Indie folk singer/songwriter Jack Carty has just released his latest album, Wake to a Bright Morning. At the AU, we’ve been crushing on this album, and believe it’s his finest yet. A prolific songwriter this is his sixth full-length album and was recorded between London and Brisbane over the past three years. He roped in a few friends to help along the way, and the outcome is a beautifully reflective and mature collection of songs.
He teased out a few singles along the way, including “Boab (Time is a River)”, “Don’t Believe the Hype”, “Giving Up” and “Dragnet” (ft. Georgia Mooney).
Jack is currently touring the country to launch the album. If he comes your way, do try and catch him Tour dates are listed below. His performances are as beautifully nuanced and as captivating as his recorded works.
You can listen to Wake to a Bright Morning below – (vinyl and other merch. available HERE)
To celebrate the release of the album, Jack has assembled a playlist of the songs which help inspire Wake to a Bright Morning. Do press <play> and have a read of what are some fabulous tunes. I can attest to his choice of “Nostalgia” from Emily Barker – I saw her play recently and she is truly outstanding.
“The Golden Age” – Beck
I love the mood this song creates, and the glassy sound of that recurring melodic motif (I think it’s a Rhodes?). That was a bit of an inspiration for the production direction on songs like “Don’t Believe The Hype”.
“Angel in the Snow” – Elliott Smith
Elliott is one of my favourite songwriters. I particularly love the really classical way he constructs his harmonic movements. I think you can hear his influence most clearly on this album in moments like the change at the end of “Tell The Truth”.
“Spices From The East” – Blair Dunlop
Blair is a beautiful songwriter and a dear friend. He massively inspired the record by virtue of the fact that he and I were hanging out and making a lot of music together when I started writing and recording it, and he sings harmonies on a few songs. He’s a wonderful guitar player and lyricist and being around him and his music always inspires me to keep pushing myself further in those areas.
“Nostalgia” – Emily Barker and The Red Clay Halo
Another incredible artist and dear friend who I was spending a lot of time touring and making music with during the writing and early recording phase of making Wake to a Bright Morning. Emily sings harmonies on ”Autumn Leaves” and I recorded the vast majority of my guitar and vocal parts for this record in a little studio she runs in Stroud, Gloucestershire with her husband (and incredible session musician) Lukas Drinkwater, who also plays bass and double bass on the album.
“One Crowded Hour” – Augie March
I love this song. With Wake to a Bright Morning, I was trying to express something true in a world that often feels like it doesn’t care all that much about that anymore. This song has always felt super true to me. Like he’s expressing thoughts and feelings that I’ve had myself a million times. I love the way it builds and builds.
“Let Down” – Radiohead
Whilst I realise that having one single song that is your “favourite song” is the realm of teenagers and ignores the infinite subtleties of context and timing, if I had to pick a “favourite song” today, this would be it. It’s perfect and feels transcendental by the end.
“Worried Shoes” – Daniel Smith and Sufjan Stevens
A beautiful song written by Daniel Johnston that I love for its gorgeous simplicity and purity. I’ve put this song on many times when I’m feeling anxious, and it’s gotten me through. It’s quite Beatles-esq and always feels like a beautiful reminder of the power of simple vulnerability.
“Archie, Marry Me” – Alvvays
My son has loved this song since he was about 9 months old, so I’ve listened to it A LOT over the past few years. It’s such a classic-sounding melody and lyric, and the production is cool as hell. So loose and washy, but vibey as hell.
“Canadee – I – O” – Nick Jones
I was introduced to a lot of classic English folk music and folk artists during my time living and touring in the UK. Especially through touring so much with Blair Dunlop, whose whole family is deeply steeped in that tradition. This song, and Nic Jones’ guitar style and story always stuck with me. He was a real pioneer of the percussive fingerstyle playing that you hear all over the place at folk festivals these days, and his voice just sounds like it’s telling the truth.
“Wuthering Heights” – Josh Pyke
One of my favourite songs, covered by one of my favourite artists (and people). I’m a big Kate Bush fan, and the production on this is SO GOOD and classic Pykey. It’s pretty layered and complex at times, but it also sounds like it was recorded fairly DIY – which is very much how Wake to a Bright Morning was put together.
“Just Like Heaven” – The Cure
I have loved The Cure ever since I bought their Greatest Hits CD at a Garage Sale when I was 14. Their songs can be so sad and feel so joyful at the same time. This song always makes me smile.
“Something to Talk About” – Badly Drawn Boy
This song (and another song of his called “You Were Right”) were on a mixtape my high school girlfriend made for me when I was 17. I’ve loved his writing ever since. Again, it’s quite Beatles-esq with the shuffle feel and really melodic bassline.
“From The Morning” – Nick Drake
My favourite song from one of my favourite albums of all time. It’s so moody and unassuming, and beautiful.
“Such Great Heights” – The Postal Service
Ben Gibbard’s writing has always been really inspiring to me. Particularly the way he writes lyrics. This is one of my favourites of his.
“Forest Lawn” – Better Oblivion Community Centre, Phoebe Bridgers, Conor Oberst
Gun to my head, I think Conor Oberst is probably my all-time favourite songwriter. Just nobody writes lyrics like him. Phoebe Bridgers is amazing too, and I’ve spent a lot of time listening to her records over the past few years, so this collaboration between them was always gonna resonate. It’s beautiful, layered, moody and even funny at times. So good.
Tour dates: – tickets from his website HERE
Mar 30 6:30 PM, Boolarra Memorial Hall, Boolarra, VIC
Mar 31 6:30 PM, Heyfield Memorial Hall, Heyfield, VIC
Apr 1, 6:30 PM Loch Sport Public Hall, Loch Sport, VIC
Apr 2, 6:30 PM Port Albert Mechanics, Hall Port Albert, VIC
Apr 3, 6:30 PM Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff, VIC
Apr 6, 6:30 PM Glenlyon Shire Hall, Glenlyon, VIC
Apr 7, 6:30 PM Merton Memorial Hall, Merton, VIC
Apr 8, 6:30 PM Stanley Soldier’s Memorial Hall, Stanley, VIC
Apr 9, 6:30 PM Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall, Barnawartha, VIC
Apr 10, 6:30 PM Sedgwick Public Hall, Sedgwick, VIC
Apr 13, 6:30 PM Rand School of Arts, Rand, NSW
Apr 14, 7:30 PM National Folk FestivalCanberra
Jun 24, 7:30 PM The Dust Temple, Currumbin, QLD
Jun 25, 7:30 PM The Old Museum, Brisbane, QLD
Jun 30, 6:30 PM Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne, VIC
Jul 1, 7:00 PM The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide, SA
Jul 8, 7:30 PM The Royal Oak, Launceston, TAS
Jul 9, 7:00 PM Altar, Hobart, TAS
Jul 10, 3:00 PM Home Hill Winery, Huonville, TAS
Jul 22, 7:30 PM The Great Club, Sydney, NSW
Jul 23, 7:30 PM The Street Theatre, Canberra, ACT
You can give Jack Carty a follow on his Website, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Twitter.
