Jimmi Carr is a singer/songwriter and music producer from the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia. He has released 7 albums under his own name, including the new album Flight Cycle, which was formed part of his recently completed PhD on cross-cultural composition. He has also released tow albums with his electronic/rock fusion band Innamech.
Jimmi’s music is both original and accessible. He draws on a wide range of influences that move through roots, funk and rock. He displays an impressive pop sensibility and classic song writing skills. His style could be described as somewhere between Ray Lamontagne, Wilco and Beck. The music of Innamech is a fusion of psychedelic and prog-rock, and electronic dance music.
As a teenager, Jimmi played in a funk metal fusion outfit Tang, which toured extensively, playing major festivals and supporting bands such as D.I.G. Since then Jimmi has played his own music solo and in acoustic and electric bands. He has gigged constantly, playing on bills with acts including XAVIER RUDD, JEFF LANG, LIOR, ADALITA, DOC NEESON and HERMITUDE.
Jimmi’s first album, The Recipe was released through Shoestring Records in 2004. Since then, the album has had airplay on Triple J, among many other national and international radio stations and received glowing reviews.
In 2006, Jimmi released Bright black sky and the JIMMI CARR BAND did 2 extensive east coast tours that were extremely well received. Bright Black Sky received national airplay on ABC radio and got a huge amount of support from community radio all over the country.
In 2007 Jimmi recorded All the pieces with his long term live band. It’s a double album showcasing both Jimmi’s funk and hard rock roots and his gentler, more lyrical acoustic songs.
In 2011 Jimmi released Upstream. It was his most accessible and consistent work to date. It has a largely acoustic flavour with a touch of country but still powered by Jimmi’s distinctive groove driven feel. The album was featured as album of the week on ABC North coast NSW and ABC Tropical North QLD and has had regular airplay on other ABC stations and Community radio all over the country including FBI in Sydney, ZZZ in Brisbane and PBS in Melbourne.
The early albums all received excellent reviews. Here’s what some critics had to say:
“Pretty snazzy I’ve got to say” Jordie Kilby – (Triple J’s “Roots & all”)
“From the very first chord, the slinky groove insinuates itself under your skin” Drum Media
“Real songwriting talent” fasterlouder.com
“Bright Black Sky is an excellent release showing versatility and poise” The STIX Magazine
“It’s comforting to know that there are still some artists taking their craft from the front porch to the studio with such passion and sincerity” – Beat magazine
“Jimmi Carr is the real deal. He plays hard, sings with intensity and writes with passion. Give him a listen, you’ll wonder why it’s taken you so long.” – Stuart Coupe (FBI radio, Laughing outlaw records)
Jimmi and his band have played at many leading venues, including The Basement, @Newtown,The Vanguard, The Heritage (Bulli), Bar Open in Melbourne and The Troubadour in Brisbane.
After the release of Upstream Jimmi completed an honours degree in music, during which he met and formed a band with Samantha Rich (aka Sammy Psyborg). The band is called Innamech and is a fusion of psychedelic and prog-rock, and electronic dance music. They released their debut EP in 2014. The lead single “The Line” was extremely well received by alternative radio stations across the country and it’s accompanying video clip was aired on ABC TV’s Rage. They have played a number of large outdoor music festivals and have established a regular showcase of progressive rock and electronica in the Blue Mountains called Wrong Side of the Tracks.
A full length Innamech album, Bordertown, was released early 2017, accompanied by two singles and video clips which all received extensive airplay
Jimmi put together a new lineup of his live band in 2017 featuring Lockie McEwen on drums and Tom Pilgrim on bass. They went on to release the album Second Story in 2019. The first single “Free Right Now” was played on Triple J’s Roots ‘n’ all program in its first week of release, with presenter Nkechi Anele reviewing the song on Triple J’s Unearthed website. She wrote –
“[Free Right Now] brought a real smile to my face and made my morning as I put this on repeat. The way this song saunters along is fantastic. Rhythmically so exciting and fun, the whole thing comes together so masterfully. Bravo!” – 4 and a half stars
In 2020 Jimmi released the rarities album The Ones That Got Away (rare & remixed), which featured new songs, previously unreleased tracks and remixes of older songs. Rhythms Magazine said of the album –
“Clever songs. Quirky arrangements. Carr’s genius is to meld diverse elements into something quite unique.”
In 2021 Jimmi completed his DCA (PhD) in cross-cultural composition, which included the recording of his latest album. That album Flight Cycle was released in 2022. The album is a blend of pop, funk, electronica and African influences. Michael Smith Reviewed the album for Rhythms Magazine, describe it as “Sparkling and diverse.. An exceptional collection of vibrant music.” To promote the album, Jimmi Carr Band reconfigured with the new rhythm section of Casey Hedge on drums and legendary Blue Mountains bassist Greg Charlton.
Jimmi is currently working on a new collection of songs, due for recording and release in 2024.