We find ourselves in Jack Ladder’s blue period. A time for melody to take control. A time to rest between darkness and light. A time for romance, the kind that comes with tragedy and comedy, the sight of a clown lost in back streets after midnight clutching a rose and a purse and wearing no shoes. A crowd of musical influences – the kitchen sink drama of 60’s Scott Walker, the frenetic assault of early Brian Eno, the existential country of Will Oldham and the cold confidence of “I’m Your Man” era Leonard Cohen – combine to form an idiosyncratic sound that could be only his. On Blue Poles he’s once again joined by The Dreamlanders, Australia’s very own misfit supergroup including Donny Benét on bass, Laurence Pike on drums, plus Ben Hauptmann and the one-man cabaret act, Kirin J Callinan on guitars.