Consider this your advance notice that you should be on alert for Darcy Callus’s musical debut. Darcy has allowed a listening in order to discuss his most recent music, yet to be released. To those familiar with his appearances on X Factor, or with the band Cactus (lead by Daniel Clohesy and multiple award-winning bassist Marty Holoubek), abandon what you know as it won’t give you a head start on his new direction. Callus is well noted for both his singing on X Factor and his successful career as a jazz pianist in Australia but his new music exhibits him fully embracing the path of a mature singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. The inverse correlation of Darcy’s musical decisions and approach to those of his peer generation is stark, and endearing. While bells and whistles abound on virtually every bit of mainstream radio fodder, Callus’s compositions and choices are describable as minimalist…yet they are more captivating than the most acrobatic of vocal performances one might witness on any number of televised talent shows. In a musical climate which seeks to demand attention, Darcy presents songs and talent which grab your attention because of the decision to not shout out amidst the cacophony. Imagine that Marvin Gaye and Carole King had a tryst while Justin Timberlake was recording “Justified” with only real instrumentation; this is what Darcy’s most recent songs present. Blue eyed soul with straightforward, bare instrumentation and an awareness of pop; it’s difficult to believe that this springs from the well that is an academically trained jazz and classical pianist. The restraint that this artist exhibits in his instrumentation belie the complexity that his abilities grant him. This serves to create an even deeper fondness for his self-control and gentleness. It’s a theme that is lyrically expressed in the song “Using You.” With the opening line “It wasn’t fair, she was standing there in her underwear.”, you wouldn’t expect the song to discuss a man’s rejection of a woman’s physical advances. Both the guitar part (played by Callus) and the lyrics communicate a gentle natured individual’s struggle to avoid the ease of frivolity in pursuit of greater depth. As he sings “Into You” the word “Into” literally and symbolically falls to “You.” This bluesy, sweet track seems to give a nod to prolific songwriter and artist Babyface. Darcy sounds very much to be of a direct lineage from the great singer/songwriters of the 70’s with “All You Have To Do.” He cleverly clashes the somber yet soft piano and vocal part with a message that is uplifting and hopeful. Particularly notable in this track is the fact that a song of this type would easily encourage a vocalist to expound on the melody with impressive embellishments but Callus delivers a performance that is more heartfelt emotion than a display of technical prowess. The intensity of the emotion delivers much more than an exploration into available octaves. “Suddenly” is immediately recognizable as a catchy hit song. This type of composition seems easily attained for Darcy but he contradicts, “One of the most painful and gratifying things to do is to write a song. It’s not an easy process for me at all. Often, the majority of the idea or melody will come to me but, upon completing it…at least to a point which I’m happy with it, seems almost overwhelming. It’s like climbing Mount Everest each time you do it. I can only speak about the process for me. I love it and yet it is incredibly daunting. There is quite literally no feeling like taking an idea that exists only inside your head and then giving everything you have to work it out. If you can get to that place, you sit back and listen in quiet disbelief that you were able to make that happen…and that is an amazing feeling!” “She Takes Me” is perhaps the song that best exemplifies who Darcy Callus is at this moment in time. It contains simple and honest parts and a sincere performance; mature and confident, not because they are attempting to be so but simply because that is what they are.
Many contemporary musicians and artists rely on technological advances to grant them shortcuts towards realizing their musical compositions. The “idea” is paramount rather than the means by which it is reached. Drum machines, Pro Tools, Auto Tune, and a host of technical means alter performances that were previously only achieved through decades of honing one’s musical skills. While these can be used as an expressive tool, they are too often used as a crutch. Darcy Callus is a living, breathing contradiction to this. To even further prove his benevolent but contrary thoughts, he readily admits that he sees the value of these aforementioned means of facilitating musical performances and ideas…but you won’t hear them on any of his music. It’s a refreshing approach to hear Callus’s compositions which are completely organic and earthy in their feel and sentiment. It’s not a surprise when you research Darcy and discover his insanely eclectic musical and professional history. The only child of a non-musician family who pursued a degree in jazz piano studies, only to proceed forward to becoming a pop artist with great success as a finalist on Australia’s X-Factor…yet none of this pedigree is what one notices when listening to his music. Not jazz, not fashionable pop, possibly the furthest thing from superficial or self-congratulatory; Darcy’s own music is minimalist, confident, and often vulnerable. There are no signs of the singer who was chased by screaming female fans during his X Factor period, or the accomplished pianist who has an impressive list of achievements (including: the highly esteemed James Morrison Generations in Jazz competition, the Helpmann Academy Jazz Award in 2013, an Artist Skills and Development Grant from Arts SA, and being awarded the highly prestigious Ian Potter Cultural Trust fellowship). It is often said that the difference between a great musician and a true artist is that the later constantly evolves, no statement could apply more aptly to Darcy Callus and his constantly expanding musical career.
Consider this your advance notice that you should be on alert for Darcy Callus’s musical debut. Darcy has allowed a listening in order to discuss his most recent music, yet to be released. To those familiar with his appearances on X Factor, or with the band Cactus (lead by Daniel Clohesy and multiple award-winning bassist Marty Holoubek), abandon what you know as it won’t give you a head start on his new direction. Callus is well noted for both his singing on X Factor and his successful career as a jazz pianist in Australia but his new music exhibits him fully embracing the path of a mature singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. The inverse correlation of Darcy’s musical decisions and approach to those of his peer generation is stark, and endearing. While bells and whistles abound on virtually every bit of mainstream radio fodder, Callus’s compositions and choices are describable as minimalist…yet they are more captivating than the most acrobatic of vocal performances one might witness on any number of televised talent shows. In a musical climate which seeks to demand attention, Darcy presents songs and talent which grab your attention because of the decision to not shout out amidst the cacophony. Imagine that Marvin Gaye and Carole King had a tryst while Justin Timberlake was recording “Justified” with only real instrumentation; this is what Darcy’s most recent songs present. Blue eyed soul with straightforward, bare instrumentation and an awareness of pop; it’s difficult to believe that this springs from the well that is an academically trained jazz and classical pianist. The restraint that this artist exhibits in his instrumentation belie the complexity that his abilities grant him. This serves to create an even deeper fondness for his self-control and gentleness. It’s a theme that is lyrically expressed in the song “Using You.” With the opening line “It wasn’t fair, she was standing there in her underwear.”, you wouldn’t expect the song to discuss a man’s rejection of a woman’s physical advances. Both the guitar part (played by Callus) and the lyrics communicate a gentle natured individual’s struggle to avoid the ease of frivolity in pursuit of greater depth. As he sings “Into You” the word “Into” literally and symbolically falls to “You.” This bluesy, sweet track seems to give a nod to prolific songwriter and artist Babyface. Darcy sounds very much to be of a direct lineage from the great singer/songwriters of the 70’s with “All You Have To Do.” He cleverly clashes the somber yet soft piano and vocal part with a message that is uplifting and hopeful. Particularly notable in this track is the fact that a song of this type would easily encourage a vocalist to expound on the melody with impressive embellishments but Callus delivers a performance that is more heartfelt emotion than a display of technical prowess. The intensity of the emotion delivers much more than an exploration into available octaves. “Suddenly” is immediately recognizable as a catchy hit song. This type of composition seems easily attained for Darcy but he contradicts, “One of the most painful and gratifying things to do is to write a song. It’s not an easy process for me at all. Often, the majority of the idea or melody will come to me but, upon completing it…at least to a point which I’m happy with it, seems almost overwhelming. It’s like climbing Mount Everest each time you do it. I can only speak about the process for me. I love it and yet it is incredibly daunting. There is quite literally no feeling like taking an idea that exists only inside your head and then giving everything you have to work it out. If you can get to that place, you sit back and listen in quiet disbelief that you were able to make that happen…and that is an amazing feeling!” “She Takes Me” is perhaps the song that best exemplifies who Darcy Callus is at this moment in time. It contains simple and honest parts and a sincere performance; mature and confident, not because they are attempting to be so but simply because that is what they are.
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