With an upcoming single launch at Transit Bar this Saturday 16 July, OutInCanberra caught up with Jack Biilmann to discuss his anticipated single Own Worst Enemy, musical beginnings and what’s next for his solo career and new band The Bronze Whalers.

How did your career start in the music industry?

 

I grew up 500 metres from the beach in Pambula. Living on the coast always musically inspired me, so when I was old enough to start mucking around on my mother’s underused guitar it all just fell into place. The guitar came very naturally to me and as my skills improved after five years it turned into my career.

I started out writing and playing solo, but watching my brother develop into a phenomenal drummer and jamming with him a lot turned into my first band The Second Hand Salmon, which ended in 2014.

I’m now playing solo and in a new band project, The Bronze Whalers, with my brother Joe back on the ‘pots and pans’ again, Todd Gregory on bass, and horn section made up of Cam Smith and Josh Hart.

 

How would you describe your sound?

 

My solo sound is made up of acoustic, blues, roots, folk and reggae influences. I love all of those genres and try to take all of the best parts of them and create my own sound with various guitar and vocal techniques.

The Bronze Whalers sound is made up of reggae, SKA, punk and rock influences, so between playing solo and with the boys my musical urge to play so many genres is satisfied.

 

Tell us about your new single Own Worst Enemy and how it came about?

 

Own Worst Enemy was written when I was in bad state of mind regarding my career and was very frustrated. I felt as though no matter how hard I worked, my musical career was destined not to live up to my goals and expectations.

Lyrically, it’s very honest about how I was feeling, and musically it has a bit of a Kings of Leon-vibe to it. As always, my co-producer Matt Barnes at Studio 68 has helped me achieve the song that I wanted to release.

 

What can Canberrans expect from your Transit Bar launch on Saturday?

 

I played a show in Sydney recently and had my set recorded to listen back and critique to improve my future shows. Canberrans can expect the notes I took on that performance, plus the usual ‘Jack’ experience which involves lots of banter and beers.

In terms of The Bronze Whalers, we will unfortunately be without out our horn section for this show.

 

What is your career highlight to date?

 

My single Forever Unbeaten, which I wrote for Phillip Hughes, received national coverage. It was written about by the Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, Fox Sports News, plus international news websites in England and even as far as India. That has to be up there! It was a very humbling experience.

 

In the perfect world, who would you like to work or perform with?

 

I have two ways at looking at this question. I’d love to spend time and work with some of my favourite songwriters such as Paul Kelly, Dallas Green, Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder, Mat McHugh, Jimi Hendrix, Ben Harper and John Butler to name a few. This would be a dream to learn from great artists about what it takes to write great music for as long as they all have.

I’d also love to get the rock star experience with some of my favourite bands, including Sublime, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Silverchair and Kings of Leon. I’d love to experience sold-out stadium show tours and the partying that goes with it.

 

What’s next for Jack Biilmann?

 

After the Own Worst Enemy single launch, I’m back into the studio to grind out the rest of the album and then a new single and tour will be announced in a few months, plus the album release and touring next year!

 

Jack Biilmann Own Worst Enemy single launch
Feat The Bronze Whalers and Sara Flint
Transit Bar
Saturday 16 July, 8:00pm
$10 entry