Shades of Love is the second album for Alice Springs-based artist Colin Lillie, one which displays a significant development for his songs and sound. It presents a songwriter thinking deeply about his craft and growing further as an artist. It’s a moving, atmospheric experience, accentuated by a great use of space, much like the surrounds of the red centre where the album was created. Whether speaking or singing, Lillie communicates with great character and purpose, commanding the listener to feel not just hear. Some may sense the spirit of Nick Cave or Leonard Cohen on Shades of Love but in the end, the unique presence of Colin Lillie is all you’ll remember.
Australian Musician’s Nicole Nighthawk made the trek to Alice Springs to catch up with Colin Lillie face to face for this wonderful interview about the album and his career.
COLIN LILLIE is certainly one of a kind. This Gypsy Scotsman found a new life in Alice Springs in the Australian central desert where he has thrived as a songwriter. Colin released his debut album “Glass Homes” in 2016 and managed to take out the AU Review people’s choice Australian Artist Of The Year award. In early 2020 he released the Mark Lizotte (DIESEL) produced “Petrichor” EP and has recently put the finishing touches on album 2 “Shades Of Love” which due for release in July 2021.
You don’t have to delve very deep into Colin’s lyrics or the heart of his voice to know his songs are driven by someone who has all of the shades of life experience to lean into. This rang true with his 2017 and 2019 awards for Best Live Voice at the National Live Music Awards. His songs have also been placed in the Hollywood production “Adam” starring Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as well as the new BBC Production “Wakefield”. Colin has also been getting into co-writing with the likes of Rohin Jones (The Middle East) & Tyrone Noonan (George).
Pre 2020 Colin was well on the way to becoming one of Australia’s hardest touring artists supporting the likes of DIESEL, BUSBY MAROU, JAMES REYNE, and THE ANIMALS on their relentless tour schedules and making friends everywhere he went. Colin also performed 5 shows at the 2019 Woodford Folk Festival and made it to New Orleans in early 2020 as part of the Folk Alliance International Festival.
The new album “Shades Of Love” was recorded at Wild Mountain Studios with enigmatic producer Jamie Trevaskis (The Wilson Pickers) and together Colin and Jamie found a darker honesty in his performances than on any previous releases. Colin couldn’t be more proud to be sharing “Shades Of Love”.
http://www.colinlillie.com.au/