Angus (''Aonghas'' in Gaelic) is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City. Main industries include agriculture and fishing.

History

Angus was historically a county (known officially as Forfarshire from the eighteenth century until 1928, when it reverted to its ancient name) until 1975 when it became a district of the Tayside Region. In 1996, two-tier local government was abolished and Angus was established as one of the replacement single-tier Council Areas. The former county had borders with Kincardineshire to the north-east, county of Aberdeenshire to the north and Perthshire to the west. Southwards, it faced Fife across the Firth of Tay. The boundaries of the present council area are exactly the same as those of the old county minus the City of Dundee.

Parliamentary representation

Areas similar to that of the council area are covered by the Angus Westminster constituency for the UK Parliament and the area is also represented at the Scottish Parliament by both the Angus and North Tayside Holyrood constituencies.

Geography

Angus can be split into three geographic areas. To the north and west, the topography is mountainous; this is the area of the five Angus Glens, is sparsely populated and the main industry is hill-farming. To the south and east the topography consists of rolling hills bordering the sea. This area is well populated, with the larger towns and the city of Dundee on the coast. In between lies Strathmore, Gaelic for ''the Great Valley'', which is a fertile agricultural area noted for the growing of potatoes, soft fruit and the raising of Angus cattle.

Towns and villages

Towns

Arbroath, the largest town

Brechin

Carnoustie

Forfar, the county town and administrative centre

Kirriemuir

Monifieth

Montrose

Villages

Aberlemno

Arbirlot

Auchmithie

Auchterhouse

Birkhill

Bridge of Craigisla

Carmyllie

Dunnichen

East Haven

Edzell

Farnell

Friockheim

Finavon

Glamis

Guthrie

Inverkeilor

Hodgeton

Hillside

Kingsmuir

Letham

Newbigging

Newtyle

Noranside

Memus

Menmuir

Monikie

Muirhead

Murroes

St Vigeans

Tannadice

Tarfside

Tealing

Unthank

Places of interest

Aberlemno Sculptured Stones (Pictish symbols)

Angus Folk Museum, Glamis

Arbroath Abbey, place of signing of the Declaration of Arbroath

Barry Mill

Brechin Cathedral

Brechin Castle

Brechin Round Tower

Caledonian Railway (Brechin)

Cairngorms National Park

Carnlochan NNR - National Nature Reserve

Eassie Stone Edzell Castle Glamis Castle

House of Dun

Loch of Kinnordy Nature Reserve

The Meffan Museum and Art Gallery (Forfar)

Monboddo House

Montrose Basin Nature Reserve

Montrose Museum

Council political composition

{|class="wikitable" |width="5"| |width="140"|Party |width="180"|Councillors |- |bgcolor=""| |Scottish National Party |12 |- |bgcolor=""| |Independent |8 |- |bgcolor=""| |Conservative |5 |- |bgcolor=""| |Liberal Democrat |2 |- |bgcolor=""| |Labour |2 |}

The council is currently controlled by the Angus Alliance which comprises a coalition of Independent/Conservative/Liberal Democrat & Labour councillors

Sister areas

– Yantai, Shandong, China.

See also

Earl of Angus

List of pre-1975 counties of Scotland

References

External links

Angus Council

Website showcasing the best of Angus

Dundee and Angus information portal

Angus walks

Category:Council areas of Scotland Category:Counties of Scotland Category:Lieutenancy areas of Scotland

ar:أنغس bg:Ангъс cs:Angus cy:Angus da:Angus de:Angus (Schottland) et:Angus es:Angus (Escocia) eu:Angus fr:Angus (Écosse) ga:Aonghas gv:Aonghas (ard coonseilagh) gd:Siorrachd Aonghais it:Angus la:Angus (Scotia) lt:Angusas mk:Ангус nl:Angus (Schotland) ja:アンガス (スコットランド) no:Angus nn:Angus pl:Angus (Szkocja) pt:Angus ro:Angus ru:Ангус sco:Angus simple:Angus sv:Angus uk:Ангус (область) zh:安格斯

Angus & Julia Stone are a brother-sister duo from Newport, New South Wales on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. Their mother and father were both musical – they learned many songs from their father's cover band "Backbeat". At very young ages, they were introduced to music by their father who made them join his school band. Julia played the trumpet, Angus the trombone and their older sister, Catherine, the saxophone.

Their debut EP ''Chocolates and Cigarettes'' was released August 2006. Their second EP ''Heart Full of Wine'' was released in February 2007. Both EP's were released distributed through EMI Music in Australia and as a 2 EP Set by independent label, Independiente Records in the UK.

Their debut album ''A Book Like This'' was released on 8 September 2007 through EMI Music Australia and has achieved platinum plus (100,000) and March 2008 in UK/Europe through Flock Music It was later released in the USA through Nettwerk on 3 March 2009 with an alternative track listing.

In between Angus released his first solo album under the moniker Lady of the Sunshine with the album entitled Smoking Gun to critical acclaim in March 2009.

The sophomore self-produced album ''Down the Way'' saw a simultaneous, worldwide release in March 2010. As travelling has been an integral part of the Stones' musical story, they opted to record in a number of diverse locations around the globe – an old sawmill on the river banks of Fowey, Cornwall, a studio in Brooklyn, a water tank in Coolangatta, Queensland and in Queens, New York.

The album debuted at number 1 in their native country and is now double platinum and was the highest-selling album by an Australian artist in 2010. The album also hit number 4 on iTunes France after the duo performed it on the TV show ''Taratata'' has since reached platinum status through their record company Discograph. The duo won ARIA Album of the Year and ARIA Single of the Year at the 2010 Australian Record Industry Awards. They also received number 1 position in the Triple J Hottest 100 for Big Jet Plane in 2011.

In 2010 Julia released her debut solo album ''The Memory Machine'', which received a positive review from ''The Sydney Morning Herald''.

The band have sold out gigs all around the world including 3 sold out shows at Enmore Theatre in Sydney in October 2010, a Sold out Shepherds Bush Empire in London and 5 Sold out Le Trianon's in Paris and return to Europe for the summer festivals in July 2011.

History

Angus and Julia began to collaborate on their musical endeavours in early 2006. Prior to that, both performed as solo artists, principally at open mic nights, but with each using the other as a backing partner. They first performed together at the Coogee Bay hotel in Sydney in 2005 with Angus performing and Julia singing back-up. In terms of composing material, they write on their own, then work together on structure and harmonies.

Both Angus and Julia have distinctive vocal styles. ''The Sydney Morning Herald'''s Bernard Zuel described their vocals as such: "Her voice has a fractured feel like Jolie Holland; his has a smoke-on-the-beach drawl." UK journalist Johnny Sharp of ''Mojo'' stated, "Most impressive, though, are the songs – simple but blindingly effective acoustic compositions, warm boy-girl harmonies and delicate, less-is-more arrangements. Resistance is surely futile."

Angus and Julia began recording their first EP Chocolates and Cigarettes in March 2006. It was officially released 26 August 2006. Their first single "Paper Aeroplane" was played on Australian radio in April on local radio station FBI. That same month Angus and Julia played at The Great Escape Festival in Sydney, Australia.

At the end of July 2006, The Stones played to two hundred people packed in a tiny tent at the Splendour in the Grass festival in Byron Bay, Australia. By August they had signed a two-EP distribution deal with EMI Music in Australia and independent label Independiente Records in the UK and had packed their bags and headed for London to live.

While in the UK, they were invited into Chris Potter's studio (The Verve/Richard Ashcroft) to record. Fran Healy from UK band Travis had also just heard their debut EP and also invited them to his house to record. The result of these two matchups was the duo's second EP, Heart Full of Wine.

During their time together, Healy also helped the brother and sister with material which would later become a part of their debut album A Book Like This. With a producer to guide them, Angus & Julia sat on Fran's lounge-room floor, continuing to record songs, using vintage guitars and microphones. The rest of the songs from the album would be recorded in their mother’s lounge room back in Newport with producer and friend, Ian Pritchett.

At the end of 2006, A+J signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and CAA came on board as their UK/Europe agent.

2007 commenced with Angus and Julia at home in Australia playing at the Big Day Out Festival. Their single "Paper Aeroplane" reached No. 43 on Triple J Hottest 100 and the duo signed an album deal with EMI Music Australia.

In February they played their first national Australian tour which sold out. In February ''Chocolates and Cigarettes'' and ''Heart Full of Wine'' were double packed and released in Australia and the UK. The double EP rocketed to No. 12 on the iTunes UK and their single "Private Lawns" was ''single of the week'' on BBC Radio 2, the UK's largest radio station, and received great reviews – "Their finest track, it's cheeky toe-taping rhythm impossible to resist" by London's '' . The double EP has sold over 35,000 copies in Australia.

In late March 2007 the Stones' signed up to the William Morris Agency as their US agent. In May 2007 they played at The Great Escape Festival Brighton. ''The Evening Standard'' said "potentially chart-bound tracks were in far greater supply when Angus and Julia Stone took to the stage".

Angus and Julia released their debut album ''A Book Like This'' in Australia on 8 September 2007. The album debuted at #6 and has since reached Platinum plus sales in Australia.

In October 2007, Natalie Portman personally picked their song "The Beast" to be included in a charity compilation album ''Big Change: Songs for FINCA''. All proceeds from the album went to FINCA International. Natalie Portman has been working with the charity since 2003 as an "Ambassador of Hope". FINCA is a financial support company that offers its services and capital to the world's lowest-income business hopefuls.

The Stones spent the rest of 2007 dividing their time between Australia and the UK. They toured nationwide around Australia and gigged extensively in the UK, Ireland and Scotland including support slots with The Magic Numbers and a winning display at The Latitude Festival.

They welcomed in 2008 performing at the Falls Festival, Australia before heading back to the UK to support Newton Faulkner and David Gray as well as playing their own sold-out London shows at Scala in London. Two of their songs again make Triple J Hottest 100 with "Wasted" coming in at #31 and "The Beast" at #45.

''A Book Like This'' was released in the UK March 2008. The UK press love The Stones; ''Uncut'' magazine said "Fragile, beautiful songs", ''The Guardian'' said "Angus and Julia Stone fill my heart to bursting point with joy".

The second half of 2008 was filled with more touring including a support spot with Martha Wainwright across the UK and Europe playing to over 25,000 people.

In March 2009, ''A Book Like This'' was released in the USA. The brother and sister supported Brett Dennen around the US and also performed on the KCRW stage at SXSW as well as playing their own US shows being represented by William Morris Agency.

In April 2009, Angus released a solo album,''Smoking Gun'', under the name Lady of the Sunshine.

Angus and Julia Stone spent most of 2009 writing, recording and self-producing Down the Way. The album was mixed by Kieran Kelly at The Buddy Project in Astoria Queens, NY.

On 18 November 2009, Angus and Julia appeared on triple j's Dools show with Scott Dooley and premiered the single "And the Boys". They stated their forthcoming album would be called Down the Way and it would be released in March 2010 with a coinciding Australian tour. After six months apart (Angus back in Australia, Julia in New York), they recorded the album in studios in Sawmills Cornwall England, Brooklyn in New York and with Govinda Doyle Coolangatta in Queensland, Australia. About the new album, Angus stated: "All the songs were written so far [apart] that the styles and moods are really different." The album debuted at Number 1 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) album chart.

The first single "And the Boys" became Angus & Julia Stone's second single to chart in the top 50 of the ARIA Charts. The first single to chart was "The Beast", which charted in September 2007. "Big Jet Plane" also recently peaked at #33 on the chart.

In May 2010, the "Big Jet Plane EP" was released that contained a cover version of "You're the One That I Want" from ''Grease''. This has proved to be a cult hit with fans.

In an interview with Rolling Stone Australia magazine, Julia revealed she recorded a solo album in New York in late 2008. Her song "This Love" appears in the Australian film ''The Waiting City''. The album, The Memory Machine was released in a low key fashion in October 2010. She has described the album as mellow but darker and spookier in tone.

In 2010 they won three ARIA Awards for Album of the year, Best Adult Alternative Album and Single of the year for 'Big Jet Plane' in addition to Artisan Awards for Producer of the Year and Best Cover Art.

Their song "Big Jet Plane" came first on Triple J's Hottest 100Triple J Hottest 100 for 2010.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, the duo confirmed they were already writings songs for their third album with Angus stating "I want to write stuff that makes me wanna move, more groove-based stuff.".

They performed at the 2011 Big Day Out festivals and Falls Festivals in Australia and the Coachella festival in California then a month long European tour then they will play in July 2011 at more European festivals.

Discography

;Albums ''A Book Like This'' (2007) AUS #6 ''Down the Way'' (2010) AUS #1

"For You" Boxset (2010) containing A Book Like This, Down The Way and Memories of An Old Friend

;EPs

''Chocolates and Cigarettes EP'' (26 August 2006)

''Heart Full of Wine EP'' (2007)

''The Beast EP'' (2007; the single "The Beast" is taken from the album ''A Book Like This'') AUS #40

''Hollywood EP'' (2008; the single "Hollywood" is taken from the album ''A Book Like This'')

''Live Session (iTunes Exclusive)'' (2009)

And the Boys EP'' (12 December 2009) AUS #44 ''Big Jet Plane EP'' (Exclusive with September concert ticket sale; May 2010) AUS #21

''iTunes Live: Live from Sydney'' (October 2010) AUS #26

;Compilations ''Memories of an Old Friend'' (2010) AUS #69

Videos

''Chocolates & Cigarettes'' EP

*"Paper Aeroplane" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone

"Mango Tree" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone, Edited and animated by Richard Cullen

*"Private Lawns" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone

*"Chocolates & Cigarettes" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone

*"Babylon" – Directed by Josh Groom

''Heart Full of Wine'' EP

*"What You Wanted" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone

*"Heart Full of Wine" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone

*"I'm Yours" – Directed by Angus and Julia Stone

''A Book Like This''

*"The Beast" – Directed by Angus and Julia, illustrated by Caroline Pedler, produced by Molotov Productions

*"Wasted" – Directed by Angus and Julia, filmed by Cameron McNee and edited/animated by Molotov Productions

*"Just a Boy" – Directed by Angus & Julia and Josh Groom and Andrew Yoole

*"Hollywood" – Directed by Angus & Julia, animated by Andrew Yoole

''Down the Way''

*"Black Crow" – Directed and animated by Nick Murray Willis

*"And The Boys" – Directed by Kiku Ohe

*"Big Jet Plane" – Directed by Kiku Ohe, featuring Emily Barclay.

*"Hold on" – Directed by Kiku Ohe.

*"I'm Not Yours" – Directed and animated by Nick Murray Willis

''Solo Projects''

*"River" – Joni Mitchell cover by Angus Stone for compilation No Mans Woman October 2007

*Lady of the Sunshine – Angus's solo album entitled Smoking Gun "Smoking Gun" April 2009

*"Four Seasons in One Day" by Angus Stone and Paul Kelly for the Songs of Tim & Neil Finn "He Will Have His Way" released 12 November

*"The Memory Machine" – Julia's solo album released October 2010

TV

Angus and Julia Stone songs that have been played on American TV shows include:

"Paper Aeroplane"

*''90210'' Season 2

*David Blaine TV special

*''Peace Corps'' spot

*''Telekom Austria Group'' Ad

"Mango Tree"

*''Life'' ep 206

*''Raising the Bar'' ep 215

*''Good Morning America''

*''Hung''

"What You Wanted"

*''Lipstick Jungle'' ep 201

"The Beast"

*''Privileged''

"'' And the Boys'''"

*''Skins (TV series).Season 5.Ep 07''

"Babylon"

*''House Rules'' pilot

"Draw Your Swords"

*''Grey's Anatomy''

"Hold On"

*''Grey's Anatomy''

*''Life Unexpected'' Season 2 Episode 10

"The Devil's Tears"

*''Brothers & Sisters''

*''Grey's Anatomy

*''Life Unexpected'' Season 2 Episode 11

"Santa Monica Dream"

*''Private Practice''

"Big Jet Plane"

*''One Tree Hill'' Season 8 Episode 22

*''Verbotene Liebe''

*''90210

*''Don't Tell The Bride (Irish TV series)

"Chocolates & Cigarettes"

*''Pretty Little Liars'' Season 1 Episode 10

" For You "

'''" Hand Aufs Herz (German telenova) '' Episode 153

Cinema

"Big Jet Plane"

*''Les émotifs anonymes''

*''Easy A''

Awards and nominations

;Awards

2011 APRA Awards – Song of the Year, "Big Jet Plane"

2011 APRA Awards – Songwriter of the Year

Number 1 song in Triple J's hottest 100 (2010), "Big Jet Plane"

2010 ARIA Awards – Album of the Year (''Down The Way'')

2010 ARIA Awards – Best Adult Alternative Album

2010 ARIA Awards – Single of the year, "Big Jet Plane"

2008 Inside Film Awards – Best Music Video, "Just a Boy"

;Nominations Julia was nominated in the music category of YEN Magazine's Young Woman of the Year Awards which took place 25 November 2008.

The video for "Just a Boy" also received a nomination at the 2008 J Awards

2008 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Best Group

2008 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Album

2008 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Single ("The Beast")

2008 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album

2008 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Best Cover Art

2008 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Best Video ("Just a Boy")

2010 ARIA Awards – Album of the Year (''Down The Way'')

2010 ARIA Awards – Most Popular Australian Album

2010 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Best Music Video ("Big Jet Plane")

2010 ARIA Awards – Best Adult Alternative Album

2010 ARIA Awards – Single of the Year ("Big Jet Plane")

2010 ARIA Awards – Nominated for Best Group

References

http://www.angusandjuliastone.com

http://musichead.com.au/site/artist.asp?actID=166741

http://www.musictimes.com.au/angus-and-julia-stone/

http://www.ilike.com/artist/Angus+%2526+Julia+Stone

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23702347-5003421,00.html

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/inconversation/entertainment/music/whos-next/angus-and-julia-stone-simplicity-beats-sibling-troubles-$1217610.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/05/25/2254929.htm

http://www.theage.com.au/news/gig-previews--reviews/angus--julia-stone/2007/10/16/1192300745813.html

External links

Angus and Julia Stone official website

Angus and Julia Stone MySpace site

Angus and Julia at muchmusic.com

Review of Angus and Julia Stone, The Ruby Lounge Manchester, 21 April 2010

Review vom Angus and Julia Stone Konzert in Berlin, 28. April 2010

Live Chat on CanalChat.com with Angus & Julia Stone, Paris, France, 17 mai 2010

Category:People from Sydney Category:Australian folk music groups Category:Sibling duos

de:Angus & Julia Stone fr:Angus & Julia Stone nl:Angus & Julia Stone pt:Angus & Julia Stone