Carus Thompson: Neon Folk album launch
Friday 9 September 2022 from 7pm to 11pm
Journeyman troubadour Carus Thompson returns to Sydney to launch his 8th studio album Neon Folk.
Produced by long-time friend and West Australian musical treasure Nathan Gaunt, Neon Folk was recorded in Perth between the border closures, lockdowns and mayhem of 2020 and 2021. Thompson was living in Melbourne throughout that time and he found himself, as did many others, separated from his wife and children for over six months
This tumultuous time has produced a wonderful record, and themes of determination, hope and surprisingly, positivity run through Neon Folk. Thompson has always combined political and social commentary with personal stories, and he continues this approach that has built a small, yet loyal global following. There are songs with a distinctly anti-authority tone like “Fools in Love” and “Blood Money”, yet there are also tender love songs and nostalgic musings like “Tequila” and “When I Was Young”. Neon Folk also has some of Thompson’s most upbeat and rocking tracks yet, with the Mellancampesque “1000 Miles” and Tom Petty-ish “Pretty Dress”.
Constant throughout the record is Gaunt’s brilliant contemporary production and beautifully skilful slide guitar playing. There is also a deliberate wrenching of Thompson’s classic singer-songwriter approach into the year 2022; at times an electro feel juxtaposes against the folky acoustic artist, yet Gaunt’s production never feels forced.
This is a Carus Thompson record, but like you haven’t heard him before. It will complement a well-respected back catalogue, from one of this country’s hardest working, grass roots acoustic artists.