New Christmas music out today.

As the world slowly hopes for a new year and a return to some amount of normal life, today marks the release of my brand new rock’n’roll Christmas single, IT’S CHRISTMAS, to lift the spirits and bring joy to the air waves. 

In the 70’s and 80’s, original Christmas themed songs were timeless. I was inspired to contribute something new to that cannon. Something that would help ring in the new year and hopefully a more peaceful time in all our lives.

Written and recorded with artists from all over the world within a six week period, IT’S CHRISTMAS came by chance when I found myself stranded in my home town of Brisbane.

My new album’s release had been delayed and, like everyone, we were looking for something to work on; new music that could bring some fun and joy. I went to the piano and wrote four new songs, picking the best for release.

The sound of this track is timeless and unmistakably joyful, featuring an incredible choir of young singers from the Sister 2 Sister School Students in Sydney, lead by Australian recording duo and session legends, Sharon & Christine Mascot (Sister2Sister, Delta Goodrem), alongside third session vocalists Guy Cunningham (Guy Sebastian).

Taking a classic Motown sound and bringing it into the modern day, the song also features a band of international music legends. Co-produced by Musicians Hall of Fame Guitarist Louie Shelton, with Nathan East on Bass and Greg Phillinganes on keyboards, this is a world class ensemble that shines.

Nathan East actually played on Michael Bublé’s classic Christmas album - you know the one - and Greg Phillinganes is one of the greatest keyboard players of all time, so I’m just humbled that they would appear on these songs.

Christmas can be quite divisive today. Everyone has a different set of beliefs and it’s important we respect those and when the time is right, understand what the day means or doesn’t mean to whoever we come in close contact with. But for children and for a lot of adults like me, Christmas is a time of new beginnings, of remembering what we appreciate. To reflect on the people we were, the year we have lived and how we desire to grow or change in the year to come. It’s also a time for eating way too much chocolate. Just me?

The cover artwork for IT’S CHRISTMAS was created by the daughter of our recording engineer, Guy Gray (The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Cyndi Lauper and Paul Kelly).

Guy and I were working on the songs in his studio and on the desk behind us was a piece of art. I remarked on how beautiful it was and Guy said - his young daughter did that while listening to my song, singing along to it as she drew. I was so touched I asked him if they would do me the honour of letting it be the cover art for the songs release.