In a world desperate for a moment to do nothing but catch a groove, Ernie Garland Jr is here slinging for the soul of Sydney, Australia. Formerly of the Sydney-based nine-piece roots-reggae band Kinsky, the man is a master at recreating his inspired life at the oceanside in your mind and heart.
Ernie Garland Jr has so far released 3 singles from his upcoming album Dealin’ Out The Healin’ set for release Thursday 14 May, including the irresistible groove of “What Can I Do”, as well as the quality tunesmith’n of Baby Mama Drama’ and ‘Going Home’
In anticipation of the release of his Dealin’ Out The Healin’ album, we posed a dozen questions to Ernie to have a crack at
What was the spark that lit your flame for music initially?
Singing in the St Mary’s Cathedral Choir from 10 years old. Sacred music, baby!!
An album or song that had a huge impact on you growing up?
Power and The Passion. (Midnight Oil) I used to play it and rewind it, over and over again, on a tape deck next to my bed.
First concert you ever attended?
Midnight Oil at the Hordern. I was 14. Me and my mate caught the train into town. The first song was No Time For Games. Changed my life.
Which other person has had the biggest influence on your music career?
Simon Kay. My good friend and music comrade. Taught me just enough jazz theory to expand my songwriting horizons. Also linked me up with a plethora of quality musicians to work with.
What was the main inspiration for your song ‘’Baby Mama Drama’?
Well, firstly, it was the rhyming of Baby-Mama-Drama-Obama, then just building the lyrics around the theme of occasional friction in a relationship being healthy. It practically wrote itself!
In general, what’s the starting point for an ERNIE GARLAND JR song?
Sit down at the piano, hit record on the voice memos on the phone and start dreaming.
What would be your dream collaboration?
Me, The Suga Mamas (Beyoncé’s backing band) and Action Bronson.
What would you like your music career to look like in 5 years?
Playing in the house band of my reggae bar in Barbados – I have a jerk BBQ business, Sparky’s Jerk BBQ. Make my own marinade, make my own soundtrack – google me!
What would you consider to be the favourite gig you have played so far?
There’s a lot of notables, playing an African club in Hong Kong where we were the only non-Africans in the place and they loved it so much they made us keep playing, supporting the Skatalites is up there too, but the best was when we sold out the pub gig next door to where we lived then brought the whole pub back to ours and kept playing.
What are your main songwriting tools?
Piano, guitar, random and obscure memories.
An important life lesson someone gave/told you?
Make your own luck.
What’s next for ERNIE GARLAND JR?
It all depends on how “lucky” I am, I guess…
And a show!
Miss Celie’s, Sydney NSW – Easter Monday 6 April
8pm & Free entry
Full band playing all night long!!
Dealin’ Out The Healin’ out Thursday 14 May.
Follow Ernie Garland Jr
Bandcamp: https://erniegarlandjr.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erniegarlandjr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErnieGarlandJr
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2P4HNWBrNK6hmI9TA2V3a7?si=HxeItXvnQPWcsKs3UF4Bhg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ErnieGarlandJr/videos