1. Rai Thistlethwayte is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter in the Australian pop rock band Thirsty Merc.
23 Facts About Rai Thistlethwayte
1. 2.
Rai Thistlethwayte started writing songs around the age of 15.
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Rai Thistlethwayte released one single, "Give a Smile to the Planet", which was released in Australia in mid-2000 and peaked at number 88, and completed an album, which was released as a promo but was eventually shelved.
4.
In 2002, Rai Thistlethwayte formed the rock band Thirsty Merc and was signed by Warner Music Australia.
5.
Rai Thistlethwayte played a second run of shows at the end of 2011, this time purely solo.
6.
In July 2012, Rai Thistlethwayte commenced a national Australian headline tour.
7.
In 2013 he formed a new Facebook page for Sun Rai Thistlethwayte and started releasing music through his own social networks, usually using a 'pay what you want' business model.
8.
Rai Thistlethwayte played a late night set after "Puss in Boots" at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City in June 2013.
9.
Rai Thistlethwayte toured the United States and Canada in October and November 2013 opening for Danish indie-pop singer "Oh Land".
10.
In January 2014, Sun Rai Thistlethwayte collaborated with jazz drummer Ben Vanderwal at Sound Baker Studios in Perth, Western Australia.
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In 2008, Rai Thistlethwayte performed a concert with respected Australian jazz pianist and composer Mark Isaacs at the Brisbane Jazz Festival.
12.
Rai Thistlethwayte is the regular guest keyboardist in the Sydney rock and jazz fusion group "The Subterraneans".
13.
Rai Thistlethwayte writes spoken word prose and poetry, sometimes performing and recording under the name "Michael Albatross".
14.
In June 2014, alongside Australian jazz trumpeter James Morrison, Rai Thistlethwayte adjudicated the vocal competition at "Generations In Jazz" in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
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Rai Thistlethwayte performed there with improvising vocal group The Idea Of North and James Morrison himself.
16.
Rai Thistlethwayte was a participant in the Creative Music Workshop at the Banff Centre, Canada, in 2014, and studied improvised music and Carnatic singing under Aruna Sairam, Steve Coleman and Vijay Iyer.
17.
Rai Thistlethwayte played multiple instruments on 5 songs for Brian McFadden's record to be released in late 2012: bass, guitar, drum programming and piano.
18.
Rai Thistlethwayte played piano and keyboards on 13 tracks for The Voice Xmas album, for release at the end of 2012.
19.
Rai Thistlethwayte composed a short song "Out of the Blue" for the 2012 film Eugene, a short as part of A Series of Films with Roman Coppola and the Directors Bureau, put together by Vice magazine, W Hotels and ultrabook computers.
20.
Rai Thistlethwayte has taught masterclasses at The Australian Institute of Music, Lismore University, Claremont College and Blacktown Tafe and has been a mentor at Song Summit from 2010 to 2012, a week-long annual songwriting conference hosted by APRA, of which he is an Ambassador.
21.
Rai Thistlethwayte attended the 'Bali Songwriting Retreat' in Ubud, Bali, in 2011, along with Bonnie McKee, Delta Goodrem, Nick Jonas and Arnthor Birigisson.
22.
Rai Thistlethwayte taught songwriting masterclasses at numerous schools for part of "SongMakers" for APRA, a government funded initiative designed to introduce songwriting into high schools.
23.
Rai Thistlethwayte dated Aimee Osbourne, daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne and celebrity personality Sharon Osbourne.