Yours Truly – Very Together

Yours Truly, comprising the talents of Sydney’s Ken Stewart and Adelaide’s David Robinson, launch the digital version of their debut CD on Wednesday, 18 December, 2013.

Very Together features eight numbers penned by the duo; songs that have formed the backbone of Yours Truly gigs for past couple of years.

Ken and David first encountered each other in the heady days following the punk explosion of the late seventies, and quickly discovered that they shared similar sensibilities. A strong sense of knowing where you come from, coupled with an awareness of the difference between right and wrong, are hallmarks of both the relationship and the music they make. The mod-revival bands to which they belonged often found themselves on the same bill, providing great opportunities for after-show drinks and setting the world to rights.

Ken and The Urban Guerillas left Adelaide for Sydney in the mid 1980s, and are still playing today. David stayed in Adelaide, plying his trade in many guises before settling on a solo career in 1994. After not seeing each other for many years, the pair hooked up again in the mid 1990s, and after a few meetings it was clear that they still had much in common. It seemed only logical that they should hook up and play together. Thus, Yours Truly was born.

Yours Truly have played live to enthusiastic responses in both Adelaide and Sydney, have appeared on radio and released an EP, Shining Light, in late 2011.

The Very Together album captures the Yours Truly live sound and whether you call it urban folk, punk-pop or acoustic rock, there’s no doubting the energy and passion.

Together and apart, Ken and David have appeared on 30+ albums, played hundreds of gigs, and have never been afraid to show their support for worthy causes. Yours Truly played at May Day celebrations in Sydney in 2012 and 2013, and also performed at the Benefit Concert for the Alistair Hullet Memorial Fund. David and Ken have appeared separately at the Hiroshima Never Again Rally, Bringing Restoration Marathon Charity Concert, Save Our Brickworks and Greenpeace benefits.

There is a passion and energy in the music, something all too rare in these modern times. The songs tell tales of ordinary people, their lives and the effect that the machinations of the romantic, corporate and political worlds have upon them.

CD Review by Graham Blackley

Sydney’s Ken Stewart and Adelaide’s David Robinson, who have a rich pedigree in the Australian music scene, have created a vibrant Mod-tinged acoustic power pop sound on this lively eight-track album.

The acoustic guitar explodes with rhythm, melody and drive while the vocal harmonies are vibrant, organic and full of zest.

Although occasional echoes of The Beatles, The La’s, The Auteurs and Oasis can be detected, Yours Truly pumps out a fresh and original sound.

One of the many highlights of this album is the thought-provoking lyrics.

For example, opening track Shining Light provides clever insights into the impact that modern social media can have on real human relationships: “Life begins when you begin to type… Don’t you know that there is another world out there/A place where you won’t need to find a mask to wear/A world that’s real where people take you as you are.”

On the punky Here Come the Americans Yours Truly provides the type of biting social commentary that Midnight Oil was renowned for back in their heyday.

After enjoying every moment of this album, I’m now hungry to catch this powerhouse duo live and loud!