Melbourne musician James McGuffie has been making music for a while now, but under a different name. After nearly a decade playing and touring in his band Mcrobin, James has embarked on a new chapter. He’s revealing more of himself than ever with his new track Lemon Tree, and it’s a privilege to hear such vulnerability and honesty in music.. As someone who’s currently living in a rental with a huge lemon tree, but is set to move to a place with a bare backyard, I really connected with this track. To me, much like James’ new moniker, it’s a sign of new beginnings. There’s something special about a garden, even when it doesn’t grow.

It’s a track that has eluded James for a while, attempting to re-record it over a dozen different ways. However, he always came back to the demo recording from the day it was written. We spend a lot of time being told that first drafts are just that, but sometimes they’re the purest representation of what emotions artists are trying to convey. I’m glad that James has gone with this version of the song, because I don’t think it would have the same charm if it was glossier and more produced. The hero of the track is his voice, and as it currently is, Lemon Tree allows listeners to fall in love with his voice.

Speaking about the track, James says it was inspired by failed gardening attempts. “At the time, I'd been thinking a lot about what it really takes to cultivate a great anything, and the best example I could think of that was my parents’ garden. It wasn't until I failed miserably, multiple times, to keep a bunch of plants alive, that I really came to terms with how much work my folks have put into their incredible garden over the years. This got me thinking about all the factors that can derail your pursuit of creating and nurturing an idea or project. The song stands as an ode to the pep talks we all give and receive, as we navigate the peaks and valleys of our own endeavours.”

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Check out Lemon Tree below. If you’re looking for a song you’ll really connect with, then I think this is it. James’ excitement to be making music under a new name, combined with his experience as a songwriter, has resulted in a track that’ll get some serious plays from me. If you’re a fan of artists like Bruce Springsteen and Paul Kelly, then this is for you!