INXS co-founder, Andrew Farriss, is using a rollicking video set on board the historic Mary Valley Rattler to promote the release of his debut solo album this Friday, 19 March.
‘Run Baby Run’ has been released as a single ahead of the album launch, and the video tells a tale of freedom complete with a heroine on the run – played by Gympie’s own star country singer, Caitlyn Shadbolt – who jumps on board the Rattler to escape her tormentor, where Farriss is performing the song.
Farriss had been exploring the idea of an outlaw-themed album release for over a decade, and a gig at the Gympie Muster inspired him to return to Mary valley to produce the video.
“It is a feel good kind of song,” he said recently in an interview. “The idea of the song is about being liberated, you always want to feel like you are young, and may the young forever run free.”
The cinematic video directed by Duncan Toombs includes circus performers and vaudeville characters, while drone footage captures the spectacular scenery as the 100 year old C17 Class Steam Locomotive makes its way through the Mary Valley to Amamoor Station.
Run Baby Run was co-written by Farriss, Bruce Wallace and Phil Barton in Nashville, and recorded with some of the best Nashville musicians.
“The message of freedom, and getting away from it all, is exactly what the Mary Valley offers visitors, so we couldn’t be happier with Andrew’s song and video,” said Micheal Green, General Manager of the Mary Valley Rattler.
“We were thrilled that the Rattler was selected for the video, because the narrative epitomises the ‘romance of the rails’, which is at the heart of the Rattler experience.
“Andrew got the idea when he attended the Gympie Muster and thought the Rattler would perfectly fit the theme of the song.
“It was even better that he cast Gympie’s own country legend, Caitlyn Shadbolt, in the lead role. She was the star performer at the Rattler’s relaunch in 2018, and we really value both her singing talent and her support for the Rattler and the local region.
“The video includes many performers and extras from Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, and it was a real community effort that captures the best of the region.
“The video has already attracted international attention for both the song and the setting, and is destined to entice even more visitors to Gympie and the Mary Valley.”
Andrew Farriss and his band will start a national tour in April to promote the new album. It will include a concert at Nightquarter on the Sunshine Coast on Friday 14th May. For full details of the tour and the album – https://andrewfarriss.com/
For more information about the Mary Valley Rattler: www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au