A “Westgate” era article on Mark’s solo career.

Author: Nathan Klein, The Canterbury-Bankstown Express.

Date: 10 July 2007.

Original URL: http://www.theexpress.com.au/article/2007/07/10/1985_stepping_out.html

Article Text

Aussie rock legend and the main man behind band Hunters and Collectors, Mark Seymour, is coming to Revesby.

Known for his ability as a singer-songwriter, he co-authored many of Hunters and Collectors hits, including what many consider an Australian rock classic Throw Your Arms Around Me in 1986.

These days he has gone solo.

And if all goes well, this could be another highly successful chapter in his musical career.

His latest album, Westgate, is his fifth solo release and has been well received.

“I’m pretty excited about this new album,” Seymour said.

“It’s doing really well and I’ve had a lot of critical interest on it. It’s been getting a fair bit of attention and I’ve received a lot of positive feedback, which why I’m playing all over the country and at Revesby Workers Club this
month.

“It’s important to me to get out to regional areas and perform.”

The Hunters and Collectors frontman said that going solo was a big risk, but it gave him a chance to try something new.

“Hunters and Collectors was going for 15-odd years and the chances of international success were very minimal,” he explained.

“My manager suggested I try going solo which was a shot in the dark but my career seems to have consolidated quite well from that move. It just takes persistence, hard work and a touch of obsession, particularly with songwriting, to be successful in this industry.”

But despite making a name for himself through the band, Seymour said that being able to work independently was just what the doctor ordered.

“At the end of the day I wanted the space to write my own songs,” he said.

“The upside of being with the band was definitely the gigs but I needed to branch out and do my own thing.”

And after the album starts to get its’ feet off the ground, fans of the Australian idol will be able to read about the history of Hunters and Collectors in Seymour’s first book, which he hopes to release in March next year.

“I love singing that’s why I’ve continued to do it for so long. But I’m definitely interested in pursuing a writing career as an occupation as well,” he said.

Catch Seymour at Revesby Workers Club on Saturday, July 28 at 8pm for $25. Bookings: 9772 2100.

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