What is your name?
John Drake
What is your genre of music?
Rock n Roll, Country Soul
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a Brisbane boy, newly returned to AUS after over a decade spent Living in London, making records and touring the UK and Europe with my former rock n roll band ‘The Dust Coda’.
Went solo about a year ago, my debut solo record ‘Separation Songs’ comes out early next year.
What made you go into music?
I can’t even remember, it feels like music was always with me, picked up the guitar when I was 10.
A healthy dose of bullying would have got me started though.
Who are your influences?
Chris Stapleton, The War On Drugs, Ryan Adams, Stephen Wilson Jr, Radiohead, Paul Kelly , Nick Cave, John Lennon, Oasis, The Water Boys, Bob Seeger, Bruce Springsteen,
Are you a signed?
Happily unsigned, left my UK label when I left my band last year.
You released your latest single ‘Running On Empty (Back To The Man), tell us more about the single and the meaning behind it.
A Sad song with a happy ending.
It’s a story about someone trying to escape a loveless relationship, climbing the walls of a well that’s run dry. Every time they feel like they’re just about to get out they get dragged back in. The longer it goes on the less strength they have to get out. Then finally, one day they find the resolve to pick up the strength to carry on and move on.
Describe the track in two words.
Sad Fairytale
What was the writing and recording process like?
The writing was quick, one of those 10-minute jobs, but the recording took yonks!
I wrote the track in London when I was off the road for a bit, we tracked it between London and Brisbane over a 2.5-year process with the rest of the songs on this record.
Who did you work with on the song?
My late buddy Chass Guthrie produced the record. May he rest in peace.
Will we see an EP or album and if so what can we expect from the album?
Yes indeedy, my debut solo record ‘Separation Songs’ will be out in full early next year.
It’s a very contemplative record, containing songs written over a 20-year period. Mixing Piano balladry, 70’s singer songwriter vibes and lots of layered synth’s underneath it all .
Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up or in planning, if so what can you tell us about it?
I am currently in rehearsals putting together my merry band of misfits for shows next year.
What else can we expect in 2025?
There will be a couple more tracks dropping before the record comes out, so lots of me banging on about it on socials and pontificating my genius.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Ideally making gazillions of dollars and in a financial position to be able to afford Ozempic.
I plan on writing and recording 5 records in 5 years, this one is the first, so I reckon I’ll be hawking my wares on the road, punching out more records,
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
‘If it was easy, everybody would be doing it ‘
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Booze, weed, stand behind the sound desk. If someone is blocking your view by filming on their Phone, lean in and ask them really annoying questions like ‘what Model is that phone? my mum has the same, can I take a look? can we take a picture for my mum?’
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
FB – @johndrakemusic
Insta: @johndrakemusic
