Golden Guitar

Luring Johnny Gibson, Tasmanian-born drummer for numerous Melbourne bands including The Swedish Magazines and The Currency, out of the rehearsal studio and into the interview room, we find him a slightly distracted character. And no wonder: awaiting his return to the Soundpark Studio rehearsal room in Northcote are his support band, all eager to crack on with fine-tuning for this Thursday – the release of Gibson's first solo album, Endless Search For Gold. Not only is it Gibson's first transition from the backline to front of stage in a long time, but it sees his great unveiling as songwriter, singer and guitarist. Guitarist? Seems like it's Melbourne's alt.country scene's worst kept secret that Gibson's early musical efforts were as a picker not a kicker.

“I played guitar when I was younger, but one day my guitar and stuff got stolen – so I took up the drums because there was a drum kit around I could use,” he explains. “I love music, and I'm happy to play whatever instrument as long as I can make a half decent effort of it.”

Gibson's foray into the percussive arts was given a helping hand by an offer too good to refuse.

“After my guitar got stolen, a friend of mine came over and said, 'I've got some riffs, do you want to play with me?' He was playing guitar, and another friend and I were trying to work out who would play bass or drums. I ended up playing the drums. And it went from there.”

Going from guitar to drums and back again has been easier for Gibson than it has for many, but he admits songwriting has taken far longer to master.

“I always enjoyed writing music, but it took a long time to write enough music for an album. I've been writing these songs slowly over the last two or three years. Once I had 15 or 16 songs written that I was happy with, I figured it would be a waste not to record them.”

A look at Gibson's lyric sheet finds solid country themes such as love, love gone wrong and post break-up blues. Gibson humbly admits he is more an apprentice than a master of the lyrical arts, but is willing to put some heart into it.

“I'm trying to tell stories in a way…” he tentatively offers, his voice drifting away in what is either a pensive moment of reflection, or a flash back to the rehearsal room and the convivial atmosphere (and beer) within. “I think I've got a lot of work to do to master the lyrical craft, but I enjoy the challenge. Some of my songs are made-up stories, some of them are about love gone bad, woe-is-me stuff.”

A little more probing reveals that – both as a lyricist and as first-time solo singer – he did feel some self-consciousness and nervousness in the studio.

“I do feel a little self-conscious, sure, singing about myself – but it's therapeutic I guess. It was terrifying going in the studio to do the vocals for the record, but I'm happy about how it has come out. I've done a lot of backing vocals so it was daunting, but I wasn't totally freaking out.”

The proof, perhaps, in his one-man pudding will be the live show this Thursday night, where Gibson will show off his rehearsal-primed chops and dulcet tones. He's understandably daunted, but is hoping that everyone (including himself) will have a good time.

“I'll be playing guitar and singing live, and I want it to be fun,” Gibson says hopefully. “I don't want it to be all stressful, although I know beforehand I'll be stressed, nervous and freaking out. I want it to go well and I want to play well and do the songs justice, but I'll be trying to have fun with it as well.”