Australian singer-songwriter Mark Lang is back with his brand new single 'Pictou Landing' - based upon the man-made devastation of Nova Scotia, Canada's Boat Harbour.
In the 1960s, The First Nations People were promised their traditional land and lifestyle would not be effected by the set-up of a pulp-waste discharge treatment facility, but within days of operation all aquatic life was dead. 'Pictou Landing’ channels the heartbreak and hope of a conversation Lang had whilst on a North American tour with Pictou local and legendary singer-songwriter Dave Gunning (who has been championing the closure of the Boat Harbour treatment facility for many years) .
“Accessible only through the woods / gated road I was taken on a guided tour to see where the mill discharges its pulp waste. It is hard to describe how horrific it is, the smell is so potent it burns your lungs and mine felt burnt for days after. I had brought my camera and drone with me to Canada by chance to capture some of the shows/festivals I was playing, when I saw Boat Harbour I realised I needed to help in any way I could. Returning home to Australia I could not shake what I had experienced and so wrote this song and offered the footage in support of my friends in Pictou that are fighting to keep the government accountable to the promised closure in 2020 and it full clean up.”
Working with long-time friend and producer Nick Huggins (Jen Cloher, Kid Sam) the pair uncovered a new sonic landscape for Lang’s songwriting to inhabit. The song was recorded live in his back shed in the small Victorian coastal village he now calls home. With guest appearances from Hollie Joyce and Chris Bolton (Seagull). 'Pictou Landing' conjures up images of water birds weeping for their decimated dwelling and the smell of the once sweet grass replaced by smog.
To celebrate the release of his forthcoming self-titled debut EP, Mark will embark on a national tour with special guest Lilly Among Clouds from Germany, and play the likes of the Melbourne Recital Centre on May 16th and The Street Theatre in Canberra on May 24th.
A renowned lyricist and storyteller, Mark Lang has written three critically acclaimed albums making many album of the year lists as the singer-songwriter of Australian indie band Skipping Girl Vinegar. Thrilling audiences from the main stages at Australia’s premier festivals including solo sets at Bluesfest, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Splendour In The Grass, Woodford Folk, Falls Festival and many more. Mark’s work has received extensive airplay on major national broadcasters Triple J, ABC, Double J and community radio, as well as US college radio play with 7 weeks in the Top 100 CMJ charts, 46 top 10s and numerous #1 & #2 positions across the US. Mark was invited by legendary Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith to join his Australian tour before launching his own must-see immersive live solo show at National Theatre in Melbourne 2016.
Tour dates: Wed 15 May - Ararat Live - Ararat VIC Thu 16 May - Melbourne Recital Centre VIC | Tickets Fri 17 May - New Hall Point Lonsdale VIC | Tickets Sat 18 May - Mountain Mumma TAS Thu 23 May - Markwood VIC Fri 24 May - Street Theatre Canberra Theatre ACT | Tickets Sat 25 May - Paddock Sessions Festival NSW | Tickets Sun 26 May - Boo Radley's Hall Glenreagh NSW
*More dates to be announced soon for Sydney, Brisbane and WA
For tickets and more information, head to http://www.marklangmusic.com
