Arguably one of Australia's most celebrated and important blues organ players, Lachy Doley releases the newest album 'Make Or Break' from his eponymous band.
'Make Or Break' is the fourth album from Lachy Doley Group, and Lachy says it's the first time he has eased the reins on production to step back and focus solely on songwriting. “I really wanted to do this album properly you might say, in the old-school sense of doing an album,” Lachy explains.
“I wanted to make sure I had a really good team involved, not just the incredible band I've got, but take a little bit of the stress of doing it all by myself out of it and actually bring on some people that have proven track records.
“The past four albums I've mixed and mastered myself, and I really wanted to take myself out of doing that this time. The whole mindset was for me just to focus on the songwriting and performances, and not have all these other things going on in my head.”
In relinquishing control over production, Lachy was able to dig deeper and fully explore his own process of crafting a song. “It was making sure we had exactly everything we needed when we recorded and really focussing on the parts, what needed to get done, what worked and what didn't,” he says.
“Instead of stressing about sounds and production, I was in there writing lyrics and making sure I loved everything that went down. Quite honestly, it was the easiest recording process I've ever had; everything just went down so easy.”
In true Lachy Doley style, his new album spans a wide breadth of blues, from the dirty, swamp rock of opening track 'A Woman', to the classic R&B strains of 'Cruel Cruel World' and the familiar chug of Chicago blues that is 'The Greatest Blues'. “Every Lachy Doley record has been a little like that,” Lachy laughs.
“I love so many styles of music but it's all around the blues, that's what I began playing and what got me into music to start with so that's all engrained the whole way through. Then the sound of my vocals and the instruments is the glue that holds it all together.
“Nothing is too far removed. I hate it when records do the same thing over and over again; I like listening to things that prick my ears up a little bit and take me on a bit of a journey, so that's what I try to do with my records.”
With 'Make or Break' released on 1 March, Lachy Doley Group set off the same day on a tour to support the record. “It's shaping up to be a great tour,” Lachy happily reports. “If the last album tour we did is anything to go by I think this one will be a whole lot bigger and better.”
Lachy Doley Group complete the tour in style with a glorious return to Blues On Broadbeach, a festival that holds a special place in Lachy's heart. “It's like a homecoming for us, that festival,” he says of Blues On Broadbeach.
“When I very first started going out by myself as Lachy Doley the first festival that gave me a go was Blues On Broadbeach back in 2011 or 2012. When I look back at what we've done, it's incredible.”
Lachy Doley Group Tour 2019
Fri 8 Mar - Camelot Lounge (Sydney)Sun 10 Mar - SS&A Club (Albury)
Sat 16 Mar - Glenmaggie Blues & Roots Festival
Sat 6 Apr - Mojo Burning Festival @ Hamilton Hotel (Brisbane)
Fri 12 Apr - Pistol Pete's Food n Blues (Geelong)
Sun 14 Apr - Way Out West Roots Music Club (Melbourne)
Sat 27 Apr - Club Sapphire (Merimbula)
Thu 9 May - Harmonie German Club Of Canberra
Fri 10 May - Spotted Mallard (Melbourne)
Sat 11 May - The Gov (Adelaide)
16-19 May - Blues On Broadbeach (Gold Coast)
