[MUSIC INTERVIEW] JOHN DRAKE – Separation Songs Interview

Brisbane based Alt Rock Maestro John Drake has just released his highly anticipated debut album called ‘Separation Songs’.

The album was recorded with ARIA-winning engineer Cody McWaters and longtime friend/producer Chass Guthrie. Tragically, Chass was diagnosed with terminal cancer during the recording process and passed away shortly after the album was completed.

“It was September 2022 when Chass Guthrie, producer, career musician and my friend of over 15 years and I started working on my debut solo Record. It was also around the same time that Chass quietly shared with me the news that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Chass was a phenomenal Musician, probably the finest I had ever played with, what he could get out of a piano astounded me, it was like listening to an orchestra in one man. Working around his chemo schedule, relationship and family commitments as best he could Chass never stopped and insisted on finishing this record. I dedicate this record to him, my friend and soul brother. Chass Guthrie RIP.”

John Drake crafts cinematic songs merging classic melodies, Rock n Roll poetry with tinges of Soul and Country. Drake draws influence from the likes of Sam Fender, Chris Stapleton, The War on Drugs, Nick Cave, Paul Kelly and Radiohead.

Over the past year, Drake has released multiple singles taken from his new record and has received coverage from the likes of The AU Review, ABC Country and MMM Country, whilst gaining airplay on well over 200 radio stations across the globe.

Debut album Separation Songs is available now on all streaming services. 

This week John spoke to Subculture about the album – you can take a listen to the interview right here: