Born in Queensland, and now based in Hobart, Dumaresq (pronounced “dju-merick”) is an artist who is appearing on these pages for the first time thanks to his upcoming album.
By Graeme Smith
Dumaresq is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who also features in the line-up of the indie rock band Maison Hall. His solo work sees him pushing boundaries and his new concept album The Resurrection of a Thylacine draws on mythology and nature to tell the story of a young scientist and the drama he creates.
A thylacine is an Australian animal also known as the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf that went extinct in 1936. Dumaresq’s album imagines that one (named Lazarus) is brought back to life and the story of it unfolds over twelve engaging tracks. It’s an unconventional premise so you’d expect some experimentation in the music to boot, and you wouldn’t be wrong to.
We get it right from the off during the slow, pensive and string-filled introduction of opening track Proteome. It gradually develops into a bass-rich post-rock number that ends big with an expansive, enveloping climax. From there, we get some echoing indie rock in the form of Absent Pixel before Reverse Lottery rounds off the album’s early listening with a grungy and visceral moment.
Concept albums need to tell a strong story and in this regard, A Resurrection of a Thylacine doesn’t disappoint. Dumaresq delivers his narrative through soulful vocals as we hear about a menagerie of creatures, the inner workings of the mind and the abuse of power. Cinematic references make the picture richer while Dumaresq brings plenty of his own poetry to proceedings.
The album’s other highlights include the contrast between the heavy end of Blood Brain Barrier and the acoustic lightness of Roaring, the primal scream of The Coil, the soaring Whelping Box, and the fuzzy, urgent Pyrrhus. Things end strongly with the vulnerable and slow-burning Remedies.
The Resurrection of a Thylacine was mastered by Grammy-winner William Bowden. Dumaresq recorded all instruments on the record, except the cello which was played by Georgia Shine. The album is set for release on 31 May and you can pre-save it here.
