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JUAN FLIGHTS BACK
Ballarat band Epicure called it quits with some farewell
shows in May. Five months later, singer Juan Alban has released
a solo single, Like I Never Was At All. When the band broke
up, Juan told Howzat!: "I've started work on a solo record
- the doomed, far-inferior-to-the-band, solo record!" But
the single is a cracker. This is a song that deserves a
home on commercial radio. "Lyrically, it speaks of total
resignation, but I feel like the song has this feeling of
new-found freedom and optimism," Juan explains. "Setting
all your bridges alight and smiling as they burn." Is it
about the end of the band? "No," Juan laughs. "I thought
my first solo single should be as self-involved as possible.
So it's really just about not wanting to exist at all. Nothing
morbid, just peaceful defeat."
After a decade and four albums with Epicure, how does Juan
feel having a CD with just his name on it? "It's a little
strange, to be honest. I did consider putting it out under
another name, but this way, I guess, I don't have to worry
about the band breaking up. Unless I break up personally."
He laughs. "At least I'd get some songs out of that."
A DVD of Epicure's East Brunswick Club show is available
(head to epicuretheband.com). It shows an emotional Juan
introducing the band's final song. "It was definitely sad,
but also a real celebration," he recalls. "It was pretty
draining emotionally, so I was glad when it was over. But
it was a great way to finish - with lifelong friends and
great memories."? Did Juan think about taking some time
out after the end of the band? "Writing songs is kind of
second nature to me, so I don't think I'll ever stop. Besides,
the last Epicure album was in late 2008, so I had a whole
bunch of new songs ready to go."
The single - the first release from Juan's upcoming EP,
Too Long In Flight - was produced by former Horsehead guitarist,
Cameron McKenzie, who also produced Epicure's 2004 album,
The Goodbye Girl. "Cam hasn't changed at all! He's very
young at heart and a lot of fun to record with. I guess
because I've done a few records with him now, I feel very
comfortable with him and he's well versed in settling me
down when I freak out over things. He's also very conscious
of trying to realise my vision for the songs, and he works
hard to make sure I'm happy with the end result."
It's not purely a solo record, as Juan got members of The
Hello Morning to be his backing band. "We did a number of
Epicure shows with The Hello Morning guys and I just fell
in love with their sound," he says. "I've been lucky enough
to hear their forthcoming album and it's a work of genius.
They're such great players and lovely guys. I wrote some
of the songs with them in mind so I was pretty lucky they
agreed to do it." Juan is, however, doing the single launch
solo. It's happening this Saturday at the Northcote Social
Club. Every payer gets a free single.
WHAT GOES UP …
Does the soaring Australian dollar mean that the price of
concert tickets for international acts will come down?
DIG IT!
John Farnham is not the only heavy-hitter with an album
out this Friday. Icecream Hands frontman Charles Jenkins
is releasing his fourth solo album, Walk This Ocean (on
Dust Devil Music through EMI). Charles (no relation to Howzat!)
has a new addition to his band, The Zhivagos - guitarist
Davey Lane. The result is a tougher sound, with Davey adding
some muscle and cool riffs to Chuck's melodic mastery -
check out the sizzling solo in Accustomed To The Dark. This
is an album of genuine diversity, with nods to Tom Waits
(That Side Of The World) and Flash and the Pan (Save!),
while the first single, Bring In The Archaeologists, is
a pop gem. Charles says he wrote it after he realised he
didn't know of any songs about archaeologists. Charles is
doing an in-store performance at Basement Discs at 12.45pm
on Friday. He's also part of the all-star bill for Sunday
afternoon's benefit gig at the Corner, alongside Nick Barker,
Ash Naylor, Dave Graney. Kim Salmon and Brian Hooper. They're
supporting fellow muso Louis Rowe in his fight against paralysis.
CHART WATCH
Little Red score their first Top 20 hit, with Rock It rocketing
from 36 to 19.
Plans BIRDS OF TOKYO (number 11)
Freefallin' ZOE BADWI (16)
Rock It LITTLE RED (19)
Planets SHORT STACK (20)
And Then We Dance JUSTICE CREW (26)
Hello THE POTBELLEEZ (29)
Freak Tonight SCARLETT BELLE (30)
Choose You STAN WALKER (34)
Dark Storm THE JEZABELS (40, debut)
Bag Raiders have the week's highest debut. It's one of four
new entries.
Birds Of Tokyo BIRDS OF TOKYO (number six)
Bag Raiders BAG RAIDERS (seven, debut)
Little Bird KASEY CHAMBERS (eight)
Down The Way ANGUS & JULIA STONE (10)
Running On Air BLISS N ESO (13)
Midnight Remember LITTLE RED (15)
Marcia Sings Tapestry MARCIA HINES (16, debut)
I Believe You Liar WASHINGTON (18)
Escapades HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY (23, debut)
Tumbling Into The Dawn LIOR (26, debut)
Rage And Ruin JIMMY BARNES (32)
April Uprising THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO (34)
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
Like I Never Was At All JUAN ALBAN
Bring In The Archaeologists CHARLES JENKINS
Only Friend THE STU THOMAS PARADOX
Audacious UNDERMINERS
Everything You Need NICK BATTERHAM
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