Singer-songwriter Corey Legge has already found music chart success with his new singles ahead of the release of his second album Some Days, debuting behind country superstar Keith Urban on one.
His song Fireball debuted at number eight on the Australian Country Radio charts and he received high rotation on ABC Country with his first single Last Night I Dreamt of You.
"It's been amazing, I'm really blown away by the radio support," Legge said from his home base of Wollongong.
"I certainly don't consider myself a country artist, but a lot of my new songs have a country vibe to them."
He said this country vibe began after he heard the new album by singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, which he described as a "turning point".
"I've been obsessed with that ever since and have noticed my songwriting has been hugely influenced by his first few albums," Legge said.
While it is a difficult time to be an artist the former Bega Valley musician seems to have barely taken a breath after his previous album, as Driving Out Of Eden only came out last year.
Some Days was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has decimated the music industry as a whole, but Legge found the extra few months useful to promote film clips and build momentum.
"It's probably been less chaotic than a normal album release, because I'm not constantly on the road and trying to release music at the same time," he said.
"The original plan was to release the singles while touring Europe!"
One of his new film clips is for the album's title track, which showcases Legge's old stomping ground the Bega Valley and involved people from the community in the clip's creation.
Legge describe his new album as his most mature release yet as well as the most diverse, as it ranges from alternate country to folk and rock.
"I'm certainly finding myself as a singer-songwriter," he said.
"A constant theme in the album is pushing myself to be the best that I can be and quite often biting off more than I can chew and getting into some interesting situations!"
Aside from his solo material Legge is also known for his work in popular blues rock outfit The Swamp Stompers, but after eight years the band's members have decided to break up, with Legge saying they have "all changed direction in life".
"I'm just feeling really confident writing in this new style and I think it's a better reflection of me as a person," he said.
"All good things come to an end."
Legge will soon embark on an album release tour and will perform a solo acoustic show at the Cobargo Hotel, Cobargo on Saturday, September 12 from 8pm, supported by Bega singer-songwriter Felicity Dowd.
The 10-track Some Days releases on September 1 and will be available on Legge's website.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
