With his musical depth and drifter's spirit, Jason Lowe sounds a lot older than 20 years of age. Performing evocative ballads that are wide-eyed and weathered in equal measure, the burgeoning talent has now emerged from the studio with a debut album - Grey Cap Times.
There's a lot of worldliness in Grey Cap Times. Where other songwriters might have locked themselves in a cupboard and strummed in solitude, Lowe chose to wander landscapes far and wide, gleaning ideas from his shifting environment. Realising that expanding his horizons would be integral to his growth as a songwriter, Lowe travelled to America, with no plan beyond the booking of his return flight.
"I just needed to go," enthuses Lowe, about his overseas voyage. "Instinctively, I knew my spirit would gain a great deal. It was a quest for that experience - for some more essential growth and wisdom. I had envisioned what may happen, and the way it unfolded was that and more. The songs I wrote in America were just a bonus. From desert to evergreen, mountain to stream, I was finding home..."
Upon his return to Australia, the young singer was touched, profoundly, by the autobiography of the legend Woody Guthrie. The life of the man who epitomised the wandering troubador, only strengthened Lowe's belief that he was on his true path.
While many young songwriters pine about their carnal woes, Lowe's focus is the plight of our planet. The musician feels a deep connection with the wilderness, stating simply that his "religion is nature". Lowe's earthy vocals and elegant instrumention make Grey Cap Times, a richly rewarding and emotionally captivating experience.
The title of Grey Cap Times, shares its name with an epic poem that Lowe wrote in mid-2008. Channeling his inspiration from the ether, the work poured from him during one intense evening. For Lowe, it was a creative turning point, as he had finally found his voice and realised his capabilities as a lyricist.
"'Grey Cap Times' really was a cosmic heave in a true direction. One sombre night it came - three pages straight down. I didn't even know what I was writing about - that's the way they happen sometimes. It overwhelms you, possesses you in a way, then you snap out and you've got
it. It's magic, alright," says Lowe.
The poem 'Grey Cap Times' taught the blossoming songsmith not to take any line of lyric for granted. Subsequently, the words that waft throughout his stirring debut record are each loaded with a world of meaning, like tiny planets orbiting Lowe's creative star. With engineering assistance from guitar virtuoso Adam Miller, the Newcastle-based musician has created a timeless collection of folk songs, all resonating with a restless perception that gazes onward with gentle resilience.
"The roots of the songs stem at first from a deep connection to the natural world - to the realm of existence. That core acts as a spiritual guidance throughout all I do. But the songs also celebrate and capture my surroundings, my feelings in those surroundings, my experiences, things that just needed to be said, things I was learning, folks I met, folks that passed on, what once was, what is no more, and what could be. They are songs from quests really, just as any songs I write will always be," says Lowe, emphatically.
With performances at the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival and support slots with the likes of Eric Bibb, critical and public acclaim has not taken long to find Jason Lowe (his independent debut EP, Before We Chase The Sky, garnered rave reviews). Grey Cap Times is the writer's invitation to you - book a return ticket and see the world with fresh eyes.
"Grey Cap Times" is in all ABC stores and JB-HIFI country wide through ABC music. Also available on ITUNES and ABC online.
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yeah ill see how i go...may be able to make the trip from geelong to ballarat for the gig....will depend on work...but yeah im now living in geelong and hopefully torquay soon....amped for some waves for sure!! just a struggle to get my head around crowds after being so blessed in warrnambool with low crowds...
give us a buzz or soemthing then when down this way...ive got a board and we'll go surf...if not just kick back and cacth up...Victoria is a beautiful place hey!!
hope the album goes great guns for you...i'll keep on moving it to the front of the J and L section at JB HI-FI in geelong!!
cool cool...take care and happy touring mate....jeff martin fronts possibly my favourite band from high schoool days...and i remember at the 1999 Falls festival he did a rant about the weather (which was terrible) and he finished his rant by sayin, with arms in a jesus christ pose, and let it rain....then it did rain just as The Tea Party started played Heaven Coming Down....holy shit that spun me out....10 years on and im still spun out by it!!
Rad....thats me done....see you someday soon Jas..
Hi Jason, Enjoyed the show last night, forgot to say all the babies in the crowd seemed to enjoy it too, they were being 'lulled' by you, it was lovely to see. I love the CD, the car trip home wasn't long enough for once. Cheers.
Mate, Love the album, your a genius, now just need to get the exposure, its got a guernsey at work and is copping a smashing on my ipod lol. Cheers Timmy
Hey dude! Been aaages! Just bout to head to JB to pick up a copy of ur album.
I actually recently released an E.P. on Itunes called "The Door and the Window" which is just 6 of my earlier tracks. So anyways if u have time grab urself a copy and also have a listen to the newer stuff on my myspace, you'll (hopefully) notice I've progressed :P
Hope life is well! Might catch you at Lizottes when ur there ;)
Oooh lucky me! I get home on the 16th of November and hit the road again on the 19th. I'll see your fine self at ANU on the 18th! I'm looking forward to hearing the new rekkid.
oohhh! JB! thats exciting man! I been good, just chillin last few days I've had off work, so been getting little bits n pieces done, went for bit of a drive into town today to visit my nana, which was nice. Went and saw a flick last night with a friend and afterwards dropped into the farm, aunty suz was sleeping out in the stables at Leanne and Andrews cos Pa got really pissed and they had a fight over something silly hahaha lol, ahh, alcohol causes so many problems! Pa is renovating in the barn, its looking cool, hes making a bar near the pool table. anndd thats bout it, right now im lsitening to Changing on the Guards and about to make a cuppa tea !
looking forward to seeing you at the ep launch this wednesday 9 sept at lizottes newcastle (morehead st. lambton). please pass details on to anyone interested...
show starts at 7:30pm and tix are $13.50 at the door or you can book a table in advance by calling (02) 4956 2066 or online at www.newcastle.lizottes.com.au/live
That sounds great, you could come and stay a couple nights with me, pa and aunty suz at the farm, lloyd lives about 20 mins away. Yeah, pics are brilliant, i checked out the photographers web page, and he has some impressive work! Get meggy to help you with facebook, she has one, so she can show you a thing or two! its compliated at first, i know, but it is really good, it took me a while to pick it up too! Anyway, im doing well, just been working lots, its pretty much all i have been doing for the past few months! its good though, nice crew of people and its only during the day, so have my nights off to relax and do what i want. will speak soon, :)
hey jase, i like the new photos, too bad the ones kirst took didn't work out :( i had a lot of faith in them. whats news? i miss you and meg :( i sure bet megs having a lovely time though! :) i keep using smileys :) :( :P i havent written on myspace in so long man, so used to facebook now! cant wait for my copy to come in the mail ;) come down again soon, weathers getting better, we can go for a bike ride on the trail, maybe try get a tour in that hippy house and camp outside by the fire! possibilities are endless in the warmer weather.... nat x
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