By Courtney Dabb, Rock At Night Sydney Correspondent
Venue: Newtown Social Club-Sydney, Australia–March 18, 2016
About a year ago, Rock At Night interviewed Australian alt-country band Ruby Boots, the band name moniker for singer/songwriter Bex Chilcott. Bex Chilcott has toured throughout Australia and has made a few of journeys to the US, including visiting ground zero for country music—Nashville. In recent years she has opened up for such well-known acts as Father John Misty, Nikki Lane, Shakey Graves, Reverend Horton Heat, and Shovels and Rope. This Summer she will embark on another US tour starting in Texas, working her way to the East Coast, and working her way back toward California.
The Australia Council for the Arts just announced that Ruby Boots is the sole recipient for this years Nashville Songwriting Residence. She is also the first woman recipient for this residency! This is quite an honor! Chilcott will be spending a year in the US.
Recently, Rock At Night caught up with Ruby Boots in Sydney, Australia. No doubt, there was an enthusiastic crowd of flannel shirts, trucker caps and cowboy boots—all there to cheer on and embrace the lively and fun set that Ruby Boots brought to the stage.
Chilcott’s warm personality shone during her performance. She mentioned how much she enjoyed being back in Sydney (Newtown) but was equally excited to be leaving again soon for Nashville. She described the inspiration behind her track “Middle of Nowhere” and her experience of collaborating with idol Vikki Thorn (The Waifs). Chilcott explained about a grueling travel experience–how she flew from Perth to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to L.A., L.A. to Salt Lake City, and was finally picked up at the airport by Thorn. After driving another five hours, she fell asleep during the drive and woke up in the driveway of Thorn’s residence as she said “Welcome to the middle of nowhere.” Chilcott said to herself, “This is going to be the name of the song we work on”—and so it was.
The Ruby Boots set was supported by guitars, bass (electric and double), and drums. The guitarist alternated between a Fender and lap slide guitar–both of which were bolstered by the pedal steel guitar to create a rich country sound. Overall, the between the well-written songs, Chilcott’s engaging voice, and the band’s performance, Ruby Boots proved to be a solid band–one to watch in the alt-country scene.
PHOTO GALLERY
TOUR
VIDEOS
My entry into the photography world is purely an extension of my love affair with music.
My entry into the photography world is purely an extension of my love affair with music. The first event I ever attended was the Big Day Out festival in 1992 as a 13 year old, catching the likes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Sonic Youth, Iggy Pop and local legends Tumbleweed. I caught the bug and just loved the indie scene. Some 20 years and countless gigs later I wanted to go from behind the barrier to behind the camera.
Photographic residencies Include:The Manning Bar, Max Watts house Of Music and the Roller Den. Each venue sees a huge variety of local and international artists come through the doors making each shoot a unique challenge.
- Dispossessed and Neurosis in Sydney: raw, political and rocking - February 21, 2017
- The Oxford Art Factory features an energetic evening of garage rock - September 4, 2016
- Weedeater, Conan, and Lo! shake up Manning Bar with wild abandon - July 20, 2016
