Beloved Brisbane folk-rock collective, The Gin Club celebrate the 20th anniversary of their sophomore album, 'Fear Of The Sea', as part of the 2025 Open Season programme.
What started as an informal open session in the early 2000s bloomed into an international side project featuring an ever-expanding roster of musical talent."Well, we've actually got more members than ever," bandleader Ben Salter laughs. "I keep trying to get rid of them, but just keep attracting more."
Ben is bringing The Gin Club back together to celebrate 20 years of 'Fear Of The Sea', released in 2005 in quick succession to their 2004 self-titled debut album.
The upcoming performances – which will also include shows in Melbourne and Sydney – will see band members gathering from all over Australia and the world, including Ola Karlsson.
"I wanted to finally get Ola back over because he lives in Sweden and always pays his own way," Ben says. "This time I wanted to do it properly and pay for him to come over and do some shows.
"It worked really well; we were looking for a venue in Brisbane and The Princess [Theatre] came up. I've always wanted to play in that place."
Now living in Tasmania, Ben secured his place in local Brisbane music lore as a member of Giants Of Science. The Open Season show presents a moment of personal and professional reflection for Ben as he looks back on writing and recording 'Fear Of The Sea'.
"Without wanting to offend anyone [involved] in the process of making it, I think sometimes the production is a bit preposterous," Ben states, "but also, I can't stand the sound of my own voice, which is a dickhead thing that all singers say, but it's true.
"I used to sing with a much more American accent, and I've tried to get rid of it. So, when I listen to it, I get a bit self-conscious, but my overwhelming feeling is of it just being wonderful.
"So many great moments, it's got a real immediacy to it and I'm always reminded – because I record stuff so much now and love the studio so much – that the reason it's called a 'record' is because primarily that's what it is.
"It's a record of a time you spent in a room with a bunch of people singing or playing together, which is just the most beautiful thing. To have that time capsule preserved in this pristine way of you and your friends trying to be cool, is just awesome. It brings me so much joy."
Joy is exactly what Ben and his Gin Club comrades have planned for their show at The Princess Theatre in July. "The band has always been about us being friends, loving each other's company and having a nice time," Ben says.
"The music I think is secondary to that. As much as we love the music – we really do – but we try to keep it fun."
The Gin Club perform at The Princess Theatre (Brisbane) as part of Open Season 2025 on 27 July.
The Gin Club 2025 Tour Dates
Sat 19 Jul - John Curtin Hotel (Melbourne)Fri 25 Jul - Marrickville Bowlo (Sydney)
Sun 27 Jul - Open Season @ The Princess Theatre (Brisbane)
