"I'm at a great place creatively right now because I feel like
the passion for my craft has been reignited."
Singer/songwriter Wes Carr can be described as many things - overnight success, is not one of them. For most of his 26 years this talented artist has put the hard-graft, determination and commitment into his love of musicianship and creative expression. Over the years his hard slog has won him scholarships, peer-approval, acclaim, and competitions, but what drives his passion to continue is the truth in his music. It's this authenticity and musical integrity that will secure him a good place in the charts today, and it's this that is at the heart of the connection he has with audiences around Australia.
Born and raised in Adelaide, Wes Carr first began to teach himself guitar and piano at the age of twelve years old. As his school years began to leave him uninspired, it was his burgeoning musical abilities that began take over to develop his expression and identity. Moving to Sydney at the age of fifteen, Wes won a scholarship to a performing arts school. "I knew what I wanted to do but didn't know how I was going to get to do it, so I just started to get little acoustic gigs around Sydney, and ended up playing about five times a week. I started playing some gigs with local musicians like Abby Dobson (Leonardo's Bride) and Paul Mac, and wrote with people like Don Walker, Andrew Farris, and Endorphin."
Along with his experience, Wes' local reputation as a talent began to develop over the next five or six years. "I had a few people come to see my shows off and on, and I worked with some great music talent - people who had the same kinda musical spirit. We formed this little acoustic club around town, where we'd get up and jam each other's songs, and play on each other's records." Whilst drifting along and finding his way, he also picked up industry advice from some of the Australian industry's most influential players like John Watson (Silverchair).
A succession of steps in his career followed. In 2003 he independently released his own RHYTHM TO FLY EP, which was followed by the highly-acclaimed album collaboration with Ben Gilles from Silverchair in 2005, under the moniker of Tambalane. Despite the support they received by Australian radio stations like Triple J for their singles, Tambalane ran its course, and Wes found himself back in Adelaide in early 2006 playing at a local bar. As luck would have it, Wes was then spotted by Joe Cocker's Musical Director - who was in Adelaide on tour - and was given the chance to temporarily relocate to LA. Over the course of the next three months he worked on a handful songs, and got the chance to watch the production process first-hand from some of the industry's most-accomplished songwriters and producers. One of the songs Say My Name even ended up on the soundtrack to the Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration.
Returning to Adelaide, Wes continued working hard on his career, and over the course of the following year he, 'threw a collection of songs up on iTunes' under the album name SIMPLE SUM.
Even now, as a new audience begins to embrace Wes Carr, his collection of songs still remains true to the essence of who he is as an artist. "Everything I've written I'm really proud of. All those songs are like friends from the past and tell the story of my progression as a songwriter."
It's an apprenticeship that has lasted the last ten years or so, and through his grind as a musician Wes Carr has undoubtedly paid his dues. It was this sense of diligence that gave him the courage to audition for Australian Idol in 2008.
"I had nothing to lose at that point. I was confident within myself - the option was to take on something a bit different and challenge myself. I'd worked all over the place, and worked with some amazing people, but the truth was I was just sick of playing covers-gig in pubs. I felt that wasn't what I wanted and needed to be doing. I guess I was more ambitious, in a way."
With his debut post-Idol single You hitting the 1 spot on the Australian charts in late 2008 and reaching platinum sales, work immediately began on Wes Carr's major-label debut album THE WAY THE WORLD LOOKS. "Even though I didn't write You, I really thought the UK songwriters and producers T. Jay & Adam Argyle nailed it. The music and lyrics captured where I was at the time, and it also inspired a few ideas in regards to which direction I should take with this new album too."
Deciding to keep the You team together for the album, sessions for the new album began, against the challenge of limited time. "As soon as they set the deadlines, the timeframe, and the collaborators, I just went ahead and steered the process, and gave it my very best to come up with a collection of songs that I could be really proud of. This really was a culmination of all my musical experience over the years; this is what I'd been building towards all this time, and as a result, I really just felt it tumbling out of me."
Wes began discussing ideas with his musical collaborators, and as a result of their shared headspace, the album began to take shape quickly. A fan of seventies rock - Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, John Lennon (his all-time favourite) - and producers like Phil Spector, George Martin, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones, Wes took inspiration from his influences to lay the groundwork for the new album.
"We had a limited amount of time to write the album, and it was a sink or swim scenario for us, so we just went for it. It took us a few days to get into the swing of it - we wrote a couple of songs in the first few days - and after that we just hit the ground running. We wrote about fifteen songs together in the next eight or nine days! The great thing about it was that every song was completely different. I'm really proud of all the songs on this album."
THE WAY THE WORLD LOOKS is the story of Wes Carr. The album represents his musical progression and achievements over time. The twelve song collection includes the hit single You, eight new co-writes from Wes, and three songs that he had written over the years. Love Is An Animal was written was he was 15, East Coast when he was 23, and the title track which Wes co produced The Way The World Looks, written at 24.
"This new album is definitely more upbeat and a positive outlook for me, and has flavours from all my past and present influences. I think there's a broader sensibility to my work now. The big difference now is that I'm more comfortable with my musicianship."
Leading the charge from the album is the new single Feels Like Woah. "I just wanted to release something that was classic sounding and something different to everything else on the radio right now. It's about hope and joy."
Other highlights on the album includes the warm embrace of the title track The Way The World Looks which conveys his emotive song writing and musical instincts; East Coast - a heartfelt guitar mid tempo tale; and the soaring rock groove When We Were Kings, which was inspired by nostalgic reflection.
With his major-label debut album THE WAY THE WORLD LOOKS, Wes will soon return to his roots, taking his performances back out to live audiences around the country. With his approachable demeanour, his love of music, and his sheer talent, audiences are guaranteed of getting the chance to hear Wes Carr's music played with the same personal touches and nuances that inspired his original song writing process.
"I'm at a great place creatively right now because I feel like the passion for my craft has been reignited. I just want to be able to write, play and produce my music. I want to set-up a studio, and be able to live off my craft. This is the only thing I know how to do well, and the thing I love the most. I'm really ready and excited to head out on the road and play this music to anyone who wants to listen to me. I want to be on the road for years to come, playing the music that I love to play - I really couldn't think of anything better than that."
There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren't the way you had hoped they would be. That's when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people disappoint you and let you down. But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself. There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.
constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are. So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be. Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.
As Thanksgiving Day rolls around, It brings up some facts, quite profound. We may think that we're poor, Feel like bums, insecure, But in truth, our riches astound.
We have friends and family we love; We have guidance from heaven above. We have so much more Than they sell in a store, We're wealthy, when push comes to shove.
So add up your blessings, I say; Make Thanksgiving last more than a day. Enjoy what you've got; Realize it's a lot, And you'll make all your cares go away.
Wes, Thank you for adding my new author page. I will have a few songs from the soundtrack on the player soon, but will link my music page for more songs. My fiction novel with a CD soundtrack is due out in a few weeks. It will be at CD Baby, Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc. Keep in touch. Wishing you a great musical week. Hope all your projects are on track.
Peace and respect, Joy Miller www.myspace.com/joymillermusic
Wes, Thank you for adding me to your list of friends. I really appreciate it. My current project is a fiction novel with CD soundtrack due out soon. Wishing you continued success and a wonderful musical creative week. Congratulations on your new album.
Peace and respect,
Joy Miller My author profile page at myspace coming soon. I hope you will join me there too.
I was by your site today, and I wanted to say thank you for your kindness and friendship. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you want to get somewhere in life, you have to know where you want to go, and how to get there. So never, never, give up. Have a safe week.
Everything I've written is like friends from my past... That is the best comment I've heard from anyone who has been writing songs from their heart since they were old enough to pick up a git-ar and add their true selves to it! That is exactly how I feel - but you've said it! I invite you to drop by whenever you've a browsing moment, and get a laugh out of the doings of a singing/songwriting mum in Melbourne, NOT the easiest city in the world to warble your ORIGINAL songs to! But, I persist, just as you did, and do. Congratulations on all your achievements! What you did on IDOL is essential to the futures of every singer/songwriter, and hopefully, over the next few years, we will see less covers, (unless the bands who produced them are playing them!) and more opportunities for INDIE.
Thanks for the friendship. I hope you have had a fantastic year. A birdy told me you have been doing some writing with Paul Greene...that's great...he is talented too. Have a listen to my songs if you get a chance.
Thanks for the add! I'd love to hear what you think about my music. Keep checkin' my page for upcoming shows and updates! Next show in Nashville will be Sat, Nov 14th @ the grand opening of a new music venue, Center Stage. Hope you can make it out. Keep in touch....Ben.
The turkey shot out of the oven and rocketed into the air, it knocked every plate off the table and partly demolished a chair.
It ricocheted into a corner and burst with a deafening boom, then splattered all over the kitchen, completely obscuring the room.
It stuck to the walls and the windows, it totally coated the floor, there was turkey attached to the ceiling, where there'd never been turkey before.
It blanketed every appliance, it smeared every saucer and bowl, there wasn't a way I could stop it, that turkey was out of control.
I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure, and thought with chagrin as I mopped, that I'd never again stuff a turkey with popcorn that hadn't been popped.
Hey Wes! Our Ancient Curse single launch is this Saturday night at the Ed Castle! I sure hope you can make it. The single is available to download for free at www.triplejunearthed.com/thebatterykids So get over there, download it and if you like, leave us a comment. The video clip will be up for view on our myspace very soon. Much Love, The Battery Kids
Friends answer your needs before their own. You come to them with your hunger, And they satisfy you with peace. That's how friends are. Friends let you speak your mind, Without worrying what their thoughts will be. Friends know when you are silent, They need to listen your heart. Friends share the joy and the pain. They know about desire and rejection. Friends allow you to be who you are, Without expectations of who you should be. Friends don't come with a purpose, They don't come with a plan. They come to enlighten your spirit, They come to brighten your heart. They come to give you a hand when needed And expect nothing in return. It is the little things that friends do. Like fill your heart with pleasure, hope and joy. AAHH... The Sweetness Of Friendsip There can be no price placed on Friendship It has once been told. For Friendships are worth far more than gold.
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