Pete Cullen & The Hurt have been going from strength to strength since the release of their latest album, 'High Tide', in September.
The group started the year off by performing at Tamworth Country Music Festival's Americana In The Park receiving a roaring reception.Now, Pete Cullen & The Hurt have released their latest single 'Rose Of Sorrow'. “We released this album last year in September; this was my favourite track on the album but management said 'let's go for these other tracks first' [as singles],” Pete says.
“I always thought this song was the best track, so I have always been really excited for people to hear it. It's actually the last track on the album and sometimes people don't make it all the way through albums, so it's good to get [the last track] out there.”
While 'Rose Of Sorrow' is the final track on the album, it was the first song Pete began writing for 'High Tide'; putting pen to paper as a means of cathartic self-reflection, Pete subverted the cliché 'every rose has its thorns' by breathing new life into its meaning.
“I was doing a lot of self-examination, just trying to figure out where I'm going and what I'm doing in life. At the time, there was a lot of political unrest. . . a lot of people were really angry, and I felt that way a little bit too.
“This is a 'release' song for me. When I started writing that song, I felt there was a sorrow in the wind. We should look towards ourselves instead of judging other people, and focus on making ourselves the best we can be.
“So that's where that song comes from for me. Life is like a rose, it sometimes has its sorrow and thorns, but the beauty and the majesty of life is just so grand; you really appreciate that.”
In conjunction with the poignant, introspective lyricism in 'Rose Of Sorrow', Pete believes it is the musicianship that really drives the track home. “On a musical level, I'd love people to take away how amazing the musicianship is in the song.
“We have Damon Joel on drums, who plays in Busby Marou. Then we have my good friend, Michael Luciow on bass. Rupert Jenner, who I think is probably one of the best guitar players in Australia, did an absolutely cracking solo on it too.
“Then it's all put together by one of Brisbane's greatest producers, Jeff Lovejoy [Airlock Studios]. I think if there is anything I'd like people to take away from it, is that we have an awesome band. When we play together, there's something magical about it. We just love performing.”
Pete Cullen & The Hurt have secured a residency at the recently re-opened Lefty's Music Hall (under new management), located on the iconic Caxton Street in Brisbane. “We played there for about six years.
“Sometimes we'd do Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there – really crazy stuff. It was an awesome vibe. I've met some of the guys [new owners], and they're really on the ball. They are really after great music – original music, too. Party music, but not straying too far from that classic Americana vibe. They really want to embrace and promote that.”
Aside from their residency at Lefty's, Pete Cullen & The Hurt have a jam-packed 2020. Finalising the details of an east-coast tour, Pete is hoping this year will culminate in a trip to Nashville to perform and network at Americana Festival in September.
“We have a tour planned for Melbourne. We're in the middle of booking dates for some Sydney shows. Then, fingers crossed, I'll be going to Americana Fest in Nashville in September which will be really good.
“So [I'm] just trying to plan that out at the moment. It is a big trip, but it'll be worthwhile. I want to get our band to America or Europe and reach a different audience.”
