Mike Elrington Delivers a Powerful and Cathartic New Release
Two Lucky Stars Out 5 February Via Only Blues Music
Australian blues/roots musician Mike Elrington stands tall. An imposing presence which makes his guitars look under-sized. But, he sure can play and with a booming voice to match.
He’s had his share of bumps along the way.
After fifteen years, seven full-length albums and over one thousand shows, there is still plenty going on in his life – in the studio, the stage and, in particular, personally. Elrington has a new wife, a two year-old daughter and another baby due any day.
If that wasn’t enough, he is releasing his first acoustic album, Two Lucky Stars (out February 5 2016 through Only Blues Music) with an extensive 2016 Australian tour in the works.
Comprising fourteen tracks, Two Lucky Stars sees Elrington’s trademark passion and honesty, delivering a formidable mix of blues, roots and swamp-rock.
The album was produced by ARIA-award winning Peter “Reggie” Bowman, and features the talents of Chris Wilson on vocals and harmonica, Roderick McLeod on drums/percussion, Catherine Quirk and Michelle Meehan on Violin and Cello and extra vocal duties from June Harrison, Chase Bowman and Michelle Meehan.
There is some personal and sometimes confronting songwriting here. As well as the usual fights for exposure, Elrington has had dark battles with himself, through depression and bipolar disorder, a fight he described as “nothing but empty and horrible” back in 2009, as things got bleak. But Elrington eventually rediscovered his love of music and life.
“I guess the whole chase of ever-elusive success just caught up with me and really dragged me down, so I had to take a break from music for a little while and then get back into it for the right reasons, which are mainly fuelled by the desire of writing songs and then sharing them in a live situation, regardless of whether there’s 10 people in the room, or 10,000 at a festival.”
The title track “Two Lucky Stars” is but one highlight – a warm, intensely personal and sensitive song which radiates. Another powerful song, but opposite in sentiment, the first single from the release “Build You Up (To Cut You Down)”. It howls with anger and injustice – as Elrington describes the constant struggle of attempting to find his way and survive in an often unforgiving music industry.
“I can’t be bothered sugar-coating it, this business is tough and can be incredibly soul-destroying, but rather than just keep it bottled up inside, I had to write about it, which was incredibly cathartic on this particular track”.
Here’s a clip of “Build You Up (To Cut You Down)”.
As well as nine original tunes on this release, Elrington has also included some engaging covers, including the reggae-groove of Ray Charles’s “I Got A Woman” and the low and elongated blues drone of Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”.
Mike Elrington will be touring Australia extensively from February 2016 – see known tour dates and ticket information
Via Annie Johnsson Publicity
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