Magic Dirt are set to play a run of shows and release an EP in tribute to Dean Turner. The tour and the EP are amongst the final projects Dean worked on prior to his recent passing.
Dean founded Magic Dirt in 1992 and played bass in the band until he passed away on August 21 this year. In a statement issued soon after his death Deanʼs band mates Adalita, Raul and Adam said, “For nine years, Dean battled an extremely rare form of soft tissue cancer called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Being a very private man, Dean chose to fight the cancer in a quiet and dignified manner. He displayed great courage and incredible stoicism. And above all else he had an unshakeable positive attitude throughout his long ordeal. His composure and grace during this time will never be forgotten and is an inspiration to us all.”
Dean and Magic Dirt had planned a tour in August but Deanʼs deteriorating condition led to its cancellation. This run of shows in October and November is the bandʼs loving tribute to their dear friend. It offers Magic Dirt and their fans an opportunity to give Dean the rousing and rowdy send-off he so richly deserves.
Adalita, Raul and Adam said when announcing the tour, “Dean loved playing live. He liked to play loud and hard and give it all he had – 110% all the way. We are so proud of Deanʼs legacy and the gifts he has left with us: his perseverance, passion and commitment to the music, his endearing boyish fun, his invigorating and uplifting attitude on that long hard road and his pure punk rock spirit on stage, behind the scenes and around us at all times.”
OCTOBER
Thu 15 Oct – Adelaide, The Governor Hindmarsh
Fri 16 Oct – Casterton, Casterton Town Hall
Sat 17 Oct – Warrnambool, The Loft
Sat 24 Oct – Ballarat, Karova Lounge
Wed 28 Oct – Melbourne, Corner Hotel
Fri 30 Oct – Geelong, National Hotel
NOVEMBER
Thu 5 Nov – Manly, Manly Fishos
Fri 6 Nov – Sydney, Annandale Hotel
Sat 7 Nov – Orange, Freshly Plucked Festival
Magic Dirt also release the White Boy EP, one of the final recording projects Dean assembled. Alongside White Boy, lifted from the bandʼs latest album Girl, the EP includes two tracks with special guest vocalists. Rowland S Howard duets with Adalita on the song ʻSummer Highʼ and Gareth Liddiard of The Drones joins her on vocals on ʻLove Is The Armourʼ. Both tracks were produced by Dean. The EP also features two previously unreleased songs, ʻDeep In A Net Of Redʼ and ʻValley Of The Roseʼ plus ʻFuture Fuckʼ, from a now deleted 2008 tour EP.
The band is also bringing one other final plan of Deanʼs to fruition – a DVD of the recent videos the band made for ʻWhite Boyʼ, ʻRomyʼ and ʻBring Me The Head Of…ʼ which will be given away free to some lucky fans at the gigs.
Magic Dirt say, “It was Deanʼs idea to giveaway the first 100 copies of the DVD to our fans at the live shows. Dean felt it was vital to include our audience as part of the whole creative process and it was important for him to give something back to the fans. Dean was deeply pragmatic and always thinking ahead. We wish to honour his hard working spirit with these shows, to unite with our audience that has so deeply shown their respect, appreciation and love for Dean and his music.”
