A Twenty-Two Letter Phrase, the artistic project of renowned Australian musician Angus Gardiner, has released the first of his solo songs, the compelling, Predisposition, a heavily metaphorical, contemplative song about gaining the acceptance of ones self. The track features on the EP, Just Tell Me What I Gotta Do, which is due out September 30th. The EP will be debuted with an intimate live performance streamed to the A Twenty-Two Letter Phrase YouTube channel on October 1. We talked to Angus about new music, being a studio musician and the challenges involved when a project is very personal to you.

Firstly, Congratulations on the release of Predisposition, what's the feeling on releasing the first of the songs off your debut EP'Just Tell Me What I Gotta Do'

Thanks! Yes I think it’s a relief. To finally get some music out there that I’m proud of.

How is song being received so far?

I’ve got some nice notes and feedback from people. It seems to be connecting with people on some level so that is nice.

The video for 'Predisposition' has a very psychedelic feel but with a mechanical visual of old school Typewriter. Is there a story to the video and who came up with the concept?

I think it’s quite open ended. I made the video with my friend Alex Bennison. The typewriter is the same one I did all the lyric writing for the EP on , as well as doing my diary. It’s a lovely way to start or end the day.

On the EP you have done it all yourself. Except for the drums, you played all the instruments, you did all the mixing and even designed the cover artwork, what were the biggest challenges you faced being in charge?

The biggest challenge is definitely developing adequate competence. That’s a challenge I’m not sure I met but the imperfections of it are something I am trying to embrace (within reason!). I thought that if I really want to make something that represents what I am, I should, as much as possible, do it all myself.

Given how personally you have been involved with the whole process behind 'Just Tell Me What I Gotta Do', this project must be very important to you?

Yes. That’s what I’m trying to get at with the artist name - A Twenty-Two Letter Phrase (which is itself), and which my legal name, Angus Frederick Gardiner, also is, and which the name of the EP, Just Tell Me What I Gotta Do, also is. In a literal sense it’s about being yourself, and nothing else.

Has the writing, recording and releasing process been a cathodic experience for you?

Perhaps you could say that. I wrote most of it in the midst of grieving my close friend Luke Liang. Catharsis might imply that some sort of tension gets released, which isn’t really what it’s been like, but it definitely has reflected some of the progress I have made about acceptance, and accepting myself.

The EP is being released at the end of the month with an 'intimate live performance' being streamed to the A Twenty-Two Letter Phrase You-Tube channel? Was this the original idea for the release or has Covid played its part in making this a safer way to go?

No I would much prefer to do a ‘bricks and mortar’ gig, but due to the pandemic it’ll need to be online.

Participation in digitally streamed events during the Covid/Lock down period was this a way to connect with fans and share music, what was that like compared to playing in front of a live audience? Is different preparation needed?

I didn’t do a lot of it. One or two little live streams or filmed gigs. It’s definitely no substitute for a real gig. In some circumstances I think it can devalue the performance. It would be interesting to study how people perceive and interact with a performance when its on a screen versus on a stage in front of them.

2020 was a year full of uncertainty and change and for some the year came as a blessing for some a curse. How do you rate your 2020?

From a money-making perspective it was devastating. My turnover dropped by 95% within the first month of the pandemic and has not yet recovered. From a personal perspective it has been really good, I have been able to have time to work on challenges, like A Twenty-Two Letter Phrase, that I may never have had time to.

You were a founding member of Papa Vs Pretty, do you ever miss the dynamic and camaraderie of being in a band? Are there any plans to go back to a group environment?

Yes I definitely miss it, but individual music making also has some appeals. No concrete plans to join a band at the moment but the future always brings new possibilities.

You have been a session musician for a lot of big Australian artists such as Montaigne and Jack River, what do you enjoy about being a behind the scenes Muso as opposed to being the face of the music?

It brings more of a sense of responsibility, like you need to ‘get it right’. I enjoy working on a huge range of different music and I also enjoy not being as invested in the risks. I love working with artists like Montaigne, Jack River, and most of the others I have had the privilege to work with over the years. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to have worked with so many courageous, talented, hungry, creative, expressive artists and help facilitate that.

What is the difference stress wise, between being a session artist and the star of the show? Now that you have done both , which do you prefer?

They are completely different and mostly unrelated challenges and I’m not sure I prefer one over the other. Ideally I like to do both.

In your journey as a performer/group/musician, have you changed? Is life much different for you from when you started out?

Yes things are very different now. I have a lot more knowledge about how to make music and the context in which it sits.. The raw excitement of ‘oh my god, I’m doing a gig’ has worn off a little but I have managed to distill the enjoyment and ignore the things that just aren’t important. The feeling of having your fingers on the strings, the instrument vibrating in your hands, the PA shaking the room, those are feelings that I will always love. There are aspects of everything else, the surrounding music industry, that I could live without. That said, by and large the people I have encountered in music are the loveliest people you can meet.

Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?

Probably my partner Skye for being so accommodating of my needs. Being the partner of a touring musician has not always been easy, and she has always supported and encouraged me to keep working on music and travelling even when things are difficult.

What's next for you? What can we expect in 2022 and beyond?

Hopefully I can do some gigs and release some more music, but so much is uncertain.

A TWENTY-TWO LETTER PHRASE SHARES NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO PREDISPOSITION

+ NEW EP JUST TELL ME WHAT I GOTTA DO OUT SEPTEMBER 30 – PRESAVE NOW

+ LIVESTREAM EP LAUNCH OCTOBER 1

September 2021

Interview by Michelle Symes