By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
There’s a lot happening in the world and much of it is unhappy, as any thinking, feeling human being well knows.
Singer-songwriter Josh Pyke is certainly among the deeper thinking and feeling human beings, having challenged his thoughts and emotions in his fifth studio album.
Storyteller Pyke will bring his interpretation of the human condition to Geelong as part of a national tour in support of the album But For All These Shrinking Hearts.
Plenty of musical aficionados agree, with Pyke scoring his highest album debut yet when it landed at number two on the ARIA charts and number one on the Australian albums chart.
“It’s no mean feat. I’m stoked,” Pyke said.
Perhaps it’s Pyke’s take on the world that has elicited such a heart-warming response to the album.
“I think I was a bit disillusioned with the world when I was writing it,” he said.
“There are lot of themes of disillusion and almost a feeling of world-weariness that comes through, even though the melodies are quite upbeat.
“There is lots of stuff going on in the world that’s not terrific. I do get angered by what I hear on the news at times.
“I guess all that affects your psyche and the way you rationalise the world. The human condition always ends up in the songs.”
But Pyke shies away from any real analysis of his songs, even self-analysis.
“I’m not thinking about how it will be received when I’m writing or recording it,” he said.
“I don’t try to over-analyse what will work as I am doing it. It’s almost a form of therapy and it happens to be my profession.
“I’m just writing without an agenda and from the heart.
“I think there’s a sense of honesty within the record.”
Pyke said he was looking forward to bringing his full band to Geelong’s Wool Exchange.
“I enjoy performing, exploring the performance space. There’s always something different about every crowd, the interaction with each other and the performer.
“Perhaps I can take people away from their troubles and put on a great show that allows people to be transported for an hour and a half.”
Pyke will appear at the Wool Exchange on 13 February.
