Kim Churchill
Hi Kim and thanks for taking the time out to speak with us at Musicology.
Firstly congratulations on all your recent successes and single launch. Your career has been on the upswing for a while now and it must be rewarding to see some local recognition for what you have been receiving globally for some time now?
Yeah it’s been lovely. I find a lot of hard work gently pays you back consistently with what you need. Occasionally even what you want, haha.
Your new single Breakneck Speed was drawn upon from your time in Canada and specifically Quebec City, what was it about this area that proved to be so inspiring?
Well, two things. The scenery and the drives were incredible. If you haven’t seen the fall in Quebec, go. It’s like every tree is another grey colour. Electric reds, purples, yellows, oranges. And then on a nice day there is like an electric blue sky framing it all. I had been really exhausted with an enormous amount of touring. It was really non-stop and was throwing me about and I was tired, sick and a little sad. On that tour of Quebec I got on top of it and found calm and general joy in the touring and speed of it all. Racing down those highways looking at the incredible maple trees was amazing. I wrote that song as a lament for my earlier struggles and a celebration of calm I had found at such a high speed of life.
Do you find that being abroad and free from the usual constraints of everyday living back at home something that unlocks emotions and ultimately material that was within you that if it weren’t for being overseas may never have reached the surface?
Yeah definitely. I think it works in a beautiful cycle. The music takes you all over the world. And as you travel you absorb everything around you. All your senses firing and taking things in. The music you then write has all those ingredients within it. Without all my travels I would a far more narrow-minded songwriter.
Not only have you played at some amazing festivals around the world but also have supported some amazing artists including Billy Bragg. Billy is an inspiring individual and one that has been on the scene for decades, did he impart any words of wisdom to you that really hit home?
Enormously. More than perhaps every musician or songwriter has ever before. He was a true gentleman. An inspiring professional and a damn good songwriter. He explained to me how a song will grow and change over time, as will the speech you give about the song, or the way you perform it. All these areas have life of their own and are beautiful to watch and follow and work best when you don't control and strangle them with your desires and ego.
Speaking of home, you will be playing a string of shows in May and June. What do you most look forward to when playing on home soil?
Oh certainly the Virgin Lounges at the airports…haha. Probably the people. I have been lucky enough to tour this amazing country for nearly ten years now and I’ve met so many special people and special communities. When I play at home in Australia I get to see them all and feel the nostalgia of all those times gone by and reconnect with the people that were a part of them. On top of that we make new times and keep it all alive. It’s a beautiful time.
What does the rest of 2017 have install for you?
A lot of releasing music. A lot of practicing. I’m writing a novel as well, believe it or not. Though in no hurry to have it finished. We begin touring for the album in august and will hopefully tour it for the next few years.
KIM CHURCHILL AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Thursday 18th May – The Old Museum, Brisbane
Friday 19th May – Meat Market, Melbourne
Saturday 20th May – Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney
Saturday 3rd June – Fremantle Town Hall, Perth
FOLLOW KIM CHURCHILL
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE
