Why Alister Turrill Recorded In A Paper Mill

For his new EP, Queenscliff blues extraordinaire Alister Turrill looked to his past for some retrospective inspiration.

"I've always loved songs that represent a certain point in time," he muses. "Each song on the EP is a little story about some of my happiest days, hence the title, A Toast To Better Times."

Eschewing the traditional studio, Turrill and friends decided on a more wholesome approach to recording the new EP. "We took some recording equipment out to a beautiful little bluestone building in The Old Paper Mills, Fyansford [Geelong]. It's a perfect spot for recording acoustic instruments. Our producer, Andrea Ficara, did an amazing job and we finished up with an EP where the songs sound very natural and full of life."

Turrill also took the opportunity to create what he calls "honest, flawed, gravel-throated folkin' blues", saying, "The take we used for a each song was the one that best captured the themes put forth in the lyrics and music. Occasionally, you'll hear an imperfect note and even light rain, it will sound like I'm sitting in front of you and playing." Turrill continues, "Sometimes a lot of thought went into possible changes, other times I'd just try something new on the spot and go with it. It's my way of making sure it's ready to record."

A Toast To Better Times has been a long and delicate journey since Turrill's 2013 debut with Reverence & Resonance, but the payoff, he says, is definitely worth it. "I've written many songs since the first album, but these songs best fit the EP's theme and title. It's definitely made to be listened to as a whole."