Family Ties
Angus & Julia Stone’s Perth show on Tuesday, September 23, at the Perth Concert Hall has sold out, but don’t despair as another show has been added at the venue on Wednesday, September 24. Tickets are available from perthconcerthall.com.au and premier.ticketek.com.au.
With a self-titled third album set for release on Friday, August 1, Julia Stone speaks with AARON BRYANS about the emotional reformation with her brother Angus and their incredible bond.
Ever since their formation in 2006, Angus & Julia Stone have taken Australia by storm, racking up numerous awards and nominations, taking over airwaves and spreading their beautifully gripping tunes into music devices across the land.
With only two albums released, the potential of the brother-sister duo seemed endless. However, a lack of flexibility and a personal drive left the Stones each craving the pursuit of a solo career.
“In a way there was some songs that came out on By The Horns that I would have never put on an Angus and Julia Stone record,” Julia Stone says of her second solo LP, released in 2012. “Angus and I sang By The Horns live together a few times but it wouldn’t have been right for our record; it was quite an angry song for me.
“Making those solo records was a lot more personal. We had been used to collaborating in a way where it was half Angus’ songs, and half my songs, and there was something disconnected about that in terms of being able to fully commit to owning a record, entirely. When making By The Horns, there wasn’t any confusion of ideas or authenticism. It was a very specific feeling record for me and I know that Broken Brights (2012 solo LP) for Angus was the same. I think it was important for us to experience what it felt like top be fully committed to an album in that way.
“When Angus and I worked together we sort of had each other, we had someone else to take responsibility with and in a way that made it easier. It’s like when you’re out of a relationship you have to really love yourself without someone else validating that and telling you that you’re good enough.”
With no plans to reunite and both artists solo careers flourishing, it took the determination and vision of US producer, Rick Rubin, to organise a meeting in what was the first step of an incredibly emotional journey.
“Rick’s impact is kind of indelible,” Julia reveals. “Without Rick I don’t think Angus and I would have got back together, or not at least for a long time. He means so much to us; mostly because he found us and brought us back together and it’s so important. I feel so grateful just for that because the record wouldn’t have happened and I wouldn’t have had this time with Angus.”
Read the full interview in this Wednesday’s print edition of the magazine or online from that day at xpressmag.com.au.
