Tell us about your new album.
It’s called “Splendid Isolation” and we recorded it in March/April this year. It’s my first album in almost five years, consists of mostly original material and will be released on Half-A-Cow on September 9th.
How would you describe your sound in food form, and why?
[pullquote]There’s no such thing as a quick on the road anecdote[/pullquote] Semolina pilchards because, like our music, they’re sweet ‘n’ salty.
Which of your songs resonate most strongly and why?
“Off The Coast Of Me” because I’ve been singing it for a few years now and it’s never sounded better than with this band, in this arrangement.
Tell us a quick on the road anecdote.
There’s no such thing as a quick on the road anecdote.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My trusty notebook and my well of dreams.
Which song do you wish you’d written?
“Who Do You Love?” By Ellas McDaniel (Bo Diddley)
What’s next for you?
An endless cycle of recording albums, promoting them, touring them, then recording the next one…
What’s your scene?
Retro futurism with no regrets.
About John Dowler
John Dowler’s Vanity Project have just emerged from the studio after putting the final touches on their debut album Splendid Isolation (due out soon via Half A Cow Records) and to celebrate they will be launching it at Northcote Social Club during their matinee performance (on stage at 3.30pm) on Saturday 27th August. Supporting them on the day will be their good mates Charles Jenkins and Davey Lane who play from 2.30pm. Doors open at 2pm, presale tickets are available now via the venue or at the door.
For the uninitiated, John Dowler (aka JD) fronted legendary 1970’s band Young Modern who were described by LA’s iconic Bomp! magazine as ‘Australia’s first powerpop band’. Dowler alternated between Adelaide and Melbourne over that decade, and also fronted another cult band Spare Change before moving permanently to Melbourne, when he formed the Zimmermen in the mid 80s. Prior to the Zimmnermen he also worked with both Stephen Cummings and Martin Armiger of the Sports on a couple of different projects. John has made some fine records over the years, and his influence on Australian music has been subtle but not insignificant.
Fastforward to 2014 and The Vanity Project formed after JD’s long absence from the live and recording scene finally ended (albeit a new Young Modern album released in 2007, a handful of shows and subsequently a live album to break the silence). It was the band’s guitarist Mark McCartney (Mick Thomas, Mick Daley and The Go Set) who convinced John to get involved again.
John Dowler’s Vanity Project first gigged in September 2015 and has been sporadically playing Melbourne’s inner city pub circuit ever since. Their live set consists of a mix of John’s backlog of original tunes, some excellent cover songs, a smat- tering of past Dowler magic such as the hit song Don’t Go To Sydney, all combined with some great new tunes thrown in for good measure. Joining Dowler and the aforementioned Mc- Cartney is guitarist Justin Bowd, and rounding out the band are Julien Chick (The Vandas, Mick Thomas) on bass & back- ing vocals, plus drummer Michael Stranges (Kim Salmon).
Don’t miss John Dowler’s Vanity Project launch Splendid Isolation at Northcote Social Club on Saturday 27th August during their matinee show. Young Modern and Zimmermen fans will recognise the stripped-back but rich and soulful vibe, and John’s vocal is as wry and mellifluous as ever. Tickets are available at now for $15 (+ booking fee) / ticket + album $25 (+booking fee) via venue website or 1300 724 867 or on the door if available for $18 plus booking fee 2pm doors open, bands kick off at 2.30pm
Pre-sales : $15 + BF or $25 for ticket + album + BF
For more information go to :
www.facebook.com/JohnDowlersVanityProject
John Dowler’s Vanity Project
Melbourne Album Launch
Saturday 27th August
Northcote Social Club
301 High Street, Northcote or $18 on door if available