Track of the Day: Chalk “The Sometimes Always” (2019)

It’s been twenty four years since Brisbane rockers Chalk last showcased any new music, so now, with their first full length album on the way, we’re stoked to be naming “The Sometimes Always” as our Track of the Day!

A celebrated fixture of the Brisbane live music scene in the 90s, Chalk released a string of singles and EPs, before breaking off to focus on other projects. A 2014 reunion gig at iconic local venue The Zoo sparked a more permanent reforming, with Dave Gilbert being brought on board to flesh out the original lineup of James Kliemt (Singer/guitarist), Steve Swart (bass), Matthew Clark (guitar/vocals) and James Lees (drums).

The upcoming album, dubbed The Quiet City, is filled with tracks from the band’s 1993 – 1995 heyday, some recorded and released at the time, and some kept a little quieter. A few new songs will round out the collection, creating an album which frontman Kliemt hopes will tap into both the music they wanted to make back then and appeal to more current tastes.

Taster single “The Sometimes Always” combines both these sentiments, envisioned as a letter to Kliemt’s younger self. Kliemt says:

“I start out trying to make grandiose statements along the lines of the inspirational things people are supposed to say in these situations. But each time it breaks down when I realise my own feelings don’t really match up to the heroic things I am supposed to be projecting… Things deteriorate very quickly when I start fumbling around, dropping my notes, realising/confessing that I still don’t really have a clue what I’m doing, figuring that none of it matters because me back then isn’t going to listen to anything me now would say, and that both of us will just continue blundering along stuffing everything up anyway. In short, it’s about the feelings of loss and a yearning to do/have done things differently but ultimately also letting go of it all go.”

It’s been a long time coming, so don’t delay any longer – check out “The Sometimes Always” below!

You can keep up to date with all things Chalk via their Facebook.

Jodie Sloan

Living, writing, and reading in Brisbane/Meanjin. Likes spooky books, strong cocktails, and pro-wrestling.