Official press kit · Updated September 2026
Melodic pop, rock and funk from Melbourne, Australia.
Original vocalist Christian Murphy and founding member Michael Pace reunite in 2026, beginning the next chapter of a band formed in 2010.
Slightly Left of Centre is a Melbourne pop, rock and funk project formed in 2010. Across two albums and a catalogue of independent singles, the band has connected melodic songwriting with an evolving approach to recording and production. In 2026, original vocalist Christian Murphy returned to join founding guitarist, songwriter and producer Michael Pace, opening a new chapter in a partnership that began with the band's earliest recordings.
Formed in Melbourne in 2010, Slightly Left of Centre brings together melodic pop and rock, funk rhythms and detailed studio production. Across more than fifteen years, the independent project has developed through changing line-ups and collaborations, with songwriting, groove and emotional storytelling at its core.
The band's debut album, The Right Direction (2012), introduced a guitar-driven sound built around Christian Murphy's vocals, the guitars of Michael Pace and Karl Szulik, Jason Staindl's bass and Vince Iannotti's drums. Written and performed by Slightly Left of Centre, the ten-track album was produced by the band and Michael Zammit of Airwaves Recording Studios.
Love the Way You Move marked a shift towards funk and contemporary pop in 2013. Its animated video, produced by Melbourne studio Oh Yeah Wow and directed by Ben Ommundson and Aaron McDonald, brought a distinctive visual identity to the release. The recording was engineered by Slightly Left of Centre, mixed by the band and Michael Pace at Pace Audio, and mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound in New York.
With Adam Spicer joining on vocals and keyboards in 2014, the band broadened its sound through electronic textures, layered arrangements and dance influences. Spicer, Pace and Iannotti formed the core of the Euphoria era, culminating in the twelve-track second album in 2019. Karl Szulik returned on bass for selected live performances, alongside Olivia Drake on keyboards and backing vocals.
Following Euphoria, SLC continued through a series of independent singles, including Superhero, Lonely Dancer, Yesterday and Monsters. Pace's work in songwriting, arranging, recording and production became increasingly central to the project, supported by the creative environment of his Melbourne business, Pace Audio. Original guitarist Karl Szulik reconnected with the project during 2024–2025.
In 2026, Christian Murphy returned to Slightly Left of Centre for the first time since his departure in 2013. Together with Michael Pace, he reconnects the voice of the band's formative years with the production experience and creative independence developed across its subsequent releases. The current chapter builds on that shared history while looking towards new music.
Vocals
2010–2013 · 2026–present
Original vocalist Christian Murphy helped establish Slightly Left of Centre's early identity, fronting the band through The Right Direction and the Love the Way You Move period. His return in 2026 renews his creative partnership with Michael Pace and brings the voice of the debut era into the band's current work.
Guitars · Songwriting · Production · Multi-instrumentation
2010–present
Founding member Michael Pace has remained involved throughout every era of Slightly Left of Centre. Beginning as guitarist and songwriter, his role developed to include arranging, engineering, programming, mixing, additional instrumentation and creative direction. Through Pace Audio, he connects the band's songwriting with its recording and visual production.
The musicians who helped shape Slightly Left of Centre across its original line-up, the Euphoria era and later collaborations.
Drums
2010–2019
Founding drummer Vince Iannotti contributed across the band's first decade, from its original line-up and The Right Direction through to the development of Euphoria. His drumming provided continuity as SLC moved from guitar-driven pop and rock towards funk, electronic textures and more rhythm-focused arrangements. Alongside Michael Pace and Adam Spicer, he formed the core line-up of the Euphoria era.
Bass
2010–2013
Original bassist Jason Staindl was part of the five-piece line-up that established Slightly Left of Centre in 2010. His tenure encompassed the band's debut album, The Right Direction, and continued through the Love the Way You Move period. Working alongside drummer Vince Iannotti, he contributed to the rhythm section during the band's transition from melodic pop-rock to a stronger emphasis on funk and groove.
Vocals · Keyboards
2014–2021
Adam Spicer joined Slightly Left of Centre in 2014, introducing a new vocal character and a greater role for keyboards. Together with Michael Pace and Vince Iannotti, he helped develop the sound that became Euphoria: contemporary pop shaped by funk, electronic production and layered studio arrangements. His involvement extended beyond the album's 2019 release into the band's subsequent period of independent singles.
Guitars · Bass for selected live performances
Guitars: 2010–2012, 2014–2023 · 2024–2025
Original guitarist Karl Szulik contributed to Slightly Left of Centre's formative line-up and The Right Direction era. He later returned on bass for selected Euphoria-era live performances, linking the band's earliest chapter with its expanded stage line-up. Szulik worked with the project again during 2024–2025, reconnecting with SLC after more than a decade of musical and production development.
Keyboards · Backing vocals
Selected Euphoria-era live performances
Olivia Drake joined the expanded live line-up during the Euphoria era. Her keyboards and backing vocals helped translate the band's layered studio arrangements to the stage, supporting the richer textures and vocal detail of its production-led material.
2012 · Album
The ten-track debut pairs melodic pop-rock songwriting with guitars and live instrumentation. Written and performed by Slightly Left of Centre; produced by the band and Michael Zammit of Airwaves Recording Studios.
Listen & explore release →2019 · Album
The twelve-track second album expands SLC's sound with keyboards, funk rhythms, electronic textures and layered pop production.
Listen & explore release →Earlier singles include Glorious Way, Silver Lining, Love the Way You Move, Call Me for the Weekend, Euphoria, Naked and Without You.
Glorious Way received multiple broadcasts in July 2010. The animated video for Love the Way You Move also aired in July 2013.
Featured the band during the development of Euphoria, exploring its musical influences, live performance and hands-on approach to recording and production.
Michael Pace
Slightly Left of Centre / Pace Audio · Melbourne, Australia
michael@paceaudio.com.au