Tom Curtain’s new album, We’re Still Here, gives listeners an insight into his life and celebrates the hope, resilience and pride still very much evident in regional and remote Australia.
Released on November 15, We’re Still Here starts with the catchy banjo-driven tune, In The West, and the theme of singing up the lifestyle of country people continues with the uplifting We’re Still Here, the lead single and title track.
Moving through the tracks, Tom’s songs take listeners from the Kimberley to his home state of the Northern Territory through to Central Queensland and back again with something for his fans of all ages with his younger followers sure to Rock the Rock on first play.
Raised Up Right and his 2018 hit, Speak Up, contain positive messages we can all learn from, while Hitchhiker tells the story of how Tom met his wife, Annabel, when he was at his lowest point, and Mannuem Falls reflects on childhood memories of adventures had with his brothers growing up near Kumbia, Queensland.
One of the many highlights of the album is She Gave Us The Song, a moving tribute to Joy McKean which sees Tom joined by Lee Kernaghan and Sara Storer with the song co-written by Garth Porter and Kelly Dixon.
We’re Still Here sees the Golden Guitar winner mixing deeper tracks and story songs with rocking numbers that will have fans taking to the dance floor, but the theme of celebrating Australia and our unique way of life flows throughout.
“Overall, I wanted to bring a smile to people listening to certain songs and inspire people out there battling to hold on and speak up in times of hardship,” Tom said.
“I love storytelling and there’s a few good yarns in there as well.”
The singer-songwriter said he wanted to inspire and uplift his listeners through the songs about his life, his journey and the “great people who make up this amazing country out here”.
“We’re Still Here is definitely one of my favourites as it depicts the struggles the people and communities face living in rural Australia,” Tom said.
“Hitchhiker is also a great true story about how I met my wife and one we will be able to tell our kids about down the track.”
After the release of his 2017 No. 1 album, Territory Time, Tom, Annabel, their horses, dogs (and a few ducks) and their team toured from the Territory through Western Australia and followed this with an extensive tour from the Territory through Western and Central Queensland, New South W and Victoria in 2018/2019.
These tours have inspired more songs that appear on We’re Still Here, including the title track, a co-write with his award-winning producer Garth Porter.
“We were travelling through Central Queensland on the ‘Speak Up Tour’ and everything was in drought,” Tom said.
“It was terrible. And then, weeks later coming back through, it was heartbreaking to see how the floods had decimated the land, the animals and affected the communities.
“I was very passionate about it and felt I had to get the message out there – these farmers and communities are facing all these hardships including droughts, floods and fires, and it is so soul-destroying, but they are supporting each other and bouncing back, one foot in front of the other.”
Tom, Annabel and team, including newest recruit, Harry Hugo Curtain born on November 2, will hit the road again at the end of November to tour through some of the most remote parts of Australia to the coast on the We’re Still Here Tour through to March 2020.
No tour of Tom’s would be complete without his team of Katherine Outback Experience horses and dogs. His shows comprise an hour of horse and working dog demonstrations followed by an hour of live music with special guests.
This summer he is heading east again, however this time will continue into western Victoria, South Australia and central Northern Territory, before returning to Katherine, NT, with 60 per cent of the towns being places he hasn’t previously performed.
“It’s an enormous buzz to see the people coming together and I love seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they see the dogs,” Tom said.
“People love the interaction with the animals and feel like they get extra value from the training tips we share. It’s a very hands-on experience for the kids but also an important opportunity to bring the community together and check-in on one another.”
Following on from the Speak Up Tour, Tom and his team will again visit a number of schools, spreading the anti-bullying Dolly’s Dream message.
We’re Still Here is released on November 15 and is currently available for pre-order from all digital retailers and Tom’s website: www.tomcurtain.com.au.
Album Track Listing:
1. In The West
2. We’re Still Here
3. Kimberley Girl
4. She Gave Us The Song
5. Get Around It
6. Raised Up Right
7. Rock The Rock
8. Hitchhiker
9. Speak Up
10. Mannuem Falls
11. Something Going On Out Here
List of tour venues: 2019
- Thursday 14 November: Katherine, NT
- Friday 29 November: Cloncurry, QLD
- Saturday 30 November: Winton, QLD
- Sunday 1 December: Longreach, QLD
- Friday 6 December: Clermont, QLD
- Saturday 7 December: Rockhampton, QLD
- Sunday 8 December: Monto, QLD
- Thursday 12 December: Bundaberg, QLD
- Friday 13 December: Maryborough, QLD
- Saturday 14 December: Widgee, QLD
- Sunday 15 December: Samford, QLD
List of tour venues: 2020
- Friday 3 January: Kumbia, QLD
- Saturday 4 January: Toowoomba, QLD
- Sunday 5 January: Goondiwindi, QLD
- Friday 10 January: Warwick, QLD
- Saturday 11 January: Murwillumbah, NSW
- Saturday 12 January: Grafton, NSW
- Friday 17 January 2020: Kempsey, NSW
- Saturday 18 January 2020: Gloucester, NSW
- Monday 20 – Friday 24 January: Tamworth, NSW
- Wednesday 29 January: Coonabarabran, NSW
- Friday 31 January: Molong, NSW
- Saturday 1 February: Forbes, NSW
- Sunday 2 February: Hay, NSW
- Wednesday 5 February: Braidwood, NSW
- Friday 7 February: Bairnsdale, VIC
- Saturday 8 February: Boolarra, VIC
- Thursday 13 February: Mansfield, VIC
- Friday 14 February: Trentham, VIC
- Saturday 15 February: Moama, NSW
- Sunday 16 February: Camperdown, VIC
- Friday 21 February: Lucindale, SA
- Saturday 22 February: Horsham, VIC
- Sunday 23 February: Mildura, VIC
- Friday 28 February: Lyndoch (Barossa Helicopters), SA
- Saturday 29 February: Crystal Brook (Port Pirie), SA
- Sunday 1 March: Quorn, SA
- Saturday 7 March: Alice Springs, NT
Bookings can be made direct at www.tomcurtain.com.au.
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Media contact: Rebecca Gracie, The Country Journo [email protected] | 0427 232591