“If people are expecting to hear ’Cold Hard Bitch’, they’re going to be disappointed”: Nic Cester talks his debut solo album and having fun again

There’s a familiar name among the newly released albums today, but it is by no means a familiar sound. Nic Cester is known for being the frontman to highly successful Australian band Jet, yet it’s his new identity as a solo artist backed by an Italian band that leaves listeners with a mixture of confusion and curiousity.

Going along to his show at Newtown’s Leadbelly on Tuesday night, one wasn’t sure what to expect. The two singles released –‘Psichebello’and ’Eyes On The Horizon’ – both had apsychedelic feel to them, but don’t let that fool you. This album covers all genres – so many that Cester himself has a tough time summing up the sound.

“I would struggle to define it in simple terms,” he toldTMN.

“I think the thing that links everything, everything is kind of based in a soul world I guess.”

In terms of surprises for listeners, Nic thinks it will only come forfans of hisother band Jet.

“I mean there’s even a little bit of disco in one song. If people areexpecting to hear ’Cold Hard Bitch’, then they’re going to be disappointed.”

But whether or not the Australian music landscape is ready for this mixed bag of genres – backed bythe band that, dressed in their matching white suits, is just kitsch enough – is the least of Cester’s concerns.

“I’m really proud of the album and obviously I hope people like it too, but as far as I’m concerned I’m already proud of it and that’s enough for me.”

“I don’t mean to sound egotisctical when I say that [but] for me it’s genuinely a pleasure to be playing music again and playing these songs with these incredible musicians is so much fun. I’m really happy to be doing it.”

The most noticeable thing about Cester when you see him on stage and when you speak to him is that he exudes happiness.

The album was produced by Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Queens Of The Stone Age) and recorded partly in Milan’s legendary Officine Mecchaniche studios with members of cinematic rock’n’roll band Calibro 35. Working with the new band has added to this happiness – and ultimately, gave the 38-year-old a sense of freedom.

“I was living in Milan at the time, and it’s the first time I’ve ever recorded an album where I was actually living. So again, that added to this sense of freedom. It gave it this sense of comfort, to go to work and then go home to my own bed and see my wife and it was a really happy time.”

“The studio itself is historic. If you’re a tech-head, it’s a fantastic studio to be in. It’s a fun place to be.”

Cester lights up when asked whether there was one piece of equipment in particular that he fancied, in amongst all of the 60’s and 70’s gear.

“There was a guitar I got to use on a few songs, the guy who owns the studio, it was his personal guitar.”

“I wanted him to sell it to me, but he said ’you’re not the first person to ask that, and you’re not going to be the last person I say no to either’”.

In terms of the band itself, it all came together thanks to one of the engineers working on the album, who gathered some of the best musicians Italy has to offer. Thegroup adds a sense of worldliness – not to mention percussion and horns – that Cester has never had before.

“Again, adding to the sense of ease I had with this whole process, I was a bit naive to some of the history of some of these guys.”

“They were just complete strangers, who quickly become my friends. And then I realised ’holy shit, these guys are good and a bit more serious than I realised’”.

But with a new band and a new record label behind him, is this a fresh start for the frontman? Or is it more a sign of maturity?

“Maybe a little bit of both. It does feel like a fresh start.

“I don’t want to add any pressure to the situaton by thinking about the future. I just would really prefer to be enjoying the moment and continue to be in this happy space.”