Bec and Morro were joined by Bob Evans on Drive to talk about the anniversary of Suburban Songbook and his upcoming tour.
Kevin Mitchell, best known as lead singer of Jebediah and under the stage name, Bob Evans, has greatly influenced the Australian music scene, since the band started releasing music in 1997.
Suburban Songbook
He reflected on the time that had passed since the release of his sophomore album, Suburban Songbook.
“There is something that happens, when this much time has passed and you hear yourself back. It’s a strange thing making records because, without realizing it at the time, you really, you’re documenting yourself at a particular time of your life.”
Bob said the album documents a fantastic time that always feels good to revisit.
“It was a watershed moment in my life in a lot of ways. I was just about to get married and Jeb and I were on hiatus and I was doing this solo thing and kind of just hoping for the best. I was adulting.”
The Origin of Bob Evans
Kevin Mitchell started writing the album in a sunroom, turned studio, during his time living in Joondanna.
“That’s what I sort of turned into like my, well, calling it a studio is a stretch. That’s where I wrote and recorded my songs.”
He had no equipment, only a microphone he would sticky tape to a guitar stand, a digital eight-track recorder, a guitar and a keyboard.
“I was in a bit of a purple patch in terms of just feeling creatively, really free and inspired to push myself beyond what I’d done before and just be musically brave.”
At the time, he listened to a lot of late era Beatles records and Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, that featured string and horn sections.
“They were really going for it. I wanted to kind of make a record that had that sort of sensibility to it. And so that’s what Suburban Songbook was for me, it was my attempt at making a kind of a classic sounding record, in my own way.”
Retrospective Reassurance
As he reflected, he mused what kind of advice or encouragement he would give his younger self.
“I would say everything’s going to be okay… Which is probably what a lot of people might say at the younger version of themselves.”
He explained that when he was writing his album, he wasn’t signed to any label. That changed with its release, but in the moment there was a lot of uncertainty.
“I’m not a religious man, but just really praying that this music that I was making would do something. Then things kind of came together in a really amazing way. So, it was a very special time in my life and definitely a period of time that I’m, I love looking back on and celebrating.”
To celebrate the anniversary, Bob Evans will be touring Australia. Tickets available through his website.
Check out the full chat below.