STEVE CLARK

“Where the River meets the Sea is a thing of limpid beauty indeed, and a real pleasure to sit back and immerse oneself in" (Michael Smith, Drum Media Nov 2003).

Steve Clark is a songwriter, singer and producer, and Where the River meets the Sea is his debut album. Where the River meets the Sea is an eclectic, mood-inspired collection of songs. Clark’s music blends the influences of dark folk rock with indie-pop, with shades of celtic inspiration. Vocally, critics have compared Clark to Nick Cave and Ron Sexsmith; within the mold of character singers who build stories and atmosphere through the narrative of the song.

Clark obviously has an affinity musically with his previous band Died Pretty, (no surprise considering he co-wrote a number of songs from the critically acclaimed Dough Boy Hollow, including the classic single D.C.). Working with producer Shane Fahey, he called on respected friends and musicians to help shape the sound of this album, including singers Chiara Browne (The Rose Ponies), and Rachel Holmshaw and Bec Quade (The Millers Tale). Musicians included percussionist Lloyd G; guitarists Brett Myers (Died Pretty), Richard Boxhall (David Lane Band) and Jack Evans (Steve Prestwick Band); string players Lara Goodridge and Peter Hollo (Fourplay) and organ player Dorian Mode.

All of these artists greatly expand the breadth of the album's mood and texture.
Clark has spent the past ten years honing his skills in the small clubs and pubs of Sydney and Europe including the Edinburgh Festival playing at the Famous Spiegel Tent. He has performed with an eclectic array of line-ups from duo mode with a violinist, to six-piece band with percussion, strings and saxophone. For Clark it always comes back to the same focal points - the song, the voice and the performance.

Critic Picks:
John McPharlin (http://www.i94bar.com/reviews/steveclark.html) -
“Standout tracks are the opening, morbidly melancholy "Blue", "Cross This River"; the soaring, shimmering "Close"; the slightly countryish "Hollywood", which recalls Paul Kelly, both in musical style and in the narrative nature of the lyrics; and the closing, transcendent "Higher Love". Shit, that's more than half the album!”

Brian Stradbrook (http://www.lunakafe.com/moon85/au85.php) -
Backing vocalist and occasional co-writer Chiara Browne imbues Where the Rivers Meets the Sea with much romance and beauty. This is especially evident on the outstanding "Cross This River". The strong narrative and country chug of "Hollywood" brings a slight playfulness to the album and with its earthy style and hard-won wisdom sounds as though it could've been lifted straight off a Spencer Jones album. "Higher Love" closes the album in a particularly stunning way and the backing vocals provided by Rachel Holmshaw adds much to the track's soaring qualities.