (as Carus and the True Believers) |
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| Long Nights Are Gone (as Carus and the True Believers) |
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| Three Boxes (as Carus and the True Believers) |
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| Creatures of Habit |
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| Caravan |
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| Island |
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| Shakespeare Avenue |
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Live albums
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Acoustic at the Norfolk |
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| Cover Tapes |
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| Acoustic at the Norfolk - Volume II |
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Extended plays
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Carus |
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| Mind's Eye |
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| The Breakdown EP (credited as Carus and the True Believers) |
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AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards, known as AIR Awards, are held annually to acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments within Australia's independent music industry.
|- | 2009 | Creature of Habit | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album | |-
WAM Song of the Year
Founded in 1985 by the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association (WARMIA), the WAM Song of the Year recognizes outstanding achievements in Western Australia's music scene.
|- | 2017/18 | "Lies" | Blues / Roots Song of the Year | |-