Hein Cooper launches debut album after national tour with James Bay
A chance meeting with the British rock star led to the Sydney musician performing to his biggest audience yet last month.
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Hein Cooper’s music ushers listeners through a range of landscapes, from nature to night-life.
These are just some of the inspirations for the Sydney musician’s debut album The Art of Escape, which he will launch at Newtown Social Club this week.
“It’s a really slow-cooked album,” Cooper said.
“I wrote (it) when I was 18 – I’m 24 now – and recorded it back in late-2014.”
Cooper decided to take time on the road to learn the art of performance before he released The Art of Escape.
“After I recorded it, I didn’t have a following, and wanted to figure out how to play it live before I released it,” he said.
A chance encounter with British rock artist James Bay in Montreal, where Cooper wrote and recorded his first EP, gelled his plans.
Cooper stood before 5500 screaming fans at Hordern Pavilion last month as the support act on Bay’s recent Australian tour.
“It was bizarre,” he said.
Cooper likes concept albums, where the music reflects a theme.
“I’m inspired by nature, mountains, rivers – that great, grand nature,” he said.
“I’ve also written about parties, night-life, being a bit wild, and love – which inspires me.”
Hein Cooper plays at Newtown Social Club on Thursday, March 24, from 8pm. For details, visit newtownsocialclub.com
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