Everyman troubadour

Perusing the cover of Brett Every’s debut album, Camping Out, it would appear that the affable singer-songwriter has made a conscious decision to present himself as a gay artist.

Against the stark white background of the album’s sleeve, two men’s suits lie alongside each other, seemingly holding hands.

I wanted something that connected to the songs on the album, Every told the Star.

Even just from the titles of the songs, you can figure out that they’re relating to same-sex issues. I used to sing in a rock band where I’d keep the songs gender-neutral, so I didn’t have to declare that it was a -˜he’ I was singing about.

Once I started writing more truthfully, I wanted that to be the strength of the album. I didn’t want people to think -˜Is he singing about a guy or a girl?’ I thought, let’s be obvious and clear and unapologetic about it.

The Sydney-based singer released the album late last year via iTunes and his website, and has already found interest overseas, with several American websites giving rave reviews.

Considering the overtly homo tone of the songs, Every said he was surprised to see his music reaching beyond the gay ghetto.

I think it’s interesting to hear a male voice singing to another male -” I don’t think you hear that very often, he said.

It obviously works for me, but I wanted to know if it would just be gay people who’d be into that. It turns out there’s a whole lot of straight people who really love it as well, without feeling that they’re excluded.

Every’s songs deal with themes of yearning and unrequited love -” subjects most gay listeners know only too well.

I used to think love songs were cliched, that there was nothing new and special that you could say in a love song. But I really turned towards finding new and fresh things to say in love songs with this album.

info: Brett Every plays in Sydney as part of Mardi Gras on March 6 & 9. Details: www.myspace.com/brettevery