Perth singer-songwriter James Teague is currently coming to the tail end of a month long nationwide tour in support of his latest single “Where Sorrow Is Forgotten (In The Great Divine)” from his debut album Lavender Prayers, released last year. We caught up with him to find out more about his influences, the album, and what life is like out on the road.
Who do you consider to be your main influences in terms of style and songwriting
I’ve learnt to not confine my moments of inspiration to specific mediums – such as music – but instead, open myself up to all the world’s beauty and suffering, which swells before my eyes and beguiles my senses at every turn. If you want a straight answer though, I could simply say I am moved by the works of Hermann Hesse, Fernando Pessoa and Dylan Thomas.
Which albums did you have on high rotation growing up?
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson…the album Bad was always on – that, or the History compilation. My parents took me to see him when I was 7. It was one of the happiest moments of my childhood.
What was the story behind last year’s record Lavender Prayers?
Following the birth of my backing band, was the conception of Lavender Prayers. Although the songs had already been written, it wasn’t until I started arranging the songs for the band, that the album started to take shape in my mind. We took a week to record everything, down in Pemberton, then I worked wih 2 different engineers to mix the tracks over the next few months. The album itself, has within it many stories, but that’s for the listener to discover.
Do you have a favourite track to perform live, and why?
I don’t really have a favourite – it depends how I feel at the time – but on this tour, probably 11:11pm…just because I get to let off a little steam.
Has work begun on a follow up to the album?
I do have an albums worth of songs, which I’ll be working on later in the year.
You’re in the midst of a month long national tour at the moment, how’s it all going so far?
It’s been pretty full on. As I was nursing a crazy hangover one morning, I found myself reflecting on the kind of lifestyle that touring – the road – cultivates, and how I’d better make the most of it while I’m still young…not one experience has gone to waste.
Any tour stories to share?
My keyboardist, Mike Nutt, locked our keys in our room on the night we arrived in Mt Gambier, after an arduous 14 hour drive. We all ended up hanging out in Fyodor (my Falcon station wagon), laughing our tits off at absolutely nothing. Good times.
You were on tour with Darren Hanlon last year, how was that experience?
It was a blast! I got to play to sold out crowds and met a bunch of lovely new people. We ended up in afro wigs, boogying to “Don’t Blame it on the Sunshine”, in some diml-lit Newtown bar.
What’s your plans for the rest of 2013?
After tour, I’m moving to Melbourne, where I’ll recruit some new musicians to work on another record…it’ll be just like starting over.
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The tour continues until the 21st April, with the remaining dates below:
Sat 13 April – South Side Tea Room, Brisbane – QLD
Sun 14 April – The Joynt, South Brisbane – QLD
Fri 19 April – White Star Hotel, Albany – WA
Sun 21 April – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough – WA
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