Singer returns to SW for launch

Singer-songwriter Carus Thompson will return to the South West to launch his new album, Island, at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough on Sunday.

After a career living, writing and recording on the road around Australia and throughout Europe, Thompson returned to his home town of Fremantle and applied a different approach in writing his new album.

“I wrote this album at the end of about 10 years touring Europe — I had two kids and for the first time I couldn’t be heading off around Europe — so I was spending a lot of time writing,” he said.

“I’d just drive around my suburb to look for ideas and find the emotion in stories.

“So it was a lot of re-writing and self-evaluation.”

His previous single Lies scored airtime on national broadcaster Double J, as well as being played on local radio stations.

Thompson’s passion for music and song-writing saw his track Beach Fires shortlisted in the International Songwriting Competition and nominated for WA Music’s song of the year.

Thompson said he found his inspiration for music and performance in sharing stories through song.

“For me it started with writing songs,” he said. “I listen to a lot of Cold Chisel, Paul Kelly and Hoodoo Gurus and I think Aussies write in an emotional and direct way and they do that to write real storytelling songs.

“This album is very Australian — I describe it as Australian folk-rock.”

The Fremantle-based musician told the Times he was excited to return to the South West.

“Whenever I play at Clancy’s in Dunsborough I remember the gig I played with John Butler who was supporting The Waifs,” he said.

“I remember it being packed — everyone with a beer in hand and I got up and did a small gig — so it’s always a special feeling driving down south and remembering those gigs, and smaller ones too.”

Thompson will launch his new album at Clancy’s in Dunsborough on Sunday from 5pm-7pm.

Entry is free.