23-year-old Jerrah Patston is a singer/songwriter from the Blue Mountains. His debut album Sounds Like Rain was released November, 24!
Sounds Like Rain draws on Jerrah’s unique way of seeing the world to present a series of tracks not often heard in Australian music today. Recorded in mid-2020, over two rapid sessions with longtime collaborator Sam Worrad and Aria-nominated producer Chris Hamer-Smith, the full length LP features brilliant songs that effortlessly communicate both the universal and obscure.
Highlights include a celebration of the end of bushfire season (Rain Is Falling), tributes to beloved local landmarks (The Glenbrook Pool Song), a clutch of relatable observations about the everyday (Opal Card, All My Friends, Some Food Courts Are Better Than Others) and an unlikely mini song cycle about Jerrah’s favorite Scottish festival, Brigadoon, in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
Sounds Like Rain presents a broader palette of work for Jerrah, with slide and 12-string guitar, additional percussion and gorgeous vocal harmonies (most of which are performed by Jerrah himself).
“I’ve worked on some great projects with Jerrah over the years, but I was taken aback by the speed, spontaneity and feeling he put into these sessions,” Sam said. “We never needed to record more than two takes of any song, which gave us time to overdub some beautiful parts.
“I always listen out for Jerrah’s brushes on Coney Island Girl and the harmony vocal on If You Know A Man especially.”
Jerrah started writing songs in 2016 at Club Weld, our non-therapy based, professional development program for musicians on the autism spectrum.
The album was launched at a sold-out show at the Blue Mountains Theatre on November 27th.
Jerrah at soundcheck | Photo by Lyndal Irons 2020
Over the last few years, Jerrah has released recordings from residencies at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid Live, The Art Gallery of NSW and The Joan. Most recently he released The Jerrah EP (2019), a live recording of his show at The NOW now festival in Redfern. Jerrah has appeared at the International Convention Centre, Henson Park, Bank West Stadium, Petersham Bowling Club and made special appearances on ABC Radio 702 Mornings and ABCTV 7:30.
Early in 2020 Jerrah was invited to appear at Tasmania’s prestigious MONA (Museum of Old And New Art), and was set to embark on a string of performances before Coronavirus intervened.
A single from the album, Country Song About Your Man, has been released and is available now ahead of the album later this month. Country Song About Your Man is a propulsive, catchy song which chronicles a trip on the Ovation Of The Seas cruise liner and a triumphant karaoke performance of Kenny Rogers’, The Gambler.
Previous Music Releases
The Jerrah EP https://abcmusic.lnk.to/Jerrah
Club Weld, Remix the House https://abcmusic.lnk.to/CWRemix