Australian country icon James Blundell sits down with Paul Cashmere at Noise11.com to talk about his long-awaited new album Patience Wins, his return to recording, and why some stories simply need time to mature.
In this intimate and candid interview, Blundell reflects on the eight-year stretch between albums – a period filled with family life, running the family cattle station in Queensland, and living a life far away from the commercial music cycle. Despite stepping back from releasing music, Blundell never stopped writing. When long-time collaborator Terry MacArthur called, the spark returned – leading James to an extraordinary recording experience in upstate New York near Woodstock.
Joined by legendary musicians including Larry Campbell, Justin Guip and Little Feat’s Bill Payne, Blundell recorded his first album without playing a note – focusing purely on vocal delivery and storytelling. He even teases a mystery guest vocalist on One Of Those Saturday Nights, known here only as Lily Brown.
Blundell dives into the stories behind key songs such as The World Don’t Stop and It’s Almost Anzac Day, exploring travel, identity, Australian history, and universal emotion. He also talks frankly about winning Star Maker in 1987, resisting commercial moulds, and watching modern artists like Teddy Swims redefine the boundaries of country music.
Humour, humility and heart, James Blundell proves once again that great songs come from lived experience. And after decades in Australian music, Patience Wins feels like both a homecoming and a rebirth.
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