Australia is a country which does not divulge is secrets easily. Geographically, the continent is marginally smaller than the U.S. (by about 500 square miles) but unlike the U.S., Australia only has a population of 17 million. In the 1980's the expansion of air services brought the rest of the world a little closer and the on-going revolution in communications technology has finally stripped away the isolation which has played its part in shaping the nation's musical and artistic culture. Revealed is a unique body of creative talent, ideas and expression.
For Australian artists, distance from the world's more active entertainment cores have always created a dilemma: either you take a lead and follow slightly behind European and American trends or you throw caution to the wind and set off completely in your own direction. Artists like Nick Cave or bands like The Saints, Icehouse, and The Church would acknowledge the positive results of "going it alone". Now, with the release of Flow, River of My Soul audiences the world over have a new name to add to the list of Australian greats: Single Gun Theory. The band's first North American tour marks its real debut onto the international music scene. Many would say it was long overdue.
When the Australian edition of Rolling Stone placed an article on Single Gun Theory in its New Faces section in 1991, diehard fans were more than a little amused--hardly surprising since the group actually released its first album in 1987. While that recording caused little more than ground swell interest in Australia, it earned the band a major following in Europe. Like Stars In My Hand, which followed after a protracted four year gap, was to become one of the most highly acclaimed local releases of its year. With a provacative blend of emotive lyrics, sensual vocals, intense melodics, and sampled soundscapes the album received critical acclaim from around the world and earned SGT a strong fan base in the U.S. and Canada where the band's label, Nettwerk, is based. The recording also attracted attention from such luminaries as David Byrne and director Peter Weir.
In part, Single Gun Theory's best-kept-secret status reflects its members' intensely private approach to music making. Unlike many bands which court the music industry and craft stage personae, SGT have always been writers rather than performers. In the past it has only been the pressure of public demand which has led them to stage and it is perhaps this lack of artifice in their presentation which makes them such a good live act--honest, human and at times fragile, SGT shows are always an intensely personal experience.
Flow, River Of My Soul, the band's new release, showcases once again the remarkable song writing team of Kath Power and Pete Rivett-Carnac and the sheer beauty of Jacqui Hunt's voice. Hauntingly evocative, this collection of songs is a mature work capable of taking the listener on a journey of personal exploration.
Pete Rivett-Carnac and Kath Power have been writing songs together for the best part of 10 years. The passing of the years has enriched the team's abilities and entwined its mutual dependence to a point where it is hard to distinguish individual roles. Both write alone in the computer sequencing environment and songs emerge as files change hands. For those who wish to come close to the soul of SGT, one must look to Power's background in therapeutic psychology for the underpinning force it exerts on her lyrical creativity. For the band's musicality, precision, sound and groove we must acknowledge Rivett-Carnac's mastery of computers and technology and marvel at a mind focused enough to sift through hours of spoken word material for samples which encapsulate one's own personal philosophies and ideals.
Jacqui Hunt possesses a voice unique in character--yet even to the uninitiated listener it is somehow familiar. How can the written word convey the subtlety which is a human voice?
Imagine hearing the voice of a beautiful stranger in a dream...
.... on waking you forget the sensation it evoked and go about the day feeling, for no reason you can identify, a sense of loss. That evening, driving home you hear a song on the radio and the shadow slips from your shoulders as that which was lost is returned.
Flow, River Of My Soul is not a record to be treated lightly or casually dismissed.
