Story by Bob Gordon
Maroochydore singer/songwriter Pat Tierney has not yet experienced Blues at Bridgetown but he plans to go all in when he performs at the festival on the weekend of November 8-10.
“This will be my first Blues at Bridgetown experience,” he says, “so I’m very excited and grateful to be on the line-up this year. WA is fast becoming my favourite place to play in the country.”
Tierney is no stranger to festivals, having played at Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC), Caloundra Music Festival (QLD), Blues on Broadbeach (QLD) and The West Australian Guitar Festival over the last few years. He enjoys the communal experience; the giving and sharing of it all.
“I think it’s the melting pot of artists and music lovers all coming together with the community,” he says. “It’s a beautiful feeling and always a nourishing experience. I love the fact I can be playing a set and then moments later, be in the crowd discovering new acts as well, or watching some old favourites. A music festival is one of my favourite places on earth to be.”
Tierney’s sophomore 2019 album, Red Moon, has clocked up two million streams across the various digital streaming platforms since its release. He’s also been a finalist in the Queensland Music Awards for the past two years in a row, but the true career highlights come from within the music itself.
“I would say making and releasing an album is always a huge, huge highlight,” he says. “I’ve been blessed to be able to release two albums, with one on the way! Sharing the stage with acts like Harry Manx, John Butler, Mat McHugh and Ash Grunwald have been incredible moments.
“On top of that, it’s getting to travel the country and the world living out my dreams as a teenager and connecting with so many music lovers and beautiful people.”
2024, Tierney reveals, has been all about his forthcoming new album, Lost In The Haze.
“It’s taken a couple of years to put it all together and I’m buzzing to release it in mid-October, just in time for Blues at Bridgetown,” he says. “Besides that, this year’s been a pretty heavy touring schedule around Australia this year in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and WA.”
Next year Tierney hopes to tour his new album around the country some more, as well as Europe and North America and…
“I have another child on the way as well,” he reveals, “so it’s going to be a busy and exciting time! Plus lots of shows and festivals and plenty more new songs of course.”
As for what people can expect from Tierney’s debut performances at Blues at Bridgetown, he’s got quite a lot in the bag.
“I’d say my music lies somewhere between blues and roots and on the folk side of the scale,” he says. “My musical heroes are guys like Ben Harper, Harry Manx and Bob Dylan, so folk and blues are at the heart of everything I do.
“So expect lots of lapslide and acoustic guitars. A space to come and really tune into, away from all the craziness, hopefully, to find some stillness and maybe a collab or two!”
