Carus Thompson will perform at the Piping Hot Chicken Shop in Ocean Grove on September 10.
Journeyman troubadour Carus Thompson has today released his eighth studio album, Neon Folk, and to celebrate he’s heading out on a national launch tour this August and September.
Kicking off in Fremantle on August 14, Carus will take to Perth. Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and the iconic Piping Hot Chicken Shop in Ocean Grove before finishing the tour in Brisbane on September 11 2022.
Keep up with the latest music news, releases and interviews here.
Carus Thompson is an Australian legend. From his work with The True Believers as well as solo stuff, he has developed over the past near three decades into one of the country’s finest songwriters.
With a craft of storytelling like none other, Neon Folk has all the makings of a true Carus Thompson record, but introduces a whole new side to the beloved musician.
Produced by long-time friend and West Australian musical treasure Nathan Gaunt, Neon Folk was recorded in Perth between the border closures, lockdowns and mayhem of 2020 and 2021. Thompson was living in Melbourne throughout that time and he found himself, as did many others, separated from his wife and children for over six months.
This tumultuous time has produced a wonderful record, and themes of determination, hope and surprisingly, positivity run through Neon Folk.
Thompson has always combined political and social commentary with personal stories, and he continues this approach that has built a small, yet loyal global following. There are songs with a distinctly anti-authority tone like “Fools in Love” and “Blood Money”, yet there are also tender love songs and nostalgic musings like “Tequila” and “When I Was Young”. Neon Folk also has some of Thompson’s most upbeat and rocking tracks yet, with the Mellancampesque “1000 Miles” and Tom Petty-ish “Pretty Dress”.
Constant throughout the record is Gaunt’s brilliant contemporary production and beautifully skilful slide guitar playing. There is also a deliberate wrenching of Thompson’s classic singer-songwriter approach into the year 2022; at times an electro feel juxtaposes against the folky acoustic artist, yet Gaunt’s production never feels forced.
This is a Carus Thompson record, but like you haven’t heard him before. It will complement a well-respected back catalogue, from one of this country’s hardest working, grass roots acoustic artists.
Carus Thompson Neon Folk Album Tour
14 Aug – Duke Of George, Fremantle WA
1 Sep – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth WA
8 Sep – Grace Emily, Adelaide SA
9 Sep – Wildfire, Sydney NSW
10 Sep (matinee) – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
10 Sep (eve) – Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove VIC
11 Sep (matinee) – Junk Bar, Brisbane QLD
You can purchase tickets here.
