“I’m just concentrating on what I have to do to become the artist I want to be and that’s a lot of hard work, but I enjoy it.”
Fresh from winning in two WAM Song Of The Year categories, Morgan Bain performs at West Coast Blues N’ Roots this Sunday, March 29, at Fremantle Park. BOB GORDON reports.
It’s been a good week for Morgan Bain.
Last Saturday he took out the ‘Blues & Roots’ category at the WAM Song Of The Year presentations for his track, Hold On, and a song that he co-wrote with Toby, Tell My Lover, as Winter’s Mile, won the ‘Folk’ category.
“It was absolutely awesome,” Bain says. “I never thought I’d win two categories, that’s for sure. It’s always a great thing to be recognised in your craft by others in the industry and it makes you feel like you’re on the right track no matter what genre of music you’re writing.”
Bain, however, was performing at the annual Nukara Music Festival up near Geraldton, following on from a headline show at Mojo’s the night before. A good time was had by all.
“Nukara is always amazing,” he says. “It was my second year to be invited back and it’s a very special festival. It’s all-ages and the audience are really into the music and it just feels so personal. It’s really well organised but has a chilled, relaxed vibe and they look after the artists so well! I’d play there every year if they’d have me (laughs).”
The icing on the cake for Bain was his recent addition to the West Coast Blues N’ Roots line-up this Sunday at Fremantle Park. Playing on the same stage as the likes John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, Charles Bradley and more is a real treat.
“Sure is and I’m stoked and I still can’t believe I was invited to play there,” he enthuses. “In fact I don’t think it will sink in until soundcheck! It’s insane to think I’ll be sharing the main stage with those kinds of artists and I’m really pumped! “
It would seem that there’s a bit of momentum gathering at this point in time for Bain, however he’s not getting all ‘seize the day’ about it.
“To be honest I don’t really think about that too much. I’m just concentrating on what I have to do to become the artist I want to be and that’s a lot of hard work, but I enjoy it.”
And there’s a lot of work to be done in the months ahead, but Bain wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m releasing a new single that’s got a new alternative, moody soul sound on April 17 and I cant wait for everyone to hear that. There’s a music video for it being released at the same time and then I’m heading off on tour with my band at the end of April – thanks to the good folks at the Department of Culture and the Arts – and we’re doing shows in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
“As soon as we get back from that we head overseas to showcase at a huge festival/conference – yet to be announced – and then up north to headline a festival. I’d like to get an album out as soon as possible so there’s lots of recording coming up. I’m writing all the time and there are heaps of live shows coming as well. I’ve also got plans to tour back in Europe if time and money allows it so it’s looking like a really busy year ahead!”
