Tin Parlour's new singles 'Cast Your Spell' and 'Compass' guide their ripple through the airwaves ahead of their debut solo album launch on 27 October at Pasture & Co's new event space.
Featuring talented members including local legend and surfboard shaper Chris Garrett, and Stephanie Gilmore's dad, Jeff Gilmore, Tin Parlour is an alternative indie rock and pop band based in Northern New South Wales.
The band's namesake heralds from the early days, when the crew would jam in a tin surf shack. New tracks include the upbeat 70s-inspired banger, 'Cast Your Spell' and the powerful organ-illuminated song 'Compass'.
With an all star cast, Tin Parlour is made up of singer-songwriter Jane Garrett, alongside Gabrielle Fry on backing vocals, keys and percussion; Thom Davey on drums; Chris Garrett on guitars; and Jeff Gilmore on bass (yep, the father of surfing world champ, Steph Gilmore).
We caught up with Jane Garrett, to chat about the band's history, upcoming album and musical influences.
Please tell us a bit about how the band came together
It all began a few years ago. I had a covers duo called The Preloves and after we were refused a gig at a very cool venue due to our lack of original material, I went home feeling inspired and promptly started writing some songs.
I'd get together with an eclectic bunch of local musos and friends for a weekly jam session in a tin surf shack, hence the tin parlour. It was on a friend's farm. Armed with my repertoire of newly penned songs, Tin Parlour was established!
Tell us more about your inspiration for the album 'All That We Are'. What can we expect?
My songwriting inspiration comes from personal experience, universal themes of love and family, the need to better ourselves, and most importantly, to better our world.
As a songwriter I try to write songs that are all completely different from each other, so listeners can expect a mix of genres from pop, to trip hop, and rock with a few jazzy overtones!
Ultimately, I hope the album inspires people to feel good, be kind and live more truthfully.
As your debut solo album, what themes or messages do you hope it conveys?
I really hope the album brings a lot of joy, positivity and fun to listeners. There are some pretty upbeat tracks and others that are more toned-down. I guess those ones have more philosophical themes. But on the whole, I hope it leaves listeners feeling up and inspired to follow their hearts.
Who are some of your musical influences and did they play a role in shaping this album?
I grew up listening to a wide variety of music. My parents were into jazz and classical music - especially guitar - as well as 70s artists.
We listened to a lot of artists like the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Neil Young, Dylan, the Beatles, and lots of classical music.
In my teens it was all punky stuff, the Clash, the Jam, Psychedelic Furs, Bowie, Elvis Costello, the Police, Pretenders and more.
Plus all the incredible Aussie pub rock bands like INXS, the Oils, Australian Crawl, Cold Chisel, the Angels and the list goes on.
So consequently, I enjoy a very wide sphere of musical genres, I’m really open to all sorts.
I have to say that my all-time favourite artist is Jeff Buckley followed closely by the band Radiohead; both the most exquisite makers of music and sound in my opinion.
I guess subconsciously my musical influences are somehow woven through the songs I write, at least I would hope so, but whether they played a big role in shaping the album is yet to be decided!
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians who dream of releasing their own album?
It’s all about self-belief, building performance confidence and putting your material out there any way you can.
We started playing at friend’s parties, then got gigs at local markets and then pubs and clubs. Take whatever gigs you can. Busk. No matter how dodgy or quiet the venue may be, or uninspired the audience may seem, give it your everything because you never know who’s watching and taking notice!
As a muso friend once said, “Always play like you’re playing to the Queen, that person sitting quietly at the bar might just be an anonymous record producer taking a liking to your stuff!”
We’ve worked hard, played loads of gigs, busked and scraped our earnings to make an album we’re really proud of. It’s really ‘All That We Are’! So, if a bunch of older musos (except for one *wink*) like us can do it, anyone can…. just go for it!!
Or head along to their free album launch party for 'All That We Are' featuring support act These Idle Hands at Pasture & Co. on 27 October from 530pm.
For more information, head to tinparlour.com
