Back in August, we sauntered upon the rich songwriting abilities of Melbourne-based artist Thomas Keating and his track I’ll Break Your Heart.
And well, the track was pretty damn good. So we caught up with Keating to chat about the new track, Australian music, covering Bruce Springsteen, and everything in between.
A month removed from the release of his incredible single I’ll Break Your Heart, we caught up with Melbourne’s Thomas Keating for a chat.
HAPPY: Hey, how are things? What are you up to at the moment?
THOMAS: Hey! Things are pretty great. Just hanging out in Sydney having a break from freezing Melbourne and about to go and see Gretta Ray tonight at Oxford Art Factory.
HAPPY: I’ll Break Your Heart has been out there for a month now. How are you feeling about it?
THOMAS: I feel like it’s been a positive experience so far. Community radio have been pretty supportive and Mum really likes the track too, so that’s sweet.
HAPPY: It’s a great track – with somewhat of a startling title. Would you share what it’s about?
THOMAS: I went through what you would call a pretty rough patch in my life a couple of years ago and consequently let someone down who I really cared about. I was desperate to repair the damage I had done but was unable to. You only get so many chances and I’d blown mine.
HAPPY: You obviously have a soft spot for Australian music. What are some favourite shows you’ve been to recently?
THOMAS: Recently I saw Courtney Barnett showcase her new album start to finish at the Lansdowne in Sydney which was incredible and really intimate. She is a bad ass! Such an exciting artist.
And I also recently saw Angie McMahon at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne, which was a great show. I really enjoy her song writing and her band are really tight!
HAPPY: Have these shows (or bands you’ve toured with) influenced you in any way? How?
THOMAS: I am always influenced and inspired by live music, it is no coincidence that the amount I’m writing always increases when I am going to gigs.
HAPPY: I have a feeling you might be big on covers. What’s a song you recently learned to play and why did you choose it?
THOMAS: I recently learned to play The River by Springsteen. I love the song and I’m heading over to the states next month for a few shows so I thought it might be a fun one to chuck in, you know an Aussie in the states singing Springsteen.
HAPPY: Moving on from I’ll Break Your Heart, do you have more music in the pipeline? How would you say it differs or resembles this track?
THOMAS: Well there’s plenty more. We finished off a whole record and we also recently went in to the studio to do two more tracks to add to the mix.
I have a few more tracks that are bit more laid back and have more a soul feel and a couple of more rock n roll tracks to be released. I feel like there is a diversity to the new music I have made and I’m really excited to get more out!
HAPPY: You have a few gigs coming up too. What’s the live show look like at the moment?
THOMAS: I’m heading over to America for a run of shows on mum own where I’ll be playing a bunch of songs in a really stripped back fashion so I’m really looking forward to that and it’s been fun figuring out how to play songs in different ways so that they are interesting still.
And then I have a few shows back here with the band who are a really talented bunch! My good friend Jenny McCullagh plays violin, keys and sings for me and she is an incredible talent, really exciting to watch.
HAPPY: Cheers for the chat! Anything else you’d like to add?
THOMAS: Just a big thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
I’ll Break Your Heart is available now.
Thomas Keating live
Tue 17 Sept – The Inspired World, New York City
Fri 21 Sept – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
Fri 28 Sept – Botany View Hotel, Sydney
Sat 29 Sept – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
Grab all the details here.
