Podcast: Country music star Aleyce Simmonds talks about her latest album Here and Now | Lithgow Mercury
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Aleyce Simmonds isn’t afraid to bare her soul in her award-winning songs. Her fourth and final album, Here and Now, contains multiple tributes to her late father-in-law. “I wanted him to live forever, so I wrote many songs for and about him,” Simmonds said. “I was helping to heal [him]. He was terminal…we lost him just before the album came out. His lyrics on songs such as Everything or Nothing at All give a glimpse of his loyalty and pain: “I’ll hold you while you breathe / I’ll memorize your dreams / I’ll love you through the dark / I’ll Give All I’m Worth…” A previous album, Believe, recorded six years ago, also records pivotal moments in Simmonds’ life.” Inspiration came from childhood. There is (hopefully) a beautiful song about my brother who died as a baby. “Family is a common theme throughout his work. Here and Now features a collaboration with country music legend John Williamson on Three Sons, a song Williamson originally released in 1998, about the bonds that bind generations together. Here and Now was recorded just before the pandemic and although it quickly became the No. 1 country album on the iTunes charts, lockdowns forced Aleyce to cancel a planned national tour in which she would do promoting the album and its songs.”I put so much effort into Here and Now and canceling my Australian tour was absolutely devastating,” she told the rising country star in part of a new podcast, Celebrating Aussie Country, produced by ACM (publisher of this website) and available now on Spotify. During the interview, Simmonds talks about his Golden Guitar win in 2018. “A Golde n Guitar Award is the absolute pinnacle for a country music artist,” she said. That year, against Casey Chambers, Simmonds didn’t think she would win. Even when her name was read on stage, it took a few minutes for reality to sink in. “My mum nudged me and said ‘it’s you,'” she says. “I was in a state of disarray. I got up, everyone was clapping, and I went to receive this Golden Guitar, which was a dream come true.” Simmonds had dreamed of grabbing the Golden Guitar statuette since she was 12, when her parents let her attend a Golden Guitars awards night. “We were at the showground, watching country music stars on stage and thinking, maybe one day I could be like one of them.” To mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival, ACM (publisher of this website) has created a new podcast, Celebrating Aussie Country. The podcast was recorded and released before the recent spike in coronavirus cases which forced the festival to be postponed. We are sure you will always enjoy the interviews and the music. Just keep in mind that all references to performance dates are outdated. In the 10-part series, available only on Spotify, you’ll hear from established and emerging artists and their music. To listen you will need to download the Spotify app on your mobile phone and search for Celebrating Aussie Country. If you already have Spotify – and you’re reading this story on your mobile – click the banner below and your phone will take you straight to the podcast. Each podcast episode includes an interview with the artist and some of their music. People with a free Spotify subscription will hear a 30-second sample of the song, while those with a premium Spotify subscription will be able to enjoy the full version.
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Aleyce Simmonds isn’t afraid to bare her soul in her award-winning songs.
His fourth and final album, Here and nowcontains multiple tributes to his late father-in-law.
“I wanted him to live forever, so I wrote many songs for and about him,” Simmonds said.
“I was helping to heal [him]. He was terminally ill…we lost him just before the album came out.”
His lyrics on songs such as All or nothing at all give a glimpse of his loyalty and his pain: “I’ll hold you while you breathe / I’ll memorize your dreams / I’ll love you through the dark / I’ll give all I’m worth…”
- Listen to Alyce Simmonds and some of her music in our new podcast. If you already have Spotify on your phone and are reading this on your mobile, click the banner below. Alternatively, download the Spotify app on your phone and search for Celebrating Aussie Country. For more instructions, click here.
A previous album, Believerecorded six years ago, also records pivotal moments in Simmonds’ life.
“Inspiration came from childhood. There’s (hopefully) a beautiful song about my brother who died as a baby.”
The family is a common theme in all his work.
Here and now features a collaboration with country music legend John Williamson on three sons, a song Williamson originally released in 1998, about the bonds that bind generations of a family together.
The lyrics of many of Aleyce Simmonds’ songs tell of her personal experiences.
Here and now was recorded just before the pandemic and although it quickly became the No. 1 country album on the iTunes charts, blockages forced Aleyce to cancel a planned national tour in which she would promote the album and his songs.
“I put so much effort Here and now and canceling my Australian tour was absolutely devastating,” she said.
You can hear some of Simmonds’ music and listen to a full interview with the rising country star in a new podcast, Celebrating Aussie Country, produced by ACM (publisher of this website) and available now at Spotify.
During the interview, Simmonds talks about his Golden Guitar win in 2018.
“A Golden Guitar award is the absolute pinnacle for a country music artist,” she said.
That year, against Casey Chambers, Simmonds didn’t think she would win. Even when her name was read on stage, it took a few minutes for reality to sink in.
“My mum nudged me and said ‘it’s you,'” she says. “I was in a state of disarray. I got up, everyone was clapping, and I went to receive this Golden Guitar, which was a dream come true.”
Simmonds had dreamed of grabbing the Golden Guitar statuette since she was 12, when her parents let her attend a Golden Guitars awards night.
“We were at the showground, watching country music stars on stage and thinking, maybe one day I could be like one of them.”
Listen: New Country Music Podcast
To mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival, ACM (publisher of this website) has created a new podcast, Celebrating Aussie Country.
The podcast was recorded and released before the recent spike in coronavirus cases which forced the festival to be postponed. We are sure you will always enjoy the interviews and the music. Just keep in mind that all references to performance dates are outdated.
In the 10-part series, available only on Spotify, you’ll hear from established and emerging artists and their music.
To listen you will need to download the Spotify app on your mobile phone and search for Celebrating Aussie Country. If you already have Spotify – and you’re reading this story on your mobile – click the banner below and your phone will take you straight to the podcast.
Each podcast episode includes an interview with the artist and some of their music. People with a free Spotify subscription will hear a 30-second sample of the song, while those with a premium Spotify subscription will be able to enjoy the full version.
- This article was first published on January 13, 2022 but has been republished for the rescheduled Tamworth Country Music Festival
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