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KIM CHURCHILL: ‘IT’S LOVELY TO HAVE YOU HERE’ ALBUM INTERVIEW

Today acclaimed Australian folk artist Kim Churchill releases his seventh album It’s Lovely To Have You Here. To celebrate, Kim has also announced an extensive 2024-2025 Australian tour, which consists of over 50 concerts.

Beginning with a beautiful fingerpicking guitar intro, the opening track of the new album ’Clarity’ eases the listener into Kim’s campfire world, one in which if you close your eyes you can easily imagine a pristine, panoramic night sky full of glistening stars. Listening to It’s Lovely To Have You Here transports you away to a safe and serene place where the music encompasses you like a warm hug. Over his seven album career, Kim Churchill has developed into a master songwriter, possessing a thoughtful approach to song construction with his variation of tempo, subtle use of additional instrumentation and an authenticity and passion for his story subjects. Armed with an innovative fully solar-powered portable stage/PA system, Kim will be reaching into all kinds of metropolitan and rural communities to bring his new album to life on a tour beginning on December 29 in Tasmania.

Prior to the release of  ‘It’s Lovely To Have You Here’, Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips spoke to Kim Churchill via zoom about the creation of his wonderful new album and the upcoming tour.

MORE ABOUT ‘IT’S LOVELY TO HAVE YOU HERE’
Kim shared, “I’ve spent the last few years on an endless tour of the globe and it’s been one hell of an adventure! Along the way I’ve been writing all of these new songs. While I was playing these shows, whenever someone bought a record or came up to say hi, I’d always write or say the words ‘It’s Lovely To Have You Here’. I began to really like the expression. It also hit home because after many solo years in the back of my van, I have found love and a new partner to share the journey with. It’s definitely a bit of an ode to our relationship and adventures as well. ‘The album is also a loving thank you to all the beautiful musicians I have in my life who have played on this record and given the album its colour and body! I love ‘em and I love making music with them.” His recent releases “Reflecting”,“Wonder”, “Calm The Sea” and ”Hobbies” have been praised by industry and fans alike, with AU Review calling “Calm The Sea” a “a cozy, wholesome and warming hug of a folksong” and Happy Mag cherishing “Hobbies” saying, “The message is reassuring enough to sustain you for the rest of the year.”

It’s Lovely To Have You Here Album Artwork

It’s Lovely To Have You Here introduces us to eight brand new tracks. Harmonica complements gorgeous strings and gentle acoustic plucking on “Clarity”, setting the scene for the tracks ahead. “Eulogy of Jane Bitter” is a stripped back ode to someone special, remembering them for the way they loved. “Flying Solo” finds the joy and peace in solitude, featuring a beautiful acoustic interlude, while on focus track “Wayside”, Kim embraces both the good and bad experiences that have become part of his story. “Hobbies” forms a sonic landscape of soft acoustics and sweeping strings to cut through the noise of society’s expectations before giving us “Hope”, a heartfelt dedication to his parents and the strong interconnectedness he shares with them. Featuring Emily Brimlow, his latest single “Reflecting” is an optimistic and grounding track that embraces the changing seasons of life. Kim explores his struggles with anxious attachment on “The Garden” alongside subtle percussion and a sweeping saxophone. A self-proclaimed love song, “Calm The Sea” features catchy riffs and earthy acoustics to bring a smile to anyone who listens. On “Jackie Chan”, Kim is grateful to male role models who have shown him what it means to process and express your emotions in a healthy way. “Wonder” takes listeners on a sonic adventure through Canada’s Rocky Mountains before leading us into closing track “Willow Child”, where he offers a peek into his inner child and his vulnerability under the veil of adulthood.

Staying true to his wanderlust spirit, Kim recently announced his biggest Australian tour to date, journeying through all six states across 6 incredible months. Hitting the road in December, he will be playing over 50 shows across the country from metro centres to his favourite small town gems. From major music festivals to the far corners of Tasmania and North Queensland, he is bringing his new music and fan favourites to your front doorstep.

Since 2009, Kim Churchill has been a staple in the Australian and International folk scene. Striking a chord across the globe with his laidback acoustic sound, he has played stellar sets at renowned festivals including Glastonbury Music Festival, Montreal’s International Jazz Festival and South By South West, along with a stack of home grown festivals. Raised on the coastal town of Merimbula, Kim’s decade long industry experience spreads far and wide, with the songwriter previously crowned Australia’s National Youth Folk Artist of the Year and nominated for the National Live Music Awards Roots Act of the Year.

KIM CHURCHILL LOVELY TOUR 2024 & 2025

Sunday 29 December Longley International Hotel Longley, TAS

Tuesday 31 December The Great Escape Nugent, TAS Saturday 4 January Copping Hall (AA) Copping, TAS

Sunday 5 January Secret Campervan Concert (AA) Beaumaris, VIC

Thursday 9 January Source Ecohub (AA) Hobart, TAS

Saturday 11 January Little Sisters General Store (AA) Sisters Beach, TAS

Sunday 12 January Mt Gnomom Farm (AA) Penguin, TAS

Friday 17 January TBA (AA) Coffs Harbour, NSW

Saturday 18 January Evans Head Backyard Sessions (AA) Woodburn, NSW

Sunday 19 January TBA (AA) Pacific Palms, NSW

Friday 24 January TBA (AA) Central Coast, NSW

Saturday 25 January TBA (AA) Newcastle, NSW

Friday 31 January The Brass Monkey Cronulla, NSW

Saturday 1 February TBA (AA) Kiama, NSW Sunday 2 February TBA (AA) Tilba Valley, NSW

Friday February 7 Nowa Nowa Recreation Reserve (AA) Nowa Nowa, NSW

Saturday 8 February Bright Brewery (AA) Bright, VIC

Sunday 9 February Phillip Island Winery (AA) Phillip Island, VIC

Sunday 16 February The Space Yoga Studio (AA) Warrnambool, VIC

Thursday 20 February Plant 4 Bowden Adelaide, SA

Friday 21 February Ambleside Distillery (AA) Hahndorf, SA

Saturday 22 February Little Bosa (AA) Port Elliott, SA

Sunday 23 February Barossa Distilling Co (AA) Barossa Valley, SA

Friday 28 February and Sunday 2 March Nannup Music Festival (AA) Nannup, WA

Thursday 6 March Froth Craft Brewery Bunbury, WA

Friday 7 March Bridgetown Pottery Studio (AA) Bridgetown, WA Saturday 8 March The River (Party Wave Presents) Margaret River, WA

Sunday 9 March Suburban Vibes (AA) Perth, WA

Friday 14 March – Sunday 16 March Blue Mountains Music Festival (AA) Blue Mountains, NSW

Friday 21 March Blacksmith Providore (AA) Lake Mulwala, NSW

Saturday 22 March Tilly’s Parlour Wagga Wagga, NSW

Sunday 23 March The Friendly Inn (AA) Kangaroo Valley, NSW

Thursday 3 April Smith’s Alternative Canberra, ACT

Friday 4 April The Cordial Factory (AA) Grenfell, NSW

Saturday 5 April Rolling Wheel Studios Presents @ Canbobolas Dance Hall (AA) Orange, NSW

Thursday 10 April Mary’s Underground Sydney, NSW

Saturday 12 April and Sunday 13 April Flow Bar Old Bar, NSW

Thursday 17 April – Sunday 20 April Bluesfest (AA) Byron Bay, NSW Friday 2 May Tanks Arts Centre Cairns, QLD

Saturday 3 May Neighbourhood Sessions @ James Cook Uni Stage Townsville, QLD

Sunday 4 May Secret Campervan Concert (AA) Whitsundays, QLD

Friday 9 May Oodies Bundaberg, QLD

Saturday 10 May Tandoon Botanic Gardens (AA) Tannum Sands, QLD

Sunday 11 May Secret Campervan Concert (AA) Agnes Water, QLD

Sunday 18 May Solbar (AA) Sunshine Coast, VIC

Friday 23 May Howler Melbourne, VIC

Saturday 24 May Ninch Nights (AA) Mornington, VIC

Sunday 25 May Sooki Lounge Belgrave, VIC

Saturday 31 May Mo’s Desert Clubhouse (AA Matinee) Gold Coast, QLD

Sunday 1 June The Triffid Beer Garden Brisbane, QLD

Tickets on sale via www.kimchurchill.com

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