How are you? Its starting to feel a bit chilly here with Autumn finally finding its feet here in Australia. Its a great time of year with the sun cutting through the crispness in the air. Most days we wander down to the seaside and feel lucky to be where we are. Come up to Terrigal sometime and say hi!
Since last time I dropped an email I’ve done the mini tour and some small shows with Mike McCarthy. Mike’s songs are amazing and I love just playing guitar and going along for the ride. I’ve probably said this a few times already but if you need some great music go and get The Lion’s Share. You will love it.
I’ve also done some writing with Cam Mackellar including a track we co-wrote which will be on his impending album. I’ve been listening to mixes of the album and it is incredible. I will also be playing some guitar with Cam on some shows so keep an eye out for those. If you are on the Central Coast put July 7 in your diary for the Lizottes show supporting Mark Moldre.
In regards to my own stuff I have been writing a lot of new stuff and will be releasing some new stuff this year. Last night I went to the legendary Bill Chambers’ songwriter’s night and did some tunes and it was an amazing time. A great bunch of music lovers appreciating some great songwriters and players. If you are local you must come along. Its on every second Thursday at Quattro Cafe and offers a free night of music by some of the best writers and musicians in this country. I’m going to make it my regular spot to go and trial out new songs so come along and check it out. I will buy you a beer if you buy me one.
That’s about it for now. If you want to get in touch or see what’s happening with gigs and stuff pop me a message on my Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you.
This is my favourite guitar ever. I call her ‘Red Roses.’ She is a 2006 James Trussart Deluxe Steelcaster with red engraved roses on a cream finish and Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups. She’s perfect.
It was super fun playing with Mike on the launch tour of “The Lion’s Share” in October. Flying to Melbourne, playing some shows, seeing Bells Beach (Yew!), a lovely homecoming gig at Avoca Picture Theatre, and a week later an absolute belter of a gig at The Vanguard in Newtown. Fun Times! I even learnt some things:
- I absolutely love playing guitar (I already knew that but anyways).
- I absolutely love playing music with good peeps.
- Mike has written a stonker of an album.
- Melbourne is ok. Avoca is better. Newtown is the best.
- I love my James Trussart Deluxe Steelcaster more than anything (other than my family and close friends).
- I’m not 21 anymore. I find myself saying things like “I’ll just have one beer so I’m in good shape tomorrow.”
- Loading gear into a car is nearly always best done by the bassplayer (unless he is drunk).
Life lessons for all there. Next we head south soon for a show near Nowra. I’m also writing now for a new release of some description in the new year. In the meantime have a listen and look through some of the bits from the album and tour and stuff below.
September 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm · Filed under General
I have a friend called, Mike McCarthy, who I think you might like. He drives a Landrover, makes his own beer, stokes an exceptionally mean fire, usually smells of sea salt and lives in a rustic, little sandstone cottage with a billion dollar view of the ocean. He is what we call a TOP BLOKE.
As well as being a TOP BLOKE Mike writes great songs and plays guitar like nobodies business. Listen to him laying it down on his National guitar and it will get into you. Deeply. Is he one of the best blues guitar players in this country? Undoubtedly. One of our best songwriters? Hell yes.
If you haven’t already you must go and buy Mike’s last album “The Harrowing Account of John William Tate” right now. Don’t dilly dally. Get it here.
It’s my pleasure also to mention that I’ll be joining Mike and his band on guitar for the upcoming album launch tour dates in October. Check out the latest single “Sink Me Not” and the video competition below and if you are local come out to one of the gigs. I can’t wait. Yew!
June 20, 2012 at 1:14 pm · Filed under General, Video
A couple of weeks back Cam and I put a day in to try and get this new song of mine “Be With Me, Gently” closer to the finish line.
We gave it a working over in the morning, just figuring the arrangement out and putting some work into Verse 2 before doing a quick live take in front of a couple of nice microphones after lunch. Being such a delicate track the simple acoustic arrangement works really nicely I think. Me on my Martin and Cam on his nylon string. As you can see Cam has a great room full of quirky stuff and nice gear. It’s a perfect spot for writing and Cam is brilliant. Ears, hands, heart, brain … the lot.
Photographer buddy extraordinaire, Daniel Ferris, was there to capture the whole process. Video above. Lovely shots below.
