Adelaide musician Todd Sibbin has been crafting some well honed pieces of songwriting for some time now, but in recent single releases, he’s been garnering more and more attention for his heartfelt approach to music and lyricism.
Recent single “Firetrain” nabbed the attention of triple j’s Richard Kingsmill, likening Sibbin’s sound to Conor Oberst and noting the skill within the subtleties of his arrangement. It’s definitely a style of music many have been warming to and one that has been further explored on Sibbin’s new album, The Bottled Ship Got Freedom.
Written, recorded, tracked and produced by Sibbin himself at Adelaide’s Eden Studios, the album came together as a result of a meticulous process of whittling a 100-odd demos down to this fine, nine track end result. The songwriter takes us through the album, track by track, below – definitely worth a listen!
“Life in the Height of Confusion”
This song is a bit of an analysis of the music industry from my point of view. Touching on my own place in it and some of the things that I have observed over the years. I’d never done it on a record before, but there’s something about how a slide guitar and a wah pedal can interact that I absolutely love!
“A Note From Across The Sea”
In 95% of cases, my songs are autobiographical and this one is very close to my heart (and no exception). It’s about having feelings for someone and, for whatever reason, not being able to be with them or tell them how you feel. Fairly standard melancholy stuff.
I like to make all my intros unique so you can tell what the song is straight away, hence the quirky detuning guitar at the start, that I think came off kinda well.
“Firetrain”
Firetrain is about putting out psychological fires, both the ones you create yourself, and the ones others create for you. Chris Weber played trumpet and, although I wrote the main riff, he came up with the little line in the bridge that I thinks makes it.
“The Chronicles of Me, The Witness And You”
For this song, I set out to try to make it a bit like a Dylan song with a whole bunch of stuff playing all the time mixed real low and wide, so its safe to say into that aesthetic with this song. Subject matter wise, it’s a bit of a rant!
“And We’ll Say That We’re Done”
I’m fairly average at playing the piano, but it is me doing the solo in the break – so I’m secretly a bit chuffed with it!
This one’s about getting to a point where you’ve either given up on finding love, or you’ve found love so you don’t have to look anymore. Either way, I’m in neither of those places for better or worse!
“I Believe In Timing”
This is another one that’s very close to my heart. There are some people in life that, for whatever reason, you find it hard to fall out of love with, even when the relationship falls apart over and over. The timing just never seems right.
I arranged the orchestra sections in this song (obviously an art form in its self), and I think out of all my previous attempts this the best so far.
“How To Fake Coincidence”
It’s about when chasing potential love interests; if you don’t feel the desire to try that hard, then you’re probably not that into them. This is a notion that sounds obvious but, at least I find, that people often forget to realise.
I was playing lead guitar as part of a Neil Young tribute show at the Adelaide Fringe around the time of recording the solos on this track, and (especially in the second break) I think that vibe snuck its way in subconsciously!
“What I Really Think”
For the most part, I like to avoid conflict. This is about some of the stuff that I was carrying round in my head at the time.
I love the vibe of the background ooos and la las on this track – also the reverse guitar in the middle and the huge Mayer style outro. Craig Schumacher, who mixed the record, used an effect on the lead vocal that I really like too. I like a lot about this one.
“Head Falls In Love While My Heart Tows The Line”
Sometimes (well… all the time really!) I over-think how I’m feeling at any given moment. That by itself can sometimes just confuse you more – So I think the title says it all. I love the sparse acoustic instruments on this track, and double bass is one of my favourites.
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Todd Sibbin launches his new album at The Grace Emily Hotel in Adelaide on July 2nd, with some special guests on the bill!
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