Australian singer-songwriter, CJ Shaw has indulged in his love of trains with the creative direction of his newest music video 'Lonely Road'.
A song that features on CJ's 2021 album 'All Sorts' (a mix of his contemporary Australiana-influenced country-folk originals and children's songs – he's an ARIA Award-nominated primary school teacher), 'Lonely Road' is a collaboration with film and television composer Allyson Newman ('The L Word: Generation Q', 'Kusama: Infinity').A chance meeting on Newman's return to Australia in 2020, saw her generously lend her expertise to an orchestral vision for the song.
Soothing, laidback whistling opens proceedings before CJ's earthy, melodically rich voice brings a sonic warmth that wraps itself around you, his wordplay enriching the mind with vivid imaginary.
The subtle, graceful strumming of acoustic guitar is married to an exquisite piano riff that creates a lo-fi western country soundtrack.
Violin and cello arrangements (performed by Alex Voorhoeve and Timothy Wickham of Canberra Symphony Orchestra), and backing vocals from Hannah Czaban, add a hauntingly emotive undercoat to the finished song, which was written as a parable for CJ's experience of the music world and the sensation of falling short.
The music video, directed by award-winning director/ producer Stackhat (Sampa The Great, L-Fresh The Lion), is simply breathtaking in its raw beauty, capturing the desolation of the song's mood with mesmerising vision of Monaro Plains, south of Canberra, alongside vision of CJ as a train conductor filmed at the Canberra Railway Museum and Michelago Railway Station.
Ahead of the video's release tomorrow (8 September), scenestr is thrilled to premiere the 'Lonely Road' clip today. Enjoy.
Shot in the heart of winter, the video clip sees Shaw taking on the persona of a train guard, walking deserted railway carriages, waiting for passengers that never arrive. "I've always been a big fan of trains and train travel," CJ says.
"Between 2008 and 2011 I organised a set of tours with the XPT (Express Passenger Train). I travelled between Sydney and Brisbane, hopping off at each town along the way to play shows.
"I revelled in the chance to shoot the ['Lonely Road'] video at the Canberra Railway Museum.
"Being a fan of trains old and new, it was wonderful shooting in the old sleeper carriage from 1901. The detail in the craftsmanship is incredible and comes through beautifully in the clip."
Stackhat adds: "It was a joy to bring the haunting music and poignant lyrics of 'Lonely Road' to life.
"The geography of the Monaro Plains is equally beautiful and stark, much like the song itself."
