LUKE O'SHEA
Caught Up In the Dreaming album bio
Luke O’Shea feels a strong connection to the land. As a teenager and throughout his early twenties, he escaped Sydney’s sheltered Sutherland Shire to join the throng of back packers bumming around Australia, New Zealand, North America, Asia and Europe. During what Luke describes as ‘his glorious wasted years’, he developed a fascination and respect for these varied lands and their unique people, absorbing their many stories and universal truths.
In subsequent years as a touring musician his passion deepened.
In 2012, Luke stole his wife and three children away in a beat up old caravan to explore inland Australia and the awe-inspiring ‘Top End’, proudly passing on the gypsy gene. Three years later with the eldest approaching her mid-teens, he and his wife seized a rapidly closing window of opportunity to spend another four months together traveling through the ancient Kimberly breathing in the spacious and powerful beauty of North Western Australia.
It was an adventure that would inspire the compelling sixth studio album ‘Caught Up In The Dreaming’ from the much awarded and respected singer-songwriter.
The overall themes of the album are connection to Australia – the physical land and it’s unique people – and our limited time upon it with the ones we love.
“I’m most alive and invigorated when I’m feeling a connection to land and the elements.” reflects Luke. “Awareness of our mortality is the greatest catalyst for positive change. Appreciation, respect, perspective, inspiration and affirming actions closely follow those who see life for what it truly is – a fleeting and precious gift.”
Caught Up In The Dreaming was mostly recorded in South Eastern Queensland at the studio of Luke’s co-producer Benjy Pocock. Two songs – ‘Stronger Than Nicotine’ and ‘Catch You’ were co-produced with Matt Fell in Sydney.
“The decision about how to record this album was motivated by the joy that I feel every time I have the honour of playing with the brilliant Sunshine Coast band ‘The Vibe’, Luke says, “Featuring Benjy Pocock (guitars), Soni Pocock (bass), Will Pascoe (drums) and Vaughan Jones (keys). The mantra of the project was MAXIMUM JOY as we did our utmost to capture that live feeling in the studio.”
Awards
2015
CMAA Country Music Awards Of Australia
Male Artist Of The Year – Sing You Up
APRA Song Of The Year – Three Brothers (The Great War)
Heritage Song Of The Year – Three Brothers (The Great War)
2014
CMAA Country Music Awards Of Australia
APRA Song Of The Year – Lady Of The Land
Heritage Song Of The Year – Lady Of The Land
2014
Southern Stars Independent Country Music Awards
Album of the Year – Sing You Up
Male Vocalist of the Year – Three Brothers (The Great War)
Single of the Year – Three Brothers (The Great War)
2013
CMAA Country Music Awards Of Australia
Heritage Song Of The Year – The Drover’s Wife
2012
Southern Stars Independent Country Music Awards
Album of the Year – The Drover’s Wife
Male Vocalist of the Year – The Drover’s Wife
Independent Artist of the Year – The Drover’s Wife
Heritage Track of the Year – The Drover’s Wife
The result is a visceral and compelling journey. An honest, thoughtful and moving collection of songs that bring together each corner of Luke’s life… family, the land, music and an acute social conscience. It is Luke’s finest work to date.
Six time Golden Guitar winning singer-songwriter Luke O’Shea – ‘Caught Up In The Dreaming’ out now on Compass Bros Records through Universal Music Australia.
