Andrew Morris

It could have been one of those clichéd ‘mountain muse’ records when it came to Andrew Morris’ fifth effort Shadow Of A Shadow , but that would have been too predictable – not to mention lonely – for this Brisbane singer/songwriter… Instead, Morris opted to invite some famous friends to his isolated headquarters in Mt Nebo, luring them over with promises of good food and a great record to match. Tim Rogers said ‘yes’, as did Megan Washington, resulting in an album that Morris describes as his ‘Greatest Hits’ in some ways.

“I never planned to have heaps of guests, the idea was actually the opposite of that,” he admits with a laugh. “This time I was determined to have just me. I started the recording process at Mt Nebo and I gathered my own studio gear together to set myself up for a totally DIY approach… But then after a little while I started coming to the conclusion that the album was going to sound too one-dimensional… A little too Andrew Morris!

“So I’d come up with a song and I’d realise that a little fiddle or harp or something would sound pretty good in it, and I began to hand-pick some friends of mine to come up and contribute.”

Also featuring appearances by The Wilson Pickers, The Gin Club, Bernard Fanning and Clare Bowditch, Morris says his mates made for invaluable additions to the album, with each artist providing exactly what the singer had envisioned in his mind all along.

“It’s hard to pick one perfect example because they were all so incredible,” insists Morris. “Maybe Home Fires was a good example of a song that was really well-realised. And the track I did with Washington was really cool because I wrote it for my last record ( Needs And Wants, 2009) but it didn’t stick to the soul style I was going for, so it didn’t really fit in – it’s a song called Exils. It was great to give that track a new lease on life.

“And it was so much fun to have Meg [Washington] around in general, what a great artist. She’s jazz trained and she knows all this stuff – I could hardly keep up with her! Also having Tim Rogers come in to sing a song was amazing because I’m a really big fan. I just love the guy; he’s so sweet and such a gentleman. He’s very professional too – he comes in and belts it out and it’s done.”

As a matter of fact, most of the album came out pretty much in the same fashion. Never one to procrastinate, Morris says not once did he suffer from writers block when it came to Shadow Of A Shadow – something that he knows often plagues his peers, especially five albums into a songwriters career. Far from burning out, Morris knew how to keep the creative juices a’flow, even all the way out in the sticks of Mt Nebo.

“I know a lot of writers get that, so I am very lucky not to suffer from it,” states Morris. “It seems that I very easily come up with material, which is a good thing obviously. I think the key is in the fact that I try to do other creative things at the same time, like painting or gardening to keep myself in that mindset and not burn out in the songwriting stakes.

“And you really do have to keep yourself occupied, especially when you’re a solo artist. I’ve always wanted to have an experience out in the sticks and it’s great in some aspects for someone like me who doesn’t have to go to a nine-to-five job, but it can get a bit lonely I suppose.

“I wasn’t always solo though, I never even planned on it. But after some time I realised that it’s probably the best and quickest way for me to make music. When you don’t have to rely on other people to get things done, you can really make things happen. Then, if you do find that you’d like to work with other people, you’re free to pick whoever you want and see if you click. There’s really no obligations and you’re in control.”

Five albums later, if Morris was to release a Greatest Hits album – Shadow Of A Shadow would be it, claims the singer. Briefly touching on all of his previous records to date, the new album is the most cohesive collection of songs the singer was able to put together at this stage. A blend of soul, country, folk and rock, it’s an album that’s already inspired sketches of its follow-up, according to Morris.

“I haven’t done much since I’ve finished the record, but I have been getting a few ideas and I’m thinking about how the next one will sound. I guess the only thing that’s been taking up some of my time is that I’ve had a few shows. I supported Powderfinger on their farewell tour in a few places, and I’ve also done a few shows with (his band) The Wilson Pickers. Powderfinger I did three [shows] in a row in Perth and also one more to come in Adelaide – so it’s been the shows that have been the most further away from Brisbane! It’s been a real joy because I’m a real fan of the band and I’m proud to say that I am good mates with the guys, particularly Bernard.

“I used to get vocal comparisons to him,” Morris laughs, “which was very annoying but I don’t really care anymore. I’m treating it as a good thing now – who knows, maybe I did get influenced by his vocals… It’s something that’s happened to plenty of other singers in the history of music. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a bloody good one to be compared to!”

ANDREW MORRIS launches his new album Shadow Of A Shadow at The Northcote Social Club next Wednesday October 27 – with helps from Laura Jean and Ben Salter (Gin Club). Tickets from The Corner box office, 9486 1677 or northcotesocialclub.com. Shadow Of A Shadow is out now.