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Infinite Black: Audio From The Abyss – Out Now!!!

Back in 2022, I remember getting a message from my friend Dan Verkys regarding a bunch of amazing new stuff he had coming in the near future, which included a book called “Infinite Black” which he was co releasing with poet Jeff Oliver. He had the very cool idea of an audio soundtrack to go with the book and wondered if I might want to be a part of it. While I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, if this fine fellow comes your way, the immediate answer is “OF COURSE”!!!

So as it turned out Dan was well on top of things and had been experimenting with things and had created these awesome digital soundscapes that would make the basis of the tracks on “Infinite Black Audio From The Abyss”. The idea was for me to add bits and pieces to what he had and we would see where we end up. I had never really played stuff like this before, although if you know my playing, you will hear pretty quickly that it’s me on there! The other thing was that, especially being new territory, I was very mindful of going on a weird trip and getting carried away with something that might not necessarily fit the concept of the album. Dan was so great with everything though and encouraged me to go off on those trips if they looked like happening!! What a pleasure!!

We didn’t quite manage to get it out at the same time as the book due to things being really crazy on my end at the time of that release, but again Dan being Dan, was so amazing with everything and assured me it can come out when it comes out, no stress and all that. We’ve worked together on things since 2009, but this is the first time it’s been a musical collaboration. I’m excited for everyone to hear it!!! And don’t be suprised if more stuff like this happens in the future.

Please check out the book and audio releases if you can. What an honour to be a part of it!!!

Hardcover – https://www.lulu.com/shop/jeff-oliver-and-dan-verkys/infinite-black/hardcover/product-rpym66.html?q=Dan+Verkys&page=1&pageSize=4

Paperback – https://www.lulu.com/shop/jeff-oliver-and-dan-verkys/infinite-black/paperback/product-r5e9m6.html?q=Dan+Verkys&page=1&pageSize=4

Album – https://cs-songs.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-black-audio-from-the-abyss

“Sentiel Rising” – Official Video.
“Welcome To The Machine” – Official Video.

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“Who Could Have Seen?” – Official Video!!!

Premiering at 2.00pm AEST is the official video for “Who Could Have Seen?” from the recently released “Chance” EP!!!

Featuring cameos from Steve Triffit, Darren “Mossy” Bleathman, Mathew Szkup, Jake Cowburn, Nathan Adams, Dylan Beast, Matt Perry and Dallas Braddock, and footage from Hobart, Melbourne and Wellington.

The track features Brett Collidge on drums and extra piano, Rick Curran on strings, and myself on guitars, bass, vocals and piano. The “Chance” EP was mixed by Dennis Leeflang at Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering, and artwork by Dan Verkys.

It will be arriving in most online digital retailers on September 06, 2021, but is already available at http://cs-songs.bandcamp.com/
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“Chance” EP Out Now!!!

“Chance” artwork by Dan Verkys

Today sees the release of “Chance”, my new EP and first official solo release since 2014!!!

During the writing and recording of two albums with The Feckers during lockdown in 2020, I looked one day and realised that I had even more songs ready to go, and as fun and inspiring as doing The Feckers is, sometimes doing some tunes on a smaller scale is a good “yin” to the “yang” of that crazy but amazing situation we have created. I might not have looked at these songs again seriously for a couple of years, but with the pandemic hitting and so many friends losing months of work instantly, I thought of Brett, and figured that all things considered, that it might be a good “chance” to do some tunes together. Luckily for me he was keen! This whole “lets do this while we can” line of thinking, which is how I try to approach life anyway, was really apparent after something as big as what happened, and became a big theme to the songs, and meaning of the EP.

It was recorded very quickly mostly during July of 2020, with Brett busting out a track or two at a time, and myself chipping away on the remaining tracks over the remaining weekends in July and August with a plan to mix a song here and there for a while, and release it around July of 2021. Just a nice casual thing that wouldn’t interrupt anything else or be too stressful for anyone. When I did revisit things in the leadup to release, I noticed a couple of things I wanted to touch up which happened over the last couple of weeks literally.

One of my favourite moments from the creation of this EP with when the song “Who Could Have Seen” was coming together. It came about from a little idea I captured in my hotel room in Brisbane during a trip there visiting friends and family the previous year, and when it was time to record it for real it was likely going to be a stripped back acoustic song, with maybe a cajon but lots of space. I sent it over to Brett, mentioned this and said “what do you reckon”, and he responded something like “give me a couple of hours”. I had lawns to mow, so figured I would do that and come back and check my emails. Not too long after I had finished I had a version of the song from him with a drum track AND a totally cool orchestral section that he had mapped out on his keyboard. DAMN!!!

When it came down to those beautiful lines appearing on the song, there was no choice but to have real instruments playing them, which is what led me to coming across the amazing Rick Curran, a great person and player from the UK. Boy did he deliver!!!

To listen and / or purchase, check out my Bandcamp Site.

Links to more digital stores will be coming asap!!!

CREDITS:

Words and music by Chris Szkup (Except “Who Could Have Seen” – Words and Music By Chris Szkup and Brett Collidge), mixed by Dennis Leeflang @Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering, artwork by Dan Verkys.

Chris Szkup – Vocals, guitars, bass, piano
Brett Collidge – Drums, extra piano
Rick Curran – Strings

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“Chance” EP Out August 27, 2021 – Preview Clips Available!!!

Happy to announce that “Chance”, my new EP and my first official solo release since 2014, will be out on August 27, 2021, here and on my Bandcamp Page!!! I hope you enjoy these preview clips!!

It features Brett Collidge Musician on drums and extra piano, Rick Curran on strings and myself on vocals, guitars, bass and piano.

Mixed by Dennis Leeflang @ Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering, and artwork by The Art of Dan Verkys.

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New EP “Chance” – Coming soon!!!

“Chance” artwork by Dan Verkys

Happy to share the artwork for my new EP “Chance”, which will be coming out asap!! During the lockdown of 2020, we had such a creative rush of songs with The Feckers and when I thought about it for a second, it turned out I had even MORE songs ready to go.

Hearing about so many of my musician friends having their work instantly vanish on them, I thought it might be a good “chance” to check in with Brett Collidge and see if he was up for playing drums on a few tunes. Lucky for me he was, and it was a real pleasure to do!

On the last song we did, I sent a stripped back demo to see what he thought, went to mow the lawns, and when I got back inside there was a message that said “let me know if its too much, but…” and a file that included drums and a beautiful string arrangement for the song!!! We got Rick Curran from the UK to play those lines and it is really something!!!

I couldn’t release music without the amazing mixes of Dennis Leeflang or the incredible artwork of The Art of Dan Verkys either! Thanks to all of you guys for making me sound and look much better than I am! ? This is going into mastering and then will be released digitally asap. Will keep you posted.

BEHIND THE SCENES AND TACOHAT:

Me being a typical vain, arrogant musician, shooting THE cover image for the “Chance” cover took a few go’s. If I recall correctly, three shoots in total. Some I looked ridiculous in, some were a good vibe but the quality wasn’t the best, and some were really good except for me stepping outside the view of the greenscreen thus making it useless. During the process for a laugh, Dan commented on this and sent back a “Tacohat” version of the cover that just killed me!!!!

“Tacohat” artwork by Dan Verkys

This was a few weeks ago. I knew I HAD to post it, and would when we nailed the real cover and the release was a bit closer as well. So we had some fun with it on social media – seemed like it would be a cool thing to break up all the divisive stuff in Facebook feeds for a minute. Anyway, the gags continued, and we came up with an idea of a “World Tour” for the Tacohat EP, and the following poster came to be. Make sure you click on the QR code haha!!

As always, the BIGGEST appreciation to my mate Dan Verkys for the consistently amazing work over a long time, always going above and beyond, and laughing with us along the way!!!! 😀

See ya’s on tour!!!…..Haha!!! 😛

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“Your Song” – Live at The Sloth Bar (April 08, 2021)!!!

“Your Song” – Live at The Sloth Bar!!!

Here is a pretty loose version of my opening song for that night, “Your Song” at the Sloth Bar on April 08, 2021!!! I’ve never put this on an album, but it was released on Youtube a couple of years back as a tribute to my mate Kedi the cat when he passed. Special THANKS to Dean J Miller for the Audio / Video!!!! ?

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Live Appearances in 2021!!!

While first waiting for restrictions to allow it, then bouncing back from an injury with my hands / arms, in February 2021, I played my first live anything since October 19 at The Sloth Bar in Footscray, quickly followed by a set at Wheelers Food Trucks and Bar in Werribee, both of which I’m appearing at again this week. To say it felt amazing to be back in a bar, drinking a beer, and listening to (and playing) live tunes, is a huge understatement.

Next week we have a Cunning Stunts double header in Hobart, which also includes an acoustic set from me to open the first show. Tickets still available for the first show, but the second show is sold out. Info below.

(Thanks as always to Dan Verkys for coming up with the awesome alternate poster for the first show that includes me on the billing!)