With his iconic country charm and bittersweet signature style, Brandon Poletti is bringing his third and latest EP to the table, ‘Thinking of the Past’, out today. This EP is a wistful walk through life, appreciating everything and not being afraid to acknowledge the highs and lows of human existence.
To celebrate the release of ‘Thinking of the Past’, Brandon Poletti responded to a dozen questions we sent his way.
1 What was the spark which lit your flame for music initially?
When I was younger, my Dad was always listening to Australian music on the stereo at home and I was inundated with artists like Cold Chisel, AC/DC, Paul Kelly and Crowded House. I always loved this music and wanted to learn to play it so that’s why I decided to get guitar lessons and then my passion for music stemmed from that.
2 An album or song that had a huge impact on you growing up?
AC/DC Back in Black was one of the first albums I ever bought from Sanity and I listened to it probably 1,000 times front to back. I learnt a bunch of the Angus Young solo’s on guitar and that helped me develop some skills that I still use now.
3 First concert you ever attended?
Not entirely sure but the first concert I remember attending was Shannon Noll after he won Australian Idol. From memory the concert at the Astor Theatre in Perth and it was incredible. I was absolutely obsessed with Nollsie when I was younger, his tune Shine is still a regular on rotation in my playlists.
4 Which other person has had the biggest influence on your music career?
Probably my friend Josh Dyson, he has produced all of my albums so far and we have a great working relationship. We have a very similar taste in music and we’re always on the same page with what we want out of a song musically. He is a phenomenal musician so that also helps!
5 ‘Thinking of the Past’ is your new EP, what was the main inspiration for these songs?
All these tunes somehow revolve around time. Feeling like time is moving too fast, apprehensive about what could happen tomorrow or wishing you could go back to old days in your life. I’m a very nostalgic person and I often find inspiration when I reflect back on past experiences throughout my life and what I’ve learnt from them.
6 What would you like your music career to look like in 5 years time?
In a perfect world I’d love to be doing music full-time, touring around playing shows throughout the world. That’d be awesome! Also, I’d love for my band to be there with me, those guys are some of my best mates and I love performing with them.
7 What would be your dream collaboration?
I’d love to work with Chris Stapleton, musically he’s my biggest influence and I think he’s one of the best modern songwriters and performers. Only thing I’d be concerned about is how much better he is than me as a vocalist, he has some absolute pipes!
8 Is there a track off the EP which is closer to your heart than others?
My favourite would be Move Away, I think the sentiment of packing your bags and starting somewhere new is something people will be able to relate to. Had a bad day at work? Just fantasise about moving to the woods in Canada chopping down trees.. For me this idea is always fun to think about and I enjoyed writing that song.
9 What would you consider to be the favourite gig you have played so far?
The best gig we’ve done would be at the Boyup Brook country music festival, we have played there the past few years and it’s an awesome festival with some of our favourite Australian country music acts. We have a great friendship now with the organisers of the event and we love playing and supporting the festival.
10 If money was no issue, what would a Brandon Poletti concert look like?
I’d definitely book a massive stadium somewhere, maybe in Sydney or LA.. I’d have like 5 support acts of artists that I’d mainly just like to see in concert. Probably like Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul Kelly and maybe Fisher. I’d land on the stage in a helicopter and then have like heaps of pyrotechnics.
11 An important life lesson someone gave/told you?
I’d say my good friend and guitarist Justin Gimm taught me a valuable lesson. He said “your guitar tone is more important than your playing.” Which for the most part is very true because regardless of what you’re playing, if your tone sounds like rubbish, it won’t sound good! So, to any guitar players out there prioritise your tone!
12 What’s next for Brandon Poletti?
Next for me is to get back into the studio and start recording some new music. I’m currently setting up my own studio and looking forward to trying to produce some music myself.. We’ll see how that goes, I’m not sure I have the patience to produce music. I’m also playing a bunch with my band The Eagleton Brothers, we’re regularly floating around WA playing country gigs.
MORE ABOUT BRANDON POLETTI
Brandon Poletti has already made a name for himself in the folk country scene both solo and with his group Brandon Poletti and the Eagleton Brothers, winning Best Country Group at the WA country music awards in 2023. With his thick country twang and talent for guitar riffs, he’s drawn the attention of the likes of Triple J, Australian Music Scene, Pilerats, and Amnplify, and drawn crowds live, playing the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, Gidgestock Music Festival, and recently being booked for the Honky Tonk Blues Bar.
This EP is a wistful walk through life, appreciating everything and not being afraid to acknowledge the highs and lows of human existence. The first song on the EP is ‘Craving’. With slow drums and steel guitar that becomes a gentle acoustic as this song softens, and Brandon’s warm country twang, this is a cozy moment and plea to receive the love he’s given someone else. This slow ballad is a sweet start to the album, and the next song stays just as emotional, taking on an up-tempo, toe-tapping pace.
‘Slow Down’ is a song that dances the line of sweet and solemn, dancing between major and minor. It encourages the listener to sit back and reflect, and to appreciate life before it passes them by.
‘Move Away’ is a more personal, solemn song, about wanting to escape from the monotony of life in his town, playing on the fantasy of running away and starting a new life with a new name.
‘What The Future Holds’ is a gentle ballad playing on the anxiety of the uncertainty of the future and not knowing what will come next. Brandon’s gentle voice and guitar guides the listener as he worries about the bad but hopes for the good.
Rounding up the album is ‘Just A Man’, a change of pace from the other songs built on a foundation of breathtaking piano that contrasts with marching drums, making this a charming and mournful ode to what it means to be a human.
When asked what he wants people to take away from the EP, Brandon said he wanted to invite people to ”journey through heartfelt songs that ponder life’s twists and turns, offering solace in the present while embracing the wisdom of yesterday.“
Reaching out for connection, whispering the words of those past, Brandon Poletti releases his third EP ‘Thinking of the Past’ now.
Stream ‘Thinking of the Past’ EP
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