Peter Baxter has released his new EP, From Some Remove, and his new album will follow later in 2023. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Speaking about his second single, Alonely, he says, "It's the story of a lovely lady my Mum used to visit every week as part of her Home Carer role and sometimes I’d arrive to collect Mum.
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"If I was lucky, she wouldn’t be finished and I’d get to sit, have a chat or a cup of tea with the lady and she’d tell me stories of her life and those that she loved. She refused to have a TV and just about agreed to a phone.
"Her family lived in a wealthy green leaved part of Sydney called St Ives and would trek down once a fortnight sometimes and see her and hassle her to sell up and go in a home. The house was in a prime location and worth a bit of money. What happened? Well, that’s another story that I usually tell when I play the song live . . . "
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was born in Ireland, and my family moved to Australia by ship when I was five years old! The trip took six weeks, and while I don't remember much of the trip, I still remember coming to Sydney Harbour that first time and sailing past the Opera House and sailing under the Harbour Bridge. It was astonishing, I’m working on my fourth album with Dave McCune at Ventry Studios in North County Dublin. We're tipping away at it and hope to finish soon. I work with young people in schools and youth projects mostly as part of Createschool. We help them to learn the skills they need to craft and share their stories through songs, films, podcasts etc.
How would you describe your music?
Honest.
Who are your musical inspirations?
There are so many but if I had to name a few I'd start with Roy Orbison for his voice and his song writing - that unique way of writing songs that didn't always follow the normal structure. The Clash for the way they inspired so many people, like me, to find out more about the places, people, and politics they sang of. Christy Moore for his authenticity and his commitment to his muse. He believes it and we believe him. Emmylou Harris for pushing the boundaries, for making the music that she wanted to make, how she wanted to make it. I love that and I love her voice.
What was the first gig you went to?
Eric Bogle at a folk night in Campbelltown, New South Wales. I was 10 and Dad introduced me to him after the show. Dad was a fan, and we would sing Eric Bogle songs together in the car, at parties, sing songs and later in a ballad band, we had for a few years in Sydney. I still listen to his songs now.
What's your favourite song right now?
Right now, it is an old favourite - Van Gogh's Ear by Seamus Fogarty.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Tell me how long is a short time, is it longer than two hours, Or a bit less than a weekend. Is it shorter than a year? Is it the time it takes to not complete your business with a person, With a friend you make in transit, to a daughter held so dear"
Mick Thomas is a great songwriter, and for many years he has fronted various bands playing his songs around the world. These lyrics are from one of his many great songs - For A Short Time. You can hear him yourself in a rare visit to Dublin on 3 July at the Workman's Club.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'd probably rather listen to a piece of music than a song if that was the case and I reckon it would have to be Pau Casals playing Bach's Cello Suite 1 in G Major. There are six parts in the suite and so I'd hope to listen to them all if that was possible, if not then just the prelude.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website and here. My new EP, From Some Remove, is out now and available on the normal digital streaming sites. It was recorded in Dublin and Melbourne, Australia, during lockdown, with renowned producers David Bridie and, the previously mentioned, Mick Thomas, as well as a variety of musicians from their bands and friends. We all worked in home studios and swapped tracks back and forth; it was this project that kept me sane! Another track was written and recorded with Dave McCune in North County Dublin.
