First rising to prominence with his band Not Drowning, Waving in the 1980s, David Bridie has over the years become the real deal. Together with his band, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, as well as his solo work, he is one of the most regarded musicians in the Australian scene. Last year, he released his fourth solo studio album Wake and has been touring on the back of that since. With a Canadian tour over the next few months as well as releasing an album with Frank Yamma, Bridie’s touring schedule is filling up quickly, and we are lucky enough to have Mr Bridie playing at the Ocean Grove Festivus on April 12.
In the midst of touring to all different parts of the country, Bridie is most excited about the opportunity to play down this way. “I am most excited about seeing and sharing the stage with the Strange Tenants, because they are one of the hottest live bands around. These kinds of small-time festivals are popping up more and more and so to be able to play them is great.”
In the follow-up to Wake, a further CD entitled Take the Illusionary Exit is slated for release later in the year. Seen as another collection of songs that didn’t make the cut for the record, the David Bridie setlist is ever-changing, as he explains: “I’ve got all these songs that I’m playing in the live set at the moment and they are sounding really good. You can expect to hear some Chocolate Cake stuff, Not Drowning, Waving songs, and a few covers. I think that it is always important to change it up.”
Having been a linchpin in the Australian music scene for the last three decades, when it comes time to lay down the songs for the record Bridie has many friends that he can call on and Wake, the fourth solo studio effort, features many players from the Australian scene. Together with his own recording equipment and nous, this record was self-produced and a low-key affair, so the songs didn’t warrant any need to bring in a big-time producer, as Bridie relates:
“The process behind Wake was very relaxed and we recorded it in my studio at home. It was a very collaborative process and I had some incredible players help me out. Some of those involved were John Phillips from Not Drowning, Waving, Rob Snarsky from the Blackeyed Susans, Michael Barker from John Butler’s band, Helen and Hope, the string players from Chocolate Cake, Kylie Auldist from the Bamboos [and] Ash Naylor from Even. It was a good way to hang out and put some parts down on songs, and having the ability to do most of the production myself was great.”
One of the main bands that Bridie was listening to in the lead up to this album was The Blue Nile, an electro-pop group from Scotland. With a heavy feature of synthesisers and electronic drum machines, their legacy can most likely be heard in the opening track ‘Dr. Seuss is Painting in the Sky’, which has an electronic drum backbeat throughout the song.
With many gigs around Australia and an album with Frank Yamma to be released in September, be sure to head on down and catch David Bridie playing all your favourites whilst you can.
When&Where: Festivus @ Ocean Grove Park – April 12
Written by Tex Miller