Congratulations on the release of your debut album! How does it feel to have this out in the world?

A combination of excitement and relief. These songs and the album took up so much space in my head for such a long time, it’s nice to finally have them taking up space someplace else.

Can you tell us a bit about the overall theme of the album?

It’s predominantly about the climate crisis. Some other tracks are about social media, the mind being “a powerful servant but a terrible master”, and there’s some witches and vampires in there. Happy, wholesome stuff.

What was the writing / recording process like, did anything unexpected happen?

I write everything on an acoustic guitar and spend a lot of time with the songs before fleshing them out with the band. Recording was the first time I’d been in a fancy studio and worked with a producer, so it was all unexpected and very exciting. The first day of recording was the day Scott Morrison got ousted as Prime Minister which was a wonderful surprise.

Which is your favourite song from Summer’s Coming, and why?

My favourite track is ‘A Woman’s Work Is Never Done’. I really enjoyed writing it, I liked the story. It’s about a witch, she’s an anti-hero, we like her. The story’s vague, more impressionistic than how I’d normally write. I reckon it’ll end up being the track on the album with the fewest spins, but it’s my favourite.

How did the Townes Van Zandt cover come to be?

There’s a lot of great Townes covers out there, and I always thought someone could do a great ‘Out Mother The Mountain’ cover. It’s such a cinematic song. And when this album started forming in my head, the narrative and tone of this track seemed a perfect fit. And then we got Freya Josephine Hollick to play the part of the woman/ghost/witch/whatever that character is. We both have Townes tattoos. Perfect casting.

What’s next for you?

In the immediate future touring this album. Beyond that I’m wrapping up writing the songs for the next album. So far it’s sounding prettier and less bleak than this one. Maybe even some love songs.

TOUR DATES
Friday 10 November - Bird Rock - Wadawurrung/Torquay, VIC
w/ Lady Lyon + Steel Wheels
Saturday 11 November - The Golden Wattle - Kaurna/Adelaide, SA
w/ Blood Plastic
Friday 17 November - The Servo - Dharawal/Port Kembla, NSW
w/ Lady Lyon + Sunder
Saturday 18 November - Vic on the Park - Eora/Sydney, NSW
w/ Eagle Ray
Friday 24 November - Tanswell Hotel - Yorta Yorta Country/Beechworth, VIC
w/ Rin McArdle
Thursday 30 November - Northcote Social Club - Naarm/Melbourne, VIC
w/ Steel Wheels + Congratulations Everybody
Friday 1 December - Major Tom's - Taungurung Country/Kyneton, VIC
w/ Steel Wheels
Saturday 17 February - Tent Pole Music Festival - Mt Duneed Estate, Wadawurrung/Geelong, VIC

TICKETS

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A Quick Chat with Al Matcott