New Aussie music alert - Stretch and the Truth EP, Horse Piano Diaries

Introducing Horse Piano Diaries, the debut EP of Stretch and the Truth
(out now thru Kick It In The Dick Records)

The musical project of Steve 'Stretch' Teakle aka Mr Barry Morgan!
EP launch - Brunswick Ballroom, Tue Dec 6
LISTEN HERE

It's been over a decade since Australia fell in love with Mr Barry Morgan and his organ on ABC TV's Spicks and Specks. During that time, the man behind the lovable salesman with the toothy smile and blow-waved hair, creator Stephen 'Stretch' Teakle has survived his battle with a brain tumour, a mental health journey and the soul-searching time of the pandemic, to find his way to his own musical project, Stretch and The Truth, now releasing his debut EP, Horse Piano Diaries.

Teakle, a formally trained multi-instrumentalist, has curated the Stretch and The Truth live show, bringing on board some of Melbourne's best musicians for his EP launch, some of whom also performed on the recordings. As frontman, also playing keyboard, piano accordion and zydeco rub board, he will be joined by drummer John Watson, Chris Becker on bass & bv's, Ben Edgar on guitar, banjo and steel as well as James Harrison on guitar and bv's.

This will be a once in a lifetime event as Barry Morgan will also perform a set after the band launch at the Brunswick Ballroom on Tuesday, December 6.

Speaking about Horse Piano Diaries, Teakle says, 'This five track EP is a selection of songs recorded over eight years ago, 'live' in a rehearsal studio in Melbourne. We recorded 12 songs that day and they have sat patiently waiting until now.

'Recently, the songs have been reworked to breathe new life into them and I present them here as a first calling card of plenty more songs to come. 

'They reflect my very fortunate life of traveling this amazing country and meeting and working with wonderful people from many varied backgrounds and cultures. 

'Time in the Kimberley working as a stockman as well as my time as a musician in Arnhemland and the Western Desert have permeated these stories and melodies. 

'Horse Piano Diaries is just that, a diary of my time riding horses and playing piano all over Australia.'

Storytelling from a life begun in the bush, immersion in musical and cultural city hives, to life on the road around Australia and the world, this is the musical truth of Stephen 'Stretch' Teakle. 
Stretch and The Truth is a project many years in the making, that began when long-time friend Deborah Conway encouraged Stretch to combine his storytelling and musical talents. As witnessed by Conway having Teakle play in her touring band , Stretch is a master of taking stories of life on the land to the city folk and likewise from the city to the bush, 'where no one's there to check your story', so it becomes 'stretched' with the value of artistic license and Aussie larrikinism.
Horse Piano Diaries was produced by Teakle and Roger Bergodaz, mixed by Tony Espie. 
The EP is available now on all digital platforms through MGM Distribution.

https://www.stretchandthetruth.com.au/ 

MEDIA CONTACT (for review/airplay links, interviews & images):
Erin Jameson - erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com | 0419 323 663

LISTINGS INFO:
Tuesday, December 6
Barry Morgan's World of Organs + Stretch and the Truth (EP launch) - 18+
Brunswick Ballroom, 314 Sydney Road, Brunswick, VIC
T: 03 9387 1347
Doors: 6.30pm
Show: 7.30pm
Tickets: $33.76 (GA); $64.36 (Dinner & Show)
Bookings: Moshtix

MORE ABOUT STRETCH AND THE TRUTH

Stretch's music draws inspiration from artists such as Paul Kelly, Neil Murray and James Reyne all of whom he has worked with in the past. From a lived experience, his music takes a lot of inspiration from time in remote Northern Territory and the Kimberley, the indigenous desert rock reggae, 'played with such belief and joy, it's cleansing. They play like it's the last song they'll ever sing, it has a depth of meaning, a revelation to anyone who has studied in the institutions of academic music knowledge.' 
Undoubtedly the formal jazz and classical training contributes also to the melodically rich sound of Stretch's keyboard riffs, creating ear worms over roots music rhythms. The poetry of storytelling, almost spoken word at times, combined with melodic gems - or perhaps rough diamonds, with just the right amount of polish - will have anyone and everyone foot-tapping and dreaming of road trip getaways.
As the creative mind behind Australia's much loved purveyor of all things organ, Barry Morgan, Stretch has found his way through the Barry Morgan project taking off, a battle with a brain tumour, a mental health journey and the soul searching time of the pandemic. Meanwhile,  Stretch and The Truth songs have been aged, tinkered with and kept lovingly, waiting for the right time. Stretch says of the project, 'Thinking about what matters most to me, maybe I should have stayed in my dad's shed, working on a band! 
'The feeling of playing with mates, the rhythm section behind me, well it's like being Buster Keaton on the front of the train, but I've got a microphone, and I'm shoutin' for more'.
Anyone who goes to a Stretch and The Truth show, leaves with a permission slip to go out into the world and stretch their own truth!

PIANO HORSE DIARIES TRACK LIST & DESCRIPTIONS
(All songs written by Stephen Teakle. Published by SFM Publishing.)

1. When You're Bored
I had a gig on a music and arts diversionary program for people suffering from petrol sniffing in the remote Northern Territory and all I seemed to be doing was making sandwiches and hunting dogs out of the way. 

I spent a lot of time on my own gazing out at the horizon and marvelling at the sunrises and sunsets and longing for my musical mates back in the city.

Soon enough I returned to the inner city and set about to survive as a full time musician. For one reason or another I thought learning the accordion would be my saving grace. 

It was the dead of winter, I was stone cold hungry and broke so I stayed in bed to keep warm.

Looking back this would have been the first time I suffered from depression and back then I just thought I was bored.

2. Long Time Comin'
I like the idea that the good things in life take time to develop and to be appreciated. 

I feel it takes a long time to find what's important, like being ok with yourself, making an effort to have fun and taking care of those around you. 

Human connection seems to be one of the keys to unlocking a good life and these connections take time and they take their toll. When we weather the storms together and come out the other side a sense of "it's all gonna be ok" is in the air.

This song has a Cajun style accordion riff I wrote when living on Elcho Island in the NT, a place of extremes & muddy waters like Louisiana. One day I'll go to Lafayette and play "the devil's backpack" and tell tall stories from Australia. May the Cajun's always ponder how much we Aussies 'stretch the truth'.

3. There's Nothing Wrong With Coal

I wrote this song after I had the opportunity to visit the Bowen Basin as an artist in residence. I lived with coal miners, they were my neighbours and became my friends. 

It's where I first heard the phrase 'there's nothing wrong with coal'. 

I thought about that phrase and wanted to write a song dedicated to thanking the miners for their past efforts and at the same time recognising that coal's time is up. 

No one is to blame, not the coal miners nor the consumers who turn on their lights.  

We need no more enemies!
This song has the heart of a Johnny Cash song with the soul of Bob Dylan and will put the wind in your hair and give you the feeling you're riding the last train out of town.

  '...there's nothing wrong with coal if you leave it in the ground'.

4. Misfits Mercenaries and Missionaries (I'm Going Home)

This song speaks of the larger than life characters you'll find when traveling the Northern Territory including misfits, mercenaries and missionaries, especially in remote communities. 

The chorus is in Kunwinjku, a traditional language I heard whilst living on Warruwi (Goulburn Island) and Minjilang (Croker Island) communities.

It's a brief conversation of an elder asking the 'government man' (Balanda) as he steps off the small plane with his briefcase. 

"What are you doing here Mr?" 

"I'm here to teach you," Mr replies

The old man shakes his head and chuckles 

"No worries, teach all you like." He says,  "I'm going home to my outstation to do my own thing and sit with my family."   

5. I Got Stuff

We all collect stuff, old stuff, new stuff, stuff we hold in our heads and our hearts. 

The collecting part is easy, the letting go is tough and it requires regular attention.

The stuff we collect can transport us to places we've been to before, like our first love and the broken heart that followed. "By the way...who broke whose heart? I can't remember."

'I got stuff' sounds like something a drug dealer might say to you at a party. I'm thinking more along the lines of a good hug or being able to really listen when a friend is venting or breaking down, now that's tough stuff!

This track is recorded live and the rhythm section had only played the song a couple of times. The groove and guitar hook still kicks my soul into gear everytime I hear it. 

Stretch is ready to bring you his stuff, careful now.....this stuff is way too much!