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AN EAR ON NEW TALENT
Of the 2003 winners, three — Duo of the Year CARTER & CARTER, Instrumentalist MICHAEL FIX and New Talent winner TRAVIS SINCLAIR — were independent artists. And most of the other winners had released their product on small, independent record labels — triple winner TROY CASSAR-DALEY on Essence Records, and ADAM BRAND and MELINDA SCHNEIDER on Compass Bros.
The era of small, boutique labels is clearly here. And the most recent of these to arrive on the Australian scene is the Brisbane-based Steer Records.
About to celebrate its first birthday, Steer Records was the joint brainchild of promoters Linda Doyle and Lionel Moore, and producer Michael Flanders.
"We could see some artists out there with enormous potential, but nowhere to go in the current music scene. There are very few major companies interested in country artists, and those that do exist are signing very few new names," Michael said.
"Steer was set up to be a kind of melting pot for new talent. It’s a way to create a product they can be proud of, and to give them exposure — perhaps even the chance to move up to the next level."
Both Linda and Lionel were drawn to the country scene through their involvement over several years in the Broxburn Bash, which they’ve helped to build into a major annual event. Lionel’s also an enthusiastic performer, who’s appeared at the Tamworth festival for the past two decades.
Michael Flanders is rapidly making a name for himself as one of country music’s freshest and most innovative producers. Recent albums he’s produced have included JOSH ARNOLD’s new release, Scarifier (ABC Country), as well as GEMMA DOYLE’s Twists And Turns, and MICHAEL BRYERS’ Somewhere In Between, both released on the Steer Records label.
Gemma Doyle’s Twists And Turns album was Steer Records’ debut release, attracting considerable attention for this previously unknown young artist.
The album features 12 tracks, the majority of them written or co-written by Gemma, with considerable songwriting input from Michael Flanders, who penned the final song, Whichever Way The Wind Blows. He also produced the album, giving it a slightly edgy, earthy, raw feel that works brilliantly with the songs.
The album has already spawned one successful single, It’s All I’ve Ever Known, and attracted airplay all over Australia.
Gemma’s earthy, very real take on country music is a breath of fresh air on the contemporary country scene.
"Gemma is a perfect example of the kind of talent Steer wants to encourage and support. She has a very distinctive, exciting style, is already a very talented songwriter, and her voice expresses emotion and experience way beyond her years," Michael said.
Twists And Turns features two duets — one with Golden Guitar winner JOSH ARNOLD, Through the Lost Highway, and another with music industry veteran LEE CONWAY.
The other artist who’s been snapped up by Steer Records is the very talented MICHAEL BRYERS. Michael’s been getting noticed by many in the country music industry for several years now, and is widely regarded as an untapped talent with enormous potential.
His debut full-length album, Somewhere In Between, was released on Steer late last year, and is receiving rave reviews, plenty of airplay and critical acclaim.
Also produced by Michael Flanders, Somewhere In Between is a perfect showcase for the talents of this impressive young artist, who’s enjoyed considerable single chart success over the past few years, particularly with songs from his first EP, Better Days, which was released in early 1998.
The album is packed with wonderful songs, from his current chart single Fall Like Rain or the ultra-cool Cigarette Breath to thought-provoking tracks like Two Lost Souls and the beautiful Million Words. Best described as contemporary country with a cool edge, Somewhere In Between is not only very radio-friendly, but enormously appealing to a wide market.
At the time of writing, things were starting to get very exciting for MICHAEL BRYERS, with an offer from a major record label looking very likely to come to fruition.
"If that happens, Steer will have succeeded in one of its aims - to promote young talent. Michael has the potential to go a long way," Michael Flanders said.
But Steer is now focusing firmly on the immediate future. One of the hottest live acts in country music, the talented COL FINLEY, is set to become the next Steer Records artist, with a new album expected to be released later in the year.
The label has also signed a young man from Roma in western Queensland. Singer-songwriter JASON KEMP’s first single, A Cowboy’s Hat, was released in November 2002, and he plans to record an album of original material later this year. Incidentally, he also co-wrote Gemma Doyle’s single, It’s All I’ve Ever Known.
It’s all part of Steer Records’ strategy of growing steadily, and building a roster of talented, original artists.
"We see it as a process of evolution, and if we can help develop the Australian country music industry along with our company, that’s fantastic," Michael Flanders said.
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