Indie-rocker Tyne-James Organ says he’s been on a “random journey” through the music industry since he was just a child.
“Music was very much in my family, my dad was a singer and entertainer,” he said.
“I grew up watching him perform and he would take me and my sister up on stage.
“Over the years, it was never something we got forced into, but they showed us the fun side of it.
“When I was 14, my dad bought me a ukulele and that changed it all. After that I bought a guitar and started writing songs.
“It’s led to this random journey that I call my full-time job, it’s been a lot of work.”
For Organ, it was a “no brainer” to follow his dreams and share his stories through song.
Describing his sound as soulful, raw and “heart on your sleeve” real, the 25-year-old captures a wide array of emotions in his debut album Necessary Evil.
With hits like Sunday Suit, Graceful and my personal favourites Not Ready for Love and Burning Desire, the album is a fitting return from the Wollongong-based artist after he released an EP in 2019 and a single in 2016.
“I didn’t think it would be something I would feel so proud of,” he said.
“It is such a dream to think that for the rest of my life, I’ll have that there – I can always say that I made an album.
“It’s been surreal the amount of people that have resonated with it.”
The album, which was released in May, took about a year to put together.
“In terms of writing and everything, it was probably 12 months,” he said.
“It’s a long journey but there was no need to rush in my head.
“When I was in the studio, I made a rule to not listen to any music other than my own.
“In this day and age, it is very easy to be influenced by music; you [can be] working on something and suddenly that flavour comes in.
“I just tried to listen to my own, it’s a weird approach but one that I will stick to.
“I’ve struck gold with it and I want to continue.”
Organ says he’s inspired by his family to write and create.
“My family inspires me, it’s probably a random answer, but they are the reason I do this,” he said.
“When it comes to song writing, I get inspired by certain and significant events in my life but all I have to do is sit with my mum for two minutes and chat and I am inspired – my family are my world, they keep me driven.”
One of his favourite memories was playing at Splendour in the Grass in 2019.
“It is my favourite festival to go to as a punter; I had been six times before I had the chance to play,” he said.
“I always dreamt of playing but it never felt real, like a real expectation or dream, but fast forward to 2019 and I got to play it.
“Even though it was an early set, there was almost 10,000 people there.
“All the tours I have done have been amazing but that was definitely a standout moment for sure.”
Organ has also shared stages with The Lumineers, Jake Bugg, Lime Cordiale and Middle Kids.
Canberrans will be treated to his anthemic sound next month when he stops in at Kambri at ANU.
On Thursday 1 July, he promises to bring a high-energy show.
“The [Canberra] crowds are so much fun, so we will make sure it is a big one,” Organ said.
He adds it’s an honour to be able to take to the stage after a challenging 2020.
“It is so exciting but there is this really overwhelming sense of uneasiness,” he said.
“But it is such a dream, seeing the world again is amazing – at the end of the day we are touring and that was something we wouldn’t have believed last year.”
