The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns meant musicians throughout the world found themselves with more time on their hands to create.
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However, Steve Kilbey has been busier than most - writing plenty of music and painting.
"I haven't been sitting on the couch, smoking a bong and watching telly," he said.
"I made about five or six albums last year. Well, I released four albums last year, including a collaboration with Kate Ceberano, collaborations with a guitarist called Gareth Koch, and my own solo album, Eleven Woman.
"And as I stand here right now, I have another four albums waiting to come out, virtually finished and waiting to come out, including a Church album somewhere down the line.
"I'm on an incredible creative roll... All my experience, all my knowledge, everything is coming together."
Kilbey is best known as the singer and bassist of Sydney rock outfit The Church, renowned for classics such as Under the Milky Way and Unguarded Moment.
While he used the extra time to write and record, unfortunately the pandemic thwarted The Church's touring plans.
"In 2020, The Church had like four or five months' of touring pencilled in, including a huge tour of Europe and then a tour in America," he said.
"But it all disappeared, and in the wake of all that, I made myself busy.
"You know that Guns N' Roses album, Appetite for Destruction? I have an appetite for creation."
Kilbey said he had played about ten solo gigs since the pandemic began.
Kilbey will perform a solo show at The Music Lounge, Wollongong Town Hall on Thursday, January 28.
He will be performing songs from the first two The Church albums; Of Skins and Heart (1981) and The Blurred Crusade (1982).
Kilbey said COVID-Safe gig measures such as reduced capacities and social distancing were necessary for the time being.
"The musicians can still play and the audiences can still have fun; we've just got to keep a bit of distance from each other," he said.
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Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
