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Catchy and truly uplifting!
Hi Colin, welcome to LA Music Review! Tell us a little bit about you and your music?
Colin Lillie is certainly one of a kind.
This gypsy Scotsman has found a new life in Alice Springs, in the Australian central desert, where he has thrived as a songwriter. You don’t have to delve very deeply into Colin’s lyrics or the heart of his voice to know his songs are driven by someone who has all of the shades of life experience to lean into. This rang true with his 2017 and 2019 awards for Best Live Voice at the National Live Music Awards.
In 2016, Colin released his debut album ‘Glass Homes’ to critical acclaim and managed to take out the AU Review people’s choice Australian Artist Of The Year award. In 2020, he released the Mark Lizotte (DIESEL)-produced ‘Petrichor’ EP. August 2021 saw the release of ‘Shades Of Love’ , Colin’s second studio album. This was recorded at Wild Mountain Studios with enigmatic producer Jamie Trevaskis (The Wilson Pickers), and together Colin and Jamie found a darker honesty in his performances than on any previous releases.
He released the EP ‘THE…’, produced by Australian Country star Catherine Britt and Colin Lillie.’ The..’ featured award-winning artist Shane Nicholson, with whom he had two critically acclaimed songs released: ‘The War’, followed by ‘The Road’, a duet with Catherine Britt.
With dates already confirmed for Tamworth 2024 and a run of co-headline dates with Billie Jo Porter 2024, it is already looking busy for the up-and-coming Australian Americana artists. Lillie is already working on a third full studio album and is currently filming a 10-episode art series, which has already seen Colin interview a number of Australian creatives from the music, TV, art, and journalism worlds. He also released a track with fellow Australian singer-songwriter David Garnham and the Reason to Live in August this year.
Congrats on the release! What was your inspiration when you were writing this project?
Released November 10, 2023. Colin Lillie, Australia’s Americana and soul singer-songwriter, releases his new single and music video, “Grandfather’s Country.” This timeless song pays homage to Australia’s indigenous roots and offers a profound connection to the earth. Transcending generations, this song celebrates cultural richness, fostering understanding and embracing indigenous history, and guiding us to find solace in our surroundings and reconnect with our homes, our families, and each other. Colin’s lyrics and the depth of his voice reveal that his songs are fueled by a rich tapestry of life experiences, offering a genuine and authentic reflection in his music.
Co-written with Lachlan Bryan from Lachlan Bryan and The Wilds, and the band The Pleasures, Colin says, “We all live such crazy busy lives in today’s modern world. This can cause us to feel pressure and sometimes make us feel disconnected from who we are. Yet it also reminds us we all need somewhere to rejuvenate our souls, and being a new Australian, I have been able to find that place here in Australia.”
What lessons would you like to impart with your audience?
“Grandfather’s Country” leads us to discover comfort in our surroundings, honoring creative expressions that acknowledge the distinct identity of Australia. “For some of my friends, it’s the love of the ocean or the mountains; for some who grew up on cattle stations and farms, for them, it’s going home to where they grew up, or it’s the city where you can lose yourself. Yet mostly its family is to be with those who get you and offer you a place to just be you, adds Colin.”
Start streaming “Grandfather’s Country” here:
What is your favorite part of this body of work?
Navigating through a lifetime of challenges, joys, and self-exploration amidst life’s tumult, Colin experienced a transformative renewal following a three-day disappearance in the Australian desert after battling drug and alcohol addictions. For Colin, he says, “Mine is the desert. I’m lucky that my wife is aboriginal, and when life is pushing hard on us, we head to her ‘Grandfather’s Country.’ The red dirt, the stars, and the vast space give me a real feeling that we are only here for a short time, and being with my family is so important. It’s something we all value in Australia, and I will always ensure that the generations to come will head to their grandfather’s country to feel a sense of family and home so we can get on with living.”
Future releases? Upcoming events?
The track was produced by Catherine Britt, engineered by Bradley Bergen, and mixed by Shane Nicholson. It is part of a five-song EP, which Colin will include to create an album called Colin Lille: The Ragged Man. The music video was filmed by Jazmyn Productions in many locations, including the Red Centre of Australia, NSW Central Coast, and Newcastle, showing that we all come from somewhere, and it’s where the heart lives and dies that we call home.
Colin Lillie’s Tour Dates:
Jan. 20th Writers in the Round at Tamworth Services Club
Jan. 21st Country Turns Pink Blazes at West Tamworth Leagues Club
Jan. 22nd Tamworth Country Music Festival’s FanZone
Jan. 23rd Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar with Billie-Jo Porter
Feb. 17th Loaded Dog Hotel Tarago with Billie-Jo Porter
Feb. 18th Camden Hotel with Billie-Jo Porter
Feb. 23rd Qirkz at The Denman Hotel with Billie-Jo Porter
Connect with Colin Lillie:
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