Clairaudience – The Clueless Hitchhiker

Clairaudience’s twenty-year evolution traces a journey from experimental improvisation to sophisticated explorations of contemporary life. Founded in Sydney’s inner-west in 2006 by married couple Daniel Jumpertz (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Caroline Jumpertz (drums), the band began as an improvisational outfit and house band for their Feral Media label with a philosophy of “ego-less” collaboration. Camber, a track from their debut, was described by Cyclic Defrost as “Joy Division on AutoSummarise: ominous, whiplash drums and dirty guitar form an instrumental loop so audacious in its imitation that it’s kind of great.”

In 2010, Daniel and Caroline relocated to New York City, recruited new bandmates and refined their approach toward catchier, song-based indie and power pop while maintaining their experimental sensibilities. This period yielded two releases. A cassette (Sun Damage) and their self-titled second album, both recorded with Abe Seiferth (Yeasayer, Car Seat Headrest) in Brooklyn. Based in Williamsburg, the band gigged across Manhattan and Brooklyn and toured the U.S. East Coast.

Returning to Australia in 2016, Daniel and Caroline settled in Melbourne. During the 2020-21 lockdowns, they recruited Daniel’s brother Mick Jumpertz on bass and OG hitchhiker Chris Smales on guitar. Chris and Daniel have been friends for more than 50 years, sharing their first band experience in Melbourne’s early ’80s underground with Tuna Fish Wreck, and developing over decades an intuitive musical communication that runs deeper than technique.