After the challenging year that was 2020, a host of the Central West's finest musicians have spent the past 18 months putting together a COVID-inspired compilation album reflecting the sheer diversity of the region's music scene.
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The record, While the World Waits, is slated for release on Saturday, August 21, and with the Central West now back under stay-at-home conditions, the timing of the release is more pertinent than ever.
While the World Waits, produced by O'Connell musician Kris Schubert at his home studio, The Boathouse, has been funded by the state government through Arts OutWest, and features 15 musicians from Hampton to Lake Cargelligo, and everywhere in between.
ARTISTS FEATURED ON 'WHILE THE WORLD WAITS'
"It's been in the works for a while, and it's really exciting to see it being released," Mr Schubert said.
"There's a whole heap of artists from across the Arts OutWest region, most of whom had recording experience and fantastic songs ready to go, so my job was to simply 'hit record' and enjoy the listening experience."
The musician roster features Bathurst favourites [Smith & Jones, Lueth Ajak and Gabbi Bolt], Orange songstresses [Amy Viola and Lynda Mainwaring] and artists further afield to Cowra [Andy Baylor, Josh Maynard], Parkes [Gracey Denham-Jones], Forbes [Adam Enslow] and Canowindra [Nerida Cuddy].
"We set ourselves a goal to represent as much of the region as possible, and it was an interesting process liaising with so many musicians and finding the songs that would fit the record," Mr Schubert said.
"I was concerned the album wouldn't be relevant anymore, as at the time, we felt it couldn't get worse than 2020 but considering we're now back in lockdown, I guess the release is perfectly timed."
Mr Schubert, in a similar vein, produced the Central West Christmas compilation Dreaming of a Green Christmas in 2019, which raised $40,000 for Lifeline Central West.
Arts OutWest music industry support officer Patrick Coomey said the album features the shared experience of lockdown and restrictions from numerous perspectives; from the young and old to the connected and isolated.
"Original local music should be valued because it's people telling the stories about the lives we live in the towns we live in," Mr Coomey said.
The album will be launched Saturday from 2pm via a 40-minute presentation hosted by Arts OutWest.
While the World Waits can be purchased for $10 from artsoutwest.org.au and from visitor information centres and retail outlets around the region once COVID eases.
'WHILE THE WORLD WAITS' TRACK LISTING
- LUETH AJAK- Ninakupenda [Bathurst]
- JOSH MAYNARD- Atomic War [Cowra]
- LYNDA MANWARING- Tomorrow [Orange]
- GAVIN BOWLES- Killin' Time [Hampton]
- GABBI BOLT- What Am I To Do [Bathurst]
- GENNI KANE- Trouble We're In [Millthorpe]
- BC AND THE FOOT FALCONS- Better Deal [Grenfell]
- ADAM KEREZSY- Waiting Game [Lake Cargelligo]
- THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA- I'd Hoped There'd Be More [O'Connell]
- ADAM ENSLOW- Stay Together [Forbes]
- AMY VIOLA- It's Time [Orange]
- NERIDA CUDDY- Virtual Folk Club [Canowindra]
- GRACEY DENHAM-JONES- Wait [Parkes]
- ANDY BAYLOR- Pictures in the Clouds [Cowra]
- SMITH & JONES- Help This Little Heart of Mine [Bathurst]
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