SAM TOUT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF DEBUT SOLO ALBUM ‘JUST FLOATING AROUND’

Shane | 26 February 2024 | Reply

SAM TOUT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF DEBUT SOLO ALBUM ‘JUST FLOATING AROUND’

Photo: Caelan Morris/Little Bear Photography

Multi-talented Perth musician Sam Tout has announced the release of his debut instrumental solo album, Just Floating Around.

In the last few years Sam has played around WA with alt-blues-rock outfit Redcliffe and also became the musical curator of the work of his late father, acclaimed solo artist/guitarist Errol H. Tout, who passed away in December 2022, following a long illness. Sam digitised Errol’s music for online distribution, releasing his final (posthumous) album Small Window, Large View as well as the Live 1987-89 compilation.

A multi-instrumentalist himself, Sam’s immersive life in music has now led him to this instrumental solo album.

“I had these eight songs, which were pretty terrible to start with,” he says, all too modestly, “but then I just had to keep going and push myself and eventually ended up with something that I’m quite happy with. I’m proud of it, actually.”

Instrumental songs can mean anything to any listener, but for Sam there is always an inspired theme that is built upon.

“Generally, if the music isn’t making me feel anything, then I’m not interested. I feel that the piece has to really kind of put me in a mood to be worth doing. I wanted to write a song about this specific thing that I’m thinking about.

“Other times I’ll be messing around on the guitar, or the keyboard and I’ll really like a chord progression or a combination of notes that really gets me thinking about things. I try to make sure that every piece has a point to it… and every piece does have a point to it on this record.”

Accordingly, title track, Just Floating Around, was inspired by a painting of the same name by Perth artist Di Taylor which incidentally hangs in Sam’s house. Head Chef is about his newfound love of cooking – the preparation and the process. Wisdom Teeth is musically evocative of the experience of having those invader teeth forcing their way through your gums.

Sam plays guitar, bass, keyboards and drums on the LP, with additional guitar contributed by Redcliffe bandmate, Tim Schilperoort. Sam also mixed the album, which has been mastered by Adrian Sardi at Sugarland Studios.

The first glimpse of the album, Telerhythm, is released on March 15 (the video follows on March 20) and was inspired by Sam’s experimentation with delay effects by way of creating a drum pattern on a Fender Telecaster.

Just Floating Around is released on March 22 and will get the live launch treatment at Lyric’s Underground on April 21 with a full band consisting of Sam Tout (guitar), Tim Schilperoort (guitar), Dion Fernandes (bass), Christian Passalacqua (drums) and Jasper Lambert (keys). Quality support will come from Tim Schilperoort (solo) and Gist.

The final track on the album, For Dad, is a tribute to Errol, performed beautifully on his father’s beloved Ovation acoustic guitar. It’s both a moving and fitting closing musical statement.

“Dad’s music is everywhere on the album,” Sam says. “He’s certainly my biggest musical influence and a lot the construction of the songs and the way I do things definitely comes from him.

“A lot of his guitars are used on this album, actually. They’re living another life now… which I really like.”

Sam Tout ‘Just Floating Around’ Album Launch – Saturday, April 21, Lyric’s Underground

With special guests Tim Schilperoort (solo) and Gist