Lightnin Jack brings the tone
Lightnin Jack launches his new album, Tone River, at Mojo’s on Friday, November 21, and The River on Friday, November 28, with support from The Floors. He chats with BOB GORDON about the river to here.
Congratulations on your WAMi nomination. You’ve been at this a long time. How does it feel to have that industry recognition?
Firstly, thanks so much for saying that. Any recognition is great in this business. And to have something as prestigious as a WAM nom is the pinnacle here for West Aussies—I’m just stoked to be in the running. As you said, I’ve been working at this a long time and often under the radar, so it’s nice to be up there with all those names.
This is your fourth album and first with full band backing. What was your approach in the lead-up to it?
I’ve worked with the guys on the record for near on 20 years in a live capacity, so I was confident it would come together in the studio. The songs of mine on the album were all rough tracked in Pemberton, with each song broken down to just vocals and a guitar, knowing they would suit certain instruments. Then coming together in the studio, I was able to put trust in the guys under Dan Carroll’s guidance for it all to come together—in a record time of two days tracking—I couldn’t ask for a better team.
From Dan Carroll at RADA Studios to all the members of the band—Callum Kramer (Southern River Band) on drums/backing vocals, Graham McClelland (Blue Shaddy) on harmonica, Steve Searle on brass and Shane Carroll on bass—they’re all people who have strong connections with you over the years. That must feel really important to you?
Absolutely, I couldn’t do it without them. These people are integral to me moving forward with my music and the band sound. Whether that be live or in recordings, there’s a certain something special in the voltage of us all together, and I feel very lucky to have such a talented musical family.
You suffered a rupture to your eye on day one of the recording but still pressed through, although it held things up a bit. This album sounds like a hard-fought victory; do you feel that’s the case?
Everyone is suffering from something, you know? It’s just an issue I have had to deal with all my life, and I can’t let setbacks with my eyes impact me musically or creatively. I think continuing to record and play live is a testament to my perseverance, and there was nowhere better to be that day than in the studio with my brothers, creating. It was definitely hard-fought. Work and income took a real hit for a while, and I’m thrilled it’s finally out in the world. The support from all of the musicians and fans back in February at Lightning In A Bottle was a real turning point in getting back on my feet and getting stability back in my musical life.
In regard to suffering from keratoconus, can I ask if it has evolved your guitar playing over the years in a different way than it might otherwise have played out?
Well yes, I suppose, spending two to three hours most days with your instrument because your eyes hurt plays into it, and the development of my other senses is insane. To be able to do stuff that doesn’t require perfect vision is integral to my happiness. I would be a hole otherwise. It’s driven me to seek out a way of playing that isn’t flashy or overplayed. My ears are so sensitive that I can strip things back to more of an essence with my playing now and play more on feel than show compared to when I was younger.
What does the album say of your evolution as an artist, writer and performer?
I wanted this album to have a bit of everything, and with the 12 songs I chose, I was able to get a bit of flavour of all the things I like and felt needed to be there. It’s a culmination of all the years of hard swag, and I really wanted to produce an album of my standards that have stood up for me through time. Nothing flashy, all feel. That’s where I am at as an artist, writer and performer.
What can folks expect from your launch shows?
A five-piece band and whiskey-soaked songs. It’s never dull when we all get together—you can feel the sheer joy of us playing together and the music seeping out of our souls. Bringing it home to two of the leading venues in WA… it’s shaping up to be fun.
How is 2026 shaping up for you?
Music-wise it’s looking pretty damn exciting. There’s a few festivals knocking at the door, so hopefully some more time around Australia and some more road-dog music! I want to thank everyone that comes to shows and buys records for helping me keep the music at the forefront. It’s an absolute pleasure.
Photo by Emanuel Rudnicki