Adrian Heath

Artist Information

Biography

In 2008 Adrian dropped out of the mainstream and, Nick Cave style, went to his new office (TheStudio) and combined discipline with inspiration and created the sparkling new album "Want to Want to". New folk at its wisest with lyrics to live by, melodies to die for and a voice that's eternal. From twists of water and Indian soothsayers to old guitars and comic carousels.

Adrian launched the new album Want To Want To with a totally sold out gig at The Supper Club in Sydney. A packed venue witnessed a great concert, described by members of the audience as "A Triumph!"

Rhythm and Meaning combine in big, beautiful and brave songs delivered with a drop dead voice, virtuoso guitar playing and occasional harmonica twists. His live sets flow effortlessly with songs, stories and insights.

The unique nature of Adrian's songs is the brilliant combination of method and message. The music (method) is a fascinating combination of influences such as Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Jack Johnson, Neil Young, Ryan Adams, David Bowie, Rickie Lee Jones, Prince, John Martyn, David Gray, Nick Cave, Radiohead and The Go Betweens. The words (message) have been described as "pure poetry" "beautiful imagery" and "sit up and listen lyrics" that truly get the listener engaged and reflective.

STOP PRESS – Adrian was a finalist and achieved an Honourable mention in the prestigious International Songwriting Competition for the lyrics of Sail On (as judged by Neil Finn, Robert Smith- Cure , Tom Waits, Ray Davies et al.

Adrian plays in solo mode or with his band The Main Thing For solo gigs he has developed a strong ability to story-tell and interact with his audiences between songs that really gets connection happening.

An Australian citizen born in London, Adrian has traveled the world playing gigs in some amazing places from the steps of Sydney Opera House to the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. He can probably lay claim to the highest altitude gig - 4500metres, Annapurna base camp, Nepal (rider - yak milk tea and Tibetan pancakes !)

Instrumentation

Adrian Heath - Guitar, Voice, Harmonica
Martin Hailey - Electric Guitar
Tim Curnick - Bass
Jared Underwood - Drums
Kyrie Miskin - Trombone
Gemma Deacon - Backing Vocals

Discography

Want To Want To - CD/LP release July 2009 - 9 songs, see audio files.

Official Website

http://myspace.com/adrianheath

Links

• MySpace
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Official Website

Audio

• Sail On
  Listen  
• Half Light
  Listen  
• Old Guitar
  Listen  
• Old Guitar - Live Recording
  Listen  
• Whirlpool
  Listen  
• Sun Don't Shine
  Listen  
• Want To Want To
  Listen  
• Marian
  Listen  
• Live Life
  Listen  
• Like a Storm
  Listen  
• Hallejulah
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Sail On
• Half-Light
• Old Guitar
• Whirlpool
• Sun Don't Shine
• Want To, Want To - (David Helfgott's Smile)
• Marian
• Live Life
• Like a Storm
• Right From The Start

Video

Old Guitar - Live

Photo Gallery

Press

• Exceptionally Fine Debut CD [+ Show ]
  

  Want to Want To is an exceptionally fine debut solo CD for Adrian Heath. The instrumentation and pro...Want to Want To is an exceptionally fine debut solo CD for Adrian Heath. The instrumentation and production is superb, but what makes this album so special is Heath's lyrical voice and his songs. The lyrics are solidly written, but allow enough poetry to seep in to make them ripe with deeper meanings. I look forward to much more from Adrian Heath.
  
  
  English-born, transplanted Australian singer/songwriter Adrian Heath has launched a fine solo album, Want to Want To. The nine-song album is totally self-produced. All songs are written, engineered, and produced by Heath in his home studio. He also plays all of the instruments, except drums and percussion for which Jon Howell does most of the duties. There are a guest musicians and backup singers. Through it all is Heath's pure rock/pop vocals and his lyrics. It is an ambitious undertaking, but Heath has handled the project with precision. This is no overproduced or under-produced CD. It is well-balanced, allowing the instrumentation just to underscore the feel and meaning of his lyrics and his voice, which carries the work well.
  
  The initial track, “Old Guitar,” sets the mood for the rest of the album. The bouncy but laid-back feel of this love song is enhanced by Kyrie Miskin's trombone, which adds more whimsy. This is characteristic of Heath's willingness to craft instrumentation on a track that enhances a song, rather than gets in the songwriter's way. That isn't necessarily a quality most songwriters have who produce their own work. Too often the lyrics are muddied by every bell and whistle in their musical toy box.
  
  That kind of editing is most notable in the thoughtful “Sail On” that follows. It has crisp acoustic guitar fingerwork, well-placed drum beats used sparingly, a droning harmonica, and Heath's own voice overdubbed as backup.
  
  Heath works his magic again on “Live Life,” a song that encourages living in the moment, making the most of our time here. It is a pensive tune that is brightened by the backup vocals of Heath's 9-year-old daughter, India, and eventually turns into an anthem of hope. It's placement, as is “Old Guitar” as the first cut, is well thought out. Track 3 is usually the place most producers put their title cut (here Heath moves it to the fourth slot.) and this serves this song well, revealing that Heath is less about ego and more about what he is trying to achieve with this album.
  
  The title cut, “Want to Want to (David Helfgott's Smile)” boasts a theremin in the background. (That's an instrument I haven't heard since my son's band Zen Mothers recorded and toured with one—or I watched an on sci-fi B movie.) It isn't overwhelming, just a touch of this otherworldly sound, that doesn't detract from Heath's instrumentation and his lyrical allusion's to pianist David Helfgott and the challenges of truth in this upbeat tune.
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  “Whirlpool,” which may be the most atmospheric of the lot, is a jazz-based track with Pete Timmerman's brush and stick work on drums, Dave Blennerhassett's moody bass, and Richard Jansson's touch of flute that complement Heath's guitars, his dual vocals, and his trumpet.
  
  “Sun Don't Shine,” though similarly thoughtful, boasts some lovely guitar fingerwork that, once again, just supports the lyrics and makes the track sparkle.
  
  Then Heath turns to the mystically in “Marian,” a song about an encounter with a South Asian seer in Thailand. His treatment of overdubbed vocals and other vocal enhancements have created a sound drama on this track that allows the listener to grasp who says what—plus it adds another texture to the piece. This song is an echo back to Heath's years of traveling the world, even playing at the Dali Lama's Summer Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
  
  But “Half Light” is more of a standard singer/songwriter arrangement, but with Health's special touch. Jon Howell's drums lay the foundation for this song as Heath layers tastes of Martin Hailey's electric guitar and Kyrie Miskin's trombone with his own harmonica work and vocals. He also adds the lovely voice of Gemma Deacon, blending well with his own.
  
  Want to Want To concludes with “Like a Storm” that is a naked cut with just Heath's voice and guitar, allowing his simple words to carry a deeper spiritual message. There is the hint of something like a synthesizer or a violin underneath the track in places that just adds fullness. Neither instrument is listed on the liner notes, but since Heath began on piano as a child, it wouldn't surprise me to find he'd added synth to the mix.
  
  Want to Want To is an exceptionally fine debut solo CD for Adrian Heath. The instrumentation and production is superb, but what makes this album so special is Heath's lyrical voice and his songs. The lyrics are solidly written, but allow enough poetry to seep in to make them ripe with deeper meanings. I look forward to much more from Adrian Heath.
  

Setlist

Originals

Sail On
Age of Imagination
Sun Don't Shine, Its Fine
Old Guitar
Half Light
Marian
Whirlpool
Want To Want To (David Helfgott's smile)
If you could live your life again
Like a Storm
Right from the start
Taken Filght
Lane Four
Glossy
Superman

Covers
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye



Guide
Typical Set Length - 40 mins
Other Options - 30 mins or 1 Hour

Adrian also uses spoken word to engage audiences with amusing and insightful stories about the songs and life lessons. This truly involves the audience and raises the listening experience to a whole new level.

Basic Requirements

Calendar