Hey, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
What big ol’ mess?! I just cleaned up my room 🙂
For the past year, I’ve been intentionally releasing consistent singles more than I have in previous years. As I’ve had these songs banked from the last 6-7-8 years, so been focusing on expanding my skillsets. eg. music marketing & promotion.
I’m very interested in how you started your adventure with music, and did you know from the beginning that this is what you wanted to do?
I picked up the guitar when I was 12 years old, thanks to my older brother who taught me ‘the basics’. Then I continued to pursue with the other instruments (piano, singing, drums, ukulele, kazoo) on my own to further my fascination with producing & performing.
And not necessarily ‘knew’ from the beginning, but after a certain high school performance, one of the other students in my class (who liked “heavy metal”) complimented us / the band. Someone who wouldn’t necessarily be ‘into it’, still appreciated the expressive gesture. In other (simpler) words, it felt great from the start! So I kept doin’ IT.
Congrats on your new release, ‘Home Sweet Home’. Can you give us some insight into it?
Thanks. Sure has been a longgg time coming. Was originally crafted from an acoustic version (which was released in 2016), but it had a sad ’n’ sombre feel. So I changed the key & suddenly it uplifted the song to this upbeat dancey-bop rock that still excites me.
‘Home Sweet Home’ is about appreciating where one is & yet still yearn to be somewhere else. After traveling solo all over the USA & Canada – from 2015 – 2019 (with a guitar intact), I wanted to get out of my comfortable bubble, so I continually challenged myself with busking, open mics & recording.
Collaborating in Nashville w/ my mate ’N’ mentor, Will Pugh (vocalist of Cartel) was an extra-ordinary experience that I treasure, very highly. Especially as he mixed & mastered, this latest self produced song “Home Sweet Home”.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
Before COVID, I was focussed on moving overseas (from Australia to USA / Canada) to develop my networking & artistry, by putting myself in uncomfortable situations. But every time you do (be vulnerable), I find the universe finds ‘little gifts’ to remind yourself that you’re on the “right path”.
What should we expect from your next releases in terms of style and sound? How different are they going to be compared to your previous works?
In similar vein to where my last 5-6 years has been shifting from a singer songwriter / solo-loop-pedal type of guy to a FULL electric band powerhouse. Increasingly improving & adding certain elements that reminds me of why I got into music. And all it’s intricate simplicities. eg. Emo Alt Acoustic -> Retro Pop Punk Modern Rock.
Somewhere in between where Jimmy Eat World meets Simple Plan leaning into Fall Out Boy. A more polished & produced set of tracks that have a Nashville country sheen mixed with gritty inner-west Sydney vibes.
Where are you based? Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
Based in the north-west of Sydney, called the Hills District. 2153 represent! Not too sure how inspired this particular music scene is at the moment (2022 un-represent), but in the inner west city areas it is thriving.
Trying it’s best to get like minded / creatives working together within a community, which is great to see. Definitely since the C-word disease has made it rough N tough for bands & artists to do so!
If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
I’d have to say Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, just cause I loved that city & place so much. Many a songwriters & bands have performed there so to share that stage would be an honour. And I guess something like Madison Square Garden, but people with hay fever might just sneeze through my set so maybe not haha *terrible garden pun 😛
Can we expect a new EP or an album from you in the near future?
That you sure can. Even though ‘back in the day’, having an album out meant that you were serious & put A LOT of blood sweat & tears into it. And after 2 decades of writing / producing my own music, I still haven’t released an album.
Saving that for when I am “ready” haha But as people’s attention spans are generally, short, I’ll be sticking to the singles every 2-3 months. Combine them into a playlist & you’ve got yourself an LLC EP! 😉
Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs, and what have you got planned for the rest of 2022?
Well I just played my launch show for “Home Sweet Home” @ The Townie, Newtown. Which is the epicentre of alternative scene here in Sydney. So that was fun & cool. For my work (as a kids music teacher), I’ve got an End Of Year Concert happening next week, so that’s a little daunting!
Also hoping to travel to Melbourne (interstate), early January, as they love (& appreciate) their arts & culture. Then I’m planning on going overseas with my partner to India & Singapore (for non musical purposes) in February.
