My First CD with SAFIA; this Australian trio has had a pretty big year to say the least. After teasing with a bunch of lead singles they released their highly anticipated sophomore album “Story’s Start or End”, and then on top of that they also did a heap of touring, and so what better way to wrap it all up then with a live performance at Sydney’s NYE in the Park alongside Hermitude, Bag Raiders, Crooked Colours, Young Franco, Client Liaison and a bunch more.

We caught up with vocalist Ben Woolner last week to ask where his love of music began…

“I grew up with music regularly playing around the house. My dad is an avid Jazz fan & would play a wide array of great artists in that space & my mum played a lot of equally captivating 70’s folk & pop music. However, the first CD I specifically remember as being mine was John Butler’s ‘Sunrise Over Sea’. I remember stumbling across John Butler while watching Rage one Saturday morning & being absolutely captivated by his clip for Zebra. My parents took note and bought me the album for my birthday the following week.

I was learning classical piano at that time & in hindsight, I don’t think I had the focus or appreciation for it as I found it too regimented, so when I heard the raw, rough & freeing way in which John would play the guitar, it really opened my world up musically. I played the record countless times on my sister’s walkman and quickly developed an interest in guitar. It was when I started learning guitar that I also tried my hand at songwriting for the first time so I truly owe a lot to that record.”

Let’s jump back to 2009 for ‘Zebra’ by John Butler Trio and then you should treat yourself to SAFIA’s sophomore album “Story’s Start or End”. 

If you’re in Sydney for NYE and are looking for something to do, NYE in the Park has got you sorted – get your tickets now!



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