HI there, Hope your worlds are spinning nicely... Have to put the brake on sometimes ! yeah when things start to spin out of control... Not that mine is , but just a thought. Completed 2 days in Aerial studio (Glen Forrest) WA. Confidently supported by Ronan and Phil on drums/engineering/producer and bass/banjo and irish bouzouki ? respectively.
Put down another 4 songs a couple from the original sessions at "Poons" and at least one brand new song ( about death and dying, same thing of course ) when you're gone you're gone... Titled "Gone". I can't say much more, but being able to write a song on monday, and record it with some great players a week later is an absolute joy. It doesn't get much better than that for me , anyway...
Am also getting a  few more solo and duo gigs with Trevor on drums ( we rehearse weekly) I guess ala "Black Keys/White stripes" As I am heavy on bass riffs on guitar, bass players(should  I say some) sort of struggle to find a part to call there own...
Will probably have one more session for recording new tracks , and then commence vocals and overdubs. Will use hammond guitar, piano, sax and I have a mate Darren who is a cool didge player, so will see how we go. Until next time. cheers Gus

​HI All, News is "Mojo Grande" (working title , becomes Title !! ) Has been completed, 14 tracks and is to be mastered asap and manufactured for CD and also Vinyl. Check back here soon to view, listen and buy !!
Am putting up tracks on NM1 first track "Muse"

http://n1m.co/gusmckay

Peace

HI There, Recording of Gus McKay new release, has had a change of studio and players !! this is all for the greater good ( believe me ) have re-recorded 5 and added 2 new compositions just last week recording taking place in the Perth hills on a couple of fairly (33 degree days) but the result is well above par , having made a great start on the way   back to (the future !! )
Feb we start again and am eagerly awaiting it, meanwhile I am adding new ideas of songs for inclusion for mid 2016 release !! Until next time.. Peace, Gus

Hi to all,  I'd like to update you on recording news. Now have a studio band ! well we certainly work well together. Have been busy writing brand new tunes and recording others that are a bit older, anyway its put some positive pressure on this dude (big lebowski ? I think not !)
Spend a couple of days every 2-3 weeks, have been doing one track per day, thats with overdubs... Basically we are recording live, drums bass and guitar in one big room. Even introducing horns this time round so am really excited about the final mix and of course release.
 This is of course the second studio for this product, but I have had this happen many times, things just don't work out all the time, so we need to vote with our feet and make a decision and move on...
Have also been quite busy playing live which is a joy, its the main (second to writing/recording, that I like to do) solo acoustic, duo ( with drums or solo electric with stomp/harp.
until my next blog
peace to you all
Gus

For all you gearjammers out there...? Here is the first blog post for my new,upgraded website (Sans FB). If you want to know what's going on in my world, music/recording/touring, cars, rustic adventures etc... this is the place!!
I mention Gearjammers, as this is a new song I'm trialling and have recorded, to be released sometime soon. Not that normal "urban folk " and even "truckies" or ''truckers" these days have manual gearboxes -- no more gear jamming. It's more the idea of being stuck in a truck cab and the wide open spaces (which I love).
Have five  brand new tracks recorded for the album (on tape) and still need another five (at least). As it will be released on vinyl and CD, I am conscious of the conversion (and recording length ) for consideration on vinyl, and the quality of final production. I am always writing. Some songs hang around and stick and the rest get ditched as new ones arrive on the scene.
So now to the new website. You now have to ability to listen to sample tracks, buy online physical CDs and downloadable tracks or complete albums. You can keep up to date with my gig and cars news and follow my journey in those areas, or maybe checkout the rustic Australiana shots I take in my travels through the West Australian "Bush .
Until next time... Cheers,
Gus

“Need my coffee. l’m gonna die." sings Gus McKay on “Caffeine." one of the toughest songs on his latest album. Saltflat Blues. The Australian singer/songwriter pours on the grit brewing an intoxiating blend of raw blues, swamp rock. and funk. Ironic at how some of the best American music originates from overseas. Perhaps there is an advantage from being so far away from commercial influences that McKay is able to kick out the jams without worrying about mainstream acceptance.
The urgent, driving guitars in "Caffeine" are the highlight here; the track is bursting with enough energy to light up a Starbucks joing. However, McKay is fairly consistent in writing one memorable song after another. "Torch", with its rumbling beat, is a fiery rave-up that explodes from the speakers; it will shave your beard with its sizzling riffs. The acoustic prettiness of "Branches" reveals McKay's versatility. His talent is no one-trick pony even when it gallops with scorching intensity.
‘No Depression - The Roots Music Authority Since 1995’ Blues and Roots magazine, USA