As Steve Lane heads out on tour this weekend to promote his debut solo album, we bring you a short doco on the making of The Revenge of the Lawn.
Steve Lane is a lifer, he’s been written songs as playing in bands since he was legally able to enter the pub. His debut solo album The Revenge Of The Lawn is a culmination of some great and some shit life experiences shared with band mates and long time collaborators. Steve’s songs come from the great Australian tradition of lyricists like Paul Kelly andCourtney Barnett. These songs have been co-written with acclaimed Australian poetJohn Holton and recorded with David Williams from Augie March on drums, Jacob McGuffie and Steve on guitars and his son Kai Lane-U’Ren playing the Bass.
Officially bringing his good friend and well respected poet John Holton into the creative process was a natural step for Steve, continuing a lyrical collaboration the two have been working on for many years. Holton is the author of more than a dozen publications, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry titles. He has worked as a journalist, copywriter, freelance writer and senior editor, and is currently a communications manager across a wide range of media. John’s interest in music dates back to his teens, when he first started collecting records and attending live gigs across a broad range of genres.
Steve’s solo career started with a bang signing recording and publishing deals with ABC Music upon release of his debut album under the name Steve Lane And The Autocrats. This album was also selected as a contender for the Australian Music Prize.
2015 saw Steve showcase at Canadian Music Week in Toronto and make the kind of connections that will see his career traverse both Australia and Canada from here on in.
The last few years have challenged Steve to the core with the loss of both of his parents. This loss has informed the heart of the songs on The Revenge Of The Lawn but has not left them without hope.
He worked on his songs over the course of two years, stripping them back, letting them breathe and dictate the way they should be realised. After a long process he managed to take his head out of the equation and just use his heart. This was a turning point and the start of a new direction.
Steve Lane symbolised his artistic rejuvenation by removing “The Autocrats” from his band name and releasing his debut single “There Is Light” in April under the new moniker. An intimate affair, the single features just two guitars and two voices.
“I planned to have the album out and ready to go, but it seems the music, and life, had other ideas. It felt like the balance was all wrong and the fun had gone out of it. I set out with the goal of producing an album that was of international standard in terms of song writing and production. I wanted to push myself, but I was exhausted. I was overthinking everything and not in a good space. I had to find the right space in my life to do justice to the songs and get the performances right. I definitely did not need a deadline. So I decided to take a different approach and put everything on hold”. – Steve Lane
“For me, The Revenge of the Lawn is an allegory on love in all its many forms and absurdities. Love between people – love of place – love as an ideal – love as an absolute – love as motivation – all wrapped up in the day-to-day narratives of our existence. The small moments of extraordinary-ness amidst the ordinary.” – John Holton
The Revenge Of The Lawn – Tracklisting
1. Camber
2. Monsoon Heartbreak
3. There Is Light
4. Dot Point
5. Motherland
6. Juice Bar Girl
7. C’est Tellement Mysterieux
8. Reap What You Know
9. Zebra
10. Cocoon
STEVE LANE THE REVENGE OF THE LAWN TOUR
Sat 26th AUG – NIGHTQUARTER, Gold Coast (duo) QLD
Sun 27th AUG – THE TRIFFID GARDEN, Brisbane (duo) QLD
Sat 2nd SEPT – THE JUNKYARD, Maitland (4 piece band) NSW
Sun 3rd SEPT – LAZYBONES LOUNGE, Marrickville (4 piece band) NSW
Sat 16th SEPT – GOLDEN VINE HOTEL, Bendigo (band) VIC
Sun 17th SEPT – SPOTTED MALLARD, Brunswick (7 piece with strings) VIC