Peter Garrett - A Version of Now

A Version Of Now is the debut solo studio album by Midnight Oil singer and songwriter Peter Garrett, released in July 2016 via Sony Music.

After nearly 15 years away from the recording studio, Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett announced in May 2016 the details of his debut solo album, A Version Of Now. The chorus of the opening track Tall Trees – really says it all … “I’m back!”.

As the singer, songwriter, and former politician explains, this is a particularly personal project and one which initially happened by accident.

"As I was finishing my memoir, melodies and lines kept dropping into my head and I ended up reaching for a guitar and writing a few songs. It was a surprise to discover the creative spring flowing again. But once these accidental tunes were out in the sunlight I decided to jump into a studio and give them life, along with a few other snippets from another age I'd always liked".

"I wanted to capture my version of now: a reflection of turbulent decades spent at full stretch, and the person - Doris – places and things that mean the world to me. With the parachute opening quickly, Martin Rotsey came on board to play guitar and was a great sounding board. Later, Pete Luscombe of 'RocKwiz' fame and numerous Paul Kelly bands, Mark Wilson previously in Jet, Heather Shannon from The Jezabels, and Jamie Hutchings formerly of Bluebottle Kiss, and now Infinity Broke, plus my daughters Em, May and Grace, joined in. I can't thank all the players enough for giving so much to this rush of music making. Burke Reid who has worked with The Drones, Courtney Barnett and a host of others, did a mighty job producing the record with me at Rancom St Studios in Botany, and we mixed at Harry Vanda's Hercules Studios in Surry Hills."

In true Garrett style the nine songs on A Version Of Now are an uncompromisingly direct set of tunes.

A Version Of Now takes the listener on a candid remembrance trail; the tone both stridently distinctive and unexpectedly tender, as one of the greatest front men in Australian rock reflects on his motives, his losses and gains and finds his resolve – surprise — utterly unbowed.

This is Peter Garrett as you’ve never heard him. Songs of love, songs of home and sweet memories chafe against songs of relentless resistance with, as ever, a steely eye on a better future.

This album is on black vinyl housed in a single pocket sleeve with a printed inner sleeve, pressed in Australia via Sony Music.