Freshwater Road

Freshwater Road is a collection of music performed and composed by acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Lucas Michailidis. In keeping with earlier work, it finds him in a solo setting, performing unaccompanied instrumental compositions that draw from a broad musical palette. With a penchant for character-rich melodies he is lyrical, audacious and at times, downright scandalous.

Michailidis states that whilst the tranquil nature of his previous CD The Offering attracted significant attention, this release prompted an undeniable urge to shake things up and keep people guessing. "In terms of growth, it's imperative that one continues to cultivate other dimensions of oneself and music."

The consequence of this shake-up can be found in repertoire that pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix – Jewels, Dig This – along with other funk-driven, blues-based styles such as Strut. The title track is a rollicking bluegrassy jaunt, while Alia celebrates the unfettered spirit of calypso.

During the album's three-year writing process, Michailidis performed extensively throughout Australia and abroad. He was winner of the 2001 International Open Strings competition in Germany and has had work published by leading American fingerstyle authority John Stropes, associated with the likes of Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges and Alex de Grassi.