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Rusty Pickups: Making ‘pirate country’ and keeping donkeys at bay
Season 3, Ep. 96
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Rusty Pickups are a four-piece ensemble from Queensland's Darling Downs with members Michael Cook, Lee Fielding, Ayden Roberts and Waylon Katz, who each have a different musical background and found their way not only to each other but to a musical identity that takes advantage of their differences and has led to something uniquely theirs. And that is fun – and fun is certainly what I had when interviewing frontman Michael Cook, known as Cookie, who shares the band's journey, their approach to creating music, and the joys and challenges of being a working musician.
From the braying of donkeys and the bleating of sheep outside Cookie’s home studio, affectionately dubbed Possum Studios, to the occasional crow that needed to be shooed away, the band has learned to roll with the punches and let the unexpected moments become part of their creative process.
‘It's almost chaos,’ Cookie explains, ‘and you get to watch it up close and go, “I can't do any of this.” And I'm just loving watching, and I'll just sit in the middle and jangle along. That's my thing. So I consider myself lucky in that regard.’
This willingness to embrace the unpredictable has led Rusty Pickups to a refreshing approach to their music. Rather than trying to fit into a specific genre or chase trends, the band has chosen to simply create the songs they love, drawing from the diverse musical backgrounds and experiences of its members.
‘We just kind of went, you know what? We got our own studio. We're old. Who cares? We're just going to do whatever we want,’ says Cookie. ‘So now we pick the songs that we want to do and we go, how can we best serve this song?’
This authenticity has resonated with their audiences, as the band has found themselves playing at festivals and venues that span the spectrum of country music, including a huge run of shows at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Rusty Pickups’ ability to seamlessly transition between these different musical worlds is a testament to their commitment to staying true to themselves. But the band's journey hasn't been without its challenges. The gruelling schedule of Tamworth, where they played almost 24 hours of music over nine days, tested their friendships and physical endurance. However, Cookie reflects that the experience ultimately led to a necessary break and a renewed focus on what they truly want to create.
‘We got back into the studio and we started thinking, what do we want to do different? Which is, it's always hard to just see what you want to do that's different to what you're doing if you're still doing the first one,’ he explains.
Part of what they’ve done since then is create their latest single, ‘Mister Mary Read’, which is in the pirate country genre – something Cookie may have come up with … The song has an intriguing backstory and it is completely different to its single predecessor, ‘Goddamn Sunday’. And you can hear all about that in this interview!
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105. Laura Frank: On the Road with ‘We Won’t Stop Runnin’’
40:26||Season 3, Ep. 105Laura Frank is a multifaceted artist – singer, songwriter, performer videographer and much more besides – who lives in Queensland’s Scenic Rim area when she’s not on the road with Tom Curtain and his Katherine Outback Experience. Curtain’s tour goes for several months across the wet season (so he’s not in the Northern Territory then) so Frank was on the road when we spoke recently about her latest single, ‘We Won’t Stop Runnin’’ as well as the music video she made for the single with Nick Morrissey, her partner and collaborator.The song was inspired by experiences within Frank and Morrissey’s relationship, and was a live favourite that Frank then decided to record with her regular producer Jordan Power. The video captures the energy of the song and was made on the couple’s property before they set out on tour. Frank regularly makes her own videos, so there’s quite an archive on YouTube to explore.We also discuss the touring life – which involves Frank’s animals coming along to join Curtain’s – and it turns out Frank is doing a lot more than performing as Curtain’s opening act: she’s taking photos and video of the show, then working to post them on social media. It’s turned the Outback Experience tour into an all-day-and-night event, but it seems like Frank wouldn’t have it any other way. Frank’s commitment to living a creative life is motivating and inspiring, partly because it’s clear she thinks that no task is too big or too small to attempt, and that if she’s interested in something she will pursue it without wanting to know where it might get her. Curiosity and passion underpin all her endeavours, and especially her music, so it’s great to learn that she has recorded more than one song with Power, which means there will be another single along in due course.Meanwhile, she’ll be on the road with Curtain for a while, and you can find those dates on her website: https://www.laurafrank.com.auListen to Laura Frank on Apple MusicListen to Laura Frank on SpotifyFollow Sunburnt Country Music on InstagramFollow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website
104. Adele Oliver unveils new single ‘Angel’
29:37||Season 2, Ep. 104Well before the release of her previous single, ‘Wiley Blue’, Adele Oliver had established herself in the music scene in the beautiful Western Australian coastal town of Broome, playing her own shows and supporting touring artists. After the release of that single she supported Troy Cassar-Daley on his recent national tour, and we talk about that in this new interview, along with her latest single, ‘Angel’.‘That song in one afternoon, I think, came out,’ says Oliver of the song. ‘It was one of those ones where I [thought], okay, this one's ready to come out now.’ ‘Angel’ is about Oliver finding herself unwittingly placed on a pedestal in a relationship, then held to standards that the man in question was not holding himself to. And even though the song flowed out of her, she wasn’t happy with the second verse and changed it once she was in the studio with producer James Newhouse, who is based in Bunbury, WA.‘Angel’ is a song that is tinged with regret, not in the lyrics but in the way it’s sung, and we also talk about the decisions Oliver made as a singer while recording.Oliver is an artist in tune with the outer, natural world and her inner life, and she works with them both to create music, having learnt to not get in the way of her creativity when it’s happening. ‘Songs all come about so differently,’ she says. ‘They'll all find their way to you. Sometimes it is sitting down and going, I have this thing I want to say and I'm going to say it like this. But I really love the times when they land on you and you feel like you're a bit of a vessel in that moment. Or it's your subconscious ruminating over something that is now ready to be talked about. It kind of feels a bit magical in a way.’Oliver is also passionate about the environment, especially the beautiful Kimberley area close to home. By day she’s a support worker, and that combined with her connection to the world around her bespeaks an artist who has an expansive worldview and one who strives for connection, drawing inspiration from the perspectives of others and weaving them into her songwriting. Oliver has been recording other tracks with producer Newhouse and an EP is on the horizon. In the meantime she has plans to head for the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, and no doubt to pop up on Broome’s stages as well. Listen to 'Angel' on Apple MusicListen to 'Angel' on SpotifyFollow Sunburnt Country Music on InstagramFollow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website
103. Suzie So Blue: From childhood cornet to a cornucopia of instruments and creativity
42:21||Season 3, Ep. 103No two interviews are the same and if I haven’t interviewed an artist before I never know quite what to expect, even though I do my research. There was absolutely no evidence in my research on Melbourne artist Suzie So Blue – who has new singles ‘Bend’ and ‘Fall in Love’ – that indicated quite what an amazing life in music she’s had since her childhood. From playing cornet in polka and Czech folk bands with her father and sister to flute in high school (because it was more portable) to stringed instruments in bossa nova bands in Canberra (because you can’t sing and play flute at the same time) to the world she inhabits now in Melbourne, she lives and breathes music.Suzie’s creative life doesn’t begin and end with music, though: she’s also a well-established fashion designer with her label SZN. This part of her story did not emerge until towards the end of our conversation, which took in a range of subjects including taking up space and claiming the right to perform, to her first forays into songwriting.Recently Suzie released two singles at once. ‘Bend’ was inspired by a conversation she had with a Japanese friend while on a trip to Japan, where they discussed the manipulation of nature and the idea of bending like a tree in the wind. This resonated with Suzie's own journey as an artist, navigating the challenges and sacrifices that come with pursuing a creative path. The other single, ‘Fall in Love’, was written with a friend and drew on their shared experiences and conversations about past relationships. Suzie’s musical influences are vast, as her background suggests, from the blues and country she grew up listening to, to the reggae, funk, and soul that have shaped her soulful vocals and playing style. It was also clear from our chat that Suzie loves playing live, and she gigs regularly around Melbourne. Her next show is Spring Acoustica at Wesley Anne in Northcote, Vic., on 24 November. Tickets available here.I could have asked Suzie many more questions as it felt almost like I was only at the tip of her creative iceberg, but hopefully there will be more songs soon, and perhaps the chance to chat again with this inspiring artist. Listen to Suzie So Blue on Apple MusicListen to Suzie So Blue on SpotifyFollow Sunburnt Country Music on InstagramFollow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website
102. Adam Harvey: 17 albums young and heading out on tour
26:40||Season 3, Ep. 102With an impressive nine Golden Guitar awards and over half a million albums sold, Adam Harvey is one of Australia’s most successful, and beloved, country music stars, and even if all you ever did is see Harvey play live, you’d understand why: he is a great entertainer, a superlative singer, and a performing artist who always gives the impression that there’s nowhere else he’d rather be.In this new interview to mark the release of his seventeenth album, Let the Song Take You Home, we talk about his new tour with its impressive group of support acts as well, including Jenny Mitchell and Chloe Styler. ‘There's so much doom and gloom out there in the world. People just want to have a good time and sing along and let their hair down and maybe have a laugh and just escape all the doom and gloom out there for a few hours,’ Harvey says about his attitude towards performing. The songs on the new album take in a gamut of human experience and also feature Harvey’s trademark sense of humour. There’s a slight departure in sound, though, with a more mellow and emotional tone which Harvey attributes this to the influence of the album's producer, Luke Wootten, who pushed him to explore new creative avenues and refine his storytelling. It was his first time working with Wootten after producing his last few albums himself.Of particular significance on the album is the song ‘Remember Me’, a poignant tribute to Harvey’s mother's battle with dementia as well as a powerful example of his songwriting prowess. Harvey now has a role as an ambassador for Dementia Australia, helping to bring awareness to this condition that affects so many.Given that he’s now made quite a lot of albums, when asked what keeps him going his drive is clear: he loves writing songs and making music.We also talk about the Tamworth Country Music Festival, coming up in January, where Harvey has become a fixture. The energy and camaraderie of the event, along with the opportunity to collaborate with fellow artists, make these shows some of his most cherished performances. As ever, Harvey was a treat to interview just as he is to listen to on the album and live. Never once has there ever been a sense that he takes anything in his musical life for granted, and we can hear that in his songs: he wants to make the best album he can for listeners, not just for himself. He wants to make it worth our while to spend time with his songs – and in a venue, if you’re seeing him live – and he does, always. Upcoming tour dates:Nov 14 - Morwell Hotel, Morwell +Nov 15 - York On Lilydale, Mount Evelyn +Nov 16 - Gateway Hotel, Corio +Nov 22 - The Centre, Beaudesert #Nov 23 - Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich #Nov 24 - Kedron Wavell Services Club, Chermside #Nov 29 - Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga +Nov 30 - Street Theatre, Canberra +For 2025 dates go to https://www.adamharvey.com.au/tourListen to Adam Harvey on Apple MusicListen to Adam Harvey on SpotifySunburnt Country Music website
101. All About the International Songwriting Competition
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100. Sara Berki on new single, new signing, 2025 tour announcement
17:00||Season 3, Ep. 100When Sara Berki released her debut single, ‘Fallin’ Off the Heartline’, it was clear she was an artist with great songwriting talent and the voice to deliver those songs in an unforgettable way. Since then she’s been on impressive journey which has now led to her signing with Warner Music Australia and releasing ‘twice’, her first single with that label, as well as announcing a tour in 2025.It’s not always the case that great talent is rewarded with attention and accolades, so it’s heartening to see Berki taking these steps towards bigger audiences – and, more than anything, new songs. Her songs have been how she shows us who she is, and how she lets us into her world, and no doubt it’s the songs that will create new and bigger opportunities for her as time goes on.Listen to Sara Berki on Apple MusicListen to Sara Berki on SpotifyFollow Sunburnt Country Music on InstagramFollow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website
99. Kaitlyn Thomas: A dynamic voice in Australian country music
25:32||Season 3, Ep. 99Kaitlyn Thomas is one of the most dynamic artists in Australian country music, with songs that are musically rich as well as entertaining and powerfully delivered. Her latest example of this is the single ‘Hell of a Long Time’, which she wrote with Troy Kemp, and MSquared – Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis. The song was written during the pandemic, and it captures the essence of catching up with friends and celebrating life's moments. It was a collaboration Thomas relished, although she is just as comfortable writing alone. ‘I love the collaboration and working with people because it makes songwriting fun,’ she says. ‘And I love songwriting for me, as an artist, but also as a creative person … but I also love writing and getting ideas from other people because it just bounces. It's just awesome.’ Thomas has written with others during songwriting retreats, such as the SHE retreat run by the legend that is Lyn Bowtell, and the Dag Sheep Station, and says such retreats have been instrumental in her creative growth. Thomas reveals that they can be an emotional experience for her, as she taps into her vulnerability and allows her personal stories to pour out through her lyrics. Thomas started recording music before she was even in her teens, and accordingly has a keen sense of what is recorded in the studio. She connects deeply with the feeling and emotion of the song before stepping into the studio, and the energy of the production team helps to shape her vocal performance. She has been working with that team, MSquared, for a while.‘The energy in the room with those two incredible legends is outstanding. And they're vibing, therefore you're vibing. And this song was definitely, definitely a vibe.’Thomas’s vocal influences are diverse, ranging from the powerhouse vocals of Pat Benatar and Linda Ronstadt to Sheryl Crow, The McClymonts and Lainey Wilson. As she teaches singing she also sometimes finds she has to unlearn what she knows when she goes to record.‘Paynter says to me … “you need to turn the singing teacher off. Not every note needs to be perfect. The imperfection is what makes the songs great.”’It seems to be working, because Thomas gives each of her songs their own identity, and brings the listener into the story because she connects with it so deeply. No doubt she will keep that connection as she plays live over the next little while, and heading into the Tamworth Country Music Festival. As a graduate of both the junior and senior Academy of Country Music, Thomas is very familiar with the country music capital, so you’ll find her there in January. In the meantime, you can get to know her and her music through this interview. Listen to Kaitlyn Thomas on Apple MusicListen to Kaitlyn Thomas on Spotify
98. ‘Home Town’ heartbreak and Nashville highs: An interview with Will Day
25:08||Season 2, Ep. 98I sat down with country-rock artist Will Day to discuss his recent single ‘Home Town’, his experiences writing and recording in Nashville, and the unique joys of being a festival performer. [NB: He’s since released the single ‘My Kinda Crowd’ – it took me longer than usual to post this interview due to the fact that, well, this is a solo operation and sometimes I can’t keep up!]Day, who hails from south-east Queensland, has been making waves in the country music scene with his blend of country rock and heartfelt storytelling. His recent trip to Nashville proved to be a pivotal moment, both professionally and creatively. ‘It's been a goal of mine to get to Nashville for quite a few years,’ Day shares. ‘I wanted to go as an artist and songwriter.’ Day is the Head of Music at JMC Academy and travelled to Tennessee to present a paper at the International Country Music Conference, exploring the changing landscape of Australian country music production and its place in the international market. He stayed on for another week to do some co-writing and perform.‘I wrote “Home Town” and I squeezed in six co-writes in about five days,’ he says. ‘I got to play a show on Broadway, which was absolutely awesome.’ ‘Home Town’ is a breakup song, written with Bill DiLuigi and Scott Barrier, and it’s a slower tempo than a lot of Day’s songs. ‘I didn't think I was going to write any ballads over there at all because I don't write that many ballads anymore,’ Day says, although the finish product belies this. ‘But we had this song, and I just said, “You know, I really like this song. I want to release it.”’ He then took the song to producer Jared Adlam, and the result is a song that showcases Day’s voice capturing the emotional essence of the track. Beyond the studio, Day is a seasoned festival performer. At the time we spoke he was gearing up for the Groundwater Country Music Festival on the Gold Coast, which has now happened but, hey, I left it in the interview because it was part of the conversation and it’s still interesting to hear Day talk about playing festivals which have, he says, taught him the importance of stagecraft and connecting with the audience. ‘If you signify to the audience when you walk on stage that you are there and you're comfortable and you're happy and you're going to have fun, then the audience relaxes,’ he says. One special audience will be aboard Day’s upcoming Christmas Cruise on the Brisbane River on 9 November, where he'll be hosting a line-up of special guest artists and raising funds for a local charity. Day is also looking ahead to a new album, the successor to his debut LP Countrified, which he released in 2021. While working on that, he’ll also be playing live, which is pretty much his natural habitat. You can catch him live at the following shows:Listen to Will Day on Apple MusicListen to Will Day on SpotifySunburnt Country Music website
97. Dylan Wright's inspiring journey from Sons of Atticus to winning Australian Idol
16:20||Season 3, Ep. 97Dylan Wright is one half of the country duo Sons of Atticus, along with Matt Joyce, and after appearing at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival Wright went quickly on to appear in Australian Idol – and then to win it. He released a half-EP, Half a World Away Pt 1, a few weeks ago and now the full EP is out, along with the single ‘Mess of a Man’. The songs on the EP have the heart so evident in the work of Sons of Atticus married with Wright’s outstanding vocal capabilities, which he developed considerably during Idol, as we discuss in this interview. The music team behind the scenes pushed him to really explore the meaning and emotion behind each song, which led to a noticeable evolution in his songwriting too, which means Wright now feels more confident in exploring a wider vocal range and infusing his music with greater personal significance.The songs on Half a World Away were written in the intense aftermath of Idol; the introspective and honest nature of the lyrics reflects Wright’s journey of navigating his newfound success, family responsibilities, and a renewed sense of faith (which I particularly wanted to ask him about). During the chat Wright also candidly shares his experiences navigating the intense pressures and demands of Idol. Despite being an experienced performer, he was surprised by the sheer intensity of the show, and he had to quickly adapt to the technical aspects of live TV performance, including remembering lyrics and using his voice to its fullest potential. We talk too about his long-standing friendship and musical partnership with Joyce, and how that has been a source of support throughout Wright’s whirlwind experiences during and since Idol. The duo is currently embarking on a 30-date regional tour, with Wright’s hometown show in Cronulla already sold out. When I interviewed Sons of Atticus quite a while ago now, Wright and Joyce were easy to talk to and so interesting, and Wright on his own was just the same. I hope you enjoy watching or listening to this chat, and even though I only saw a little bit of Sons of Atticus at Tamworth the Wright-Joyce live proposition is a fantastic one – so show dates are below in case you’re able to get along.See Dylan Wright live:FRI 15 NOV – THE CHARLES HOTEL, NORTH PERTHTickets *Adam Brand support SAT 16 NOV – YELLOWFIELDS, VALLEY TAVERN NABAWA SUN 17 NOV – RAVENSWOOD HOTEL, RAVENSWOOD Tickets *Adam Brand support Listen to Dylan Wright on Apple MusicListen to Dylan Wright on SpotifySunburnt Country Music website