TJ Eckleberg is the future of music. Not in a you’re-gonna-be-hearing-a-lot-more-from-this-kid Flume kind of way, but rather the future of musicianship in a post-label, streaming, every person for him- or herself world.
Just about anyone these days can make something that sounds decent from a purely technical standpoint. At one end of the spectrum you’ve got 12 year olds building songs on Garage Band with Apple loops like sonic Lego. At the other end is Taylor Swift back by an army of engineers, producers, session musicians cranking out (deserved) hits backed by a superpower label.
Then somewhere in between you’ve got people like TJ. You probably haven’t heard of them, but they’re professional, highly talented, and committed to making their own music, and for whatever reason, they’re not on the ARIA charts.
TJ a great guitarist and songwriter, and skilled producer. He works hard and thoughtfully on all his albums from the writing, to the performing, to the recording and the artwork. But he’s also smart enough to know when to bring in help. His albums are professional in every aspect and they sound great on headphones.
Although music hasn’t made him rich – probably the opposite – TJ is has designed his life around making albums. He lives in Japan with his beautiful partner, a woman who believes in him so much she offers all her support because she loves his music and wants him to keep making it.
In part we can thank her for TJ’s latest album Black & Amber, which he’s been working on for the last two years. It might be his best album yet.
One of my favourite tracks is the Tom Kazas (The Moths) remix of “Days Like This”. It’s smooth, haunting and soulfully ethereal, and a beautiful collaboration that sticks in your mind after just a couple of listens and probably justifies the entire cost of downloading the album.
“Mini Moke” is another great track, with a great “Gimme Shelter” lead guitar feel. When sampling make sure you stick around beyond the two-minute mark when the song shifts gears into a genuinely-uplifting extended mid-section which will make your skin flutter.
I’m not going to tell you any more about the album, just jump on iTunes or Bandcamp and have a listen. The whole thing will cost you about as much as a Sydney hamburger and a beer.
In the interests of disclosure I’ve known TJ for 20 years and I’m making his latest video clip. Because I like him and I believe in him.
