With the recent release of his new album ‘Red Moon’, Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter Pat Tierney will cap off a period of personal and musical development he’s undertaken in the past year.
“It’s been a big year for a lot of growth personally, and that changes over into the music,” Pat says. “Getting the [‘Red Moon’] album out was the final point of that cycle, and musically trying to take it to another level.
“As my career progresses that’s all I’m focussed on, is making each release an improvement or a step ahead of what I’ve done previously. I was relieved and stoked when we finished recording and I listened back on it, how far along I’ve come since my first album.”
Pat’s first album was ‘Wild World Of Blues’, released in 2015. In the four years between releases, Pat spent time not only developing his craft but also coming to terms with some unexpected realities of the music industry. “After my first album, my hopes and expectations were probably too high for where I was at the time,” Pat admits.
“I released it and thought, ‘oh beauty, I’m going to be able to leave my job and play everywhere’, and it didn’t quite work out like that.
"The industry is pretty tricky to navigate sometimes, so I think the reality of the first album and then starting a family with the pressures and responsibilities of living, coming out of that and finding a bit more confidence and self-belief – that’s all come through [sic] the journey of my first album.”
Having had that experience, Pat says he has gained a more nuanced understanding of what it takes to be a professional musician as well as a new focus on songwriting.
“You can sit back and be doing what you’re doing, but if you don’t stop and really dig deep into what you’re doing and what industry you’re in, you’re never going to be able to get ahead or progress,” he says. “The most important part for me is being happy and excited with my work and being able to stand behind it.”
Among the greatest changes in Pat’s life over the past four years has been the birth of his son, which he says has brought about a new sense of maturity. “Listening to my older stuff, I can [now] hear a more mature or present songwriter and that’s come from the gift of raising a child and the responsibility that goes with it and how much growth you go through in that period,” he says.
With a more pragmatic approach and refreshed creative vigour, not to mention a new album, Pat sets forth for a tour from late October to December.
After so much time spent off stage, Pat savours the prospect of touring new songs. “I decided to stretch it out as much as I could so it wasn’t as full-on,” he says.
“But it is nice to be able to get back out into the live arena because I’ve put so much time and energy into recording and writing, so it’s nice to let that go and shift over to live mode.”
‘Red Moon’ is available now.
Pat Tierney 2019 Tour Dates
Fri 25 Oct - Willie Smiths (Huon Valley, TAS)Sat 26 Oct - The Homestead (Hobart)
Sun 27 Oct - Marakoopa Cafe (Mayberry, TAS)
Thu 7 Nov - Black Bear Lodge (Brisbane)
Sun 10 Nov - Peregian Originals (Sunshine Coast)
Fri 15 Nov - The Wesley Anne (Melbourne)
Sat 16 Nov - Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co (Halls Gap, VIC)
Sun 17 Nov - Tallarook Hotel (VIC)
Thu 21 Nov - Django Bar (Sydney)
Sat 23 Nov - No 5 Church St (Northern Rivers)
Sat 30 Nov - Good Nights (Bunbury)
Sun 1 Dec - Redcliffe On The Murray (Pinjarra)
Sat 14 Dec - Home Of The Arts (Gold Coast)
