Client Liaison are an Australian indie pop duo made up of vocalist Monte Morgan, and keyboardist and producer Harvey Miller. The pair first came to prominence in 2012 after the release of their first music video "End of the Earth", and went on to release a self-titled EP in 2014, and studio album ''Diplomatic Immunity'' in 2016. Their second studio album, '' Divine Intervention'' was released on 1 October 2021.

Background

Origins

Client Liaison was formed in Melbourne in 2009 by former

Geelong Grammar , motto_translation = 1 Corinthians 1:30: "For us, Christ was made wisdom"( 1 Corinthians 1:30: Christ, who has been made for us in wisdom) , city = Corio, Victoria , country = Australia , coordinates = , ...

schoolmates Monte Morgan (born 1985) and Harvey Miller (born 22 May 1988). Influenced by late '80s and early '90s electronic and

house music House is a music genre characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 beats per minute. It was created by Disc jockey, DJs and music producers from Chicago metropolitan area, Chicago' ...

, the pair produces a style of music described by them as "faux-fi", and incorporate a similar 1980s Australia theme into their personas. As part of this image, the pair draw a wide range of Australian references into their performances and music videos, and often make reference to brands such

Ansett Ansett Australia was a major Australian airline group, based in Melbourne, Australia. The airline flew domestically within Australia and from the 1990s to destinations in Asia. After operating for 65 years, the airline was placed into adminis ...

, Foster's, and Diners Club, and have named Tina Arena and

John Farnham John Peter Farnham Officer of the Order of Australia, AO (born 1 July 1949) is a British born Australian singer. Farnham was a Teen idol, teen pop idol from 1967 until 1979, billed then as Johnny Farnham, but has since forged a career as an Adu ...

as being amongst the many influences on their music. When performing live, the duo expands to include Miller's brother Geordie Miller on guitar and saxophone, and Triple J's '' Hack'' presenter Tom Tilley, whom Miller had met through a previous girlfriend, on bass. Both Monte and Harvey attended the private Geelong Grammar School. The former is the son of executive-chairman of Roy Morgan Research, Gary Morgan, the latter is the son of director

George T. Miller George Trumbull Miller (born 28 November 1943) is a Scottish-Australian film and television director and producer. He has directed ''The Man from Snowy River'', '' The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter'' and ''Zeus and Roxanne''. He star ...

. The duo bases themselves in a

Collins Street Collins Street or Collins St. may refer to: Structures Places of worship * Collins Street Baptist Church, a church in Melbourne, Australia * Collins Street Independent Church, a church in Melbourne, Australia Skyscrapers * 101 Collins Street, a sk ...

office space owned by Morgan's father's company. Morgan studied general arts at the University of Melbourne. Miller, who studied fine arts at the Victorian College of the Arts, frequently uses the postnominal AO after his name, describing himself as a "self-appointed" member of the Order of Australia — he is not, in reality, a member.

2012–2016: ''Client Liaison''

In mid-2012, Client Liaison released the music video for "End of the Earth", a song Morgan had written five years prior during a time when he was "angry with Australia" and its culture cringe. The video, featuring the pair in '80s pop clothing performing in front of a montage of iconic Australian clips, became a cult hit on YouTube. It was not until over a year later, on 29 August 2014, that the duo released their first EP, eponymously titled '' Client Liaison''. The music video for the single "Queen" was filmed on a VHS camcorder and made reference to the clip for the Womack and Womack song " Teardrops". The pair played their first national tour as a support act for Miami Horror, and later went on to support Flight Facilities on their national and international tours. At the 2014 J Awards, the duo were nominated for best music video for their song "Free of Fear" but lost to "

Chandelier A chandelier (; also known as girandole, candelabra lamp, or least commonly suspended lights) is a branched ornamental light fixture designed to be mounted on ceilings or walls. Chandeliers are often ornate, and normally use incandescent li ...

" by Sia.

2016–2017: ''Diplomatic Immunity''

Client Liaison's first studio album '' Diplomatic Immunity'' was released on 4 November 2016. The pair described the theme of the album as being of them as "diplomats flying the Australian flag, taking Australia to the world". The duo collaborated with Cleopold, Flight Facilities and Tina Arena while producing the album. The music video for "Wild Life", the album's second single, makes references to Qintex, the former company run by businessman-turned-fugitive

Christopher Skase Christopher Charles Skase (18 September 19485 August 2001) was an Australian businessman who later became one of his country's most wanted fugitives, after his business empire crashed spectacularly and he fled to Majorca, Spain. Early life Sk ...

. The album's fourth single, "A Foreign Affair", features Tina Arena and makes reference to her 1995 song Sorrento Moon. As part of the release of the album, Client Liaison announced that in place of ordinary band merchandise they would be releasing a line of clothing named the "Client Liaison: Deluxe Line" with the assistance of stylist Kirsty Barros. The pair performed at Firefly Music Festival, Splendour in the Grass, and Secret Garden Festival in 2015, Groovin' the Moo and The Falls Music and Arts Festival in 2016, and Field Day in 2017. The band commenced a world tour titled "A Foreign Affair" in August 2017. In November, the group won Australian Music Video of the Year at the 2017 J Awards for "A Foreign Affair", which was directed by Tim White.

2018–present: ''Divine Intervention''

In May 2018, Client Liaison released "Survival in the City". In August 2019, Client Liaison released "The Real Thing", and confirmed they are working on a second studio album. In November 2019, Client Liaison released "Champagne Affection". In June 2021, Client Liaison announced the released of their second studio album '' Divine Intervention'', released on 1 October 2021. ''Divine Intervention'' became the band's first ARIA top ten albums, debuting at number 7.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

Remixes

* "Cruel", The Preatures (June 2015) * "90s Music", Kimbra (August 2014) * "Rain", Retiree (February 2014) * "Oh Innocence", Dúné (March 2013)

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. ! , - ,

2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...

, Client Liaison , Breakthrough Independent Artist , , , -

ARIA Music Awards

The

ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...

is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of

Australian music The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions of ...

. They commenced in 1987. ! , - , rowspan="2" ,

2017 File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...

, Tim White (for Client Liaison featuring Tina Arena) - " A Foreign Affair" , rowspan="3" , Best Video , , rowspan="3" , ARIA Award previous winners. , - , Tobias Willis and Zachary Bradtke for Client Liaison - "Off White Limousine" , , - ,

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...

, David Porte Beckefeld (for Client Liaison) - ""Survival in the City"]" , , -

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005. , - , J Awards of 2014 , "Free of Fear" , Australian Video of the Year , , - , J Awards of 2017 , "A Foreign Affair" (with Tina Arena) , Australian Video of the Year , , -

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005. , - ,

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...

, Best Electronic Act , rowspan="7" , Music Victoria Awards , , - , rowspan="3",

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

, Best Electronic Act , , - , Best Emerging Artist , , - , Best Band , , - ,

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

, Best Electronic Act , , - ,

, Best Electronic Act , , -

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016. , - , National Live Music Awards of 2016 , Tom Tilley (Client Liaison) , Live Bassist of the Year , , - , rowspan="4" , National Live Music Awards of 2017 , rowspan="3" , themselves , Live Act of the Year , , - , Live Pop Act of the Year , , - , People's Choice - Live Act of the Year , , - , Tom Tilley (Client Liaison) , Live Bassist of the Year , , -

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Australian indie pop groups Victoria (Australia) musical groups Australian electronic musicians Musical groups established in 2009