Phil Jamieson – frontman/singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grinspoon – has released a second single and video entitled ‘Trouble’ from his first ever solo album Somebody Else set for release July 29.
“‘Trouble’ started life in Potts Point in 2019,” says Phil. “I demoed with long time collaborator Ben Rosen. He had just moved back from Singapore and had this chic Art Deco place right in the heart of the Cross. Over overpriced beer I kind of came up with the riff and song… and we sat down and pushed out a demo. It had a very different middle 8 section but apart from that the structure was pretty spot on. Lyrically it went through many moods… heartfelt, funny, sad. I think at one stage I was singing about John Laws’ boat? Anyhoo… I took it down to Field Studio in Collingwood to redo it from the ground up with the incredible Davey Lane. He wrote the middle 8 and wrote the drum pattern. It took on a whole new life and became what you hear today.”
The new single comes as Phil prepares for rare performances with his old mates at Splendour in The Grass and Springloaded. In between Splendour and Springloaded – indeed just days after Grinspoon’s appearance at Splendour, Phil will be hitting the road for his solo Somebody Else album tour with band mates Sam Raines on drums and Rob Muiños on bass. Phil’s tour will begin July 27 in Eltham in Northern NSW. Supporting Phil on tour will be The Pictures, led by Phil’s frequent co-conspirator Davey Lane. Back in their original form after 18 years, The Pictures are currently working on a new LP with a single out soon.
Phil Jamieson has been working on his solo career for some years. Indeed, some of his ‘new’ material pre-dates his role in the Australian stage production of American Idiot. He has, however, up until now been nervous to christen it with an album. “The collective fear and loathing which has gone into releasing this has sometimes seemed insurmountable. But it’s a bit like an election, innit? If not now, when? If not me, who? Thanks for listening regardless, I hope you get a kick out of it…”
With Somebody Else the album due out July 29, Phil has not got too much longer to feel the fear. And all who have heard the record say that he’s got nothing to worry about anyway.
As that doyen of the arts, Tim Rogers says of it: “Phil’s puckish performance style is underscored by a voice that can turn choirboy or demon’s spawn in a blinding grin. This has at times overshadowed his humour and empathy but no more. Teasing open his lapels to show heart and scars, but also hope and the lessons learnt from throwing yourself into this art that compels and damns us. Pop music with fire and finesse.”
Somebody Else the album will be released July 29 on vinyl, CD and digitally through Cheersquad Records & Tapes, the Melbourne-based label run by Wally Kempton from The Meanies and Even.
Wednesday 27 July • ELTHAM HOTEL ELTHAM (NSW) – TIX
Thursday 28 July • VINNIE’S DIVE GOLD COAST – TIX
Friday 29 July • SOLBAR SUNSHINE COAST – TIX
Saturday 30 July • THE ZOO BRISBANE – TIX
Thursday 4 August • THE CURTIN MELBOURNE – TIX
Friday 5 August • TRANSIT BAR CANBERRA – TIX
Saturday 6 August • OXFORD ART FACTORY SYDNEY – TIX
Sunday 7 August • SHADY PALMS AVOCA BEACH (NSW) – TIX
Friday 12 August • LION ARTS FACTORY ADELAIDE – TIX