Today prolific singer, guitarist and songwriter Brett Wood continues his ascent as a solo artist, releasing his sumptuous sophomore single Eyes from his forthcoming debut album. An undeniable pillar in the Australian music community, with his resume spanning working alongside Pete Murray for 20 years, tenure with Melbourne rock act Electric Mary, and as an in-demand session musician, including appearing on 360’s breakout 2011 album Falling & Flying, Brett Wood is the ultimate musical lifer you’ve potentially never heard of – until now. Stepping out of the shadows, and following on from his debut solo outing Real Piece Of Work, Eyes also arrives today amid Brett touring as a key part of Pete Murray’s current 56-date tour, with multiple upcoming shows across Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
Pulsing with a hypnotic grooves and a simmering blues beat, Eyes is a polished outing from Brett, building a moody yet invigorating backdrop around lashings of soul, a hooky guitar solo and Brett’s effortless vocals. Inspired by the soulful and rhythmic acoustic stylings of Bill Withers, the sharply relatable lyricism and magnetic tension throughout Eyes also found its origins in a moment of self-reflection for Brett, as he elaborates, “Bill Withers helped to shape the sound of Eyes, for his forceful rhythm playing, that’s all over the intro. Then there’s Stevie Ray Vaughan, not the fast licks, but his overlooked melodic playing. The solo in Eyes is more of a hook than a shred; it’s emotional. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers snuck in there too, you might hear echoes of Mary Jane’s Last Dance. There’s Sheryl Crow, who I used to spin constantly, and Pete Murray you hang around a guy for 20 years, you pick up a thing or two. And for the blues heads, there’s even a cheeky little nod to Blind Lemon Jefferson buried in the lyrics.”
“This one came from the inside,” Brett adds. “I wasn’t looking outward for inspiration; it was more of a soul-dump. I’ve gone so far down one path in my career, it felt like time for a shift. That’s what the song is about: the moment when you realise something needs to change, and you finally make the move. Eyes in the back of my head… it could be about the people who weren’t in your corner. Or it could be about watching your own back, letting go of what’s behind you so you can move forward.”
Self-produced (“with a small circle of trusted ears keeping me honest along the way,” says Brett), Eyes was mixed and mastered by Gavin Parker, with Brett performing the entirety of the bass, guitars, acoustics and backing vocals; and joined by a bona fide rock’n’roll icon on drums, as Brettreveals, “Eyes has Chris Layton on drums… yep, that’s Chris Layton from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having him on drums makes it extra special. I still remember being on the phone with him from Melbourne, giving him notes on how I wanted things played, producing one of my heroes remotely from the other side of the world. That’s wild. Seeing it through to the finish line has been a real moment for me.”
Completely consumed by music since the age of 13, Brett Wood first picked up a nylon-string on a family holiday in Rosebud; “I started picking out the melody to Tears in Heaven like I was learning a song on the recorder,” shares Brett, “That was it. Cheers, Eric”. Evolving into a soulful singer, fierce guitarist and dexterous songwriter alongside a storied career to date, Brett’s hotly-anticipated upcoming debut album is now primed to cement him as one of Australia’s premier blues acts, finally stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist.
Having spent close to two decades as a touring and recording artist for Pete Murray, including musical parts written for Pete’s hit singles Free and Always A Winner, Brett has toured locally and internationally with Melbourne rockers Electric Mary for the past 14 years, and also played guitar on beloved Aussie rapper 360’s ARA Award-winning 2011 album Falling & Flying. And whether playing acoustic guitar on viral hits like Tinpan Orange’s Dumb Ways To Die, being endorsed by Tommy Emmanuel, performing across the globe from Byron Bay Bluesfest through to Pinkpop Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and V Festival, supporting Def Leppard and Rob Thomas, appearing onstage in multiple musical theatre productions, or gracing TV screens with several high-profile performances and appearances, Brett’s illustrious journey has emboldened his creative DNA, with his guitarwork and vocals coated in raw emotion bringing a breath of fresh air to every project, including his own.
Currently on the road supporting Pete Murray on a huge national run, and also playing lead guitar in Pete’s set – just Pete and Brett on stage, Australia has been gifted a chance to witness Brett in action in a whole new light, as he explains, “It’s been eye-opening in the best way. To have a few moments alone on stage to share my songs, that’s new territory, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. Seeing people connect with the music, even stuff they haven’t heard yet, has been really special. Also, I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t eat too close to stage time. A surprise burp mid-lyric will humble you fast.”
“It feels natural now,” Brett continues, “but it started back in 2007 or 2008. Pete’s drummer, Andy Silvio, recommended me after Pete’s original guitarist moved on. I’d only done a couple gigs with Andy, but we clicked, so he put my name forward. I flew back to Melbourne from Sydney with borrowed gear, auditioned, and next thing I knew, I was on Rove Live and flying to Europe for a tour. Been nearly 20 years, and it still feels like a privilege every night. I’m proud to be his right-hand man… or left-hand, since I play that way.”
Working on Eyes and his upcoming debut album “in the cracks between tours and recording”, Brett’s solo journey is only just getting started. And where Real Piece Of Work came out swinging earlier this year, Eyes lingers like a delectable warning; and there is plenty more material on the way, as Brett concludes, “The album’s coming. I’m working my arse off to get it ready and out into the world. If you’re into blues, soul, rock, or anything in between, if you want music that’s got grit and heart, I’d love for you to jump on board. People at the shows have told me they feel like I’m singing from my soul. That’s the only way I know how. If I’m not doing that, I’m wasting your time and mine.”
“More is definitely on the way. And I can’t wait for you to hear it.”
Eyes is out today.
BRETT WOOD – UPCOMING SHOWS SUPPORTING PETE MURRAY:
Tickets available from www.petemurray.com
THU 17 JUL | ANITA’S THEATRE, THIRROUL NSW | AA *SELLING FAST
FRI 18 JUL | ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | AA *SELLING FAST
SAT 19 JUL | YUIN THEATRE, BATEMANS BAY NSW | AA *SOLD OUT
SUN 20 JUL | CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE, CANBERRA ACT | AA *SELLING FAST
TUE 22 JUL | GOLDFIELDS ART CENTRE, KALGOORLIE WA | AA
WED 23 JUL | CUMMINS THEATRE, MERREDIN WA | AA
THU 24 JUL | QUEENS PARK THEATRE, GERALDTON WA | AA
FRI 25 JUL | RED EARTH ARTS PRECINCT, KARRATHA WA | AA * SOLD OUT
SAT 26 JUL | ROEBUCK BAY HOTEL, BROOME WA | 18+
WED 30 JUL | MANDURAH PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, MANDURAH WA | AA
THU 31 JUL | ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH WA | AA *SELLING FAST
FRI 1 AUG | THE RIVER, MARGARET RIVER WA | AA *SELLING FAST
SAT 2 AUG | ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, ALBANY WA | AA
SUN 3 AUG | BUNBURY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, BUNBURY WA | AA
WED 13 AUG | BEER GARDEN BREWING, PORT LINCOLN SA | 18+ *SOLD OUT
THU 14 AUG | BEER GARDEN BREWING, PORT LINCOLN SA | 18+ *SOLD OUT
FRI 15 AUG | NORWOOD CONCERT HALL, ADELAIDE SA | AA *SOLD OUT
SAT 16 AUG | SIR ROBERT HELPMANN THEATRE, MT GAMBIER SA | AA *SELLING FAST
SUN 17 AUG | LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL VIC | AA
THU 21 AUG | WEST GIPPSLAND ARTS CENTRE, WARRAGUL VIC | AA *SELLING FAST
FRI 22 AUG | THE UNION THEATRE, WONTHAGGI VIC | AA *SOLD OUT
SAT 23 AUG | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE VIC | AA
THU 4 SEP | THE QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, QUEANBEYAN ACT | AA
FRI 5 SEP | GARDEN HOTEL, DUBBO NSW | 18+
SAT 6 SEP | REVESBY WORKERS CLUB, REVESBY NSW | AA
SUN 7 SEP | BLUE MOUNTAINS THEATRE, BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW | AA *SELLING FAST