Straight off a prestigious WA Music (WAM) Song Of The Year win last month, Perth-based alternative soul tunesmith and multi-instrumentalist, Morgan Bain has announced the release of his new single, Why Don’t You Stay, alongside a national tour. Organ driven with rich and varied vocals, Bain’s self-described ‘alternative moody soul’ sound is perfectly showcased in the new single, Why Don’t You Stay. The track was recorded and produced at The Wastelands studio with ARIA award winning producer, Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, Meg Mac, Little Birdy) and mastered by Grammy Award winner, William Bowden of King Willy Sound (Goyte, Eskimo Joe,Tim Finn, Empire of the Sun). While nobody was looking, Morgan ducked out the back door, sat down in a dark, quiet corner and answered the following Q&A for us.
What was your first keyboard?
A Roland Juno D. My mate gave it to me as he was going overseas. I’ve still got it and still use it actually.
What do you use on stage generally?
A Hammond SK1, 73 note … sooooo great
Is it the same for recording?
I tend to use the Hammond plus Nord’s and piano for recording.
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
My new single is WHY DON’T YOU STAY and it will be on the next record and I’ll be back in the studio as soon as I can.
What gigs have you been playing lately?
I opened the main stage at West Coast Blues’N’Roots 2015 which was absolutely awesome. I’ve also played Nukara Festival and Nannup Festival recently which are real favourites of mine.
Most memorable gig?
I’ve had a few memorable gigs. Probably supporting Cold Chisel solo when I was 17. There were about 11,000 people there and I was pretty scared and excited! But opening main stage at West Coast Blues’n’Roots was memorable too of course.
Worst stage nightmare?
I think every worst stage nightmare has happened by now. Apart from the usual strings breaking, I’ve had equipment not working and even had a roof cave in on the stage from heavy rain and one day I had a stomach bug and had to have a bucket on stage near me in case I threw up while I was singing! (luckily I didn’t use it)
Album that changed your life?
Donny Hathaway live … it still changes my life on a regular basis!
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
I’ve got my Single Launch Party at Indi Bar on April 17th and then head off on an East Coast Tour taking in Adelaide, Melbourne, Tasmania and NSW.
A keyboard tip for the kids?
Never practice…always play.
MORGAN BAIN ‘WHY DON’T YOU STAY’ NATIONAL TOUR DATES
FRI 17 APRIL | INDI BAR, SCARBOROUGH | 18+
FRI 24 APRIL | ODD FELLOW BAR, FREMANTLE | 18+
THURS 30 APRIL | EXETER, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
FRI 1 MAY |YAH YAH’s FITZROY, VIC | 18+
SAT 2 MAY | SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC| 18+
SUN 3 MAY | THE B-EAST, EAST BRUNSWICK VIC | 18+
THURS 7 MAY | THE REPUBLIC BAR, NORTH HOBART TAS | 18+
FRI 8 MAY | ROYAL OAK, LAUNCESTON TAS | 18+
SAT 9 MAY | THE LASS O’GOWRIE HOTEL, WICKHAM NSW | 18+
SUN 10 MAY | TOWRADJI BEACH HOTEL, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+
THURS 14 MAY | FRANKIES PIZZA BY THE SLICE, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
FRI 15 MAY | THE GRAND JUNCTION HOTEL (THE JUNKYARD) MAITLAND NSW | 18+
SAT 16 MAY | SYDNEY BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL, FITZROY HOTEL, WINDSOR NSW | 18+