One of Australia’s most hard-touring performers Shaun Kirk spends around 300 days per year travelling from city to city, so it’s only fitting that his new single ‘Two Hands On The Wheel’ reflect the touring lifestyle he has grown accustomed to.
Currently on a nation wide tour (no big surprise) in celebration of the latest release, Shaun found time to chat to us about some of the records that changed this life, check them out below.
Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin
Columbia (1963)
This record features some of my favourite lyrics ever written. I found this record when I was around 17 or 18 years old I discovered Bob Dylan and was obsessed. I just wanted to write protest songs like him. It wasn’t until a few years later that I purchased myself this album, I still listen to it all the time! “Come gather round people, wherever you roam. And admit that the waters around you have grown. And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone, if your time to you is worth saving. Then you’d better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin.”
Jurassic 5 – Power In Numbers
Interscope (2002)
What I love about this record is that it’s hip hop with a social conscience. My older brother used to play it in his car when he first got his drivers license and would drive me to parties. It didn’t take me long to steal it from his collection. I still listen to it regularly.
Ironically considering where I stole it, it’s good driving music! I can’t wait to catch these guys when they come out to Australia in 2015!
Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run
Columbia (1975)
You know what’s great about this record? Everything! I listen to it a lot, I started listening to Springsteen at about the same time I started to listen to Bob Dylan and Neil Young (around 17 or 18) and have always loved every single thing this guy has ever done!
I saw Springsteen and the E Street Band play in Melbourne earlier this year and I don’t think I’ll ever see a better concert in my lifetime. They played for four hours and managed to play the entire ‘Born to Run’ album from start to finish. I will never forget it!
Tony Joe White – One Hot July
Hip-O Records (2000)
Tony Joe is my hero and this album although it is not his most critically acclaimed would have to be my favourite.
How I discovered this record is I was invited to a random gig by a good friend a few years ago. All I was told about it was that this Tony Joe White guy was known as the ‘Swamp Fox’. Little did I know I would leave the show in absolute awe.
Fair to say I was out the next day searching for his records. I can’t find it on vinyl so most of the listening is done whilst driving to a show. I’ll often play it as intermission music at my gigs too!
Muddy Waters – I’m Ready
Blue Sky (1978)
Although it is hard to go past many of his other records, I think ‘I’m Ready’ is my favourite purely as it was the first one I discovered. Not long after, my mother took me to an Eric Clapton concert.
Before that day I had very little interest in Blues but that concert opened my mind and essentially changed my musical direction. It is best played loud on the turntable when I’m back home in Melbourne with no one around!
Silverchair – Freakshow
Murmur / Epic (1997)
This was my first ever record purchase! I first discovered it when I was just 9 years old.
Though I don’t listen to it so much anymore, but I do like to take a trip down memory lane from time to time. It never gets old!
Upcoming Dates
Thurs 27th Nov – The Homestead, HOBART
Fri 28th Nov – Red Hot Music, DEVONPORT
Sat 29th Nov – Fresh, LAUNCESTON
Sun 30th Nov – Northcote Social Club, MELBOURNE
Fri 5th Dec – Old Hepburn Hotel, HEPBURN!SPRINGS
Sat 6th Dec – Wheatsheaf Hotel, ADELAIDE
Sun 7th Dec – The Porch Sessions, ADELAIDE
Fri 12th Dec – Settlers Tavern, MARGARET!RIVER
Sat 13th Dec – Rock Inne, KARRAGULLEN
Sun 14th Dec – Indi Bar, SCARBOROUGH
Thurs 18th Dec – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall,BRISBANE
Fri 19th Dec – Currumbin Creek Tavern,GOLD COAST
Sat 20th Dec – Joes Waterhole, EUMUNDI
For tickets and info visit his Facebook page.
