Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife
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Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife

Canadian-born singer-songwriter Tracy McNeil is an example of the good that comes from welcoming outsiders into our nation. Since settling here, McNeil has become a major player among Melbourne’s indie roots talent pool. Coming through the other side of some tough times – between touring here and north of the equator – recording her latest album provided a much needed sense of hearth and home.

Producer Shane O’Mara’s Melbourne studio Yikesville provided McNeil and band with an ideal musical and spiritual base.

“As talented as he is, Shane is such a fun guy to work with. In his house, I’d make lunch – chilli and big sandwiches with all the trimmings. So I was like the mama of the band, keeping them well fed, going for beer runs,” McNeil recalls. “It was a very domestic, inclusive and beautiful environment.”

Thieves builds on McNeil’s alt-country sensibility with a take on the ’70s West Coast sound.

“This line-up of The GoodLife is really harmonious. Everyone’s loving Jackson Browne, the harmonies of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Fleetwood Mac that we all grew up with. But also contemporary acts like Dawes, Shovels & Rope, Houndmouth… That grit, the dirt, nothing too polished. We love the rhythm section, that vibe of the Allman Brothers two electric guitars – Dan and Luke having a heyday. Shane was instrumental in capturing the beautiful guitar tones [with] a wall of pedals to choose from. Dan (Parsons) is a lead guitarist. My husband Luke Sinclair (Raised By Eagles) would never consider lead guitar his forte. He’s a songwriter and kinda by default now a guitarist. There’s a more pop sensibility in his playing than Dan’s classic ’70s guitar sound. Whereas Luke might do pop-ier bits way up high on the neck, because there’s nowhere else for his to go. That takes it slightly out of that ’70s box making it fresh,” she says.

Mastering by Ross Cockle (Sing Sing) completed the vision. The rhythm section sees longtime GoodLifer Bree Hartley in perfect synch with bassist Trent McKenzie (Sal Kimber & the Rollin’ Wheel)

“Trent’s finally in the band. I snagged him!” McNeil laughs. Susannah Espie adds vocals to ‘The Valley’, a musing on writer’s block. Fortunately that obstacle cleared since she penned the song last year.

“Oddly enough I wrote three songs on piano. I don’t know how to play worth anything [just] this stabby, choppy style or approach. ‘Wait On You’ has a country/soul vibe which I haven’t really done before. I’ve been inspired here by people like Liz Stringer and Jordie Lane; the folk roots/soul influence plus country music like Slim Dusty – a soulfulness and looseness. The beginning to ‘White Rose’ has that kind of Paul Kelly Australian sound.”

It’s a stunning blend with tours through Nashville, Ontario and LA adding Americana notes. McNeil’s musician father and mentor passed away between the writing and recording process.

With studio lights dimmed, she nailed the track ‘Ashes’ on the second take. “There are so many layers of loss around this album,” she says. “Lost loves, deaths, betrayals, distance…coming from an insane tumultuous time. The title suggests darkness, something sneaky, a bit of anger, mischief but playfulness too. Then songs like ‘Finer Side’ are positive.”

Community radio airplay sent first single ‘Paradise’ soaring on the AMRAP Regional chart. “It’s about a connection that’s short-lived. It’s all in the bag. Hope, new beginnings and fantasy too.”

Written by Chris Lambie

When & Where: Tamswells Commercial Hotel, Beechworth – July 22, Majoy Tom’s, Kyneton – July 23 & Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs – July 31