'Coast Guard' – A new chapter for GOVS
One particular artist that has always been able to transport me to another world has been GOVS – AKA Josiah Birrell, who 16-year-old me had to thank for musical masterpieces like ‘Australian Summer’ and ‘Merseybeat’.
In fact, the latter had begun to stick around every summer – and although things were inherently different each year, there was no shaking how the softness of GOVS’ music would get me happily lost in a dreamy soundscape.
Having drifted from the music scene for the past few years, he’s made a welcome resurgence with his sparkling new 12-track sophomore album, Coast Guard. Excitedly, I’ve been enjoying his new sounds and just had to reach out for a quick catchup:
Hey there! How are you?
Hello! I’m going well, thank you – and you?
Doing great! It’s been a few years since you released your last album, 6teenDRE’am [night xo]. What have you since been up to – both musically and in life?
Yeah totally! the past four, five years have been real in beginning to dream and write again. I’ve also been travelling Australia working seasonally as a farmhand. Somehow I’ve endured every season to be here today with new music to share.
Would you consider your time away from the music scene as a creative chance to recharge?
Yeah, 100%. Always trying to find a balance. It feels great coming up for air having spent those years deep diving, writing a new chapter for GOVS.
In light of your recent release of Coast Guard, you’ve been teasing a few tracks from the album such as ‘Sunshine’, ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘Photosynthesis’. Tell us more about this record – it already sounds magical.
Thank you so much! I spent a lot of time writing this record down by the water, often near the mangroves on the East Coast of Australia. That feeling you get towards the ocean... the way the water comes in to meet the land and is continually sent away, only to keep returning tide after tide. It’s like the ocean can represent the nature of grace and unconditional love. I was just trying to capture that for my listeners in the songs.
As a long-time listener, I’ve always been enchanted by how well you capture melancholy in songs. How would you personally describe the music you make?
It means so much to me to have listeners like yourself! I would describe my music as Chill, Ambient, R&B.
There are always a handful of lyrically potent songs you’ve got up your sleeve. Which ones in the new record do you hold closest to you – or which ones would you say to keep an eye out for the most?
Tracks on the album called ‘Night Swim’ and ‘Photosynthesis’ have been with me for a few years now. I’ve been so blessed in my time making music, it only feels right to put it all on the line when writing the lyrics. From the first track to the closer, each song has its place and was chosen for the album.
Apart from nature, what else drives your music-making process?
These days I’m driven by the idea of creating something every day. I’ve always looked up to Jarryd James since I was a teenager. I have these talented friends making beautiful music that inspire me to grow; some you might’ve have heard of before – such as Reu, Akurei, Golden Vessel, Wyatt, Emerson Lief, MTNS, Vancouver Sleep Clinic and Bentle & Parkar.
If we’re going old school, ‘Australian Summer’ was my go-to anthem for summer 5 years ago! If you could pick any song in Coast Guard to remember this summer by, which one would it be?
Yes! I’d have to say ‘Triangular Blue Marina’. It’s got the summer dream vibe.
Do you have plans for touring anytime soon? (I sure hope so!)
Mmmmm so, I’m working on a new live show and possibly collaborating on something very special. Let’s just say I’m looking forward to a good season of touring again soon!