Justin Dorin - Mojave (2020)

Known as the charismatic , no nonsense front man for International Alternative Rock powerhouse STONE EMPIRE, his brutal on stage presence, killer vocals and absolutely killer guitar riffs it may come as a shock to learn of Justin Dorin’s solo Acoustic music venture which he says “Is a different beast but my new songs certainly embody the energy you feel when you listen to the band”.

Returning home from America late 2017 after playing Hollywoods world famous Whisky a Go Go and The Grand Canyon Festival on both occasions supporting American heavyweights Powerman 5000 Justin returned to Australia and got straight to work finalising his much anticipated Acoustic Album.

“A marriage separation and dealing with the immense heartache that came from looking my then 6 year old daughter in the eye to reassure her it was all going to be ok, I wrote these songs ( Ayla, Wont Disappear, Enclosure) and worked on them with Aussie rock legend Buzz Bidstrup (The Angels) at his Sydney Studio.

During that period Stone Empire toured America and whilst on the road driving this cool beat up old van with my girlfriend and band through the Mojave Desert something truly magnetic got into my soul. I returned to Australia and just had this sound going around in my head and more songs just started flowing from me.

At that point I was living in this shitty old bus on a Vineyard waiting for my property settlement putting together the Albums title track ‘Mojave on my mind’ all by myself and loving the freedom of being totally in control of every aspect and living like a Gypsy, a very freeing experience. Some mornings I would drive to the beach for a cold shower because the camp shower was using in the bus stairwell would be way to hot the shower under then I would head back to the bus and just play around with the new songs while sweating my ass off in fifty degree heat in this massive metal and glass shell with zero relief from the heat but I still cherished every minute of it .

After a year of living like that I moved into my home where Amie and I had our beautiful son Austin but still I just had to express what this Indian / Desert thing was happening inside me so I hand painted this really cool Indian Headdress Artwork that now hangs in my Studio and instantly I knew that was my new Album Cover “.

Adding the new songs Justin finished recording the Album with Rhys Zacher at Spinlight Studios and The Blind Chihuahua Studio with world renowned Engineer Paula Jones who has worked with many of the worlds A list super stars like INXS, Rob Zombie, Nine Inch Nails, Elton John , Marilyn Manson.

Mojave is an Album which leaves no doubt Justin is no one trick Pony. With his focus on true songwriting his vocal abilities are on full display from his well known Stone Empire growl to surprising ethereal high notes and his natural warm mix of Chris Cornell meets Eddie Vedder tone.

Listening to the first track ‘Mojave On My Mind” the space in his Acoustic Guitar and vocal really takes you there, being on the road , in a van watching the Californian sunset as you drive across the American Desert. Justin has really captured that ‘thing’ that can’t be put into words . That American desert thing that can only come from the experience of being in a band on the road and Mojave nails it.

A truly game changing Album . The first track Mojave On My Mind is due for release mid June through Rhinoceros Music and we wish you the best of luck Justin.