Following two EPs and a debut album, Sydney-based artist Piers Twomey is set to release a second full length, ‘It’s Complicated’ on October 25 via Gaga Digi.

Without altogether abandoning folk or pop traditions, Twomey has moved closer to minimalism and contemporary neo-classical sounds – shimmering drones, pulsating arpeggios, and the use of space support a mix of vocal and instrumental songs on this collection.
“I’ve been increasingly drawn to post-classical and ambient music, artists like Nils Frahm, Grouper, Harold Budd, and Loscil. I think you can hear that coming through, along with some tonality from my Eastern European (Romanian) heritage on my mum’s side.

“There’s also inspiration from the songwriting of Bill Callahan, Ulver and Sun Kil Moon, I’m fascinated by the contemplative reflection and sense of nostalgia in their music”, says Twomey.

“I suppose the ‘complicated’ part in the title just refers to everything that comes with navigating life, relationships, career, being a father and husband, balancing your own mental and physical health while staying true to your hopes, dreams, and moral compass,”, explains Twomey. “There’s a lot involved!”

Piers worked with his long-term producer, Tony Dupé (Holly Throsby, Saddleback) who’s teamed up with composer and multi-instrumentalist Claire Deak. In tandem with Tony’s editing, mixing and playing, Claire contributed arrangements, editing, playing and singing to ‘It’s Complicated’. The album was recorded in a large timber hall in Korumburra in country Victoria, connected to Tony & Claire’s cottage residence at the time. The hall’s natural reverb played a key role in the album’s sense of space.

“Working with Tony Dupé and Claire Deak, and the musicians and singers in their circle of friends such as the wonderful Lucy Roleff, was a beautiful and pure experience. It’s both grounding and inspiring to be around such deeply creative and generous souls. And this record would certainly not have been possible without them,” Twomey concludes.

Piers Twomey made a mark with indie rock band The Fragments in the 2000s, via exposure on Triple J. He went on to join post-rock outfit Grün which released two well reviewed albums in 2010 and 2017. His first solo outing was an EP of melancholy indie-pop under the alias ‘Alec Eiffel’ in 2008, followed by an experimental folk debut album ‘Strange Advice’ in 2011, and an 90’s inspired EP, ‘Pop Kills’ in 2014, each earning radio play across the country on Double J and community radio.

Promo Photography by Emma Rowan Kelly at www.emmarowankelly.com
All album cover art by Fraser Smith at designsmiths.com.au