Sydney troubadour Lorenzo Guevarra may not wear a cape, but by day he assists folks in his role with New South Wales Department of Health. By night, he pens songs crafted in honesty and reflective of his own journey seeking answers to life's big questions.
The creative road Lorenzo has taken began when he was inspired by songwriters of the ilk of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, but particularly Leonard Cohen, and his fascination with truth telling; and the mode of music to express his discoveries was instilled.After spending countless days (maybe years) of his youth busking on the streets of Sydney, Lorenzo became disillusioned by the daily grind of making-performing music and the hopelessness the vast majority of artists battle, and promptly retired from creating in 2017 aged only 21.
Half a decade later, unable to conform to a 'normal life', Lorenzo was encouraged by the Sofar Sounds crew performing his first show in six years in 2023 (the same day as what would've been Leonard Cohen's 89th birthday).
A pilgrimage to Cohen's hometown and final resting place of Montréal last year resulted in a 'stars aligning' moment, whereby Lorenzo was welcomed by the local arts scene and his internal creative flame was forever lit. Relieved of his bourgeois status, Lorenzo is once again slinging his guitar around to resume his self-appointed task: to be as honest as possible.
After releasing a number of singles last year, the latest piece in Guevarra's sonic arsenal is 'Côtes du Rhône', a song offering insight into the tortured troubadour's rainy Sunday evening.
Brittle-sounding yet sonically strong, 'Côtes du Rhône' is bruised folk that ebbs and flows with a taunt emotional fragility, Lorenzo allowing his spirit to flow freely, guiding his fingers across his guitar's fretboard to create a mesmerising soundscape.
The tortured anguish is conveyed by his earthy vocals, which speak a truth that induces goosebumps, your soul angling for repeat listens as Lorenzo sings with his heart on his sleeve. This is beautiful alt-country-draped indie folk that, combined with the rich storytelling, will burrow its way deep inside your soul.
Ahead of the song's release on Monday (5 May), today scenestr is thrilled to premiere 'Côtes du Rhône'. Enjoy.
"'CdR' represents a culmination of the elements that make up the compound known as 'Lorenzo' as he existed in December 2024," Guevarra says. "The song's atmosphere draws heavily from my Catholic upbringing which I've recontextualised long since rebelling against its establishment as a teenager.
"I've learned to acknowledge the role it played in carving out the core of my musicianship. Many facets of my life are largely (but subtly) 'Catholic'; e.g. self-discipline in the studio, ritualistic habits before concerts and my liturgical approach to writing.
"The old choir boy comes out most prominently in the bridge, and when I first played the section back, I broke down in tears (pathetic, I know) because I was finally able to get the voices in my head to sing in harmony. It only took 28 years!"
Lorenzo once again collaborated with musician-producer Southey (who we have premiered a number of songs across the years). "Southey and I tried to paint the scene of an old cathedral to amplify the song's confessional tone," Lorenzo says.
"Tom spent a decent amount of time just dialling in the reverb sends for every channel. A good chunk of production occurred back in January when we were subject to intense thunderstorms. The diegetic sounds throughout the track (lightning, thunder etc.) quite literally came to me during a turbulent ferry ride home from the Manly Wharf to Circular Quay."
Lorenzo's trip to Montreal and a gift upon his return influenced the song's title. "I took the title, 'Côtes du Rhône', from a bottle of red wine that a friend presented to me as a gift upon returning home from Canada. One could poetically suggest that the song was waiting for me at the bottom of the aforementioned bottle.
"The alcoholic contents worked to dissolve my inhibitions, allowing me to communicate with the divine. There are many layers to the episode but, it can be seen as a form of aggressive back and forth between myself and the will of the arts.
"'I plan a plot that I can't condone,' refers to my darker moments of solitude. 'Chaos is calm, and the air is still, I'd stir the pot if it be your will,' a nod to the ominous precursor to the songwriting process. The bridge and ultimate crescendo proclaiming my submission to the powers that be."
Lorenzo Guevarra will partake in An Evening at the Chelsea Hotel at Bondi Pavilion (Sydney) on 4 June.
