VIDEO

For this clip of our version of Big Star’s ‘Thirteen’ I dragged my super 8 projector out of the attic and went through the family’s home movies. Birthday parties, pony rides, family trips to Queensland; life on the farm I grew up on in Leppington on the outskirts of Sydney. Memories of a fun, less complicated time.

I’ve also included some vintage photographs I purchased from the Chelsea St flea market in NY in July 2019. I’ve been collecting old forms of media for years - love the way photos from a particular period of time have a specific look. Guitars and bass by Matt Galvin, mixed by Mitch Easter and thanks Michael Carpenter for mastering the track and stitching all the visuals up…enjoy…

I filmed my partner and artist Madeleine Preston creating this artwork in her studio. The clip was inspired by the video for California Stars by Wilco. Michael Carpenter sped up the clip to match the duration of track.

We shot this clip at my art gallery - Home@735 - which is located in my terrace house in Redfern. It was made during ‘Art Month’ 2019. The exhibition - ‘Melbourne Comes to Sydney’ - featured works by some of our favourite Melbourne artists. This clip was produced by Michael Carpenter.

Love this clip created by writer/artist David Greenhalgh of our version of the late and great Tim Hardin’s classic ‘Never too Far’

photo by Steve McLaren

THE FORRESTERS

Emerging from Sydney’s ongoing lockdown, The Forresters deliver their rock’n’roll antidote - an uplifting power pop album, ‘Something to Give’.

As a feeling of isolation extends across the country and musicians and artists are unable to perform, The Forresters ‘shine a bit of light’ with their sparkling, guitar-based sound. On the back of their debut album and EPs in 2016 & 2019, The Forresters’ follow-up LP ‘Something to Give’ is a joyful excursion into contemporary power pop.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Bautovich’s (The Lonelyhearts, Orange Humble Band) guitar-driven anthems are filled with chiming emotional sounds. ‘Something to Give’ is a blissful evocation of the radiant '70s power pop bands including Big Star, Rasberries and Badfinger.

The shimmering guitar work of Matt Galvin (Perry Keyes, Orange Humble Band) and keyboard playing of Cameron Bruce (Paul Kelly) are elevated by the mighty rhythm section of drummer Nick Kennedy (Big Heavy Stuff, Imperial Broads) and bass player Steve Balbi (Noiseworks). The record boasts a great line-up of guest appearances including Peter Kelly (The Gadflys, Orange Humble Band) on trumpet, Jess Ciampa (Bernie Hayes) on percussion, Nashville based Emma Swift on backing vocals and Charlie Owen (Beasts of Bourbon) on electric guitar.

Founded on a rich sonic tapestry, The Forresters create authentic songs that go straight to the heart. The melodious components of their current single ‘Tightrope’ are carried throughout the album, creating a body of work that is both fresh and timeless.

The Forresters’ distinctive brand of '60s and '70s inspired power pop was produced by the ARIA award winning producer Wayne Connolly with additional recording and mastering by Michael Carpenter. The album was mixed by US indie legend Mitch Easter at his Fidelitorium studio in North Carolina.

‘Something to Give’ is now available through Bandcamp.

design by Madeleine Preston - painting by Sam Massey

I collect old forms of media – photos, slides, 8mm and super 8 films. I purchased some 35mm slides at auction and this 8mm film of a group of people parachuting in regional Australia during the 70s was hidden in one of the boxes. I added a bouncing ball animation over the lyrics. Pretty happy the way it’s turned out. Hope you like the clip.

REVIEW BLURBS:

“…Sydney outfit the Forresters were formed by singer-songwriter Anthony Bautovich of the critically acclaimed Oz ensemble The Orange Humble Band…it's a cool-sounding EP, and will surely find a home with the alt.country audience that is so enamoured of Vigilantes of Love and Golden Smog…” - Maverick (UK)

“…bright harmonies, guitars that really should be pouring out of open car windows, joy in a Teenage Fanclub / Jayhawks vein…” Americana UK

…it's a luscious mixture of pop, rock, r'n'b, and country, tantalising and exploratory. It never rests on it's laurels: the songs develop and change as they progress, new elements continually introduced, new echoes from rock's rich tapestry setting off gentle footfalls down the passageways of memory…” Nick West - Bucketfull of Brains (UK)

… regardless of vogue, there's always a place for a band like The Forresters…” - Amplifier Magazine (U.S.A)