BRADLEY MCCAW RELEASES LIVELY SINGLE “DAYDREAMING GIRL”
Australia-based contemporary R&B artist Bradley McCaw releases the lively sophomore single — “Daydreaming Girl” — from his debut 10-track album, Worried Minds. Characterized by energetic horns, clever lyrics and a beat of sweet nostalgia, the track highlights McCaw’s ability to seamlessly combine blue-eyed soul, Motown vibes, rock ‘n’ roll, and catchy pop melodies.
Top Shelf Music Magazine exclusively unveiled the song yesterday raving, “The track exudes pure, feel-good rock vibes, enhanced by the soaring saxophone played by none other than Australian music legend Andrew Oh. With the saxophone leading the way, the band’s energy becomes unstoppable, charging forward like a runaway train.”
Succeeding the release of lead single “I Want You Back” — a romantic retro groove, inspired by LA legends Toto and Boz Scaggs — the song marks a special moment for McCaw as it’s the first song he ever wrote. Best identified as a true love song, the track is inspired by the classic heartfelt ballads of Bruce Springsteen and the old-school vocals of The Beach Boys.
“The echo in the chorus came about by chance, when I performed the tune to a school choir and they spontaneously sung the line back to me. It felt so good I kept it in all these years later,” shares McCaw. “It’s just pure, feel good rock. As soon as that soaring saxophone is played by Australian music legend Andrew Oh, like a runaway train, the band just can’t be stopped.”
Worried Minds is an eclectic mix of songs showcasing a breadth of songwriting ability from McCaw, with his captivating voice front and center. The record was produced by guitarist Louie Shelton, L.A. session legend and member of the acclaimed band The Wrecking Crew, who has worked with Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond among many others. Also featured on the album is bass player Nathan East, founding member of contemporary jazz group Fourplay, who has collaborated with legendary artists such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Stevie Wonder and more.
Having released five singles in the past year, McCaw has expanded his audience to over 80 countries, gaining attention on major Australian TV networks, charted Top 10 on the iTunes Charts, performed a sold out show in New York City and reached over 3 million streams on his videos on Facebook alone.
We had the chance to chat with him on his new album.
Could you share the significance of the title "Worried Minds"
I wrote WORRIED MINDS immediately after being on the phone with a friend. They had asked me about my one year plan.. my five year plan... and challenged my entire philosophy for living basically! Well they must have been right because I got off the phone, jumped on my upright piano and this song came out. It was pretty much done in one sitting. One of those songs that just arrives fully formed.
With that in mind, How does it fit in the overall theme of the album?
Worried Minds is all about the everyday stress of living and making choices. I realised this week, this album started a decade ago. I first reached out to Louie Shelton (my co-producer) in 2011. We recorded a band in 2013 and then it went on shelf while I worked on a new musical for seven years. Then as covid broke, I like many people got very reflective about life and my career and I realised I wasn't happy. I had lost my way. I had always planned to finish this album and create the kind of music I'd like to hear on the radio. So that's what I did during the various lockdowns in Australia. It was incredible that the songs and particularly the title track had new meaning in 2020/21. The album became about finding a new way of living and thinking for myself and creating music that hopefully makes people feel good when they listen to it.
Out of all of the songs in this album what one was the most challenging to write?
Because this is my debut album I had lots of songs to choose from and years to develop them. But 'Someone Like You' was the last song to take shape. I was singing/writing it as a Bob Seger type country rock solo thing and when we got to final vocals, it wasn't working. The band was great, but when recording my final vocal I couldn't make the 2nd verse work. Each time I tried it fell flat. I went back home and I listened to the song again with Louie looking for new ideas. But this time we had a mix bounced during recording that week that had only my first verse on it... Well when it got to the empty second verse he said 'Oh...it could be a duet?' And that was it. Whether he would have had that idea without the second verse missing we will never know - but it taught me that if a song is challenging, it's not always the writing that's getting in the way.
Has a stranger ever changed your life?
I was making a documentary podcast in New York a few years ago and a stranger came up to me on the subway and asked me 'why do I have all these microphones?' I explain I'm an Australian here making a podcast about musicals in NYC and we jump on the next subway and ride for 20 minutes just talking about art, culture and the evolution of hip hop in the city. We recorded the whole conversation and it's in the final episodes that will be released later this year, but he changed my life through his openness and kindness. He taught me that we are all connected in ways we don't expect. That it doesn't matter where we are from, it's our intention that matters. That was also the moment I fell in love with New York, but I'll leave that to the podcast.
What can be found in your room that can’t be found in anyone else’s room?
A beautiful old blue lamp that belonged to my late Grandmother.
Do you think the image you have of yourself matches the image people see you as?
Wow that's a good question. Honestly, I imagine everyone has a different view of who I am. But mostly I hope people see someone that just loves music. Lives for music.... Someone that's just making some 'feel good' old school sounds.
