Irwin Thomas: Jack Of It.

Irwin Thomas plays M-One at ANZ Stadium on Saturday. The Evolution Of Irwin Thomas is in stores now.

There’s little doubt Irwin Thomas would be far more recognisable under his former moniker. But that’s soon to change. In the past he’s been known as Jack Jones - one time hired gun guitarist for Southern Sons, and former touring six-stringer for John Farnham. With his new album The Evolution Of Irwin Thomas, he’s created a varied, and eclectic palate of songs. And it’s been a long time in coming.

“From inception to completion, this album took a four year period,” he explains. “From the day Rusty and I had the first get together and started writing songs until I was sitting having it mastered was four years. I wanted to make a record with a really honest process, and for me that was rediscovering my voice. That whole shaping of emotion into sound or however you want to look at it, really need to happen when you’re feeling inspired.”

“I really just wanted to make an album that had a cinematic quality to it. I like music, that when I listen to it I see things in my head. I wanted the whole album to be a journey, a complete body of work, rather than a couple of singles and filler.”

Without a doubt, it’s an album that’s hard to absorb from just one or two tracks. With such a broad musical focus, the only way to get inside the entire album is to sit down and take it in as a whole.

“I’m very uncomfortable with releasing singles,” he explains. “From an artist’s perspective, you make an album, and it’s complete. It’s like a child with ten fingers and ten toes. If you went and chopped it into pieces… you wouldn’t take just the arm to introduce to someone. It’s a sinister way of describing it, but it’s how you can feel.”

After a warm up gig supporting Died Pretty at the Waterloo Hotel early in September, Irwin returns as part of M-One this weekend.

“I think the our forte isn’t talking about what it is that we do. It’s more about just doing it,” he explains of his new musical directions. “I really just want to play more.”