Love It Here – a country rocker love letter by Dane Sharp
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
From the distorted tremolo guitar in the intro, to the jangling keyboard figure, you know you’re in the middle of a sonic tempest in the key of D. Country rock artist, Dane Sharp brings heart, grit and hometown pride to his brand new single, Love It Here Inspired by the people he meets while touring Australia’s remote country towns, the song is a feel-good anthem for those who truly love where they live. “We took a hell of a chance, selling up, getting out of the city, Friends all said we were crazy, it was such a pity,” starts the journey to the wide open spaces, friendly faces and the pure joy of living off the grid.
Solid kick drum hammers out the timing of this mid tempo rocker as electric guitars slash through the progression leaving lots of room for Sharp to tell the story as he capably sings with a throaty growl, “We got records, we got a case of lust, country girls and old cowboys swimming in a sea of dust. We got moonshine, we got ice cold beer, a one way road to bring you home and we love it here.” Written from the road, the song celebrates the small town life, where the pace is slower, the smiles come easier and a sense of community runs deep.
Dane Sharp is an Australian singer/songwriter, filmmaker, writer and former professional soccer player. Originally from the small New South Wales coastal town of Nelson Bay, Sharp’s professional football career saw him play in England, Austria, United States and Australia until a series of serious knee injuries forced him into early retirement which lead him into the music and film business. Several years were spent honing his skills playing bars, restaurants and pubs until making a decision to cut an independent album.
A trip to Nashville, Tennessee to play and write the album at the same time, by luck and chance, saw Sharp perform on Tennessee TV to over one million viewers. Sharp’s first studio album, produced by Duncan Wood titled Nothing To Lose, was released in Feb 2008 under the Touchwood label. Sharp continued to release material to radio up until 2014 before taking an extended break to concentrate on film projects. February 2018 saw the end of the hiatus with the release of Time for Love a duet with Caroline Taylor-Knight.
With warm storytelling, rich vocals, and a melody that feels like home, Love It Here is a love letter to the folks who wouldn’t trade their country roots for anything. Love It Here is a reminder that happiness isn’t about where you go—it’s about the people who make you feel like you belong.