WHEN Kav Temperley announced he was doing a solo tour it left people asking what that meant for Eskimo Joe.
Lead singer Temperley’s latest project is not a hint at an upcoming end for the Fremantle band – nothing would be further from the truth.
In fact it was Eskimo Joe’s second album, A Song is a City, which was the inspiration behind it.
“It’s been 10 years since A Song is a City was released and looking back at it, it really was a linear story,” Temperley said.
“There was a lot which I couldn’t talk about at the time but from a safe distance, I can now.
“There were a lot of personal stories that go with this album, that’s why I’m doing this by myself.”
A Song is a City tour will take a look at each individual song on the album acoustically, as well as covers of the songs which helped influence its creation – all which are on the EP that comes with the ticket.
Eskimo Joe’s second studio album was a turning point for the band with it receiving multiple ARIA awards, a double platinum status and number two position on the ARIA album charts.
With the support of a new record label the band became a household name but it was the events in the lead-up and the music of the time which was the real driving force behind this career-solidifying album.
“It was all part of a three year process and was the last record of innocence,” Temperley said.
“We had a jam room in Freo with an open-door policy for local bands to come and hangout and write.
“It was at a time when bands like End of Fashion and Little Birdy had all started.
“It was an amazing period, where we all had this kind of innocence but we wanted more and it led us to the smoke and mirrors of Black Fingernails and Red Wine.”
Temperley said they would head home from the Newport after a night of drinking and would watch one song on Rage in the hopes it would change everything.
“It was silly to think one song would change everything,” he said.
“But one night it did.
“Bill Withers, Ain’t No Sunshine came on and it changed everything.
“It was quite dire and it was powerful; you can’t explain why a song hits you, it just does.
“There are only one or two songs a year which transports you and this was one of them.”
Used to being up on stage with at least two other people, Temperley had to get used to not having to be the band’s spokesperson while up on stage.
He was allowed to be himself on stage, rather than just one part of either the Eskimo Joe or Basement Birds, one of his other music projects.
“The first four shows were pretty strange; it was the fear of the unknown,” Temperley said.
“I quickly worked out my own groove though.”
Temperley will be at Players Bar on September 5.
For more information go to kavtemperley.com.au
