The beloved country star is unleashing her grittier side, writes Rachel Riley
Rocking her way back into town
COUNTRY sweetheart Jade Holland will kick off her national tour with two gigs in Townsville this weekend, giving her hometown audience a sneak peek of her hotly anticipated album, Leather and Les Paul, before its official release in October.
Holland will play an acoustic set at the Avenues Tavern tonight, before joining forces with Sydney’s The Jay Seeney Band to headline Melville’s Farm’s Pig Day Out this Saturday.
Holland said it was important to her that Townsville be the first to hear the album.
“Townsville has backed me so much and … there are a lot of friends, venue owners, business people and complete strangers who have supported me,” she said.
“I think it’s only fitting that they be the first to hear what I’ve been working on.”
Holland said she was immensely proud of the album, named after famous 1950s and ’ 60s rocker and electric guitar pioneer Les Paul.
“I’ve focused on being true to myself through the whole process and the result is a collection of songs that reflect exactly who I am — they’re strong, empowering and heavily infused with a rock influence; definitely not your traditional country,” she said.
“It’s an album that has taken me a long time to get out but I feel it has grown with me in a sense and the songs now have more meaning.”
Holland said she was excited to be teaming up with The Jay Seeney Band to headline a uniquely country and Townsville event on Saturday for the first show of their combined tour.
The band have had two hits featured in the top 20 of country music charts this year, and Jade’s single released earlier this year, Woh Oh, also featured, peaking at number eight.
“I feel like I’m the female version of him and he’s the male version of me and I think it’s important in this industry to support one another,” Holland joked.
“He is a bit more rockier than me but I still like to give him a run for his money.”
When speaking about his soon to be released EP, The New Black, Seeney agreed.
“The whole idea of my EP was to try and bring a new sound to Australian country music – evolving and stretching it beyond the limits of what people think country music is. Why should
Rings there be any limits to the genre?” Seeney said.
Seeney has had his first two singles from The New Black chart in the top 20.
“The third single off the EP will be Every Time it Rains, written about relationships and reminiscing on the experiences of connecting and getting to know each other.
“The team up with Jade for the tour was inevitable – we get on like a house on fire, and have such a similar style of music.”
Fans will be able to pre- order signed copies of Leather and Les Paul this weekend from www. jadeholland. com or from her Facebook page.
>> Album previews << Tonight 7pm Venue: The Avenues Tavern
Free Saturday, August 1 9pm
Melville’s Farm, 45 Alligator Creek Rd $ 20 adults / $ 15 children. Gates open at 11am. Free rides.