Communal: Thirsty Merc plays in Geelong next month after its latest song was selected as the theme track to this year’s AFL finals series.
Erin Pearson
“I’M going to say I barrack for Geelong,” laughed Thirsty Merc frontman Rai Thistlethwayte.
“It’s the time to go for it, get momentum on everything.”
The lead singer for the Australian rock band was jumping on the bandwagon ahead of Thirsty Merc’s gig at Geelong’s Bended Elbow on October 13 to play songs from latest album Mousetrap Heart.
He was also reeling from the AFL choosing the band’s latest single, All My Life, as this year’s finals theme song.
“It all happened so quickly but we’re stoked,” he told the Independent.
“I prefer Sydney but now they’re out of the finals I’ll look at Geelong.”
The regional tour will hit towns from Dubbo and Hobart to Kalgoorlie and Melton, with Thistlethwayte promising a “feel good” edge.
“Each song on the new album has its own little emotional connection,” he explained.
“I think it really is a get in the car put the album on and wind the windows down and starting driving down the highway and don’t stop type of album.
“Its soul rock and feels really good in this sort of climate.”
Thistlethwayte said the band travelled to Los Angeles for the first time to record the new album.
“Recording in another country gives you a fresh feeling with no distractions. I started writing music on my main instrument the piano and I naturally write in a different way, with a blues and soul influence, and that is noticeable.
“You can definitely hear anecdotes of what’s going on in the studios and in LA- it’s a very intriguing, amazing, strange place. Some of LA is messed up and other parts show that it’s the most amazing music hub on the planet.”
Thistlethwayte said the band was always happy to hit the road.
“As musicians we’re pretty used to travelling,” he said.
“Taking your whole shebang to the people, that’s what touring is all about. It’s our thing, it’s in our personalities, so the gigs always have a very communal feel.
“It doesn’t matter whether we’re in a small town or big city, you can get pretty addicted to the adrenalin of that.”
