A few weeks ago, budding Brisbane songsmith Zander Rhodes stunned us with his tender debut single, Byron Bay.
Now with the collected EP, Whiny Folk Songs, on the airwaves it’s clear that Zander is no one trick pony, displaying a sharp wit and knack for thoughtful, diverse songwriting. Melt away into the poetic rumination of Zander Rhodes.
The debut EP from Zander Rhodes is a masterclass in folk songwriting. Each song is a capsule in time that is traversed through conduits of poetry and gold acoustic tones as each individual story slowly unfolds.
Zander Rhodes is a Yorkshire-born musician living in the sunny climes of Brisbane. Drawing inspiration from the folk revival music of the 1960s, his songs pair intricate acoustic guitar patterns with velvety vocals and pensive lyrics. Zander recorded his debut EP Whiny Folk Songs, in his quirky local haunt Bedlam Records.
There is an African Daisy that grows in the south called the Gazania Treasure Flower. During the day they open up for bees to pollenate and close with the setting of the sun. The music of Zander Rhodes is much like these flowers. With the morning sun they unfold upon each listen. With each lyric a new petal reveals itself, adding texture and splendour to the story of each song. The flower closes as each song ends and waits patiently for the next listener so it can once more share it’s tale.
A Record That I Found is the perfect example of Zander’s encapsulated story telling. The notes are sorrowful and tinged with sadness as they are plucked out and Zander’s vocals float in clear and sweet.
‘A burning man is shaking hands with a god on the cover/ when the music starts my mind grows dark and I begin to shudder in my sleep’
Rhodes carefully sings each line as he discovers a dusty old record and begins a philosophical exploration of life and purpose.
“With songwriting you have to choose an area of complexity to focus on,” explains Zander. “Folk music tends to use simple chords and simple melodies, giving lyrics the space to be able to drive the song, which I like.”
Check out the stunning EP below:
December Morning provides the perfect bookend to the EP. Rhodes tends to remain true to classic folk throughout the work, embodying the troubadour and letting his guitar and voice make magic. The closing tune cleverly mirrors opener Byron Bay in it’s pensive, wistful exposition on romance, memory and relationships doused in a flourishing of optimism.
With a stellar debut EP under his belt Zander Rhodes has a wealth of talent to touch on as he plunges into a pool of creativity. With a finger firmly on the pulse, Zander Rhodes is certainly one young songwriter Australia needs to keep a close eye on.
