After a decade-long career, Newcastle's melodic six-piece blues, roots band Cornstalk last year scored the award for ‘Blues And Roots Best Artist’ at the 2016 Australian Independent Music Awards.
“It was pretty exciting actually, it was great to get some recognition from the industry after ten years. It was a little bit of a milestone,” lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Hamall says.
Cornstalk released their new 12-track album ‘Pennies Fall’ earlier this year. Fours years in the works, Chris explains how great it was to finally launch the album. “It was fantastic to have it out; everyone in the band has a family and kids, we all work and do music as well so it was challenging getting it out there.”
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The band members consist of Chris, Lyle Goodman (drums), Ben Pettett (keys), Shayne Hamall (backing vocals/ percussion), Kane Starkey (lead guitar) and Evan Doyle (bass). Cornstalk is currently prepping to perform upcoming shows in Queensland and New South Wales. “We’re doing two big shows on the Sunshine Coast at the Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival and we will also be becoming an 11-piece band for the Wollombi Music Festival [Central Coast], which is exciting.”
The band will be adding in a three-piece brass section, backing girls and an extra guitarist to create The Cornstalk Big Band.
Cornstalk originally started as an acoustic trio, however since then it has morphed into something much bigger. “Beside my brother we didn’t really know each other well. However, within the Newcastle music scene most musicians know each other and eventually you find your people to play with. They become your musical family in the end.”
Cornstalk is a mix of “Seattle grunge” and “The Black Crowes infused with blues and roots” says Chris. “It’s hard to categorise because the music genre falls between a few… I think personally it’s a totally new sound.”
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Singing about brotherhood, family and dysfunctional families Cornstalk draws on different emotional content that relates to everyday life. “In all my songs I try to have a positive message. One of my personal favourites for me is ‘Forgive’, however each song brings a new meaning forward.”
The band has performed alongside a variety of well-known acts from around Australia including Dallas Frasca, Ash Grunwald, The Beautiful Girls, Afro Moses, Cornerstone Roots and True Live.
Over the next six months, Cornstalk hope to gain more exposure. “We are basically busting the festival scene and trying to get as much exposure as we can.”
With a new video clip hopefully in place soon, Cornstalk is also looking forward to record new content. “It’s all in the works at the moment and it is a long process, but I guess we just have to keep moving forward.”
Cornstalk Shows
16-17 Sep - Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival (Sunshine Coast)Sat 30 Sep - Wollombi Music Festival (Hunter Valley)
Fri 27 Oct - Blues And Roots Festival (Sydney)
