From The Desk Of Steve Kilbey: “Life Somewhere Else” By Isidore

Steve Kilbey is best known as the frontman of Australian legends the Church, whose “Under The Milky Way” was one of the defining alt-rock singles of the late ’80s. He has also released records with the likes of Grant McLennan, Martin Kennedy and Donnette Thayer, as well as a number of solo albums. Aside from being a member of the Australian Songwriters Hall Of Fame, Kilbey pens poetry and is an accomplished painter. His latest CD is Life Somewhere Else (Communicating Vessels) by Isidore, a collaboration with Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero). Kilbey will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week.

Kilbey: Isidore is basically me and Jeffrey Cain, who was/is guitarist for Remy Zero. This is our second record, and it combines my sing/speak/spell songs with Cain’s weird and wonderful music, which is like pop music on some sweet drug that renders everything marvelous and melodic. This record runs the gamut from short slices of pop-life to longer narratives and messy, clumsy behemoths, glitter-stomping in some intelligent glam universe. A deft mix of modern and classic, at times furiously electronic and others organic and wistful. Cain’s complexities inspire strange words to put in these songs. Recorded in Australia in a two-week burst of singing and writing, this record is dedicated to the memory of our drummer, Greg Slay, who died a short time before it was made. His presence looms throughout the proceedings. Some people say it’s one of the best recordings I’ve ever been involved in. And who could disagree? Approach with love!

Video after the jump.