Crooked Colours Is Now A Solo Act

9 December 2023 | 9:23 am | Mary Varvaris

"Crooked Colours, as a three-piece, has run its course."

Crooked Colours @ Falls Festival Fremantle

Crooked Colours @ Falls Festival Fremantle (Credit: Adrian Thomson)

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Perth-founded alternative dance outfit Crooked Colours is officially a solo act after vocalist, guitarist and man behind the production Phil Slabber made the surprise announcement on social media yesterday.

Keyboardist and producer Leon Debaughn and drummer Liam Merrett-Park are officially out, with the singer writing that the pair are “moving on to the next stages of their lives”. You can read Slabber’s complete statement below.

Hey everyone,

“Some of you may have noticed some changes in the lineup over the last few tours, so I’d like to provide an update on the band. Crooked Colours, as a three-piece, has run its course. We’ve had 10+ great years working together, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to share our music with you and for the gracious support you have shown us.

“That being said, whilst Leon and Liam are moving on to the next stages of their lives, I am still very much in love with the music, the people and the industry and will continue to write and perform under the Crooked Colours name. There is plenty more I’d still like to achieve, and I hope to share those moments with you in the near future.

“Yours truly, Phil.

Crooked Colours released three albums as a trio: Vera in 2017, Langata in 2019, and Tomorrows in September 2022. In 2018, Crooked Colours were nominated for the Best Independent Dance/Electronic Album for Vera at the Australian Independent Record Awards (known as the AIR Awards).

On a first anniversary celebration concert of Vera at Brisbane nightclub The Met in 2018, The Music reviewer Tayla Galvin said about their show, “After chants of encore were screamed, Crooked Colours took to the stage for one last time and ended on a high with the six-minute, bass-drenched track Perfect Run. 

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“Although the performance could have benefited from a slightly larger venue, Crooked Colours pulled off a stunning performance that flowed perfectly with a flawlessly curated setlist. Producing absolute bangers, these Perth boys know what their fans want, and they deliver.”