Vocalist and esteemed songwriter Jae Laffer has ventured out from The Panics with debut solo album ‘When The Iron Glows Red’, an ode to the common man going through the rat race of life.
“The album’s named after a quote I took from the paper,” Jae explains.
“I was working on some songs, then I read this quote from the guy who was the last blacksmith in Hanoi. He said, ‘when the iron glows red, you earn your money and that is your life’, and it had a poetic nature to it.”
The ARIA and J Award winner was making money unloading shipping containers in his hometown of Perth when he came across the article, and could relate it to the songs he was writing about people he encountered in the workplace.
“There’s a struggle that comes with the quote, a sort of resignation that you earn your money and that’s your life, and I recognise that gnawing away at a lot of people. You’re out doing the things you’re supposed to do in society – making money and getting married, but there’s also the dream.
"You’ve got to fight the things that make you old and cynical. That’s what I write about. It’s a record of half struggle and half hope.”
The album leads with vibrant new single ‘Leave A Light On’, and is accompanied by news of a national tour this October.
“Originally I was going to perform in a laidback way, but I realised that to work in the live arena you need a burst of energy, so I’ve put together a full five piece group. It’s from my heart and it’s fun stuff to play so I think it will come across well in the clubs.”
Jae is doing his own thing for now, but fans of The Panics don’t need to... well, panic.
“We are working on a bunch of stuff,” he reassures me. “It’s always fun making music with a group of people who share the same vision, so I will always prioritise that. But life is quick, so do whatever the fuck you want. It’s empowering for your creative mind to step outside and make an album just because you feel like it.”
Jae Laffer plays Alhambra Lounge October 18 and The Loft (Chevron Island) October 19. ‘When The Iron Glows Red’ is out now.
