Having spent the last quarter-century fronting one of Australia’s most popular and successful rock bands, Phil Jamieson is now geared up to explore the well-worn route of front guy going solo. It starts with ‘Trouble’ is the first single from a highly anticipated debut solo album, Somebody Else, due for release in August on Golden Robot Records later in 2023.
“’Trouble’ is tightly wound new wave pop, nervy staccato guitars and bubbling synths in a quintessentially antipodean style, along the lines of early INXS or Split Enz… One of Australian rock’s most iconic voices of the last 25 years,” is the tune and singer’s apt descriptor applied by the song’s co-producer, none other than You Am I’s lead guitarist, Davey Lane.
Jamieson himself delves into the track thusly; “’Trouble’ started life in Potts Point in 2019. 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 eight 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 eight and wrote the drum pattern. It took on a whole new life and became what you hear today.”
For non-Australian readers, “the Cross” refers to Kings Cross, Sydney’s renowned red-light district, and “John Laws” is an infamous conservative right-wing radio disc jockey.
From fronting a generation-defining rock band the multi-platinum-selling Grinspoon, to enjoying success in the musical theatre world, Jamieson remains a multi-faceted creative, 27 years on from his debut. And now with his sights firmly focused on a start-delayed solo career.
Jamieson’s live performance talents have continued to diversify and develop as he has explored new stages and formats in his post-band career. He made the transition from live music venues to the boards of theatres around the country in 2017, cast as St. Jimmy in the Australian stage production of American Idiot. The Broadway musical had an impactful Australian season, and a performance that earned Jamieson wide acclaim.
As well as working on his musical career in recent years, Jamieson has been involved in several philanthropic and industry-specific initiatives. In 2013, he co-founded the Rock N Ride Tour for the National Youth and Mental Health Foundation, Headspace, bringing awareness to mental health issues faced by young people across a five-day motorcycle road trip. Additionally, Jamieson has donated profits from his solo touring to national initiative, Support Act, who continue to assist those in need in the music industry. Since 2015, Jamieson has also been an industry judge for the Australian Music Prize, arguably the most prestigious award in Australian music.
You can stream/buy ‘Trouble’ here and check out the video here at RAMzine.
What can fans of Phil Jamieson and his band expect from his upcoming debut solo album, “Somebody Else,” and how does his new single, “Trouble,” set the tone for this highly anticipated release?