Occasionally a talent comes along whose music is ageless and country singer songwriter Lance Friend is an artist who delivers his own honest, intelligent, and unique style of Australian country music.
With his music featuring high on various country charts, Lance has toured Australia wide supporting and headlining many events, festivals and gigs. His main stage performances include The Gympie Music Muster and Airlie Beach Music Festival. He has headlined Noonamah Rodeo, Central Queensland Bikes, Bulls, Buggies & Bands, Julia Creek Dirt n Dust and Bowen Fishing Classic just to name a few. He supported Ross Wilson and Brian Cadd and has featured alongside Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, The Radiators, Dragon, James Blundell and many more.
Working with one of Australia’s finest producers Brendan Radford, Lance released his first solo album in 2012 titled ‘The Album’. The tracks on this album were greatly received on Australian radio, with several tracks featuring high on various charts. They are still recognised and loved today.
Lance went back into the studio with Brendan working on his new songs for ‘All Australian Made’ alongside some of Australia’s finest musicians including Lawrie Minson, James Gillard, Michel Rose, Mick Albeck and the late Glen Hannah.
Several successful singles have been pre-released from the album including the popular ‘Ned Kelly Said’ for which the making of the video featured on Channel 7 , along with ‘Windscreen View’, ‘My Home Australia’ & ‘Tearing Up The Tar’.
What first got you into music?
Music has been a part of my life from a very young age. Growing up with 2 older brothers and a sister who used to buy awesome records and in such an epic era of crazy talented musicians like The Beatles, Queen, David Bowie, Garth Brooks etc I loved listening to music. My family loved to party so music and dancing was apart of that. I didn’t start playing or writing music till much later in life but I was always interested in it. When people started to tell me, they liked my voice and I could sing I started to imagine the possibilities and now it has become a reality. I enjoy music and I love writing and performing songs that evoke emotion in others.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
I have been fortunate enough to open shows and feature alongside some top calibre acts like Black Sorrows, Brain Cadd, Dragon, James Blundell and more but my ultimate artist to support would have to be an Australian, someone who writes their own songs. John Williamson, Graeme Connors for example but if it was offered to me to open for an international act, I certainly wouldn’t knock it back and Allan Jackson or Brad Paisley would be an awesome experience.
What is your favourite venue? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Noonamah Tavern Rodeo is one of my favourite venues, I have performed there four times now and the Northern Territory is such a special place that I love to visit. The people are so down to earth, love living life and the youth know how to party and drink but maintain their level of respect for each other it’s such an awesome place to be. Of course, the Gympie Music Muster will always have a special place in my heart seeing as I started out there as just a punter/camper but in 2012 I was approached by the CEO to play on the Spotlight stage beside mainstage. I performed in front of the biggest crowd I’ve had yet and so many friends and family were there to share the experience. It was a buzz to connect with such a huge crowd and I have since played there several times now, even playing the famous Main Stage. I am booked to play at both venues this year, Noonamah Rodeo in May and Gympie Muster in August. I’ve played many times at Tamworth Country Music Festival and always have such an awesome time, there is nothing like playing to a crowd who is intently listening to my songs and they often come up and share their thoughts and appreciation, I will be back there next year.
What is your favourite song to perform?
Out of all my songs it is really hard to choose just one. With my new band we really bring the energy and emotion to all of my songs and on any given day any one of them can fill me with a sense of pride. Naturally I would prefer to perform my own music rather than covers because they mean more to me and the reaction of a live performance is why anyone does music in the first place.
Where was your last song recorded? Where was your current project recorded?
My last song and recent album release, ‘All Australian Made’ was recorded in Samford, Brisbane at Airlock studio, owned by Ian Haug the lead guitarist of Powderfinger.
If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to the next musical generation, what would it be?
Learn your craft and don’t try cut your teeth before you’re really ready if you want to be a true, genuine performer. To be the best you have to have the respect of your peers and be able to share honest talent at the drop of a hat to represent yourself in such a difficult industry. If you don’t love it, don’t do it.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
Hard to be this man. I have a fun song called Hard to be a Man, about the generation changes.
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
It wasn’t a fancy dress party but the most recent I was a green frog, my wife and I used to own a takeaway shop called ‘The Green Frog’ and when the world lock down started a craze of people dressing up to take the bin out, I donned the green frog. I can’t recall the last fancy dress it was probably a rockabilly function for charity where I slicked my hair back, rolled up my jean bottoms and wore Dunlop Volleys.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Boy Swallows Universe
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
What can I change now to improve your quality of life?
Tell us what your ideal partner might look like if you could order one from ‘Partners R Us’.
Mywife
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Definitely Dinosaurs
Do you shout out the answers at the TV whilst watching quiz shows?
All the time
Are you a valuable asset on a Pub Quiz team?
Definitely
The album is produced by Brendan Radford with the absolute cream of Australian musicians on board including:
Brendan Radord on Guitars, mandolin, harmonica & backing vocals
James Gillard on Bass & Backing Vocals
Mark Henman on Drums
Steve Fearnley on Drums for Angel Ride, Longreach Sky and Hard to be a man
Mick Albeck on Fiddle
Michel Rose on Pedal steel
Camille French (Te Nahu) Backing Vocals
Troy Casser-Daley on Didgeridoo in My Home Australia
Engineered by Dave Neil
Mixed by Geoff McGahan
Mastered by on Bartley at Benchmark Studios
Produced by Brenan Radford
Recorded at Airlock Studio & RadMusic Studio
Stream here: https://music.apple.com/au/album/all-australian-made/1727489113
Find Lance’s music on his website https://lancefriend.com/
