theaussieword.com catches up with Brook Chivell.
Give us an introduction, how did it all begin?
Hi Brian first let me start by thanking you so much for having me.
My mum tells me that as a toddler I used to stand up in my cot and sing little tunes. Not words but tunes. So I think that even before I knew that I loved music, I loved music. All through primary and high school I was involved in music classes singing, playing keyboard and, every parents dreaded, recorder. Lol. When I was 17 a friend showed me the 3 chords to play ‘Wild Thing’ and the rest is history.
What had you first interested in music?
My dad really first got me interested in music. I can remember hearing dad’s record collection. Mainly Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis but later on it was what my friends were listening to. I have always loved a great hook, that thing that pulls you into a song and gets you singing along.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I try to make music that I like to listen too and In the process be true to myself. I love being on stage and performing. It’s where I feel most at home. I love to get people dancing and singing and having a great time.
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
My biggest goal is to connect with people and keep releasing music that is true to who I am as an artist. Being able to support myself with my art would be amazing as well.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
I’m in the process of recording at the moment. So I’ll be continuing to release new music in the coming months as well as playing quite a few shows. Still to come this year I have Birchip BnS and the Power Ranch in Victoria, Kick the Dust Up festival in Canberra and of course Tamworth in January.
Tell us a bit about your latest album and how would you best describe your music?
I would describe my music as contemporary Country-rock, with a fairly liberal smearing of southern rock. The album I am current working on is a labor of love. With songs that are very personal to me and things I have been through in the past.
Success, what is the secret to it?
I’m hoping that it’s persistence, passion and some talent.
I think that success is being able to express myself through my music and touching people in the process.
What has been your biggest career highlight?
I’ve been very lucky over the course of my career to have some amazing things happen like making the top 10 of Starmaker in 2017 and performing on the mainstage at Groundwater Country Music Festival and Sydney Country Music Festival but my highlight has been when people come and tell me how they relate to my music how it’s helped them get through things in their own life.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring? I’m a fan of so many country music artists like Keith Urban, Adam Brand, Carrie Underwood, Randy Houser, Eric Church and Luke Bryan.
Any new projects in the pipeline?
Definitely. I have quite a few songs finished towards my new album and I’m hoping to have it finished by March/April next year.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
I’m a writer and performer at heart. I’ll keep making music. It’s what I do. Hopefully I can keep growing my profile and make an impression on people.
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
The great thing is that I’m lucky enough to call most of my favorite Aussie artists, friends.
Matt Cornell, Adam Brand, the Wolfe Brothers, Troy Kemp, Casey Barnes and Natalie Pearson just to name a few.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
I think it is a very exciting time in the music industry. As artists we can reach out to people directly. Social media has helped us to be able to make connections all over the world and share our music so much more easily. Things that would have been extremely difficult in the past. There are definitely great challenges in trying to be heard but each of us can seek out our own audiences.
Thanks for the interview! What final message do you have for us today?
I hope everyone can go out and support live music, especially country music. It’s a lot of fun 🙂