Press Kit
THAT WAS THE DAY
Release Date: December 8th 2023
Lilystar Records
Sydney songwriter Bryan Estepa returns with a brand new single ‘That Was The Day’, originally written and recorded as a solo release by Daniel Wylie of the band Cosmic Rough Riders.
A couple of years ago Bryan Estepa partnered with multi ARIA and APRA award-winning Australian songwriter Josh Pyke for an exciting new batch of songs. With Pyke producing and playing on Estepa’s songs the pair recorded the critically acclaimed singles ‘Admit Now, Pay Later’, ‘Trick Of The Light’ and the title track of the 2021 EP they all appeared under – Back To The Middle.
After focusing on playing live, both solo and with his current band, releasing early material from his early 2000s band Adeline, and forming Delta Green, a band that thrillingly and authentically pays homage to English blues rock, Estepa now returns to the melodic indie and power pop on which he’s forged his musical career.
This time around he and producer/musician Michael Carpenter have recorded a version of ‘That Was The Day‘, a song written and previously released by Daniel Wylie (Cosmic Rough Riders) on his 2006 album The High Cost of Happiness.
Estepa has recorded the song as part of a 30th Anniversary compilation by his Spanish label Rock Indiana Records, due for release in 2024.
“This was conceptualised, recorded and mixed all in the same day by my good friend and one of Australia’s top producers, Michael Carpenter,” Estepa explains. “MC is one of those brilliant folks that I can trust to pull something off like this! Carpenter also produced my debut album All The Bells and Whistles which was/is an important factor in where I am today as an artist.”
The song eases from the speakers with gentle acoustic guitar and classic piano as Estepa sets the lyrical scene. There’s an exquisite simplicity and innocence to the song in the hands of Estepa, a love song that doesn’t over-complicate things as it cuts to the core of love and devotion.There are hints of the Beach Boys, George Harrison, the country rock of The Jayhawks and the melodic nous of Wilco in the song’s sound and instrumentation.
“I guess this a bit of a departure for me in the sense that it’s the first cover I’ve officially released as a single. But it’s an easy choice because I believe it’s one of the great indie love songs of the past 20 years and perfectly complements my own songwriting sensibilities. It’s one of those songs which I wish I could have written!“
“This is a simple, genuine and beautiful love song that I hope can connect with all who listen to it.“
‘That Was The Day’ is available now on Lilystars Records and via Bandcamp, streaming services and Amrap for our community radio friends across Australia.
Single credits:
Music and Lyrics by Daniel Wylie
Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Michael Carpenter
at The House Studio (September 2023)
Performed by:
Bryan Estepa – Vocals & Guitars
Michael Carpenter – Drums, Bass, Guitars, Piano, Organ, Guitars and Backing Vocals
Cover Art by Talk.Ink. Photo by Dominic Meler.
“Bryan’s a great writer and collaborator. He’s got a classic pop sensibility but is really open to feedback and experimentation which made my job as producer really fun and free.”
– Josh Pyke
“Both the track and its video are a testament to Estepa’s status as a widely-unsung hero of the Australian music scene, and gives listeners an idea of what is still to come from this beloved and critically-acclaimed artist.”
– Rolling Stone Australia (‘Admit Now, Pay Later’)
