On a journey that began in a solar powered shack in Nowhere NSW with a soundtrack of old bluesmen, Jack Tully has made pit stops in strange places. What remains after the rest has fallen away is a map that visits alt-country and blues, sprawling and rollicking rock n roll, and experimental, ethereal sounds from somewhere else altogether.
2015 saw the release of Tully’s debut album The Keeping, a poetic reflection of a troubled past with a humble realisation of a brighter future. The album, recorded in the Byron Bay hinterland at The Music Farm and in Tully’s farmhouse lounge room was warmly received, with the debut single, Prairie Lawn premiering on Triple J Roots N All and its cinematic film clip premiering on Rhythms Magazine online. Echoes of Tully's varied musical past are evident on this record.
"You can trace the roots of the music, Texan troubadours like Townes Van Zandt, and Neil Young (see the Crazy Horse-esquse guitarwork of 'Rest Easy') but there is something distinctive about Tully's style too. Maybe it's those dark nights in the country out on the farm." - Noel Mengel, The Courier Mail Brisbane
This is not the first musical incarnation for Jack Tully. Having played guitar since he can remember, Tully views the world through a musical lens. Younger years were spent in America, Canada and Melbourne living hand to mouth while playing in bands and buying guitars he couldn’t afford.
After circumstances unfolded unexpectedly, music provided a vehicle for Tully to write his way back into the light and launch a new phase of song writing. This round of offerings is a far more personal, honest and stripped back approach that whittles things down to their core.
"Delicate, sparse, a bit brutal at times, pretty personal as well... all of a sudden these big, distorted guitar sounds leap out at you. A heap of emotion in this one.” - Matt Webber, ABC Radio
"Tully’s latest offering, The Keeping, showcases his incredible musicianship as well as helping you feel pretty darn great about the fact that life can actually suck sometimes." Surfing World Magazine