Traveling the world my dream for as long as I can remember, I am nearing the end of the first 90 days in America — the home of the brave – and a vibrant music scene full of eclectic musicians!
A week ago, I landed in Nashville – the heart of music making — the place lives and breathes music. If the music ever died in Nashville, I swear it would slowly disappear from everywhere else in the world, that’s the influence this place has on the music scene!
So far, every day has been truly amazing and I am looking forward to the next exciting installment but anyone who has been on the road knows about home sick blues. Those days where everything feels wrong, you feel sick and want your own bed, and most importantly a hug from Mum. Family and friends seem too far away and you ache for something familiar.
Monday the 29th of August, in Nashville Tennessee was that kind of day — I missed all things associated with home. An invitation from a new friend at the hostel to a gig downtown at a music venue called 12th & Porter had depressed me wanting to stay in bed but music junkie me unable to say no. The gig was free — a bonus for cash-strapped backpackers. Fellow travelers on tight budgets understand that you never knock back free experiences — and often they turn out to be the best ones! This gig was no exception. It was meant to happen.
We arrived late, half way through the main attraction, Sons Of Summer’s’ first song. I had never heard of and knew nothing about this band yet immediately fell in love with what I was hearing and by their next song was mesmerized — completely captivated by the perfect harmonies of Clint Crighton (guitar/vocals), Luke Dolahenty (guitar/vocals), and Jules Crighton (vocals).
Sons of Summer write intelligent touching lyrics and have a connection on stage that is seamless, their performance a clockwork masterpiece synchronized with an enthralled audience. They are a beautiful trio and relatively new yet have Matt Sherrod on drums (for those who don’t know he is the drummer for the esteemed ‘Crowded House’) and bassist David LaBruyere who is most famous for playing with John Mayer. The gifted newbies intertwined with talented established artists make Sons Of Summer even more of a magical listening explosion to watch.
After a few more songs, Clint and Luke engaged the audience in conversation thanking everyone for coming along and explaining the meaning of the next song on the set list. I thought my ears were playing tricks, hearing Australian accents instead of American twang. Can homesickness be projected onto a stage? However, as they continued to talk it became clear this was an Australian band. I felt embarrassed that I had never heard of them before! Meanwhile the combination of their accents, the soothing songs and overall spectacular performance washed away the blues and downtown Nashville felt like home.
Sons Of Summer put on an amazing live show. They sing songs with sweet imaginative and fun lyrics, love and warmth embracing the audience as it seeps from the stage. Talented musicians they play their instruments with passion, not just technique with vocal harmonies reminiscent of that other Aussie band from another era with perfect diction and zest, The Seekers.
I felt their Aussie charm spreading and connecting with the room, many of the patrons swaying, eyes closed letting imaginations drift as Sons of Summer painted an amazing colourful canvas, enticing you into their world. They have so much heart it is not surprising audiences fall in love with them. After the show, they joined the audience to shake everyone’s hand, and thanked us all for supporting their gig. A personal gesture from a talented hard working band; the respect and gratitude they show their audience will help these Aussie battlers go places so rightly deserved.
If you have not heard of this band from country Australia check out their official website and download ‘The One I love The Most’ a fantastic sample of what I have been talking about. I guarantee it will be love at first sound and you will be demanding a live show! ‘The One I love The Most’ is only one of my favourite songs along with, ‘Summer’, ‘Restless One’, ‘Unborn’, ‘Damage’ and ‘The Longest Time’ – all highlights of the gig.
After that first performance, I went to every gig they played in Nashville before I resumed my travels. Rumour has it that Sons of Summer will be touring Australia later this year so for those still in Australia please go and support homegrown talent. If you are on the road like me, I am sure there is a chance of catching a performance somewhere because their heart lies in traveling too. I guarantee they’ll cure your homesickness like they did for me — and you are in for a treat if they play a Cold Chisel cover!
Their album is out later this year and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Stay tuned because we were lucky enough to sit down and have a chat with the band so watch for our post!
By Anne.
Check out Sons Of Summer
