'Chimney's Afire' is the cry whalers of yesteryear made when they harpooned a whale and a plume of blood and water spurted out of its blowhole into the air. "It's a horrifying, brutal image, but the actual language is evocative and quite amazing," says Australian singer-songwriter, Josh Pyke of the title of his new album, the follow-up to his ARIA Award winning debut 'Memories & Dust'.
While Pyke's interest primarily lies in the language of the time rather than the act of whaling itself, references of a nautical nature flow through the album.
"I've always been interested in maritime history... my ancestors were all whalers and Navy men, so I feel some kind of pull for that kind of life and history," he says.
Maritime themed books about Magellan, Moby Dick and Joshua Slocum's solo voyage around the world contributed to the imagery in the songs as well as childhood reminiscences and stories.
The album is more than a simple ode to seafaring though. Pyke traverses an ocean of memories, ideas and thoughts about everyday concerns, with stability and the notion of making up your own mind emerging as overriding themes.
He explores the concept of a home, what it means and why it's important; fate, and whether there is a plan for us all; getting older and what it means to settle down; responsibility; being careless or careful with people and the legacy one leaves when they go.
While these concepts aren't exactly unchartered musical territory, it's Pyke's unique way with words, sense of melody and quirky song structures though that set him apart from other singer/songwriters. His critically acclaimed debut 'Memories & Dust' collected three ARIA Awards, hit the charts at #4 and went on to sell 50,000+ copies. The album was released in the UK on Island Records, and Josh toured there extensively. A slot on the Glastonbury Festival bill preceded a run of sold-out theatre shows back home, followed by the massive Big Day Out tour.
As a sneak peak to this wonderful release, please check out the video to the first single, The Lighthouse Song:
The Lighthouse Song is available now via iTunes and also streaming here:
While Pyke's interest primarily lies in the language of the time rather than the act of whaling itself, references of a nautical nature flow through the album.
"I've always been interested in maritime history... my ancestors were all whalers and Navy men, so I feel some kind of pull for that kind of life and history," he says.
Maritime themed books about Magellan, Moby Dick and Joshua Slocum's solo voyage around the world contributed to the imagery in the songs as well as childhood reminiscences and stories.
The album is more than a simple ode to seafaring though. Pyke traverses an ocean of memories, ideas and thoughts about everyday concerns, with stability and the notion of making up your own mind emerging as overriding themes.
He explores the concept of a home, what it means and why it's important; fate, and whether there is a plan for us all; getting older and what it means to settle down; responsibility; being careless or careful with people and the legacy one leaves when they go.
While these concepts aren't exactly unchartered musical territory, it's Pyke's unique way with words, sense of melody and quirky song structures though that set him apart from other singer/songwriters. His critically acclaimed debut 'Memories & Dust' collected three ARIA Awards, hit the charts at #4 and went on to sell 50,000+ copies. The album was released in the UK on Island Records, and Josh toured there extensively. A slot on the Glastonbury Festival bill preceded a run of sold-out theatre shows back home, followed by the massive Big Day Out tour.
"Pyke has created a classic album you'll still be listening to in 20 years" - Album of the week -Daily Telegraph
"Memories & Dust' deserves to be cherished, talked over, analysed, celebrated and raved over to your mates in the way classic albums once were" - - The Courier Mail
"'Memories & Dust' serves as further evidence that Pyke is arguably the best Australian singer/songwriter going around" - Album of the weekBeat
The Lighthouse Song is available now via iTunes and also streaming here:
http://www.myspace.com/joshpyke
