Bek-Jean Stewart and The Society for the Lost will be performing live at The Cedar Bar in Bellingen, Saturday 30th November. The band will be playing two big sets.

Stewart will be releasing her fifth solo album, Songs from the North, showcasing the powerful poetry of her lyrics as well as the vibrancy of her composing and arranging. She will be joined by Lawrence Pastro on drums, Scot Aird on bass, Louise Gore on piano and Jason Lowe on lap steel.

Stewart’s albums explore fear and solicitation, the importance of the animal bond, the beauty of the natural world, living by rivers, and the transformation of one’s soul, while not hiding from the loneliness and isolation that is ever-present in her songs. Stewart is unafraid to examine difficult thoughts and feelings, from the challenge of being born into the ‘wrong’ body, to fantasies of murder and suicide.

Songs From The North confirms Stewart’s prodigious ability to make the listener’s heart ache with emotion. Stewart describes the album as a response to:

the push me / pull you of a fucked-up, ultimately destructive love. Sometimes, I fear that the only way I can truly love someone is to walk away, and love them from a distance. It’s the hardest thing in the world to be vulnerable with someone. Human relationships are hard for me, and I spend a lot of time processing this through song.

Stewart’s long-time musical collaborator Grant Shanahan’s expert musicality is showcased on this record. His skill is heard on drum tracks that hark back to the ‘80s, while his innovative layering of string sounds creates a complex soundscape. Songs From The North is an angry album, yet tender and vulnerable. Stewart clearly demands vulnerability from the people she writes about, while delivering intoxicating honesty in return.

The Society For The Lost brings together the talents of four Bellingen musicians. Jazz pianist Louise Gore extends her perceptive skills to Bek-Jean’s songs. Her role as the main colour instrument is crucial, allowing the songs to breathe and find their own natural expression. Jason Lowe contributes exquisite and meticulous lap steel playing. His understated elegance is a vital part of the band’s cohesion. And, of course, the rhythm section: Scot Aird (bass) and Lawrence Pastro (drums). Scot and Lawrence are the push-pull engine room of the band, intuitively driving and responding to the songs.

Over the course of more than a decade as a solo artist, Stewart’s turbulent yet tender songwriting has showcased the increasing maturity, courage, and complexity of her musicianship. Bek-Jean Stewart’s albums demonstrate, time and again, her capacity for astonishing and moving songwriting. This is a night not to miss.

For dinner bookings contact Cedar Bar 02 66551001 cedarbar.com.au

Booking a ticket through Humanitix is not a dinner reservation, it is a show booking only.

The food concept at Cedar Bar & Kitchen is a relaxed take on local,
simple ingredients with regionally sourced proteins and local fresh
produce.

http://www.cedarbar.com.au/men...

(Tickets for show also available at the door: $25)