Internationally-renowned musician Pete Cornelius showcases Tassie with the release of his 13th album
His school mates loved Nirvana and Metallica but Pete Cornelius had more unusual musical tastes, leading the talented Tasmanian to forge an international career – now launching his 13th album
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Pete Cornelius grew up in an era when all his mates at school couldn’t get enough of listening to iconic ‘90s bands like Nirvana and Metallica, but his own musical sensibilities were always quite different.
The now 40-year-old – who started performing in pubs at the age of 13 before forging a successful career as an internationally-recognised singer, songwriter and guitarist – says he was more taken with Eric Clapton, BB King and Santana.
“My mates at school were all listening to Nirvana and Metallica and The Offspring – all these rock, pop-punk bands, but I didn’t want a piece of it,’’ explains Cornelius, who grew up at St Marys, on Tasmania’s East Coast, where he still lives today.
“I had a passion for music that wasn’t popular – I was into more singer/songwriters and guitar shredders of the past, from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s … I really felt connected to older music. To me it was just the honesty in people’s writing or performance … it just seemed to have more depth than anything on the radio that was a bit popular.’’
His penchant for a less conventional style of music flowed into his own performing, as he tinkered with piano from the age of six, then started playing guitar from the age of nine.
The St Marys District School student was soon performing on stage, often with kids twice his age. He recalls being in grade 4 or 5 and playing with kids who were in grades 9 or 10.
He soon found himself on stage at the local pub, playing as part of the trio Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles, again with much older bandmates who were typically in their 20s, 30s and 40s, including his dad, Bruce, on drums.
And suddenly the young camping enthusiast and motorbike rider realised that his most loved hobby – music – could become his career.
“Throughout my teenage and early high school years I started to perform live in my own band, I wrote my own songs and I guess the more I did of that, the more I knew that was what I wanted to do,’’ Cornelius explains.
“Just the feeling of performing, not only my material but also to an audience, was really satisfying. And having Dad in the band as a mentor, and in a support role, was really encouraging. It wasn’t just a fun hobby to get through the weekend – I felt like this was what I wanted to do.’’
Cornelius still plays with various band members but dropped the DeVilles title many years ago and typically performs simply under the name Pete Cornelius now. He is preparing to release his 13th album – Southern – on February 7.
He will also perform across Tassie as part of his launch tour, with five gigs throughout February – at Bicheno, Lilydale, Gowrie Park, Hobart and Copping. Cornelius will also play nationally during 2025, with gigs at some of Australia’s biggest and best-known blues and roots festivals.
Cornelius has been announced as part of the line-up for Queensland’s 2025 Blues on Broadbeach Festival in May, and is also on the bill for Girrakool Blues Festival in New South Wales on February 28, as well as Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival in early March.
Cornelius says he loves performing at festivals as it gives him the opportunity to immerse himself in the local culture, hear new music and interact with other musicians.
“Typically when you do your own pub and club shows that’s it – you just do your own thing, you don’t get to see much of anyone else,’’ Cornelius says.
“The cool thing about festivals is you get a lot of local artists and a lot of local culture. There’s also that big pool of players from different areas and the ability to meet with them and network and hang out. And just getting to see some music you’ve never heard of which is so great … festivals are a great way to get amongst it.’’
Getting to play alongside artists he admires is also nice.
“I definitely have met a lot of my idols and had a lot of great moments, it’s an absolute thrill,’’ Cornelius says.
He has performed at major festivals worldwide – everything from the Gympie Muster, Bluesfest and the Adelaide International Guitar Festival to the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Wisconsin.
And Cornelius has performed alongside top Australian and international talent – including renowned Australian country artists Shane Nicholson, Bill Chambers, The Wolfe Brothers, Kevin Bennett, Fanny Lumsden, Lyn Bowtell and Felicity Urquhart as well as blues/roots performers such as Jeff Lang, Mark Lizotte (Diesel), William Crighton, Matt Walker, Mia Dyson, Fiona Boyes and Dallas Frasca.
International artists include Justin Townes Earle, Steve Poltz, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bob Margolin and Hubert Sumlin. Cornelius has also been invited to open for the likes of Eric Bibbs, Joe Bonamassa and Honeyboy Edwards.
But despite his many national – and international – musical adventures (he first performed overseas when he was 19), Cornelius remains a proud Tasmanian.
He was born in Launceston and grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of St Marys, with this country upbringing allowing “time, space and freedom for creativity”. And he’s excited to be sharing his new album with fellow Tasmanians before launching it interstate.
Cornelius’s inspiration for lyrics, harmony and rhythm continues to be drawn from his Tasmanian heritage, including the Tassie landscape and the stories of the people who call our island state home. He made the album solely in Tasmania, using only Tasmanian artists, with recording and mixing and mastering sessions at both Wilder Tasmania studio at Gowrie Park – in the foothills of Mt Roland – and Cornelius’s Elephant Room studio on Mt Elephant with co-producer Matt Fell. The 10 songs on Southern showcase how Cornelius’s musical style has evolved over time – now steeped in “heartfelt blues, greasy soul with bold Americana overtones”.
The only thing not done in Tasmania was the physical pressing of the CD and the LP – the album will be independently released and will be available on CD, vinyl and digitally.
“It’s a wonderful thing,’’ Cornelius says of being able to produce a product like this in Tasmania to showcase Tassie talent.
“Not only for creativity, but it’s also a bit of a postcard or show reel – for fellow Tasmanians and also for mainlanders to get a snapshot of what we get up to.’’
From the rollicking opening track Cruikshank – based on the true maritime tale of Blythe Star, a ship that met its untimely fate off the rugged south-west coast of Tasmania in 1973 – to Sick Of This Town which explores the desire to throw off the shackles of small town life, the album is already attracting high praise from those within the industry.
Musician Josh Cunningham, one third of Aussie band The Waifs, says Cornelius has “crafted an album of grit, toughness and beauty”.
“His guitar playing is as lyrical and evocative as his vocal delivery and features as a second “voice” on the record – the two complementing rather than competing with each other in sheer storytelling perfection,’’ he says.
“Cornelius’s guitar prowess is inescapable throughout Southern – perhaps even more notable on account of the tasteful, understated restraint that characterises his playing. It’s a perfect companion to the lyrical depth and rich imagery on show. From the deepest south of Tasmania, Pete Cornelius has revealed himself as the real deal and created an album that showcases an artist at the peak of his powers.”
Cornelius has released 12 albums – Southern will be his 13th, and it will also be the 5th album produced solely under his name.
He fondly casts his mind back to his very first album, Blue Jam, a cassette he released when he was just 13.
“I only made 50 copies and I sold them or gave them away to family and friends,’’ Cornelius recalls.
“Dad had a little project studio – he and a mate went halves in a little 8-track reel to reel studio close to Bicheno. We did it properly – with drums, bass, keyboards and vocals. And I learnt a lot about recording and microphone technique.’’
His first commercially available album, Steppin’ Out In Blue, followed a couple of years later when he was in grade 10 at school.
His backing band has changed over the years and these days typically consists of “whoever is available and whoever wants to jump onboard’’ which Cornelius believes brings added richness to his music.
“I’ve had four or five different drummers and four or five different bass players,’’ he says.
“Which I think is fantastic, I really cherish the fact that I can make music with so many different people. Everyone brings a different flavour or a difference experience or different musical interests within a band, it just gives it a bit more scope … I definitely learn so much from each person.’’
He chose to work with a producer on his newest album, and had a great time learning from Matt Fell, a Golden Guitar and ARIA-winning producer who moved to Tasmania from Sydney a couple of years ago.
“I’ve always self-produced and self-recorded pretty much from home, I’ve got a nice little set-up here and I feel comfortable in my own environment,’’ Cornelius says.
“But I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone. Matt has got a lot of Golden Guitars, he’s pretty well respected in his field and I’ve played guitar with some of his artists over the years. I felt the time was right to start working with someone like that who could have really good input into my material. He’s a really nice guy to hang out with, he’s really easy to get along with and I trust his judgement and experience.’’
Cornelius has witnessed huge change within the music industry since he started performing live almost three decades ago. Back then, there were no online streaming platforms like Spotify, and no social media to contend with.
“The way we conduct business now is so different,’’ Cornelius explains.
“I remember catching the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Melbourne and getting out the Melways (street directory) to try and navigate our way through the city – we’d pull over with the map, and get out the big brick mobile to call someone. Things have definitely changed.’’
The wealth of social media platforms and streaming services means marketing and publicity are more challenging in some ways, as it’s easy to get lost in a sea of other musicians. But the increased access to technology also means people can listen to music they would not otherwise have had access to, and fans can be in any part of the world.
“We can listen to whatever we want from wherever, it’s so easy now,’’ Cornelius says.
“Before, you had to take music to the people (at gigs), but now you can do that from your loungeroom if you’re smart about the way technology works. For me, the bulk of my audience is the over-50 crowd, so they’re not as into computers and that kind of thing. So touring and performing at festivals and pubs and clubs is still a big part of what I do.’’
Cornelius enjoys the creative liberties that come with live performance, and also thrives on the “instant feedback” from a buzzing crowd, but is equally comfortable in a recording studio.
He is also the founder and host of Say It With Guitars, a podcast created in 2022 which is now in its third season. It’s a podcast made by musicians, for musicians and lovers of all-things guitar, with a focus on Australian guitar players, makers, producers and collectors.
Cornelius has also been doing some paid audio engineering work – as well as guitar and drum tutoring and band mentoring – at St Marys District School in recent years. It’s the school he once attended (some of the same teachers still work there) and it’s also where his three children aged 13, 11 and 7 are now students.
“I didn’t enjoy much about school, apart from music,’’ Cornelius says of his younger years.
“I just thought about music, all day, every day.’’
He’s grateful to his parents and his extended family – who still live at St Marys – for encouraging his teenage dreams of becoming a career musician.
Cornelius recalls that in those early days his dad would be booking local, interstate and overseas shows, and driving band members and gear in the van, as well as playing drums in the band. He eventually stepped back from that role, allowing his son to take the reins, and Cornelius says he’ll be forever grateful for his dad’s support and guidance.
Cornelius’s own children have shown an interest in performing and Cornelius can’t help but wonder if he’ll one day be travelling around and performing with one of his kids, just as he and his dad did all those years ago.
Cornelius enjoys the balance of lifestyle and work that his music career has afforded him, and says he especially enjoys the lifestyle of East Coast living. He hasn’t travelled as much since having children but has enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with more local musicians.
“I have always been my own boss, I haven’t really had any other sort of employment,’’ Cornelius says.
“I’m absolutely honoured (to have had such a long and successful music career). There have been times where I have thought ‘I just need a break’ or ‘Just give it up’ or ‘Just get a day job’ but I’ve sort of persisted.
“I’ve worked out that I need to have some sort of musical thing going on, for me to be me. I struggle if I don’t do a show for two or three weeks, or play music with some friends, or have some sort of musical output. During the Covid period I couldn’t perform and I just didn’t feel like myself.’’
Looking back, Cornelius says his 13-year-old self was ambitious, but would have been blown away by the many musical experiences that were destined to come his way.
“It’s pretty wild when you sit back and reflect like that,’’ he says.
“I think I had pretty big visions and big dreams. The idea of stardom was a bit more prevalent when I was younger, I wanted to rub shoulders with the greats. But a lot of that stuff changes (as you mature) and I’m just happy to do what I’m doing, I really am.’’
Pete Cornelius will launch his 13th album, Southern, with a show at Bicheno (with support act Raccoon Dog) on February 7 from 7-10pm. He will also perform at Lilydale (February 8, 7-10pm, with Raccoon Dog), Gowrie Park (February 9, 2-6pm, support act Thomas Mitchell), Hobart (February 14, 7-10PM, support act Rupert Bullard) and at Copping (February 16, 2-6pm, with Lightnin’ Sim & Heidi Barker). Tickets $30 pre-sale or $35 at the door. Details at petecornelius.com