ZEVON LEE: MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER 2024

Interview by Greg Phillips. Photos and video assistance by Jason Rosewarne.

Zevon Lee Hiltz was bitten by the blues music bug very early in life. He was gifted his first Stratocaster at age five and the first concert he ever attended was BB King with his father. It seems that his future was predetermined.

After paying his dues in a rockin’ high school band, things gradually got more serious. Beginning with Sure Shot Hunters, he begun to make a name for myself on the Melbourne music scene and gained popular residencies at venues such as Revellers Bar in Chapel Street and Cherry Bar in the city.

Zevon also came to the attention of Illusive label soul/pop recording artist Paris Wells and became her main guitarist. The Sure Shot Hunters then morphed into Chicago-style blues band Werewolves of Melbourne, again obtaining a Sunday residency, this time at Lucky Coq in Windsor. It was a gig Zevon played for ten years releasing an EP and an album before dropping ‘of Melbourne’ from the band’s name. Zevon knew that the Werewolves moniker was limiting, particularly as Goole searches led most searchers to Warren Zevon content.

Now in 2024, Zevon has decided to re-invent himself, shedding skin and approaching a new frontier with a new solo project as Zevon Lee. Writing with collaborator Andy Furze, an LA-based producer, Zevon has opened up his musical palette with a new soul, pop, groove-based direction that is free of boundaries.

Makes Me Feel was the first taste of refurbished artist Zevon Lee, an infectious groove-based pop rock song, from a soon to be released extended release. Whether that be an EP or album, is yet to be decided.

Sweet Cup was the second single, a short, sharp, smokin’ soul track which came out of heartbreak and features a searing guitar solo.

On October 17, Zevon and full band will launch a third track, What Is It Going To Take at the Gasometer Hotel in Fitzroy, with support from Iseula. Co-written with fellow Melbourne artist Rita Satch, “What Is It Going To Take.” showcases the fabulous collaboration with producer Andrew Furze, resulting in a powerful, emotionally charged anthem that resonates deeply.

Ahead of the single launch at The Gaso on October 17, in part 1 of a 2 part interview Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips sat down with Zevon Lee to discuss his career to date and the move into a new musical direction. In part two Zevon runs though his pedalboard for us. All of this forms our October 2024 Musician of the Month feature.