Lorenzo Guevarra, an artist deeply influenced by the legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Leonard Cohen, has always been captivated by the art of truth-telling. His journey began busking on the streets of Sydney, honing a unique style shaped by countless performances.
After a brief hiatus from music in 2017 to pursue a more conventional path, he found himself drawn back to the ‘Tower of Song’ in 2023, reigniting his passion with the support of Sofar Sydney and his fellow artists. Now, with guitar in hand, Lorenzo is reclaiming his path and sharing his authentic self with the world.
His latest offering, ‘Rue Saint-Denis’, is a heartfelt postcard to Montréal, Quebec, born from a profound experience in the vibrant city. Written in his hotel room on Saint-Denis Street, the song is a gesture of gratitude for the warmth and welcoming spirit of Montréal's arts scene. In our latest interview, Lorenzo opens up about his musical beginnings, the inspiration behind his new single, and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way.
It's great to chat with you today, Lorenzo. You return to music has already delivering some stunning singles, but where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
“The starting line itself is quite blurry. I grew up around a somewhat musical family with a diet of 60s and 70s music. I gravitated to the poet-troubadours who were often lonesome, solitary creatures (such as myself).”
“The cathartic powers of writing made itself present to me in my late teens, when I had my heart skewered for the first time. I guess I haven’t stopped since.”
Your new single draws heavily from your life and experiences. Can you tell us a bit about it and what it means to you?
“I wrote ‘Rue Saint-Denis’ in my hotel room on… Rue Saint-Denis (French for Saint-Denis street) towards the end of my stay in Montréal. It fell out of me on the side of my bed whilst my heart was overflowing with gratitude for the whole episode of my existence.”
“I was laying there re-examining the hole in my heart left by an ex-lover (same lady from Côtes du Rhône, haha!) and how often I fantasised about Montréal to her and how much it would mean for me to be able to partake in the scene, albeit temporarily. I was falling deeper into melancholia dealing with the reality that I had no way of telling her that I made it; that I had fulfilled my self-appointed prophecy.”
“But then that sadness started to transform into a sense of fullness, upon feeling that the hole was indeed filled by the hospitality and love so generously granted to me by my new Quebecois friends. The song is a postcard to them.”
Are there any specific artists, moments, or experiences that you really drew on when putting ‘Rue Saint-Denis’ together?
“If I were to point out one, it would be making my first friend in Canada. His name was Raymond Chartrand. We met at Bar Courcelle for their open mic. He was sitting at a table next to mine when he turned around and said: “You look like you have the music in you.” From there sparked an unlikely friendship between an 82-year old and a 28-year old. I won’t specify who’s who!”
“Later during my stay, I got a chance to sit with him and interviewed him for an hour and learn about the city and its culture through his anecdotes. We had a lot of similarities. His hometown of Verdun, QC drew many similarities to my hometown of Ashfield, NSW.”
“That was probably one of the most important hours that transformed my identity not only as an artist but as a man. I learned a lot. Even the way I dress today is an attempt to emulate his very sleek style. So, salut to mon ami! Toujours dans mes pensées.”
You’ve spoke about how the song came to you in a hotel room. Was there a set songwriting process behind it, something that helped bring it out?
“I don’t really have one per se. I never sit down and think ‘today, I need to write this’. I often joke that I wait for someone to hurt my feelings. But when the songs do come out, they’re usually quick, as if the divine is hand-delivering it to me. The work of the evasive afflatus that escapes us all!”
“But I am constantly blackening pages to keep the tools sharp. Every now and then I’ll fish a line out of my rolodex of recollections to use in a song.”
What’s the most important thing when you’re writing a song?
“To be brutally honest. It’s become a bit of a calling card in my local scene of inner-west Sydney. ‘The guy who loses his marbles and starts vigorously attacking his poor little nylon-string.’
"The older I’ve gotten, the more daring I’ve been to borderline on the macabre. That said, ‘Rue Saint-Denis’ is on the opposite end of that spectrum, haha!”
How would you describe your sound on the new single? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began writing?
“’Rue Saint-Denis’ is a natural progression to my original musical style of indie-folk. There are subtle details that fans of ‘As Well As I Do’ will notice.”
“I’ve evolved as a fingerpicker. By no means close to Tommy Emmanuel but I can spell out melodies better whilst maintaining the backbeat.”
“Also more importantly, and probably by virtue of my age, my relationship with the English language continues to deepen. I’m capable of more complex acrobatics when it comes to phrasing my lines. Although come to think of it, my introduction to French/Quebecois has also opened some lyrical avenues. This will only become more apparent in future releases.”
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in the single? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?
“A theme of community if anything. Most of us are so focused on the music ‘industry’ that we neglect the ‘community’ aspect of the gift we share. I felt so welcomed by the local scene. Not once did they make me feel like a foreigner.”
“It’s something I’ve brought back home. To be a good host to any visitors I may meet. I want folks to make good memories here in Sydney, just like I was able to do in Montréal; and I think it starts with the people.”
Do you have any advice you would give to bands and artists who are just starting out and trying to find their sound?
“In the words of my friend, monsieur Chartrand, ‘You got to dare’. If you have the guts to get up on stage and bare your soul in front of your fellow human beings, you have already earned your first stripes.”
“And in the words of my dear friend, Tom Southey, ‘Have realistic standards. If you’re not releasing any music at all, then just focus on getting something out there’. I feel like a lot of us suffer from ‘demo syndrome’ and never get over it. Perfectionism is quite common but at some point, one must be able to live with a certain degree of imperfection. With every single one of my releases, there’s always a little detail that I and I alone notice.”
“And here’s a pesky little secret: all your favourite records have them too!”
Looking back so far, what has been your best moment as a musician or band so far?
“Going all the way to Canada looking for Leonard Cohen but instead finding myself.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience?
“Many thanks for your kind hospitality and attention! The songs only have meaning when people can relate so thank you, kindly.”
“Et pour mes amis du Montréal: Merci beaucoup pour tout! À bientôt!”
Lorenzo's story is a powerful testament to the transformative nature of music and the importance of staying true to yourself. His dedication to honest storytelling, coupled with his genuine appreciation for community, shines through in every note. We can't wait to see where his journey takes him next, but one thing's for sure: he'll continue to bare his soul, one beautifully crafted song at a time.
You can stream ’Rue Saint-Denis’ on all your favour digital streaming platforms now, and for more from Lorenzo, be sure to connect on Instagram.
Photo credit: Karine Laurence
