Making The Impossible happen

The Superjesus frontwoman Sarah McLeod says providing a song for the Rockin’ 4 the Homeless album is a way to keep the event’s heart beating in between live gigs.

The band, best known for hit singles Gravity, Secret Agent Man and Enough To Know, was booked to headline this year’s main concert which was cancelled due to COVID-19 after playing at last year’s gig.

Instead the Rockin’ 4 the Homeless organisers are producing an album called R4TH 2020 Album, The Greatest Hitters. It features 30 tracks from headline acts and local artists who have supported the event from the beginning.

These include Hoodoo Gurus, Salt and Steel, Team Utopia, Killtoys, The Gastons, Union Radio, Diana Anaid and many more.

The Superjesus have offered up their song The Impossible, which was released as a stand-alone single in 2019.

“I picked this one because it’s my favourite, maybe because it’s new but also because it’s got a good story, it’s got characters,” McLeod explains.

What’s the song about?

The track was inspired by conspiracy theories surrounding the 1969 moon landing, sparked by a “confessional video” McLeod saw online featuring director Stanley Kubrick.

“In the video, he admits to filming the moon landing on the set of 2001 A Space Odessey. I don’t know if it’s real or not because it’s in the dark … I’m not saying I believe it, but I thought that’s so interesting … there’s a song in it,” she says.

“It’s derived from that idea of a massive cover-up.”

The music video for the song is a spoof she wrote and directed, she was even the makeup artist on set.

She says it’s good to have a fun song, which had a story behind it, on the album. And it’s also a banger.

“It was our way of trying to help and in the absence of being able to play live, we can generate funds to channel back into the homeless,” McLeod says.

How the band got involved

“We met Dan Nebe, who drives this, through the Hoodoo Gurus at the Under the Southern Stars music festival (a few years ago). He explained the cause and what he was trying to do,” McLeod explains.

“The homeless situation in Queensland is out of control. At the time, I was living in Melbourne and the band was from Adelaide and we hadn’t seen it as bad down there. We were shocked.”

McLeod says she has been inspired by Nebe’s passion for the cause and his strong reputation in the industry gave her and the band the confidence to back it.

“People speak highly of him. He has dedicated his life to helping the homeless. Once we realised that, we wanted to jump on board because he’s in it for the right reasons,” she says.

Dealing with 2020

It has been a tough year for the music industry and like most, The Superjesus have had gigs cancelled as a result of COVID-19.

At the moment, McLeod is performing shows around Queensland as a solo artist showcasing a new-found skill.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, she taught herself to play the piano and she has thrown herself into the deep end.

“The best way to learn is to get in front of people. That’s how I learned the guitar … just learning on the job. You make mistakes but it’s the best way to get good quickly,” she explains.

“I’ve rewritten some Superjesus songs so they can be played on the piano. I’m really enjoying doing that.”

“I love playing the piano. It’s my lifeline. It’s made me love music again.”

She’s keen to incorporate the piano in some The Superjesus songs, when they can play live together again.

Tour plans

In the meantime, she has a full national tour planned in February called One Electric Lady Tour – she will play a modified combined bass and electric guitar, and trigger drums from the floor giving the effect of playing with a band.

She will even be her own support act, opening the show with a set – singing and playing the piano.

“I just want to play. I didn’t think I was good enough to be the headliner, but I know the headliner pretty well … she’s been good to me,” she says laughing.

Meet and greet

McLeod will be at the Redcliffe Markets this Sunday, December 6, from 10am for about an hour helping Rockin’ 4 the Homeless organisers sell copies of the album and meeting fans.

The markets are at Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe.

R4TH 2020 Album, The Greatest Hitters is out now and is available at businesses and online. For updates, go to the Rockin’ 4 The Homeless 2020 Facebook page.

Feature Image photo credit - Nix Cartel