Biography
Formed in 1999, around singer songwriter Henry F. Skerritt, The Holy Sea became a mainstay of the Perth music scene. Drawing from a wellspring of Australian influences such as The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Nick Cave, The Holy Sea attracted a devoted following for their intelligent songwriting and passionate performances. In 2000 they released their debut album Blessed Unrest to critical acclaim, with The West Australian declaring it a work of “provoking depth” and “moody genius”.
In 2003, Skerritt - a singer/songwriter of diverse talents and interests relocated to Melbourne to indulge his passion for Australian art history - completing his Masters at the University of Melbourne before taking up a position as curator at one of Melbourne’s leading Indigenous art galleries. Skerritt’s passion for Australian history is reflected in many of his songs, which dwell upon the nature of identity and self amidst the great Australian poetic tradition. In 2007, Skerritt reunited with pianist Dan Hoey, guitarist Victor Utting and newly acquired drummer F. David Bower to reform The Holy Sea. The new look four piece entered the studio to produce their latest record, A Beginner’s Guide to the Sea.
“Occasionally there is a schism in the music world, an unexpected tremor of greatness.” - The West Australian
Eight years since the release of their critically lauded debut Blessed Unrest, THE HOLY SEA return with one of the most distinctive and heartfelt releases of 2008. From its pining pedal-steel opening to its final whispered words, A Beginner’s Guide to the Sea is an aching journey of love and loss, set amidst the ever present Australian landscape.
It has been a long time between drinks, but after a break of nearly five years, 2008 has seen The Holy Sea’s triumphant resurrection. Returning with the infectious new single Paddy, There’s Got to Be One More Bar Open and the evocative new album A Beginner’s Guide to the Sea, The Holy Sea have reasserted themselves as a distinctive voice in the Australian musical terrain. Staggering from the suburbs of Perth to the backstreets of Melbourne, A Beginner’s Guide to the Sea is a powerful exploration of geographic and personal dislocation exploring the time honoured themes of love death and alcohol.
Recorded under the watchful eye of producer David McLuney (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds/Kim Salmon) at Atlantis Sound, A Beginner’s Guide to the Sea sees The Holy Sea joined by their friends, pedal-steel legend Garrett Costigan (Tex, Don & Charlie/Mia Dyson), cellist Gareth Skinner (Ergot Derivative/Bzark), bass player Andrew Fuller (Spank/Sascha Ion and the Voodoo Economic) and vocalist Emma Frichot.
The artwork for the album was provided by leading Western Australian comic artist Edward J. Grug III. An album of studied contrasts and finely crafted songwriting, A Beginner’s Guide to the Sea balances pathos with humour, creating an album of mature intensity that showcases a band of seemingly inexhaustible emotive range. Swooning country ballads give way to rollicking drinking songs, taking the listener on an emotional journey across the continent.
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