Artist of the Week: Ben Mastwyk

CountryTown in partnership with iHeartCountry Australia is proud to announce alt-country/Americana artist, Ben Mastwyk as our Artist Of The Week, following today’s release of his album Livin’ on Gold Street.

Written after a difficult period, Livin’ on Gold Street chronicles the emergence from darkness to light when Mastwyk found himself living, both literally and figuratively, on Gold Street. With influences ranging from The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Travelling Wilbury’s and Chris Isaac, the album explores sonic spaces ranging from classic honky tonk to sizzling country-funk. 

Recorded at The Shrimp Shack with guitarist/producer, Michael Hubbard, the album sees Mastwyk’s sometimes delicate, sometimes playful songwriting fuse with the lush and rhapsodic sounds of his band, The Million$ (Michael Hubbard/Guitars, Craig Kellly/Bass, Ben Franz/Pedal Steel, and Josh Duiker/Drums).

The Melbourne songwriter released his debut album Mornin Evenin in 2015, which received strong reviews, a nomination for ‘Best Country Album’ (The Age Music Victoria Awards) and granted him an invitation to perform at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe as part of the 2016 Americana Festival. His follow up was 2018’s Winning Streak.

Livin’ on Gold Street is his third album, and features the title track as well as the singles Devil So Close, The Rest and Chicken and the Egg – which we premiered last month. He recently dropped its fifth single, Trouble’s What I Found.

Speaking of the new single, he says, "I had just come off the back of a long-term relationship. I was distraught and vulnerable but also excited for new possibilities. Heading out into the world with that kind of energy opens you up to all kinds of people and experiences. This song has me questioning my motions. Was I blurring lines between my friendships? Was I being responsible? It’s incredibly autobiographical, but hopefully, also universal. I think we all go through emotionally vulnerable times where we might take missteps in our lives…lean a little too hard on our friends…open ourselves up to people and experiences that may not be completely healthy for us or other parties involved. This song has me looking back, checking in on myself and the way I played during one of my most vulnerable moments. It’s jam packed full of intensity."

Keep up to date with everything Ben Mastwyk and follow him on Facebook here.

For more Artist Of The Week features, including Ben Mastwyk, check out here.

Image: Provided