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Brendan Maclean and Jack Colwell

Written by Krathyn White

Brendan Maclean and Jack Colwell represent something exciting and fresh about the new wave of singer/songwriter talent emerging in Sydney

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Brendan Maclean and Jack Colwell represent something exciting and fresh about the new wave of singer/songwriter talent emerging in Sydney, presenting a decidedly fresh proposition for anyone who thought being young, gay and creative meant auditioning for Australian Idol, hamming up with some kind of neo-cabaret act or dancing in drag on a bar in a dank gay hovel.

Accomplished musicians in their own rights, Brendan has been playing piano, singing and songwriting for years, while Jack is a Conservatorium of Music High School veteran, proficient on bass guitar and double bass (with a bit of harp thrown in for good measure).

Citing influences ranging from Regina Spektor, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell through to classical composition and tango music, Brendan and Jack are unashamedly next-generation indie kids (hell yeah!), and the most refreshing thing about Messers Maclean and Colwell is the fact their sexuality doesn’t permeate every aspect of their art. 

“The gay ideal seems to revolve around dancing in dark spaces with strangers while sniffing, snorting, smoking or shovelling some sort of substance into your body,” deadpans Brendan.

“I don’t relate to any of that. The urge to write, record and perform for like-minded people – even if it’s only a room of six people – is the most important thing for me. Connecting with people in that way is extraordinary and goes beyond anything I’ve ever really experienced,” he says.

The urge to create and communicate is just as strong for Jack, who takes inspiration from the broader world in which he moves.

“The inspiration to write could be something as simple as a feeling – joy, sadness, love, loss – as long as you keep yourself open to what life has to offer, the good and the bad, there’s no limit of material from which to take inspiration,” he says.

Sydneysiders can catch Brendan playing at BarMe on Thursday 20 September with Annaliese Szota and Mark Wilkinson. Jack’s not sure when his next gig will be, but lookout for a combined Jack & Brendan show in Sydney sometime this October. 

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