Former Jet guitarist and singer, Nic Cester makes his first foray into a solo career with the upcoming release of his debut album 'Sugar Rush'.
Things have been relatively quiet for Nic since Jet disbanded in 2012 after ruling the rock & roll airwaves for the better part of a decade.
Currently living and working in Italy, Nic says 'Sugar Rush' marks a new era in his creative output as a singer-songwriter. “After spending all those years in Jet, it was liberating to be in a position where I could rethink things and not have any restrictions and go anywhere I wanted to go and try messing around with different genres,” Nic says.
“I literally disappeared for about six years.”
“In doing so the whole process of songwriting became really fun again. I was able to tap into that naivety I guess, which was that naivety that existed at the very beginning of Jet when we were just having fun and doing stuff because it's fun.”
For Nic, 'Sugar Rush' is a fresh start. “It feels like that for me too,” he says.
“I was pretty confused when the whole Jet thing finished, there were a few years there where I wasn't even sure what to do next and I wasn't even sure if pursuing music was something that I was still passionate enough [about] to do it well.
"I'd much rather do something because I'm excited and passionate about it, instead of just doing it for the sake of it.”
The album leaves behind the familiar strains of his former band, instead delving into the rich textures of Italian rock and experimenting with more psychedelic styles.
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With the expanse of time between the end of Jet and the release of this album, Nic says he's excited for his return. “It's been a long time,” he admits.
“I literally disappeared for about six years and from the moment I started trying to write songs again until now was a period of three years.
"So to have a finished album finally and to have a new band and upcoming shows is great and it's a really exciting period. I feel like all the hard work's done and now I can go play these songs and have some fun.”
Nic will launch 'Sugar Rush' in Australia with just two shows in Sydney and Melbourne accompanied by his new, all-Italian band the Milano Elettrica. “Unfortunately it's just two shows,” Nic says.
“I'd love to do more, I've been champing at the bit to… even the whole idea of going on tour again and playing is something that's really exciting to me and I can't wait to get going.”
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'Sugar Rush' is more than a fresh start – it's a new beginning for Nic that he says lays the foundation for more original material. “That's the plan,” he says.
“As long as it stays fun. I don't want to ever be in a situation again where I'm just on auto-pilot and following a routine or pattern. As long as it's fun I'll keep doing it.”
'Sugar Rush' is released 3 November, 2017.
Nic Cester and The Milano Elettric Shows
Tue 31 Oct - Leadbelly (Sydney)Thu 2 Nov - Memo Music Hall (Melbourne)
