Cheersquad Records & Tapes are delighted to be able to bring to you the debut album ‘Ghost Heroin’ from Melbourne musician Fenn Wilson on vinyl for the first time, complete with brand-new cover art done by Myriam den Elzen. Originally released in November 2019, its vinyl debut will hit the shelves in August 2021.
Fenn Wilson emerges from the burgeoning underground indie folk sound coming out of Melbourne. His debut full-length Ghost Heroin expertly navigates the bumpy road from darkness to catharsis and drew reviews dripping with superlatives.
I can’t get over how good it is. It’s not often the elements of writing, performance; arrangement, orchestration and production coalesce into something you can actually describe as ‘perfect’. This track (Lost My Way) is rare.' Jonathan Alley, Triple R
Expanding on Fenn’s accomplished 2015 EP 'Tales of the Black Dog', which showcased Fenn's rhythmic guitar playing and husky bass-baritone, the material on 'Ghost Heroin' incorporates additional backing such as bass, cello and vocal harmonies. However, Wilson's vocal chops rightfully hog the spotlight throughout this album thanks to producer Shannon Bourne, who was careful to ensure that enough space was left within the arrangements to highlight this artist's extraordinary singing ability. As such, recording sessions for this set of ten tracks took place in stages.
"I'd put down my track and then Shannon would put down his track, and then we had cello come in and then piano come in, and so it built and built and built," Fenn details, "and everybody was moving their way around the melodies that were already there."
On recruiting the incomparable Holly Joyce - who lends her pipes to another standout album track, 'Bandanna' - Fenn explains,
"We were just listening back to the song and I had my eyes shut and could hear a 'The Great Gig in the Sky' sort of female vocal solo over one particular section, and I asked if she could do it."
The album's title 'Ghost Heroin' references the inescapable torment that often attaches itself to painful memories, but uplifting moments - such as the album opener/second single 'Lost My Way' - illuminate dappled light within the shadows. Of this song, Wilson observes, it’s got this really kooky intro, before crediting Bourne for supplying the trippy flourish that also closes out this reflective track.
Although heartache, depression, world-weariness and uncertainty are recurring song themes for Wilson, ever-present glimmers of hope peak through the despair - think George Ezra leafing through the pages of Nick Cave’s early songbook.
'Ghost Heroin' was funded by the Queenscliff Music Festival’s Emerging Artist Grant, which Fenn was awarded in 2018.
1. Lost My Way
2. New Home
3. Bandana
4. All That You Are
5. River
6. Mirrors
7. Eye on You
8. Sway
9. Ghost Heroin
10. Wall Fall
"Ghost Heroin is dedicated to my father, Chris Wilson, who always upheld a rigid belief in my music and was my champion and friend in all things. Without him this album would not have been made."
Originally released November 14, 2019
Released on vinyl, August 2021
All songs written by Fenn Wilson
Recorded by Colin Wynne at Thirty Mill Studios, Brunswick
Produced by Shannon Bourne and Fenn Wilson
Mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal
Fenn Wilson - vocals, guitars
Anita Quayle - cello
Ben Franz- bass
Bruce Haymes - keys
George Wilson - vocals
Hollie Joyce - vocals
Sarah Carroll - vocals
Shannon Bourne - guitars
Ricky Carroll - original artwork
Myriam den Elzen - new cover art
Photo by Mike Ridley
NQR&B –
Limited edition clear with red smoke 12" vinyl
Sarah Carroll
$45 AUD
The Sentimentalist –
Black 12" vinyl
Nick Batterham
$40 AUD
The Sentimentalist –
White 12" vinyl
Nick Batterham
$45 AUD
Sub Auroram –
12" recycled vinyl
Lava Fangs
$45 AUD
High Stone –
Black 12" vinyl
Johnny Casino
$40 AUD
High Stone –
Limited edition 12" orange vinyl
Johnny Casino
$45 AUD
Nunchukka Superfly 95 –
Black vinyl
Nunchukka Superfly
$40 AUD
Nunchukka Superfly 95 –
Limited edition red 12" vinyl
Nunchukka Superfly
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All Fuller No Filler –
Black 12" vinyl
Wesley Fuller
$40 AUD
All Fuller No Filler –
Limited edition black and white smash 12" vinyl
Wesley Fuller
$45 AUD
Roller Coaster –
12" black vinyl LP
Checkerboard Lounge
$40 AUD
Roller Coaster –
Compact Disc
Checkerboard Lounge
$20 AUD
Roller Coaster –
Limited edition 12" translucent red vinyl
Checkerboard Lounge
$45 AUD
Miserable –
Black 7" vinyl
Hard-Ons
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Miserable –
Limited Edition Yellow 7" vinyl
Hard-Ons
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Miserable –
Limited edition light blue 7" vinyl
Hard-Ons
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Miserable –
Limited edition purple 7" vinyl
Hard-Ons
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Miserable –
Limited edition red 7" vinyl
Hard-Ons
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Rosa Duet –
Red recycled 12" vinyl
Barb Waters
$45 AUD
Collect Vol 1 –
Black 12" vinyl
Def FX
$40 AUD
Collect Vol 1 –
Limited edition clear 12" vinyl
Def FX
$45 AUD
Super American Eagle –
Black 12" vinyl
Super American Eagle
$40 AUD
Super American Eagle –
Limited edition black and white split 12" vinyl
Super American Eagle
$45 AUD
Summer's Coming –
Black 12" vinyl
Al Matcott
$40 AUD
Summer's Coming –
Limited edition red and black smash 12" vinyl
Al Matcott
$45 AUD
Dead Horse Creek –
Compact Disc
Meghan Maike
$20 AUD
Dead Horse Creek –
Limited edition gold recycled 12" vinyl
Meghan Maike
$45 AUD
Dead Horse Creek –
Limited edition green recycled 12" vinyl
Meghan Maike
$45 AUD
Dead Horse Creek –
Limited edition red recycled 12" vinyl
Meghan Maike
$45 AUD
On, On & On –
Black 12" vinyl
David M Western
$40 AUD
On, On & On –
Limited edition red 12" vinyl
David M Western
$45 AUD
Full Bloom –
Black 12" vinyl
Rinehearts
$40 AUD
Cheersquad Records & Tapes Melbourne, Australia
Wally “Meanie” Kempton took the plunge in 2018 and launched his record label Cheersquad Records & Tapes. Since then he has released new material from acts such as The Meanies, The Hard-Ons, Chris Wilson, Phil Jamieson, Seasick Steve, Wanita, Minibikes, The Rinehearts, Immigrant Union and T. Wilds, along with limited edition vinyl of older material from Snout, Even and The Glory Box and more. ... more
