A band awash with strong songwriting and performance craft with an honest, southern-fried feel tinged with alt. country, Americana stylings, local Good Will Remedy will return to the stage at Stones Corner Festival in Brisbane.
Frontman Will Lebihan sits down for a chat.
It's been a couple of years since we last chatted to the band; there's obviously the white elephant in the room but aside from the pandemic, what's news with the band (you had a fairly active 2021 with releases)?
Yeah, wow that long!?
We finished our latest EP last year and released three singles: 'Lightning Bolt', 'Ghost Town' and 'Messin With My Head'. 'Lightning Bolt' and 'Ghost Town' broke into the Countrytown top 50 (first time for us) and 'Messin With My Head' hit #1 on the Amrap chart – another first for us.
We followed those up releasing 'Stand Tall' earlier this year.
Speaking of which, 'Stand Tall' showcases a stripped-back, emotive brand of country with a piercing subject matter everyone can rally around... how did the song first come to be?
I wrote the song a few years back, and was reviewing some song archives (thanks Alan Caswell) and came across it and it really resonated, more than it did the first time.
It was a time where I was struggling to understand why people just can't get on with each other; there is so much to learn and enjoy by being open to others and it's sad to think that most just shut down to any of that possibility. It's almost too easy to not be open it seems.
'Stand Tall' is a song that always seems to go down well live – we didn't get a lot of industry or radio love for it (not much rallying) but that's not really our main focus.
It was recorded and mixed with Jeff Lovejoy; what did he bring to the final product?
Rob (drummer) and I first worked with Jeff over 20 years ago, and to meet up and work together again was a really great part of the record.
Jeff was excellent to work with, he challenged us in certain areas as far as the songs and parts were concerned and did a great job. It was such a great time with him. In fact we are due to do it again soon.
You also have a choir backing the chorus... was that something planned or thrown in last minute?
As the song was taking shape, it kind of popped out as a possibility.
A good friend of ours Jen Young, who Mitch (Reid, guitar) and I studied music with at QUT, had just returned from the US where she was the choir director for Houston Show Choir. So we reached out and Jen put a terrific arrangement together.
Jen, Mitch and I recorded the choir parts in my home studio and sent them through to Jeff. It sounds great to me and it was fun to do some group singing again, although I was a little out of practice.
The band will be launching its new EP 'Same Old Crows' at Stones Corner Festival... what can you share about this new batch of songs?
I think, like any release or recording, 'Same Old Crows' is another step for us in defining our sound.
I think the songs are on the improve and there is a general theme through the EP stylistically. The first three singles received such great feedback and responses, which is always humbling to receive and helps support that we might actually be ok (laughs)!
We have been playing most of them live for that last 12 months and they have been well received.
Swinging back to Stones Corner Festival; it's great to see such events returning to the calendar; the band must be pumped to return to the stage, right?
Live music is definitely BACK!
The Stones Corner Fest is a festival that most of us get along too anyway; we have a lot of people who like GWR, but just haven't made it to a show yet, so hopefully this gives them a chance. It's such a strong line-up – we are so stoked to be part of it.
The Stones Corner Festival is also basically in your own backyard... can we expect to see Good Will Remedy members mingling in the crowd, savouring the local food and drink as well as the music (it's also a public holiday the following day)?
Most definitely. We generally mingle wherever we play, and Dave (Newman, guitar) and I are local so this is a real buzz for us.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of the bill too; some really great acts onboard. And dead right; public holiday the next day, so absolutely no excuses.
The band recently had a run of shows with The Black Sorrows; how was that experience and any stories you can legally time us, haha?
Not too many, but it was such a buzz to share the stage with those guys. Fanboy moments for sure; one hell of a band.
We did a run of five shows and I was at every soundcheck and we all watched them every night; their whole set, just couldn't leave – they are absolutely outstanding. We heard some great stories too from them and their sound guy Peter who toured with the Mentals for 25 years – I didn't want it to end.
Joe Camilleri's warmth and sincerity to other bands-musicians as well as fans is renowned; did he meet all your expectations?
I spent some time with Joe chatting about his history and music generally, and what a buzz that was, to have quick bite to eat while chatting to Joe Camilleri!
He was so supportive, watched our set a few times and was a genuinely warm person – his voice is still amazing and as for his sax playing. . . out of this world. We all brought along our vinyl for him to sign towards the end of the run – even an old Jo Jo Zep record; such good times.
The rest of 2022 for the band; what's on the agenda (another album perhaps)?
Yes, we are in the studio again with Jeff over the Easter week tracking a new album – pre-production has been going pretty well so far.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
We will have ACTUAL CDs – signed even – for sale at the Stones Corner Fest via the local Stones Corner music store Sonic Sherpa.
Good Will Remedy join Sneaky Sound System, The Porkers, Quentin & The Tarantino's and others at Stones Corner Festival (Brisbane) on 1 May.
