Australian folk songwriter and storyteller Carus Thompson returns to the UK in 2020 to launch his seventh studio album Shakespeare Avenue, along with a UK tour.
Shakespeare Avenue was recorded in Dartmoor, in the South-West of England with Mercury nominated producer Sean Lakeman, the album takes its name from a street in Bath, Somerset where Thompson’s late grandfather lived, before he left his home for Australia.
In the reverse of his grandfather’s journey, for Shakespeare Avenue Thompson moved his family to Dartmoor to write and record with a new approach that delved further down the folk path, spurred by his connection with good friend Seth Lakeman. The new album is a contemporary take on Thompson’s rich and distinctive folk and acoustic roots and his narrative, character-based, emotive songs have earned him comparisons to Springsteen and Mellancamp, however this time there is also a distinct Richard Thompson, Christy Moore, Dick Gaughan folk edge. The album continues in this vein of song writing, interweaving political and social commentary with personal, human tales.
Thompson explains, “Some of the characters are real (there’s a song about Dylan Voller, as well as a historical narrative about West Australian Indigenous leader, Yagan), while some are fictional (‘Avondale Heights To Sunshine’ deals with a suburban dad trying to leave the neighbourhood and it’s traps that he was born into).
Thompson has opened for Seth Lakeman on four UK tours across the years and when it comes to embracing the folk traditions of the South-West you couldn’t ask for a better guide. Seth, his brother Sean (who’s superb production perfectly accentuates Thompson’s songs), and Sean’s partner the sublime Kathryn Roberts all feature on Shakespeare Avenue. Often referred to as a “virtual folk dynasty”, the trio bring their heavyweight musicianship to the record. The connection with the Lakeman clan, together with the move to England, has paid dividends with what is undeniably Thompson’s best work to date.
A renowned live performer he can’t wait to deliver these new songs to his UK fans.
Artist’s website: www.carusthompson.com
‘Avondale Heights To Sunshine’ – official video:
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