Unitopia
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Progressive rock music albums and live performances |
Unitopia is a progressive rock ensemble from Australia, known for blending diverse influences including world music, classical, jazz, hard rock, and groove styles.
The band reunited in 2021 and initiated the creation of a fresh album.
Biography
Unitopia's inception dates back to 1996 when Mark Trueack and Sean Timms met through mutual musical interests. Their collaboration in songwriting culminated in their debut release, More Than a Dream, which featured contributions from conductor Timothy Sexton, the Adelaide Art Orchestra, among other musicians.
This album was independently launched in October 2005 during a sold-out event at The Cavern Club in Adelaide. Following this, the group performed live shows supporting Daryl Braithwaite and appeared at the Norwood Food and Wine Festival. In March 2006, Canadian label Unicorn Records issued an international re-release of More Than a Dream.
To form a stable lineup for both studio recordings and live performances, Trueack and Timms brought on board Adelaide musicians Matt Williams (guitar/vocals), Monty Ruggiero (drums), Shireen Khemlani (bass), and Tim Irrgang (percussion). The band then concentrated on composing new material for their sophomore album, The Garden. In February 2008, Unitopia secured a global publishing agreement with Shock Music Publishing. That same year, their song "Lives Go Round" appeared on the CPR Volume 3 compilation CD. By August 2008, they had inked a three-album contract with InsideOut Music.
InsideOut released The Garden worldwide on 18 November 2008 as a double CD featuring 15 tracks exceeding 100 minutes in length. Critics praised its distinctive fusion of progressive rock with symphonic textures, marking it as a notable entry within the genre.
In 2009, following the departures of Shireen Khemlani and Mike Stewart, Shaun Duncan (bass) and Peter Raidel (saxophone) joined the lineup. This formation produced the third album Artificial in 2010. Subsequent personnel changes introduced David Hopgood, Craig Kelly, and Ian Ritchie to replace outgoing members. This ensemble toured Europe in 2010, including an appearance at England’s Summer's End progressive rock festival.
By 2012, Daniel Burgess had taken over saxophone duties from Ritchie. The band unveiled their fourth release Covered Mirror Vol. 1: Smooth As Silk, an album featuring interpretations of classic progressive rock songs. Shortly thereafter, Unitopia disbanded.
After splitting up, Trueack and Timms agreed to exchange demo recordings intended for a double album project. Trueack went on to establish United Progressive Fraternity (UPF), incorporating former Unitopia musicians and others; UPF’s debut Fall In Love with the World carried forward Unitopia’s musical direction with heavier elements and environmentally themed lyrics. Meanwhile, Timms formed Southern Empire, releasing their first album in March 2016. Despite previous conflicts, Trueack showed willingness to collaborate again; however, Timms initially declined.
In July 2016, Trueack and Timms reconciled and began remastering More Than a Dream, adding unreleased material for an expanded box set that included a new track titled Dream Complete. They also created U.N.I.T. dB., an acoustic touring ensemble combining members from Southern Empire, Unitopia, Resistor, and UPF. Southern Empire conducted tours in Australia early in 2017 followed by European dates later that year.
Trueack collaborated with Steve Unruh on forthcoming UPF albums Loss and Hope, featuring contributions from artists such as Steve Hackett and Jerry Marotta alongside environmental advocates; these releases were planned for February 2019. Additionally, he worked with Chris Lebled on a chillout project named The Romantic.
In 2021 Unitopia reassembled to work on a new album titled 7 Chambers.
Members
- Current Lineup
- Mark Trueack – lead vocals and production (1996–2014, 2020–present)
- Sean Timms – keyboards, mandolin, acoustic and lap steel guitars, banjo, backing vocals (1996–2014, 2020–present)
- John Greenwood – electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals (2020–present)
- Steve Unruh – violin, acoustic guitars, backing vocals (2020–present)
- Chester Thompson – drums, backing vocals (2020–present)
- Alfonso Johnson – bass guitar, backing vocals (2020–present)
- Past Members
- Matt Williams – electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, backing vocals (2008–2014)
- Tim Irrgang – percussion (2008–2014)
- David Hopgood – drums, backing vocals (2010–2014)
- Craig Kelly – bass guitar, backing vocals (2010–2014)
- Daniel Burgess – saxophone (2011–2014)
- Monty Ruggiero – drums (2008–2009)
- Shireen Khemlani – bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–2009)
- Mike Stewart – saxophone (2008–2009; deceased 2014)
- Jamies Jones – bass guitar (2009–2010)
- Shaun Duncan – drums (2009–2010)
- Peter Raidel – saxophone (2009–2010)
- Former Touring Musicians
- Ian Ritchie – saxophone, flute, tin whistle (European Tour 2010)
- Don Schiff – NS/Stick (European Tour 2023)
Discography
- Studio Albums
- More Than a Dream (2005)
- The Garden (2008)
- Artificial (2010)
- Covered Mirror Vol. 1: Smooth as Silk (2012)
- Seven Chambers (2023)
- Live Albums
- One Night In Europe (2011)
- Singles
- "There's a Place" (2005)
- "321" (2007)