Tag Archives: Luke Escombe

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ChIPS release single ‘Frequent Flyer’

“Frequent Flyer” is an atmospheric and emotive pop song created by young people from the Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS) service.  The track powerfully conveys the experience of being a young person living with a chronic health condition and learning to cope with frequent stays in hospital.

ChIPS members were empowered to write, compose and record the song in collaboration with musicians/producers Luke Escombe and Benny Thatcher from “We Wrote That”. Luke and Benny are themselves “frequent flyers” living with chronic health conditions. Using music and song writing as a means of expression has been a powerful outlet for not only ChIPS members but also the musicians involved.

Check out the VIDEO to see the full story

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Luke Escombe: “Frequent Flyer” was a true collaboration that evolved over many zoom discussions and writing sessions. It’s ended up being an expression of not just the individual tastes and talents of the group but of the underlying emotions we all feel about having a lifestyle that involves being in and out of hospital. It shows how powerful music can be in communicating ideas that are often too difficult or painful to put into words”.

The song was launched on 16 May at the NSW Health and Arts Framework Forum in front of NSW Health staff including Deputy Secretary Deborah Willcox.  It was received with a standing ovation and the young people involved were invited to speak on their experience of using creative expression to amplify and elevate their voices.

ChIPS would like to acknowledge the support of Accessible Arts and Health Infrastructure NSW in this project.

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Song Description

An indie tune put together by the ChIPS team from the Childrens Hospital and producer Luke Escombe. Some great sounds plus collaborative vocals from all the participants. Frequent Flyer is the term used for their frequent hospital visits. An important and special song which will help raise awareness.

About ChIPS

ChIPS is a peer support program that runs across Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network for young people aged 12-25 years who are living with a chronic illness or condition that affects their day-to-day lives. The aim of the program is to connect young people with shared experiences and provide them with opportunities for developing leadership and life skills through workshops, advocacy, creative projects, program planning and public speaking.

Since 2021, members of ChIPS have been collaborating with artists Luke Escombe and Benny Thatcher, of arts-in-health initiative “We Wrote That”, to write and record original songs that speak to the experience of being a young person living with a chronic health condition.

ChIPS – Frequent Flyer is out NOW July 14th through Foghorn/MGM

Download or stream

chipsffm

“We Wrote That” – Website with previous releases and ‘making of’ blog

https://wewrotethat.com.au/

 

Connect with Luke Escombe:

Lukes Escombe FOG414 Skeleton Blues 1500

Luke Escombe Takes It All Off On New Album Skeleton Blues

Taking it all off….

“Skeleton Blues” is the new solo record from singer/songwriter/guitarist Luke Escombe.

Release Date Friday March 3 (MGM)
Will be available at all good retailers (Bandcamp, iTunes, etc.) and streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

Luke will next perform the songs from Skeleton Blues at Django Bar in Sydney on Saturday 4th March!

Plus catch him TONIGHT Tuesday Feb 28 on Ross Fears Australian Spectrum Show – Streaming online worldwide at
http://alive905.com.au/ross-fear-australian-spectrum-show/

You can also check out this awesome interview with Christine Anu on ABC 702 from last week here

https://soundcloud.com/luke-escombe/luke-abc-interview-on-evenings-with-christine-anu

He is also having a chat on Eastside FM  this afternoon.

Recorded live on to 2 inch tape at the legendary Damien Gerard studios in Sydney, this raw and revealing session combines the sound of primal electric blues with Luke’s distinctive wit and wordplay.  The recording took place just 24 hours before the US election, and the tape reels capture the sense of foreboding.
“Skeleton Blues” lays bare the key influences in Luke’s music. It includes covers of songs by Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, as well as two electrifying renditions of the old spirituals “O Death” and “John the Revelator”, a song Luke first heard performed by Son House on a live recording from the early 60s.

Although presenting a more serious side to his songwriting, there is still a healthy dose of Luke’s sly humour in first single “Punctuation Blues”, a track which combines a Lightnin Hopkins-inspired guitar groove with such lines as “punctuation is like making love/ you gotta know when to put it in”.

Skeleton Blues” also shows Luke’s fascination with reaching back into history to offer new perspectives on the present.  “The Lipsi” is a song about life in East Germany in the 1960s, while “William Blake” pays homage to the 18th century poet and visionary whose “illuminated books” spoke out against corruption and the rampages of the industrial revolution.

Meanwhile, previously released songs such as “21st Century Blues”, “Confidence”, “Axe in the House” and “Get in the Cool Room” take on a deeper meaning when stripped of their band backings. As the title of the record suggests, these are songs which have been cut down to their bare bones.  There’s nothing here but electric guitar, stomp and that voice. John Shand of the Sydney Morning Herald once declared “Luke Escombe is an exceptional singer…his commanding voice carries echos of Dr John, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Cave, and Jim Morrison”

Luke recently performed the songs from “Skeleton Blues” at the Bridgetown Blues Festival in WA and as a support act for Australian music icon Russell Morris at Camelot Lounge in Sydney.

Luke will next perform the songs from Skeleton Blues at Django Bar in Sydney on Saturday 4th March!

Skeleton Blues” is accompanied by videos for “Punctuation Blues” and “O Death – filmed live in the studio. The album was recorded and mixed in a single three hour session, with no second takes or overdubs.

Pre release single videos/listening streams:

Luke Escombe “Punctuation Blues”

Watch the Video

 

Luke Escombe – O Death (cover)

Watch the Video

 

Originally from the UK, where his late father was one of the pioneers of the modern rock and roll touring industry, Luke has called Sydney home since 1999. As well as his three albums as a blues and roots artist, he is a critically acclaimed writer, comedian and MC, an in-demand public speaker, an ambassador for health charity Crohn’s and Colitis Australia and the creator of an award-winning “roots music” show for kids, families and foodies called The Vegetable Plot.

Social Links

lukeescombe.com
facebook.com/lukeescombemusic
twitter.com/mrescombe
youtube.com/user/LukeEscombe
lukeescombeandthecorporation.bandcamp.com