Curious (Yellow)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Karin Jansson |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Curious (Yellow) was a pop and alternative rock ensemble originating from Sydney, Australia, established in 1987 by Karin Jansson, a Swedish-born vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist previously associated with the feminist punk group Pink Champagne. Their discography includes an EP titled I Am Curious and a full-length album called Charms and Blues, both released under Red Eye Records. Steve Kilbey of The Church, who was Jansson's partner, produced these works. The band's name and debut release pay homage to the 1967 Swedish cult classic film I Am Curious (Yellow).
History
In 1987, Karin Jansson founded Curious (Yellow) in Sydney after moving from Sweden in 1986. Before this, she played guitar in the feminist punk band Pink Champagne from 1979 to 1984. Jansson began crafting demos and forming a new group featuring Mike Knapp on drums and Phil Hall on guitar, both formerly of Dropbears, alongside Les White on bass, who came from the New Zealand pop-rock band Th' Dudes.
The band's EP I Am Curious was released in March 1988 through Red Eye Records. Steve Kilbey produced the record and contributed keyboards, programming, guitar, and backing vocals. Following the release, Curious (Yellow) toured along Australia's eastern seaboard with other Red Eye artists such as The Bhagavad Guitars, The Crystal Set, and The Mexican Spitfires. Notably, Jansson collaborated with Kilbey to co-write The Church's successful single "Under the Milky Way" released in February 1988, a song that Curious (Yellow) frequently included in their live performances. The original lineup dissolved when Hall departed in December to join the Lime Spiders.
By 1990, a revamped lineup featured Jansson and White with new members Mike Caen from Dragon on guitar, Jim Bowman also on guitar, and Mark Dawson handling drums. This formation produced two singles: "Taken By Surprise" in August and "Love Itself" in November. Their album Charms and Blues was released in September through Red Eye Records and Polydor. Co-produced by the band alongside Kilbey, the album was described by Ian McFarlane's Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop as blending "airy ambience with melancholy pop". The CD edition included an additional track titled "Down the Wishing Well".
Members
- Mike Caen – guitar
- Phil Hall – guitar
- Karin Jansson – vocals, guitar
- Michael (Snapper) Knapp – drums
- Violinda – violin
- Les White – bass guitar