Kav Temperley goes solo with Hope Street

MAKING the decision to step out and try things on his own was something Kav Temperley had wanted to do for a while.

“When you’re in a band, it’s amazing and you really enjoy the process but there’s always that thing at the back of your mind: what would it sound like if I followed an idea through in my head just by myself,” the Eskimo Joe singer songwriter said.

“I think there’s a certain element of risk taking to it… and it’s scary and you don’t know if you’re going to fall on your face but I think that’s an essential part of being a creative.”

For two years, Temperley has been working in his “jam room” on his debut solo four-track EP Hope Street, to be released on September 9.

“Everything takes three times as long, funnily enough, because I’ve got to play the drums, then I’ve got to play the guitar, then I have to play the bass and piano, so I have to do everything myself,” he said.

“It was an interesting process because I started off still in this mindset of writing Eskimo Joe songs and I had to almost write that out of my system.

“It was a process of just experimenting in the dark until I found myself in a place where I’m like ‘OK this feels real and I think I know what kind of music I want to make’.”

Temperley said he wanted a “unique and modern” way to release his solo music, which inspired the idea of releasing four EPs that “all follow a theme and a storyline”.

Fans can get their first taste of Temperley’s solo music live when he plays an acoustic show at Fremantle Arts Centre’s Gallery Session on September 3 before heading to play five shows on the east coast as part of his Hope Street National Tour.

He will return to play Jimmy’s Den in Northbridge on September 23 and Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough on September 24.

“I’ll play the first two EPs, so I’ll play all of the EP that everyone’s got and I’ll play all of the second EP which is yet to be recorded and released,” Temperley said.

“Then I’ll definitely play a few favourites because people who are going to come and see me play are going to want to hear songs that I’ve written in Eskimo Joe that they can sing along to.”

And for Eskimo Joe fans, Temperley hinted there would be something to look forward to next year.

THE ESSENTIALS

Kav Temperley with special guest Lucy Peach

Hope Street National Tour

September 3 – Fremantle Arts Centre’s Gallery Session

September 23 – Jimmy’s Den, Northbridge

September 24 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough

Tickets: www.kavtemperley.com.au or from the venue