Brisbane native Pat Tierney will launch his debut album, 'Wild World Blues', this June.
Pat grew up in a small coastal village on a feast of folk, blues and reggae music. He picked up the lap-slide guitar at the age of 16 and began to forge his musical journey. Blending the very sounds he grew up listening to, along with his trusty lap-slide guitar, Pat created his eclectic and unique style.
As a recent 2015 Queensland Music Awards finalist in the 'Blues n Roots' category, his presence on the Australian Music scene continues to gain strength and momentum. Pat started work on the album, 'Wild World Blues', roughly 12 months ago. “It's hard when something is taking so long, you get a little bit impatient I suppose and you kind of want to just get it done,” Pat says.
Because this was his first album, Pat was happy to take his time and produce something he was totally happy with. “It’s helped me a lot to take the time to finish it off and make it sound exactly how I wanted it to.” When Pat started working on the album, he wasn't sure what he would end up with. “I wasn't sure if it was going to be an album yet or what was going to happen. But I always had a clear idea in my head of what sound I wanted from certain people I was listening to and influences and just stuff I've done in the past.”
Pat says 'Wild World Blues' explores the bigger picture in life. “[The album] sort of takes on a few different things, like there's a lot of notions of love and loss on there I suppose. On the other side of that there's feelings of hope and positivity. It's kind of looking out to, you know, sometimes you can get caught up in your own little world. When things happen you have to think of things on a bigger scheme and realise you're just a small part in the world.”
Pat will be launching the album with his new band including Ronaldo Januario, Abe Stewart, Jeremy Newell, Richard Ferrari and Charlotte Boumford. “I'm really enjoying having all the extra guys and having a drummer and bass player really adds to the sound as well.”
Pat will also be bringing along local guest performers, Bree Bullock and The Altais, to join him on tour. “I've played with those guys a fair bit throughout Brissy and South East Queensland and they've become pretty good friends of mine. When I came to think about what other bands I wanted to have on the night, as well as them being amazing musicians, it was more about people that I really get along with well and friends so it's more of a party really.”
The thing Pat is most looking forward to during his tour is just being on the road. “It's just a really cool place where I feel alive and I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Having friends along the way really adds to the experience. It's just a fun time when you have something new to release and share with people.”
After the tour, Pat hopes to get out of Brisbane for a little while and find some new challenges for him to sink his teeth into. “Sometimes you've got to put yourself out of your comfortable environment and challenge yourself. So that'll be the next step after the tour.
“There' a lot of love and positivity that's gone into [the album] and I hope that comes out when people hear it and listen to it. At the end of the day, I wrote this mainly for myself and it's a bonus if anyone can connect to it and get inspiration from it. That's an absolute bonus.”
Pat Tierney plays as part of City Sounds at the Queen Street Mall Stage 26 June at 5pm and South Bank’s Little Stanley Street Lawns 27 June from 4.45pm. He launches 'Wild World Blues' at Black Bear Lodge 24 June.
