INXS songwriter Andrew Farriss rides out at Mojo’s Fremantle

Famed musician Andrew Farriss sang a few of the more than 300 songs written in his time with INXS as he entertained an intimate WA crowd as the headline act. Performing at Mojos Bar in North Fremantle on Sunday, Farriss returned to his roots (Cottesloe) where he kicked off his musical career with siblings Jon and Tim playing the local scene as the Farriss Brothers (1977). It was standing room only with fans from those early days shouting out heartfelt memories. Raising to top billboard status with INXS (Original Sin was number one in 1984), Farriss, as keyboardist, and the late Michael Hutchence (frontman) toured the world for 20 years as best mates, writing pub rock lyrics along the way. The Mojos crowd drew tears when Farriss sang Never Tear Us Apart dedicated to Hutchence (1960-1997). He was accompanied on vocals from Ashley Leeds, who performed Jenny Morris’ She Has to Be Loved with the crowd watching her come alive. With acoustic guitar in hand, Farriss made known his new musical journey — a path reinforced when he saddled up to ride through the Apache Pass in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where the legendary Geronimo was laid to rest. With that romantic giddyap etched in his soul, he took the crowd on the journey singing Apache Pass to the beat of his band’s twangy sound with Travis New on lead guitar. With time spent in Nashville, Farriss has been busy writing and performing close to his heart, breaking ground with authentic country rhythm on tap with people that are “old school” and “work together”. Rolling Stone wrote Farriss was bringing stories of “outlaws, freedom, cowboys and love” to life when he released his self-titled debut album in March 2021. Using the art of country music storytelling, the NSW cattle rancher told the Mojos crowd that he didn’t want to eat food from a container imported from another country. His new song Southern Cross Shines was dedicated to Australia’s hardworking farmers. It will feature on his new album Prospector to be released next year.