She is one of Australia’s great rock frontwomen but Sarah McLeod is preparing to show off her softer side.
Having spent 15 years across two stints fronting ARIA-winning rock band The Superjesus, McLeod will return to the shire with a solo acoustic show at the Brass Monkey, Cronulla on July 14.
The gig is the first of McLeod’s Alone & Unplugged tour which will see her play 17 shows across Australia throughout July and August.
It has been a busy year for McLeod who spent three months in New York writing a new solo record.
She returned to Australia and spent her days recording the album – while spending her nights working on a separate acoustic album.
That process has led McLeod to punching out a heavy 60s-inspired rock album, which she produced herself, which she told the Leader featured some of the best work of her career.
“I’m really, really happy with it. I’m super proud of it. Whatever happens I know it’s the best stuff I’ve ever written,” she said.
“I wanted to make sure it sounded great because I was producing it and I was really nervous I’d stuff it up.
“It’s my favourite body of work and I’d never [produced] before. There was a lot of pressure from myself to make it as good as it could be.”
The Superjesus stormed the Australian music scene in the late 90s with their debut album Sumo – followed by Jet Age and Rock Music – and gave listeners a number of instantly memorable tunes including Gravity, Down Again and Secret Agent Man.
The heavy guitars and distinct rock sound were always punctuated by McLeod’s unique – and amazing – voice.
Since then, McLeod enjoyed a successful solo career that included her 2005 album Beauty Was a Tiger.
She has collaborated with artists from around the world and reformed The Superjesus, who enjoyed a series of sold out She Who Rocks tour dates last year. She was also nominated for Frontman/woman of the Year in Triple M’s Rockies Awards alongside heavyweights Dave Grohl and Jimmy Barnes.
But it is her songwriting that has McLeod most excited, with her new record to feature deeper songs built on years of honing her craft.
“[My songwriting] evolves with every song I write. I learnt something today I didn’t know yesterday,” she said.
“I’m thinking about getting better, there’s always something to learn. There’s no magical technique, no formula.
“It’s one of those things that’s super addictive – writing songs that have more depth and will stand the test of time. Then thinking ‘can I possibly make it better? Should I do it again?’
“I can explain the stories behind [my new songs]. Every line means something to me. Which is weird for me because I haven’t always done that. I used to be a bit more ‘that sounds cool, whatever.’”
McLeod said she was thrilled to be heading back out on the road. And she has great memories of her first stop – the Brass Monkey.
“[Touring] is the easy part. Everything else I’ve done this year is the hard part,” she said.
“I’ve done loads of gigs down [at the Brass Monkey]. I think I’ve done about 40 down there. It’s second nature. I’ve been behind the bar there before, pulling cocktails. Maybe they’ll let me back again.
“To be honest I haven’t even thought about [what I’ll play] yet. I can pick from anything. I’ve got the new album, reworked Superjesus songs, the Alone & Unplugged record which I did especially for this tour which is my songs and a couple of covers. I might have to wait til I get there and check out the audience and see what they yell out.”
- Tickets are available online with doors open at 7pm.
