Billboard

Birthed from of an explosive DIY underground in Brisbane, Australia sometime during the early moments of 2004, The Rational Academy are the epitome of shimmering avant-infused pop. With an unerring willingness to dispense with the pleasantries of expectation and convention, The Academy's songwriting duo Benjamin Thompson and Meredith McHugh have forged a unique place in the heartland of melodic song writing, etched with glistening electronic interludes and wall of sound guitars.

Their songs are replete with sweet melody, reflective lyrics and a presence that's both engulfing and expansive for the listener. Produced by Room40's Lawrence English and featuring Iceland's Ben Frost, UK based duo For Barry Ray and others, 'A Heart Against Your Own' follows on from The Rational Academy's two, now highly collectible, seven inches, a swag of compilation appearances and projects with the likes of Japanese songstress Tujiko Noriko and Novi Split.

In their time together The Rational Academy have toured extensively sharing the stage with the likes of Deerhoof (USA), Xiu Xiu (USA), Mum (Iceland), Tenniscoats (Japan), Spoon (USA), Dear Nora (USA), The Blow (USA), Sarah Dougher (USA), Scout Nibblet (UK) and Australia's Holly Throsby, Art of Fighting and more.

To quote Faster Louder - "The next big thing. The 'It' band. We've been told this too often before. But join us tonight for THE RATIONAL ACADEMY and you'll leave smugly, knowing this time Richard Kingsmill hasn't beaten you to it!"

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Discography - see all 3

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  a heart against your own

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  Two Books / Handwritten Novels

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  (drums)

Band Members - see all 5

• Meredith McHugh - guitars / vocals

• Matt Jonas - bass guitar / beats

• Benjamin Thompson - guitars / vocals

• Lawrence English - laptop / electronics

• Oliver Makay - drums / guitars