What are your names?
My name is Bryn Soden, my band Sturt Avenue features my dad John Soden, my sister Tarn Soden, my dear friends Isaac Kerr, Dave Thompson, Ollie Patterson, and Bryce Lehmann.
How did you come up with the band’s name?
Sturt Avenue is named after the street that our childhood home was located on, a beautiful leafy suburban road in the Adelaide Hills, notable for the two gum trees growing square in the middle of it near the end that our house was on.
What is your genre of music?
We span a few genres, but gravitate towards folk (being a band formed of largely self-taught musicians), indie-rock, alt-country and blues rock.
Give us a little bio about you.
Sturt Avenue is an Adelaide-based collective led by SCALA award-winning singer/songwriter Bryn Soden and supported by a cast of family and friends, built from a strong foundation of community and collaboration.
What made you go into music?
It’s not a diss because they’re still one of my favourite bands, but I heard the early works of the Mountain Goats and it made me realise that music was for everyone and could be anything you wanted it to be. As a result, I try not to let my approach be shaped too much by what might be broadly appealing and focus instead on making songs that make me happy.
Who are your influences?
We’re big fans of the Mountain Goats, Conor Oberst, Elliott Smith, Big Thief, Jason Molina, and the War on Drugs.
Are you signed?
Not yet but we’d like to be, do you know any labels looking for a bunch of saddo folkies to add to their lineup?
You released your new single ‘Best Friend’, tell us more about the single.
Best Friend is a breakup song written and recorded at the start of the pandemic. This was not a particularly great time to be needing to write a song like this, with the post-breakup end-of-the-world energy being mirrored quite alarmingly in the daily news cycle.
Describe the track in two words.
Acoustic misery.
What was the writing and recording process like?
This tune was recorded remotely with the help of dear friend and collaborator Katie Pomery, who provided backing vocals, and her partner Tom Johnston, who provided the drums for this one. I then held off from finalising the recording for a full two years before I realised it was a banger and needed to be released.
Who did you work with on the single?
The song was mixed and mastered by Melbourne producer Isaac Barter (Didirri, The Maes, Mick Flannery).
Will we see a music video for ‘Best Friend’ and if so what can we expect from the creative process?
I don’t really know how I could frame this song with a video. In a way it feels too personal to try to accurately tie visuals to, I’m not even sure if I’m going to be able to perform it live!
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect from it?
I’ve been having a lot of big feelings in the past couple of years, we’re just putting the final sonic touches on a collection of these feelings at the moment. Expect more music soon!
What else can we expect in 2021?
Barring any major catastrophes, we should have another single “Talk” out before the end of the year. This one is much more of a folk-rock anthem, keen for the world to hear it!
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect from it?
I’ve been having a lot of big feelings in the past couple of years, we’re just putting the final sonic touches on a collection of these feelings at the moment. Expect more music soon!
What else can we expect in 2021?
Barring any major catastrophes, we should have another single “Talk” out before the end of the year. This one is much more of a folk-rock anthem, keen for the world to hear it!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
1. Don’t drink too much beforehand.
2. Drink water between songs so your throat doesn’t dry out.
3. Don’t prattle on about stupid shit between songs, people came out to hear your music, not your bad confessional stand-up.
4. Thank the venue and the sound tech.
5. Soak up the moment, it’s an incredible privilege to get to share your music with an audience.
Do you have social media accounts so that new fans can follow you?
Our Instagram and our Facebook. All our links can be found here
