Bob Evans is the darling of earnest Australian acoustic guitar playing men… or rather was. The Bob Evans you used to know, the one that croons his way through Don’t You Think It’s Time, is about to get a slight image overhaul. You see, he’s back from Nashville with a new album – Goodnight, Bull Creek! – which will be released April next year. But if you can’t stand the wait, then fear not: Evans is coming to town to play snippets from the new album, which is packed with treats. It even sees Evans trying his hand at a haunting duet… and some rambunctious bossanova lounge, a style he says that fits him like ‘a flesh tuxedo’.

Can you explain the title of the new album?
It’s my kiss-off to the past. It’s my farewell to all that has been before, Bull Creek being the suburb that represents my childhood. I’m saying adios, goodnight, so long and thanks for all the fish.

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What would you say is your new direction then?
It’s very different to the last one. There’s a lot more electricity running through it. I’m calling it my ‘rock album’ for everybody’s ease so that’s my official sound byte. But I started getting paranoid that I was another guy with an acoustic guitar indulging in his earnestness. And I think there are too many guys with acoustics getting up and singing their songs. So I wanted to make an album that was just a bit more of a band album, that was a bit weirder and a bit messed up. I just wanted to cleanse myself of the earnest singer songwriter vibe.

What have been some of the challenges you’ve experienced in recording this album?
I guess one of the biggest challenges is that you never want to be boring or sedentary. You always want to have new sounds. It’s a challenge just to do something good. I know that sounds a little simplistic or silly but it’s one of those unending challenges: it never changes.

If you can’t wait until April 2009 for Goodnight, Bull Creek! then be sure to hit Mellen Events’ Escape To The Park on Saturday November 29. Otherwise, check out his more intimate show at Deville’s Pad on Thursday December 4. Ultimately, stay tuned to his online blog, located at http://bobevans.com.au/blog/.

Scott-Patrick Mitchell