In 1970, the former Queensland art teacher was talent-spotted by Festival Records after an appearance in a TV songwriting competition on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand. Glenn Cardier’s early folksy songs, performed solo on a nylon string guitar, displayed a highly individual style of songwriting. Cardier relocated to Sydney in 1971, recorded two albums for Festival and picked up the Australian Record Awards ‘Best New Talent’. The bespectacled, bowler-hatted singer-songwriter became a mainstay on the Sydney folk scene, performed at the first two Sunbury festivals and appeared on the ABC’s alternative rock program GTK. Glenn’s restless spirit led him to the UK for four years, playing the folk clubs up and down the country, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, and Roy Wood (Move, Wizzard).
He cites these years as crucial to the development of his on-stage persona, the wry, dark humour and the punchy, distinctive guitar/vocal delivery. Dave Pegg from Fairport Convention recorded his ‘Dance Numbers’, still a popular show - closer for the band. In the 80’s, after touring extensively with old friend Spike Milligan and fronting the rocking Bel-Aires on the Sydney pub circuit, the ever-reclusive Cardier turned his back on performing for 25 years. Post 2000, Glenn Cardier's re-emergence as a songwriter/performer of real distinction has been nothing short of extraordinary. In typical single-minded fashion, he writes, performs and produces his music from his adobe home studio on the Hawksbury River, north of Sydney. Cardier usually plays all the instruments on his CDs. Onstage, there are the trademark flashes of dark humour in his songs of stark beauty and thumping rockabilly/blues. There's a touch of Beefheart in his voice, a hint of Cohen in the lyrics, a pinch of Elvis here and there. But underlying it all are the songs. Happy/sad songs. Sweet/crazy songs. Cardier songs. His recent album releases include 'Rattle The Cage'' (2002), ''House of Mirrors'' (2004) and Exiles from Eden'' (2008).
Glenn Cardier assembled the Sideshow in 2009. The band’s first gig was filmed and released on DVD. Live At Lizottes immediately aired on Fox. In 2012, Glenn Cardier and the Sideshow recorded 'Stranger Than Fiction', a powerful collection of songs that was shortlisted for the Cooper’s Australian Music Prize that year, an extraordinary achievement for an independently produced album.
Glenn Cardier assembled the Sideshow in 2009. The band’s first gig was filmed and released on DVD. Live At Lizottes immediately aired on Fox. In 2012, Glenn Cardier and the Sideshow recorded 'Stranger Than Fiction', a powerful collection of songs that was shortlisted for the Cooper’s Australian Music Prize that year, an extraordinary achievement for an independently produced album.
''Every Wounded Bird / The Juggler'' 1972 Infinity
''Ulysses (#93) / Tin Minstrel'' 1973 Infinity
''Oh, Dear Saint Peter (#97) / I Am The Day'' 1973 Infinity
''I See A Comedy / Lovers, Alias Fools'' 1974 Infinity
''The Same Old Story / Man On The Roof'' 1976 Interfusion
''Till The Fire Dies / Christopher Columbus'' 1976 Interfusion
''Expectations / I Saved Annette From Drowning'' 1980 Infinity A
''Socka / Kickin' Off'' 1981 Festival
'Days Of Wilderness' 1972 Infinity
'Only When I Laugh' 1973 Infinity
'Glenn Cardier' 1976 EMI
'Fairyland' 1995 ABC
'Elfin Dance' 1995 ABC
'Rattle The Cage' 2002 MGM Distribution
'House Of Mirrors' 2004 MGM Distribution
'Exiles From Eden' 2008
'Stranger Than Fiction' 2012
'Old Haunts (The Lost Songs 1972-1979)' 2013 Fantastique Productions
'Cool Under Fire' 2016 Fantastique Productions
'Wild At Heart' 2019 Fantastique Productions
References
http://www.glenncardier.com/glenn-cardier-biography.htm
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
I believe that Glen Cardier fronted a band in the early 80's called The Cardinals. I saw them live at the Sefton pub and they blew me away. They released a single on the Infinity label Called "Expectations" (which I have). They were a catchy power pop band at the time and the melodies and jangly guitar always stayed with me.
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