ALBUM Q&A – BULLY HAY in Girl At A Rock Show

Tasmania singer-songwriter Bully Hay’s forthcoming debut album Black Dogs And Songbirds, is out TOMORROW on Wednesday October 30. Black Dogs And Songbirds also brought onboard Paul Pilsneniks (Silverchair, Dope Lemon, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) on engineering, and Grammy Award-nominated Joe Carra (The Teskey Brothers) on mastering duties, as well as sonic inspiration spanning Soundgarden riffs, Rage Against the Machine basslines, Jeff Buckley, Paul Kelly, Powderfinger, Crowded House, The War On Drugs and, fittingly, Jeff Martin’s own band The Tea Party.

We got together with Bully Hay to talk about his new album.

If you could describe “Bushfire Moon” in three words, what would they be?

Urgent, Hopeful, Romantic

What’s your go-to song for a road trip playlist?

Big Hard Sun – Eddie Vedder

I love the big open guitars and percussion that sound so wide. And Eddies soaring vocals make you want to hit the road an live life!

Do you have a favourite spot in Tasmania that inspires your music?

There are many spots. And all of them are on the coast. But if I had to choose one, it would be Saltwater River on the Tasman Peninsula. It’s nestled amongst various bays you can only access by boat and each on is different and unique. It’s also close to an old coal mine that was operated by convicts during early settlement. It was an incredibly dark place where the worst of the worst criminals were sent for hard labour. I find it incredibly interesting that such a horrible place has become an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place in the present day. Interesting contrast when writing music the way that I do. My album as a result is filled with light and shade.