Rusty Fords and Weatherboards may be the debut album from Australian country music band, Copperline, but the fact is, these guys paying their dues in the industry for some time now.
Be it on the pub circuit or alongside other artists such as The Vines, Radiohead and The Tea Party, either individually or as a group, the guys from Copperline have firmly established themselves as one of the industry’s best live acts.
In this interview with lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist Brad Christmas, we discuss what went into creating Rusty Fords and Weatherboards, their love of storytelling and country music, and their upcoming tour.
Congratulations on the release of your debut album, Rusty Fords and Weatherboards, featuring your single, Woman’s Touch. It sounds great. What’s your fans’ reaction been like so far?
Thank you. We’ve been really happy with the way it’s gone down. Lots of really positive feedback and people saying it’s stuck in their heads, which is great to hear.
What do you want people to take away from listening to the record?
I want people to feel like the record has taken them on a journey, and that they feel like they have been to the places and meet the people that have inspired the songs.
You worked with Shane Nicholson on Rusty Fords and Weatherboards. What was the recording process like and what did you take away from the experience?
Shane has such a beautiful sensibility and innate understanding of songcraft. I felt like we learnt heaps about structuring and arranging songs to let their best elements shine.
To download Rusty Fords and Weatherboards via iTunes, click here. [Image via Facebook]
This may be your debut album, but you guys have actually been around for quite a while, playing pub circuits and smaller venues, as well as individually supporting bands like The Vines, Radiohead and The Tea Party, and song writing award nominations. How did that experience inform how you approached writing and recording songs for the album? Was it a hinderance or a help?
All of that experience was really integral to the writing of this album both in terms of subject matter and the way we approached writing and recording it. I think having done all that has made us much clearer about what we wanted to achieve with this record.
From start to finish, how long did the album take to make?
Some of the tracks for the album were written five or more years ago. We went into the studio in March and there was a good few months of going back and forth to add overdubs and mixing and mastering. It’s a pretty long journey.
Rusty Fords and Weatherboards has quite a diverse sound, with everything from ballads and breakup songs to more up-tempo tracks. Do you have a favourite?
Please Don’t Cry, for me, probably has the most personal connection. It’s about a good friend who went through some pretty hard times. The song means a lot to him, so it means a lot to me to play.
You’ve said that the album gives you a platform to tell the stories of your career thus far. How important is storytelling to your song writing process?
I think at heart we’re all storytellers. Most of these songs began with someone’s story we wanted to tell. The artists I draw most inspiration from are all storytellers, and I think the narrative element is what attracted us all to country music.
You launched the album just a few weeks’ ago. What was that like?
We launched the record at Lazy Bones in Marrickville in Sydney. It was a great night. We had a really good turn out and it was really exciting for us, after waiting for so long, to see how a live audience responded to the songs.
Who are your idols, both personally and professionally?
Neil Young’s Harvest was the first record that made me want to be a songwriter, and its still one of my records to this day. I also love people like Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Tom Waits. And I reckon Jason Isbell is the best songwriter working right now.
How difficult is it being an independent artist in today’s industry?
In some ways, the digital revolution has made it easier for artists like us to put music out into the world and get it to our audience directly. As always though, there ain’t much money it.
One of the songs on Rusty Fords and Weatherboards is Social Network Blues, which laments how much control social media has over our lives these days. With this in mind, how important is social media when it comes to engaging with fans and reaching a bigger audience?
That song was very much about capturing a mood and a moment in time. I [was] getting grief from some people about not being on social media enough, and that song was my unfiltered response. In reality, as an independent artist, Facebook and social media are really helpful tools to get your music out there.
How and when were you inspired to make music your career path?
Growing up I had an uncle who played in a band. He taught me to play Beatles’ songs and one night invited me on stage to play a few tracks. It was a huge rush and I was addicted to it from then on. Still am today. I wouldn’t do it otherwise.
What are the highlights and lowlights of your career thus far, either individually or as a band?
I have to say the launch of the album the other night was equal to any of the best experiences I’ve had on stage. Lowlight would probably be a gig we did in the country where a fight broke out in front of the stage that resulted in someone falling on our gear and doing about $1000 worth of damage.
You said that your live audience was a big inspiration for the album. Given that you’re touring NSW soon, what can people expect to see at a Copperline gig?
A show that takes lots of musical twists and turns through country, rock, blues and ballads. I think we’re a pretty interactive band, and we love to get our audience as involved as possible.
Do you plan on touring nationally soon?
Absolutely. We’re talking to venues all around the country as we speak.
What do you enjoy most about touring and performing live?
There’s something about the immediate reaction you get from a live audience that you can’t get anywhere else. The expressions they get on their faces. The way they move. They way they sing along to certain bits. It’s why we do what we do.
You recently announced you’ll be playing at The Blue Mountains Music Festival of Roots and Blues, alongside the likes of Wallis Bird, Elixir and Linda and Vika Bull. How did that come about?
We’ve got a close connection to the mountains. Richie [Gosling, bass, guitar and vocals] and Paul [Handel, guitar and vocals] live there and I lived there for a while a few years ago, so it’s kind of a hometown festival gig for us, I guess.
What are you most looking forward to when you play there in March?
We’ve got a lot of friends and family up there, so it will be great to get to play these songs for them. I’m also looking forward to checking out some of the awesome artists on the bill like Neko Case and William Crighton.
How do you wind down from a live show?
A glass of red and something on vinyl. Leonard Cohen’s Songs from a Room is a particular favourite.
Generally speaking, do you prefer performing in a festival setting, or smaller venues (such as those on your upcoming tour)?
They each have their advantages. There’s definitely a rush in (hopefully) playing to a bigger crowd at a festival. But there’s an intimacy in a smaller venue that’s really cool also. I think the longer you’ve played, the more you enjoy playing in a range of different contexts.
Why does country music appeal to you guys so much?
I love the fact it’s a rich tradition that connects us with songwriters and musicians who were writing and playing generations before us.
How do you see country music in Australia evolving?
I think there’s a really healthy country scene in Australia at the moment. As in other places, we’re starting to see interesting fusions and sub-genres springing up. I just hope the country music community is open enough to embrace all these different branches and blossoms.
Copperline will tour NSW shortly. Tour details can be found at the end of this interview. [Image via Facebook]
When I’m not playing music, I have a little writing business with my wife so that takes up most of the rest of my time.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
Something creative. Writing novels most probably.
If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry (living or dead), who would it be and why?
I’d love to work with Jason Isbell, to watch and absorb the working habits of a genius songwriter.
How has the music industry changed over the years, from when you started out to now?
When I first started out, the only way to build an audience was to get signed to a label and get radio play. Musicians now have the tools to get themselves out there in the world, which is equally liberating and daunting. It means you have to wear many hats (manager, publicist etc).
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Play the music you love because people can spot inauthenticity a mile off, and trying to be something you aren’t sucks all the fun out of it.
What’s the biggest misconception regarding making a career out of music, in your opinion?
That idea of ‘making it’. Like there’s going to be some lightning moment when millions of people are going to discover you. In reality it takes years of persistence, and building your audience person by person.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
There’s a tonne of great country, alt-country and Americana coming out of Australia at the moment. I’m particularly enjoying Ben Leece, Tori Forsyth and Jen Mize.
What’s the epitome of success for you guys as a band?
To still be playing and making music together in 20 years time, however we can make that happen.
What have you got planned for the rest of this year (aside from your tour)?
We’re going to take a moment around Christmas to recharge the batteries in preparation for a big year of touring in 2019.
Copperline will hit the road very shortly, with upcoming gigs in NSW and plans to tour nationwide. Details are below, and you can find out more information via their Facebook page:
13th December – Camelot Lounge – Marrickville, NSW
2nd February – The Servo Food Truck Bar – Port Kembla, NSW
15th – 17th March – Blue Mountains Folk Festival – Katoomba, NSW
Jackie Smith Writes 