Project Description

Interview with
PHIL STACK
singer, songwriter,
multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of
THIRSTY MERC

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Stack is one of a rare breed who seamlessly crosses genres from jazz to rock, achieving equal amounts of recognition and success in both.  Known as one of Australia’s most in demand double bassists, Stack and has recorded and performed with respected artists across both rock and jazz formats including Katie Noonan, You Am I, The Potbeleez, Jimmy Barnes, Tommy Emmanuel, Keith Urban, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Bublé,  Emma Pask, James Morrison.

‘In his debut solo album he flexes his artistic brilliance, from jazz piano-laden ballads (‘The Centreline’) and exuberant rock-infused pop (‘Tradin’ Up’) to ‘The Long Game’, a heart wrenching orchestral masterpiece tempered by an unassuming ‘90’s grunge flow.  The man, it turns out, can really sing’ .  – SMH

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
The music of The Beatles was my first love. I became quite obsessed. But it was the late 80s at the time and the Grunge movement was in its infancy so my early songwriting involved a healthy dose of that.

You’re a founding member of Thirsty Merc. How did you all find each other and decide to share your musical talents as a group?
I had a grungy proggy band from Dubbo, “Twenty Two”. We were a Triple J Unearthed band around the same time as Grinspoon. I had met Rai in 97. He was 16, playing the hell out the keyboard and i was 19, playing Jazz Double bass around the place.We stayed up late every night and listened to old Soul music, Rock, Jazz, anything. By 2002 he needed a band and we needed singer and thus, Thirsty Merc was born out of that.

You’re a highly respected double bassist and have recorded with some of the Australian music industry’s best like Katie Noonan, You Am I, The Potbeleez and James Morrison – if you could play with anyone in the Australia who would it be?
I haven’t played with Ian Moss. It would be an honour to and I’d love that.

When did you decide to go solo and how would you describe your sound as a solo artist?
I’ve been writing songs as solo artist forever. But it took me until 2015 (Lap Around The Sun EP) to feel ready enough to put that out there, Strange as that may sound. The Sound of my first full length album goes something like this ..Epic heart tearing piano songs of despair and loneliness with an overriding sense of hope in unity.

Why do you think people will resonate with your music?
My hope is that people resonate through their own experiences with Its raw honesty and earnestness. Im deeply flawed as an individual but with solid hopes and I’m just expressing this. It’s truly cathartic for me so even if it is for a few other humans, that’s grand.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
So so much! I go back to my earliest roots often, John Lennon’s honesty as a solo artist. Stevie Wonder’s albums from the 70s. James Taylor, Harry Nilsson, The Carpenters, all the great songwriters. All the old jazz.

Your new single ‘The Long Game’ has just been released. Describe its origin and evolution.
I had recently moved to my new space. I had undergone some huge changes in my life for the better and i had that sense of hope only change can bring. I catalogue all my song ideas by months in folders on my computer. I was listening to some and stumbled up on a fragment and it went from there. Lyrically it speaks of a world far more vast, incomprehensible, and contradictory than my mind can fathom but having the patience to wait for the real things to come to fruition, playing the Long Game in life.

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Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
Yes! My first solo record ‘Colourful, Noisy’ will be out probably next month when i can get out and launch it live.

Any plans to tour once the restrictions are lifted?  If so, where and what can the fans expect?
I’m playing with my new band, Phil Stack & Band at Django bar, Camelot in Marrickville (Sydney) August 27th at 6.30pm. Details here.  Also, keep an eye out for my Official Album Launch with the new band at The Newsagency Venue in Camperdown, Sydney. Date to be announced.

What do you miss most about performing to a live audience?
Connection.

What’s been the career highlight so far?
Playing a Jazz gig with one of my childhood idols Wynton Marsalis.

If you could perform with any music artist, alive or dead, who would you choose? And why?
I rarely have those thoughts of playing with some of my idols. To be honest I love the bands I play with. When I played with James Morrison’s band for 20 years, I was lucky enough to play with some of my favourite musicians. Same with Thirsty Merc, and now with my new band, The Phil Stack band. I don’t feel i can replace personal connection, especially with having them play your own, very personal music.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist?
I just want to keep reaching. To be Brave, not guided by fear in both its creation and actually showing the world.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Abbey Road
Artist – The Beatles
Movie – Goodfellas
Place to visit – New York
Venue to play – Anywhere with a good piano
Food – Banana sandwiches
Drink – water
Person in History – My Dad

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Check out PHIL STACK below
Facebook  | Instagram

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Thirsty Merc, co-founded by Stack and Rai Thistlethwayte in 2002, will perform at the RESET 2020 Festival, Darwin, on Friday 24 July with Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite and Shannon Noll. www.ticketbo.com.au

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AMNPLIFY – DB