BEFORE he was a fixture in Australia’s music landscape, he was driving around Mandurah listening to Bruce Springsteen and Cold Chisel.
A proud Western Australian Adam Brand still calls Perth and Mandurah home.
While working as a bricklayer, helping to build the Peel Health Campus he spent his time like most other 17-year-olds in Mandurah at the time.
“We would go out crabbing and fishing,” Brand said.
“We’d just hang around in our cars by Hungry Jacks and drive around listening to tunes.”
“Part of my up-bringing is in every album.”
- Adam Brand
It was a time which helped shape the country singer into the performer he is today; Brand said he owes a “good deal” to his early music education.
The country star was raised to the evergreen hits of Elvis, Kris Kristofferson, The Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison.
Add to that a youthful love of artists from AC/DC to Fleetwood Mac and an agile musical mind was born.
“Those early experiences of music: they’re the roots of your musical soul,” Brand said.
“So much of myself is in my songs.
“Part of my up-bringing is in every album.”
While most tours Brand has little time to reconnect, his upcoming tour for My Side of the Street, gives him a chance to remember why home is where the heart is.
“I still call it home even though it’s been 15 years since I’ve lived in WA,” he said.
“But I get to fly into Perth on the Sunday and have a couple days just to chill. Dad still lives in Perth so I’ll spend a couple of days with him and kick back and enjoy the feeling of being home.”
Brand’s latest album, My Side of the Street sets out a template for the twelve tunes to follow, showcasing Brand’s heartworn vocal chops alongside crisp guitars, Gospel-inspired backing vocals and keys laden with Hammond organ effects.
Co-produced by Brand and long-time collaborator Craig Porteils, My Side of the Street finds Brand doing those things he does best: growing, expanding and evolving.
And this will all be left on the Ravenswood Hotel stage on October 19.
“I love playing at the ‘Ravo’,” Brand said.
“It’s such a rowdy crowd and it’s in a great place, being right on the river.
“But it’s known for its high energy.
“There will be a mixture of songs – not just tracks from My Side of the Street.
“The audience shouldn’t be expect it to be lazy Sunday afternoon.
“It will be going full throttle.”
For more information on Brand’s Ravenswood Show go to ravenswoodho tel.com.au
