It’s amazing what a hit single can do. While Augie March may have only hit it big with their third album, it came after two full-length albums, two EPs, seven singles and a decade of touring the nation.

Moo, You Bloody Choir was first released in March 2006 and debuted at number 10 on the ARIA albums chart but, after One Crowded Hour scored the band a slot on Rove Live and consequently simmered on the singles chart, peaking at number 33 nine weeks later. But after spending the rest of 2006 moving from bars to clubs to huge festival shows, the song outdid the likes of Eskimo Joe, The Killers and Scissor Sisters to finish at the top of the Triple J Hottest 100 poll.

Vocalist Glen Richards formed the band in 1996 along with drummer David Williams, guitarist Adam Donovan and Edmondo Ammendola (bass). Augie March released their first record in 1998 in the form of the Thanks for the Memes EP, which featured new addition Rob Dawson on keyboards. They followed with another EP, Waltz, the next year and developed a strong reputation in their hometown of Melbourne.

Debut album Sunset Studies hit in 2000 and fast became a favourite of the critics. Three singles – There is No Such Place, Here Comes the Night and Asleep in Perfection garnered Augie March a loyal fanbase through Triple J, while a nationwide tour exposed them to more new fans.

As the band began to work on album number two, tragedy struck when Dawson was killed in a car accident. The remaining members took an extended break before re-forming with new keyboardist Kiernan Box and completing the album. Strange Bird was a departure from the dreamy, melancholy sound of Sunset Studies, with some raucous, upbeat pop songs including Triple J hit This Train Will Be Taking No Passengers.

When Augie March returned with Moo, You Bloody Choir in 2006, the stage was set for the Melbourne five-piece to become one of Australia’s premier acts. Not quite pop, not quite rock and not quite indie, the band’s mature sound has managed to appeal across all demographics, eventually resulting in four ARIA Award, including album of the year, single of the year and best group.