After a rapid rise to the forefront of the Australian modern blues movement, award winning multi-instrumentalist Shaun Kirk brings his high-energy blend of soul and blues to New Zealand, with his latest studio album, Steer the Wheel, and a tour that will see him play an Auckland show at The Tuning Fork.
Four years, four records and well over four hundred shows in, the independent blues/soul troubadour has come a long way since his debut release in 2010, which earned him accolades such as “one of the most explosive solo acts Australia has to offer” and “one of the finest blues voices this country has ever heard”. The journey began with his maiden record Cruisin’ being awarded ‘Best Debut Album’ at the 2010 VIC/TAS Blues Music Awards, whilst his second album, Thank You for Giving Me the Blues’ shot to number 1 on the Australian Blues/Roots Airplay Charts in early 2012. Kirk’s third release, The Wick Sessions; a live in the studio CD/DVD package, climbed as high as #3 on the Amrap AirIt Great Southern Charts. It also charted in the USA, reaching #6 on the Smokestack Lightning Radio Playlist .
The new record came to life through a successful crowd funding campaign. Debuting at No. 1 on the Australian iTunes Blues Charts, Steer the Wheel has been pinned as Kirk’s most electrified album to date, seeing him explore beyond the blues influences that have characterised his previous work. From conception to completion,this is a collaborative release, bringing in some big-name artists from the Australian music industry to record on the album. A portion of profits from CD sales will be donated to Orphfund, a charity helping abandoned children around the globe.
Described by Triple J’s Maggie Collins as a ‘smooth, cool song’, the first single Stitches is a soul-drenched ballad, driven by a Hammond organ groove and Kirk’s unwavering falsetto vocals. Country blues number Two Hands on the Wheel features Shaun’s good friends Kyle and Dan Lizotte (Halfway to Forth) and sounds like the soundtrack to many a road trip. His blues influences are far from neglected, with songs like Blues For My Birthday, Find Me A Lady and Tony Joe White’s As the Crow Flies reflecting the sound he has become recognised for in his relatively short but impressive time as a performer.
