Singer-songwriter and producer John Baxter (Prettymess, Holocene and Alcotomic), Doug Robertson (Icecream Hands), Matt Balfe (Motor Ace), Geoff Barnes (P76) and Paul Inglis (Prettymess) are the hardened talents behind Melbourne outfit Five Mile Sniper. Baxter’s musical career spans over 25 years. Following the demise of Prettymess in 2006, John boarded a flight to the US armed with little more than an acoustic guitar and harmonica. From there, a ’72 gold Caprice became his home as he travelled coast to coast, scrapping for whatever gig he could find to earn him enough to make it to his next gig. It was during this time he would also write many tunes which would eventuate on Five Mile Sniper’s debut. That debut is The Sound of Trees. From their website: “The sound of Tree is analogous to suffering in silence. In a world facing big issues such as population growth, diminishing global resources and the proliferation of suffering, greed and capitalism, The Sound of Trees is a euphemism for the decaying natural world we’ve inherited that has no voice – a cry for help that cannot be heard. It conveys moments of optimism with an undertone of loss.” The Barwon, Geelong – March 8.
