Some of Sydney’s best musicians will pay tribute to the music catalogue of Nick Drake who was regarded as a tortured musical genius during his short lifetime.
Before dying from an overdose of anti-depressants at just 26, Drake released a trio of hauntingly beautiful albums: Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1970) and Pink Moon (1972).
None sold more than a few thousand copies – and Drake’s reluctance to perform live certainly didn’t help sales during his lifetime.
Yet it was a rare live performance in Cambridge that led to Drake teaming up with producer Joe Boyd. A member of Fairport Convention caught the Cambridge gig and told Boyd about it.
Boyd, who produced Fairport Convention and The Incredible String Band, was so impressed that he promptly offered the 20-year-old a recording contract in 1968.
Drake’s music – including a handful of songs recorded shortly before his death – has influenced countless other contemporary artists and won a legion of new fans.
In death, it seems, Drake has found an avid cult following.
Emad Younan, Leroy Lee, Julia Johnson, Matt Tonks, Michael Azzopardi, Matt Ralph, Andy Gordon, Lauren Carlson, Nat James, Chris Neto, Rosie McDonald and Charli Rainford will perform some of Drake’s most loved compositions at the Django Bar, Marrickville, on Thursday, August 23, from 7.30pm
- Tickets: stickytickets.com.au
