In case you missed it, Sunday Music is back! This free weekly music program is set on the rolling hills of FAC’s South Lawn, making Sunday Music the perfect place to wrap up the weekend. This weekend local rockers Verge Collection and country-inspired Albert Loss take to the stage.
Fronting bands since the age of 12, Albert Loss is a prodigious country songwriter and respected member of the Perth music community. We recently caught up with him to chat about his introduction to music and what we can expect from this weekend’s gig.
Hi Albert, can you tell us your introduction to music?
I was introduced to music as a young kid by my father. Besides having a rock-solid record collection (Cooder, Dylan, The Band, Young, Cohen) he also played in bands – a Chicago blues act called Tin Dog as well as an alt-country line up and a zydeco band. That said when I discovered Down From The Mountain, a documentary about the soundtrack to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, it was a slippery slope to all things Nashville.
You’re playing Sunday Music this weekend. Who’s in your band and who plays what?
The band is made up of Edo Ekic (Grievous Bodily Calm) on guitar, Joshua Biondillo (San Cisco) on guitar, Tyler Michie (Old Blood) on drums, and Nick Gardner (all-round bloody legend) on bass.
What’s your best gig or tour memory?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I always seem to remember the shockers for some reason… but let’s not go there. I’m pretty easy to please really, so long as I can get up with my band and belt out a couple of numbers I’m happy. Where and to whom doesn’t bother me too much.
Albert Loss performing at Hidden Treasures 2020. Photography by Tashi Hall
What’s up next? Do you have any new music in the works?
There certainly is. At the moment we’re working on an EP with the whole band and a few cameos from some very talented friends. I’m hoping for an early 2021 release.
Everyone has a FAC story. What’s your favourite Fremantle Arts Centre memory?
When I was I kid we lived in rental up the road from the Arts Centre so I spent what feels like a huge chunk of my childhood there. My fondest FAC memories were on the hot summer afternoons when the sea breeze would blow the touring bands’ soundcheck right through my front door. I’m not sure if we just didn’t have enough money to go to many bigger shows or they just wouldn’t let me in because I was too young, but either way, when the bands kicked off in the evening dad would take my brother and me down to the wastelands next to south lawn and we’d watch through the fence. It showed me that art is for everyone and you shouldn’t let anything get in the way of making it or soaking it up.
What can we expect from your Sunday Music gig?
We’re going to serve up a bunch of original country tunes that sound like they were written by a working Australian who pretty much only listens to music recorded in Nashville pre-1976. Josh and Edo usually throws in some Allman Brothers meet Wilco guitarmonies, while Nick and Tyler hold down the rhythm section in the tasteful, restrained way they always do. And you never know there might be a couple of cheeky cameos but I’m not making any promises. I’m looking forward to it!
Want to find out more about Albert Loss?
You can check out his Instagram and Facebook page.
Albert Loss
Sunday Music runs 2–4pm each Sunday from Oct – Mar
Sunday Music is free and showcases the finest local musicians. Be sure to get down early as capacity is strictly limited. Sunday Music is possible thanks to the ongoing support of Bendigo Bank – Fremantle Community Bank Branch. 2020–21 is the twelfth year of the longstanding partnership.
