Gesticulations is a duo comprising Graham Ashton and his good friend Benny D Williams. They released their first album in 2021, and earlier this month released In The Wars, their sixth album in only three years. It’s fair to say they aren’t short of ideas or material.
In keeping with their earlier releases, In The Wars features Graham’s lyrics, a collection of songs that are personal and direct. Again, there is a feeling that the great Lou Reed is an inspiration, and they’ve also leaned into the magnificance of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis for further inspo. Lyrically, it is taut and engaging, and there are some very fine guitar solos. It’s a gripping listen.
A highlight of the album is the harmonies with Tracey Collings on a number of the tracks. She has a wonderful voice and complements Graham’s vocals beautifully. The album is beautifully produced, and they are undoubtedly already working on the next one.
Graham has put together a track-by-track breakdown for the AU, so crank up the volume, read on, and immerse yourself in the beauty that is In The Wars.
Track by track – In The Wars from Gesticulations
MOTHER NATURE’S KARMA
Benny and I were going down a Nick Cave and Warren Ellis rabbit hole around the time we wrote this one. “Mother Nature’s Karma” is a phrase I used regularly to describe what was happening to me over the last few years that inspired “In The Wars”. I feel that I had it too good for too long and Mother Nature noticed and decided to even up the ledger.
IT’S NOT ME IT’S YOU
My lifelong mate Tracey Collings (F.B.Skimo) looms large on this album. Her and I decided to co-write this one as a duet inspired by the old Weddings, Parties, Anything song “Step In, Step Out”. It’s based on our friendship and I’m proud to say that the authenticity of that friendship comes through in the lyrics and performance.
SONG FOR DAD
Both of my parents passed away over the last couple of years. They told me the story that when they first kissed, my Mum said “More”. I was there at her hospital bed when they kissed goodbye and Mum said “More”. This was the toughest song I have ever written and was even harder to sing.
DESTINATION PAIN
And the happy songs continue :). This song describes a time when I felt that I didn’t have anywhere to go and felt completely lost. I sent the lyrics to Richard and he came with the arrangement and Tracey added some beautiful harmonies.
ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
I wrote this a few years ago with Dave Thomson (FAT) and my old band THE SHAMBOLICS played it live a few times. Dave had recorded a good demo and Benny made it feel effortless to re-record. I love Richards drumming on this one and the whole thing reminds me of Lou Reed which brings me joy.
LETTERS FROM LONDON
I was visiting Tracey a while back and she pulled out a box of letters that I had written to her when I was living in London in the 80’s in my early 20’s. It was so strange to read the words I had written at that time of life. Benny came up with a killer riff and we made a bit of racket on this one.
SUBSISTING ON FUMES
This is another arrangement from Richard and Benny’s production that really brought this to the fore. We are all really proud of this one. Not sure what it means but it feels good.
I BELIEVE IN YOU (BUT I’LL BE LEAVING YOU)
This was a song from my old Sydney band Bothersome co-written with Alison Procter (THE CASHEWS). We had recorded a punk version with Danny Widdicombe and Benny and I decided to have a go at a mid tempo country arrangement. Tracey added her beautiful vocal and it takes on a whole new meaning.
SPONTANEITY
My song Liam nicknamed me Non Spon which is well deserved. Strangely the recording of this one was actually quite spontaneous. Each Gesticulations album has a punk poem and this is our punk poem for In The Wars.
WALK ON
This song was originally called “The Dump” and was a really dark expression of the time I was trying to clean out my parents home after they passed. During this time my mates jumped in and did most of that awful job for me and this song found a more positive direction. It reminds me of Grant Hart which feels good. Richard came up with the arrangement and super creative drum parts. The final line “Please take care when you step off” comes from a public address announcement at the Auckland airport that always made me feel should be sampled in a song.
In The Wars by Gesticulations is out now on all major streaming services.