Fenn Wilson will this month take the next big step in his personal music journey when he performs at the the Queenscliff Music Festival
Fenn Wilson has been on a journey of emotions over recent months - one fully reflected in his new album Ghost Heroin.
It came together at the same time his father, revered Australian musician Chris Wilson, was battling pancreatic cancer – the disease that eventually claimed his life earlier this year.
“The album came about because Dad asked me to make it and so it was a project that was going on with, you know, all of these parallel processes at the same time, looking after dad and making this album,” the 23 year old said.
One song in particular, ‘Lost My Way,’ perfectly captures the turmoil of grief and of moving forward after such an enormous loss.
It also reflects Fenn’s own coming-of-age from a talented local teen and product of musical parents – his mother is the highly-regarded Sarah Carroll - to a fully-fledged musician already carving out his own name in the industry.
“Lost my way was written in the midst of all that was going on at the time and, well, the title is largely self-explanatory. It’s about reaching out to different sorts of figures, whether they be paternal, maternal or otherwise just familiar people, and trying to seek direction - just turning to whoever you can and trying to find answers to questions you may have,” he said.
The former Bellarine Secondary College student is a child of festivals, and given his parents' long-standing involvement in the local music scene, the Queenscliff Music Festival is particularly close to his heart.
Last year he was awarded the QMF Emerging Artist award, which he credits for making Ghost Heroin a reality.
“I think I started playing drums when I was about three, and I picked up guitar a bit later.
“I was doing gigs under my name, but not taking it all that seriously, when I was a 16 or 17. I played with a couple of different bands in [QMF] Foot in the Door events… but last year was the first year that I really played under my own name,” Fenn said.
“The Emerging Artist Award was a huge help, it funded the album. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without that.
“I feel like everybody that has been involved has been really kind and I can’t wait to show it,” he said.
Early reviews of the album have been positive with his deep vocals likened to George Ezra and Nick Cave.
“He is mesmerising… quite magical,” said Caroline Moore, Director of the Port Fairy Folk Festival, where Fenn was also recognised with an emerging artist grant.
“Im not really sure who I sound like, I really like but in terms of musicians that I like to listen to, I’m a huge Jeff Buckley fan, Grant Lee Buffalo, Matt Corby is a bit of an influence on me. I’ve been exposed to an incredible amount of different music and musicians and my tastes are kind of eclectic.”
Fenn will perform at the festival with his new band. The show will also feature a vocal solo by another local performer and Emerging Artist winner, Holly Joyce.
“I can’t wait. I’m just really excited,” he said.
It came together at the same time his father, revered Australian musician Chris Wilson, was battling pancreatic cancer – the disease that eventually claimed his life earlier this year.
“The album came about because Dad asked me to make it and so it was a project that was going on with, you know, all of these parallel processes at the same time, looking after dad and making this album,” the 23 year old said.
One song in particular, ‘Lost My Way,’ perfectly captures the turmoil of grief and of moving forward after such an enormous loss.
It also reflects Fenn’s own coming-of-age from a talented local teen and product of musical parents – his mother is the highly-regarded Sarah Carroll - to a fully-fledged musician already carving out his own name in the industry.
“Lost my way was written in the midst of all that was going on at the time and, well, the title is largely self-explanatory. It’s about reaching out to different sorts of figures, whether they be paternal, maternal or otherwise just familiar people, and trying to seek direction - just turning to whoever you can and trying to find answers to questions you may have,” he said.
The former Bellarine Secondary College student is a child of festivals, and given his parents' long-standing involvement in the local music scene, the Queenscliff Music Festival is particularly close to his heart.
Last year he was awarded the QMF Emerging Artist award, which he credits for making Ghost Heroin a reality.
“I think I started playing drums when I was about three, and I picked up guitar a bit later.
“I was doing gigs under my name, but not taking it all that seriously, when I was a 16 or 17. I played with a couple of different bands in [QMF] Foot in the Door events… but last year was the first year that I really played under my own name,” Fenn said.
“The Emerging Artist Award was a huge help, it funded the album. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without that.
“I feel like everybody that has been involved has been really kind and I can’t wait to show it,” he said.
Early reviews of the album have been positive with his deep vocals likened to George Ezra and Nick Cave.
“He is mesmerising… quite magical,” said Caroline Moore, Director of the Port Fairy Folk Festival, where Fenn was also recognised with an emerging artist grant.
“Im not really sure who I sound like, I really like but in terms of musicians that I like to listen to, I’m a huge Jeff Buckley fan, Grant Lee Buffalo, Matt Corby is a bit of an influence on me. I’ve been exposed to an incredible amount of different music and musicians and my tastes are kind of eclectic.”
Fenn will perform at the festival with his new band. The show will also feature a vocal solo by another local performer and Emerging Artist winner, Holly Joyce.
“I can’t wait. I’m just really excited,” he said.