INXS

New Album INXS ‘Switch’ uses Garritan Libraries

The new INXS album “Switch” released in record stores during the holiday season and had soon reached #17 on the Billboard charts within a few weeks of its release. The album was released on Sony BMG’s Epic Records label and has sold 75,000 copies in its first week.

The album was recorded at Westlake and Paramount Recording Studios in LA, Sphere Studios in London and MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach.Guy Chambers produced the album and did the orchestral arranging. Paul Mirkovich played keyboards and did some backup vocals for the album.

Paul writes: “Just wanted to let you know I just used GPO and GOS on the new INXS record on three songs”. Paul also mentioned that the producer of the album, Guy Chambers, was blown away as were the band members of INXS.

Garritan libraries can be heard on the songs “Afterglow” ,”God’s Top Ten”, and “Remember Who’s Your Man” from the Switch album.

From 1977 to 1997, INXS has had a 20 year long career, performing about 2500 lives shows and selling in excess of 30 million albums. This is INXS’ first new album since 1997 and features their new lead singer, J.D. Fortune. Earlier this summer, INXS hosted a wildly successful reality show called “Rock Star: INXS”.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the show, the famed rock group INXS put on a search for new lead singer to replace Michael Hutchence, who passed away in 1997. Through a television reality show, they auditioned thousands of unknown singers across North America to vie for the lead singer position. Through weekly eliminations they brought the 15 top contestants back to Hollywood to compete for top honors: a chance to be the lead singer for INXS and to sing on an upcoming album (the album “Switch”). Rockstar:INXS captured the public imagination and quickly became one of the most watched shows on television.

Paul Mirkovich has extensive experience as a keyboardist, arranger and musical director. In addition to working on the INXS Switch album and the wildly successful reality-show “Rock Star: INXS”, Paul Mirkovich was musical director and keyboardist for Cher, Janet Jackson and Anastasia. He was also a member of the multi-platinum bands Whitesnake and Nelson. Paul has also performed and recorded with Peter Gabriel and Shawn Colvin, among many others.

The INXS tour kicked off January 18, 2006 in Vancouver, B.C. followed by 31 venues (almost all of the shows were sold out).

I received “Switch” as a Christmas present and I am hooked. The music is emotional, catchy and adventurous. It is not surprising it is doing so well. I am enjoying “Switch” very much and I highly recommend this album. If you don’t own it already go out and buy a copy.

It is an honor to have our libraries a part of this album. Thank you Paul!

Gary Garritan