Granite Island Discs: The Yearlings’ Chris Parkinson
In the lead-up to the release of Chris Parkinson’s debut solo album, Children During Wartime, the local legend chatted with The Note about making the record and his favourite songs, albums and musical moments.
Image supplied
Children During Wartime is your first ever solo album, which is hard to believe considering you’ve been making music for well over two decades. Have you ever thought about releasing a solo record before, and why is now the right time?
I definitely have had thoughts about recording a solo record in the past, but until now, I haven’t been able to shape what is in my mind. These instrumental guitar pieces came quite quickly to me, and it seemed that they didn’t need lyrical content. I felt like they all work well together as a complete instrumental work.
The album is inspired by the invasion of Ukraine. Tell us about how the devastation of the war influenced the writing and recording of the album.
When all of us knew of the impending Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I went to the Kyiv webcam and watched as cars rolled by. Everything looked quite normal and peaceful, but checking in on the webcam on the first day of the invasion, there was nothing but blackness. The webcam vision had disappeared, and the hell of what was to be the new normal for so many lives struck me hard.
The week after, I composed the beginning of a tune that was to become ‘Ukraine’ and the birth and direction of this record began. And the tunes kept coming. I don’t normally write in this way... but it dawned on me that I was reacting to how I felt about the children and their innocence, and I finally realised that was the record and I wanted to share those feelings.
Did you always have the idea of releasing an instrumental album?
I never set out to create an entirely instrumental record. I did have a song with lyrics that I thought would work, but against the instrumental pieces, it didn’t seem to fit, so I left it off.
Is it more challenging to convey your thoughts and feelings through instrumental music?
I think when there are no lyrics, the story can be wider for the listener. Reacting to a piece of instrumental music without being guided by lyrics becomes a deep personal response.
Children During Wartime is quite moving, and despite the lack of lyrics, there’s a haunting yet hopeful quality to the album. Is there a message you wanted to get across to people through the music?
There’s no real message as such to convey to anyone. I think we all feel the same about the stupidity of war and dumb world leaders. I would hope that you enjoy the music and hear the sadness and beautiful innocent optimism, courage and lightness of a child during wartime.
You did almost everything on the album, from writing and recording to producing and engineering. How challenging was it to oversee the entire creative process?
The most challenging part would have to be the engineering. Recording and dealing with computers is most definitely the part that can drive me crazy. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the whole process and putting the artwork together was kind of a revelation as well.
My wonderful wife and musical partner with The Yearlings, Robyn Chalklen, helped and encouraged me every step of the way, from listening to takes to editing text and being there 100% for me. So credit must go to her as well. She is incredible.
The one person you recruited to help outside of Robyn was Chris Richbell, who created the cover art. Why did you reach out to her, and how does her artwork connect with the songs you’ve written?
When I decided to attempt the artwork on my own, I searched the internet for any photos or artwork that I felt suited the music. I somehow came across the piece that I used for the cover and discovered it was painted by a woman in England named Chris Richbell, who worked at an art space in Yardley. There happened to be an email for her (it’s a real detective story), she responded, [and gave] me her blessing to use her piece. I think it works beautifully.
What do you hope people take away from listening to the record?
Just spend half an hour listening to the music and think about those poor children trying to be kids in our most destructive world.
Has writing and recording the album inspired you to want to write more solo music moving forward?
It has, but the next thing will be a Yearlings record, perhaps [an] instrumental!
You’re performing at the Wheaty later this month. What can people expect from your live performance?
I’ll be performing the album in full, front to back, with the same instruments used on the record, with a splash of visuals.
READ MORE: Granite Island Discs: Clare Moore
What five songs would you take to a desert island?
1. Jackson Browne – ‘Late For The Sky’
2. Nick Drake – ‘Pink Moon’
3. Gillian Welch – ‘Hard Times’
4. Grateful Dead – ‘Brokedown Palace’
5. Hurray for the Riff Raff – ‘Buffalo’
If you could only pick one, what would it be?
Jackson Browne – ‘Late For The Sky’
What’s your favourite album?
The Everly Brothers – Best Of
What’s your favourite song by an SA artist or band?
The Baker Suite – ‘Amber’
Favourite music-related memory?
Opening the Port Fairy Folk Festival with my partner Robyn (just the two of us). Looking out through the curtain just before going out on stage and seeing thousands of people, scared crapless and excited beyond belief.
Catch Chris Parkinson performing Children During Wartime in its entirety at The Wheatsheaf on Friday, April 25. Tickets on sale via trybooking.com. Pre-order a copy of Children During Wartime here.
