Melbourne-based songwriter Brendan Welch has been writing and recording original music for close to two decades. His debut EP The Unbeat (2005) received national radio play and led to a tour with Paul Kelly. His first single “Burn Away” was featured in the classic Australian TV series Love My Way.
His 2007 EP That Ghost earned further airplay and a dedicated following among songwriters and music lovers, as well as shows alongside Tim Rogers, Luke Steele, and Something For Kate.
His debut album The Gleaner (2009), produced by Paul Dempsey, was hailed as one of the most beautiful and accomplished Australian records of the year, landing in The Age’s EG Magazine Top 10.
In 2017, Welch released his second, self-titled record, produced by Nick Huggins and featuring members of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, with backing vocals from the Brown sisters (Banoffee, Otouto). Brendan has also composed original music for the TV series The Slap and scored the short film Loophole, written and directed by Ryan Shelton.
His forthcoming third album, Returning (due out October 30th), was written and recorded at Melbourne’s HeadGap Studios with Rohan Sforcina. The album was created before, during, and after the COVID pandemic and will finally be released soon. Returning marks Brendan’s first album since 2017. The new album is absolutely gorgeous, incorporating elements of alt-country, indie folk and singer-songwriter, all with Brendan’s signature intimate and candid style.
Today, Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the album in its entirety. Kicking off with the mysterious and easygoing “High Alert” with its bright guitar, the album is a collection of sonically and lyrically rich folk-rock that contains plenty of warmth and surprises. Welch sings in a way that is direct and thoughtful as he transforms his colorful observations and meditations into catchy songs. There are moments of breezy rock contrasted with quieter, folksier fare, yet somehow it all makes sense together. Longtime fans and first-time listeners alike will be enchanted with this impressive batch of tunes from an artist who continues to evolve.
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