Stephen Cummings - 100 Years From Now

100 Years From Now is the twenty first solo studio album by Australian singer songwriter Stephen Cummings, released in May 2023 via Cheersquad Records & Tapes.

Stephen Cummings of course needs no introduction to Australian music fans. The Countdown Award and ARIA Award-winning singer and songwriter has had a long, productive, creative and distinguished career since his days up front of Sports in the late ’70s and ’80s. 

What does need an introduction however is the fact that in March 2020 Stephen suffered a life changing stroke and this new album is the product of this event and the enthusiastic support he received creating it from the Melbourne music community.

‘100 Years from Now’ is a record of beauty, of humanity, and of unflinching honesty. And gorgeous musicality.

Recorded and mixed with long-time collaborators guitarist and producer Robert Goodge (Essendon Airport and I’m Talking) and producer and engineer Simon Polinksi (Steve Kilbey, Ollie Olsen). The album is a collection of co-writes that put Cummings’ post-stroke physical condition to the fore, both musically and lyrically. 

The effect of Stephen’s stroke on his singing adds a layer of bittersweet heartbreak to his already emotive style.

Stephen writes about the album on Bandcamp as follows:

“I was always a natural singer and assumed I could just sing as long as I wanted. After the stroke, I had a lot of rehab to learn to walk and recover fine motor skills on my left side. I couldn’t really play guitar anymore. I did some vocal therapy and found my tone still good but the control and breathing the hard part. I learnt I if I sang more slowly and more quietly it sounded better. I have to focus more and keep to different parameters”.

“The album captures the state I was in during my recovery. The weather was always bad when I went on all my lockdown walks and that is a feature of the album too”.

“It’s got a different sound to what I normally do. It’s very dreamy with all the female harmonies and exotic string instruments Robert used like the tiples”.

“It’s one my favourite records I’ve made. I really like the mood and I loved having different people helping out like Lilith Lane and Glen and Philippa from the Underground Lovers. I’ve also known Wally for years so I was really happy for Cheersquad to release it.”

This album is on black vinyl housed in a single pocket sleeve with a printed insert, pressed in Australia via Cheersquad Records & Tapes.