Trip-hop, electronica forerunner TRICKY will return to Australia in February 2011

Tricky returns for a trans-Tasman run of blinding shows, his first Australian shows since playing to packed houses in August 2008.

Tickets will go on sale next Thursday, December 16.

About to begin his North American tour, TRICKY is currently riding a wave of critical acclaim following the release of his ninth studio album, 'Mixed Race', with Q Magazine giving the album four stars: "another smart and limber record… as menacingly sexy as his best work."

Influenced by eclectic global sounds, 'Mixed Race' was recorded in Paris where TRICKY now resides and features a number of special guests including: Bobby Gillespie, Terry Lynn, Franky [Francesca] Belmont and TRICKY's younger brother Marlon Thaws. The ten-track album, with stand out single 'Murder Weapon' and the portentous 'Ghetto Stars', TRICKY cites 'Mixed Race' as the most up-tempo album he's done to date.

It's been a prolific career path for the Bristol-born musician.

From his beginnings in the late 80's, hanging out in Bristol with The Wild Bunch, to his unforgettable rapping on Massive Attack's '91 breakthrough album 'Blue Lines', TRICKY was propelled to further international acclaim via his own '95 debut album 'Maxinquaye'. Featuring the vocals of long-term collaborator Martina Topley-Bird, the album is home to 'Aftermath', 'Ponderosa', and 'Overcome'. TRICKY has since released 'Pre-Millennium Tension', 'Nearly God', 'Angels With Dirty Faces', 'Vulnerable' and 'Knowle West Boy' amongst others.

In addition to his solo works, over the last twenty-odd years he has collaborated with, and remixed for, artists' too numerous to list.

TRICKY will be touring with a full live band, including Francesca Belmont on vocals.

Don't miss TRICKY prowling the stage live this summer:

TRICKY
Perth, The Capitol - Monday Feb 14
Melbourne, The Forum - Wednesday Feb 16
Sydney, The Metro - Sunday Feb 19
Brisbane, The Zoo - Sunday Feb 20

Tickets on sale 9am Thursday December 16