Melbourne singer-songwriter Kurt Gentle has got busy in recent months releasing a couple of cranking blues-rock numbers: 'Fingers' and 'State County Lines'.
A musician who's been gigging for the past decade (his travels include the US, Canada and China), after building a home studio during the various lockdown periods, Kurt continues to write and record tracks that drift between acoustic folk and retro blues rock.'Fingers' is a rollicking ride, some of Kurt's influences (Jack White, Gary Clark Jr. and The Black Keys) oozing out of the crunchy riffs with a vocal delivery that brings Josh Homme to mind.
'State County Lines' is born from the same muddy blues river as 'Fingers', The Black Keys tones much stronger on SCL as Kurt's voice transports you into America's Deep South.
Earlier 2021 single 'Brightest Stars' showcases Kurt's ability to wind things back, embracing the meandering rhythm of Americana-inflicted roots country.
With a CV that includes appearances at Australian Blues Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival, Echuca Blues Festival, and Healesville Music Festival, if you dig raw, authentic blues with a side of sizzling electric guitar then you better bookmark Kurt Gentle.
Who is Kurt Gentle... I'm no one special, but I am a singer-songwriter from Melbourne. I'm all about a good riff and an addictive melody. I've been writing and gigging since 2011, and have gotten around bit from Australia to the USA, Canada and China.
I sound like... I'm not too sure. My music is a messy mix of retro blues rock to acoustic folk roots. Some of my influences are Jack White, Gary Clark Jr., The Black Keys to old-school folk songwriters like Jim Croce, Paul Simon and James Taylor.
My first gig was... I can't remember my first actual gig. Probably one of the many live music pubs in Melbourne. But my first time playing live was at a local open mic in Healesville. No one knew I was writing songs or singing, and I just got up and played four of my newly written songs and it started from there.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... It was a unanimous decision between my parents as it is my birth name.
In the studio I usually... Bring a litre of French pressed coffee and hope for the best.
If I could tour with anyone... Hmmm maybe Paul Kelly. I dunno why exactly, he is just a living legend.
Social media is... Time consuming.
My favourite app at the moment is... Any of the meal delivery apps. Deliveroo has great delivery prices if you didn't know.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Musically – well there are a few old songs I'm terribly embarrassed by.
Or there was the time I got my harmonica neck holder caught in my long hair onstage during a solo gig and couldn't get it out for a good ten minutes. Might not sound like anything, but ten minutes is a long time to be onstage silently trying to pull a metal frame outta your hair.
Life on the road can be... The best time and the sh.ttest time.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Potatoes.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... On a very small boat in Indonesia crossing a strait and the waves were towering from every side, the boat being smashed about. Spent a good hour and half sitting on the floor between the seats with ten other silent strangers bracing for the worst.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Bobby Lee or JB Smoove. Look 'em up and you'll get why.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Definitely somewhere in New Zealand. Definitely nowhere in America.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Aragorn King Of Gondor, Thorin King Under The Mountain and Gandalf The Grey.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Roast lemon potatoes, salmon and roast vegetables.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Lover.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Gin. I love gin. Or hummus. Or a combo of both.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Yesterday.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Cleaning that space between the fridge and the wall.
Do you have any phobias... No phobias. Unless you count those flat caps or scally caps or whatever they're called. I hate those hats.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Nah.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Umm maybe one of my sisters. . . it would be something realistic and horrifying, and potentially crossing a line.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Burgers. Burgers are anytime of the day food.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Bilbo Baggins. I'm a homebody and an old man at heart who loves a feed and a warm fire and a cuppa, but is also up for an adventure, and constantly winging it.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Squid Game', just like the entire world. Also '90 Day Fiance Before The 90 Days'; that shit's funny as hell.
