Why limit yourself to one thing?

I love making Music.   Its how I like to connect to the World.

Always a songwriter, who knows where it came from…  No prior family convictions, only a wee bit of convict blood care of the second fleet’rs.  Pop played harmonica when in the Navy.      

Sydney is home, based by the sea. 

Brought up on meat and 3 veg, cassette recorders and pencil boards.  Big Day Out’s and bush weed.   Late 70s Funk, 80s pop and 90s Rock… 2000s brought the best Dance Music the world had ever seen, and it was the best time to be dancing those podiums free from drug dogs and fear mongering…  Everyone was out to have a good time, even the police liked it as there was only love not aggression…  A few more blurry decades…  Nowadays, times are shaky, songs are needed more than ever.  Nothing like uncertainty, moments of stability, good views, opportunity to write and play… And whatever style that may be appropriate for that time.  A lucky wicket some would say. 

Always a performer:

Currently presenting songs of the recently released album TAMA SESSIONS. What a launch! Since then some smaller more intimate local performances. Next gig is Feb 14 in Bronte.  Plenty more great experiences to come – As a soloist, Performing on stages such as Angel Place in Sydney, headlining at The Basement, performing at Pete’s Ridge Music Festival. 

Album Story: 

I never intended to record an album.

Tama Sessions began as a little Ep project… The songs have always been there, often popping up out of nowhere, an idea blossoming over many hours, days, weeks, yet the desire for a solo career beyond that, never really that strong. I love making Music with people, still do and I don’t think that will ever change. 

So how did I get here? 

I started recording my songs again, as demos and decided to call upon the talented skills of Mr Oscar Henfrey to lay down some drums for me in the studio so I would have something substantial to work with.  Spent the next few months layering guitars, bass, vocals and a whole bunch of backing vocals ready for the next step. Back to the studio, for it was as time for the talented Michael McGlynn to lay down some keys.  Started with an amazing Hammond track on If Doing Nothing, the song coming alive and instantly bringing about a few tears and big hugs after the first take.  That set the tone for the rest of our sessions together, recording more piano, keys and Hammond and then finally time for lead vocals.   Each session leaving us filled up with good feelings. Creating music is definitely food for the soul. 

This of course took a while, and during these days a number of new songs had come about, very much loved and now needing inclusion as part of the recording project, thus taking it out of the Ep realm and into the album arena. These late editions recorded at Tama, and finished once again in the Studio with Michael. David Richards and Michael McGlynn pulled everything together and mixed the songs with love and great attention, allowing each tune to come to life and then all combined, a complete work. Mastered by William Bowden. Guitar solos by Andy Scott and Zech Abbott.  Front cover painting of Tamarama by Luke Gerber.      

Some of my other deeply satisfying musical collaborations:

Projects: SCOT FREE:  Full Album ‘Gettin Off’ released in Sept 2016.  Full band line up – 2 guitars, bass and drums (Andy Scott, Muel Howell and Sam Nardo).  Jumping on Bass and responsible for lead vocals, this is a totally satisfying workout!  Paying homage to a lifetime of awesome writers/ performers: Hendrix, Zed Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac as well as inspired by more modern bands like Alabama Shakes.  Riff based Rock with solid feels and Bluesy melodies.   www.scotfreeband.com  

SLIPPERY GYPSEAS:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGLmIl6vbZSNG2rucBWXj0g

A trio of songwriters (Zech Abbott, Luke Gerber, Amy Freeman) performing a ‘Free Range’ style consisting of Blues n Roots, Country, Rock, Reggae and Soul.   Sending toes a tapping all around Sydney until 2015 and now on very special occasions when all in the one place…   Enjoyed a multitude of success and well worth a look at the vids.  Never say never with the Gypseas, always open to getting the band back together.. 

Semi finalist in Bluesfest Busking competition. Performed at the 2014 Bluesfest in Byron Bay.  Performed at Sydney and Tamworth Music Festivals, Heritage Festival as well as upon the Sorren Larson and Oosterschelde Tall Ships as part of the Royal Naval Fleet Review.  2013 - Won the Sydney Country Music Festival Songwriters competition.  New Years Eve 2013 – Performed as part of Parramatta Council NYE Event. Performed on both Parade and Main River Stations to approximately 30,000 people.

Always up for a gig when the guys are in town xx