Angus was born on the 11th June 1982 in Melbourne, Victoria. he started playing trumpet at the age of twelve, and learnt to scat from listening to jazz recordings. He went to Malvern Primary School, where he often sang at school assemblies. He then went to McKinnon Secondary College and was taught by Ian Orr in Melbourne before studying at the Victorian College of the Arts. In 2006 he appeared twice as a panellist on the ABC Australian Music Quiz show Spicks and Specks. Angus is also part of The Conglomerate, a four-piece Melbourne jazz band. He also played basketball for the Malvern Tigers Basketball Club, and used to wear the club's black and yellow singlet while performing at gigs. He is married to Emily Lubitz, the lead singer of Tinpan Orange.
His side project, Jackson Jackson, is a partnership with producer and film composer Jan Skubiszewski (Two Hands, The Rage in Placid Lake, Last Man Standing). "Jackson Jackson and the New Apocalypso Beat" features Melbourne trio The Genie (composed of Ollie McGill on keyboards and keytar, Ryan Monro on bass, and Will Hull-Brown on drums). His backing singers are known as "The Jackson Jackson 5" (made up of Elana Stone, Karishma Sadhai, Bec Ari, Chantal Mitvalsky, and Rory Osman). Jackson Jackson are signed to EMI, and their debut album The Fire Is on ohe Bird was released in 2007. In 2008 they released their second album. Tools for Survival.
Angus is a member of The Conglomerate, and plays trumpet on four tracks of the debut album Aroona Palace by Tinpan Orange, which also features Ollie McGill.
He has also released two folk/acoustic solo albums: Live at the Famous Spiegeltent (2008) and Little Stories (2011).
Bring the Rain
Harry James Angus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the corner of the dusty yard he's made a spaceship out of aluminum
"Go and get me a bag of mushrooms from the market, don't spend more than this coin"
And then she looks up and searches the sky for just one drop of water
Come on Boy, please, bring the rain
Bring the rain
Bring the thunder from the hills
Bring the rain
Sometimes bullets fly and crack... into walls overhead
We don't even look up anymore
You can take everything from some people
And they'll still have room for more
He's a barefoot monkey
You can't bring a running boy down
In the street old mothers dressed in black cry from parched and cracked mouths
Come on Boy, please, bring the rain
Bring the rain
Bring the thunder from the hills
Bring the spray from off the sea
Bring the rain
And the market place is filled with things
That he never ever gets to see
Chocolate bars and DVDs
And the voices all around him are a hubbub rising to a scream
And you've dropped your coin, better not stop to pick it up boy, something's coming
There's a rumbling in the air and there's a feeling everywhere that something's coming
And the sky is filled with planes
Bring the rain
Bring the rain
Bring the rain
Bring the rain
Bring the thunder from the hills
Bring the fists and bring the flame
Bring the rain
Because when it comes, when it comes
It comes in a flood
To wash everything away
Bring the rain
In Harry James Angus's song Bring The Rain, the lyrics tell the story of a young boy who is sent to do a job by his mother while he is having fun building a spaceship out of aluminum. The job is to get a bag of mushrooms from the market, but he is told not to spend more than one coin. The boy's mother then looks up to the sky, searching for any sign of rain, bringing a sense of uncertainty and desperation to the scene. The chorus repeatedly asks the boy to bring the rain, thunder, and spray.
The lyrics continue to describe the unsteady situation that the boy is surrounded by. There are occasions when bullets fly into the air and even though it is a distressing situation, it is something that people have become accustomed to, so much so that they don't even look up anymore. It is also pointed out that some people can have everything taken from them, yet they will still have room for more. The boy is referred to as a "barefoot monkey" and "running boy", implying that he is carefree and unburdened by the woes that the adults around him are experiencing. However, the mothers who are dressed in black are crying in the streets due to the drought, which serves as a sharp reminder of the dire conditions that the boy lives in.
The song has a sense of urgency to it, as there is a feeling of foreboding in the air. The voices around the boy are getting louder and the market is filled with things that he will never get to experience, such as chocolate bars and DVDs. The lyrics hint at danger with the line "you've dropped your coin, better not stop to pick it up boy, something's coming". This is followed by the description of a rumbling in the air and a feeling of something impending. The chorus then repeats the plea to bring the rain, and it ends by mentioning that when it comes, it will come in a flood, washing everything away.
Overall, Harry James Angus's Bring The Rain is a poignant song that captures the precariousness of living in a drought-ridden region, the resilience of those who survive in those conditions, and the longing for something as simple as rain.
Line by Line Meaning
Why does your mother always make you do a job when you're having fun?
As a child, we wonder why things we're enjoying can't simply stay as they are, without additional responsibilities or work being thrust upon us.
In the corner of the dusty yard he's made a spaceship out of aluminum
Despite being in a less-than-ideal situation, a child is able to use their imagination to create something truly remarkable.
"Go and get me a bag of mushrooms from the market, don't spend more than this coin"
Some people have limited resources, which can impact what they are able to do or enjoy in their daily lives.
And then she looks up and searches the sky for just one drop of water
During a drought, the smallest amount of rain can bring hope and a sense of relief to those who are struggling.
Come on Boy, please, bring the rain
The artist is calling out for the personified rain to come and wash away troubles or provide much-needed water for survival.
Bring the thunder from the hills
Thunder can be an awe-inspiring, powerful force of nature that can help bring about change or renewal.
Bring the spray from off the sea
The sea spray brings with it the promise of a new horizon and new opportunities, even in difficult times.
Sometimes bullets fly and crack... into walls overhead
In some environments or situations, fear and violence have become normalized and part of everyday life.
We don't even look up anymore
People become desensitized to traumatic events or difficult circumstances when they become commonplace.
You can take everything from some people
There are some people who can lose everything material or be put in less-than-ideal situations, yet they still retain an inner resilience and determination.
And they'll still have room for more
Even when we have very limited resources, there is always potential for growth and positivity.
He's a barefoot monkey
The artist may be highlighting the playful and imaginative mindset of someone who is comfortable with who they are, despite their lack of material possessions or social status.
You can't bring a running boy down
Even with obstacles in his way, a persistent and determined person will always find a way to continue moving forward.
In the street old mothers dressed in black cry from parched and cracked mouths
During droughts, the most vulnerable populations can become even more at risk for dehydration or other illnesses due to lack of water.
And the market place is filled with things That he never ever gets to see Chocolate bars and DVDs
Some individuals may not have the resources to afford what many people consider to be luxury items, instead making do with what they have.
And the voices all around him are a hubbub rising to a scream
In a chaotic or overwhelming environment, it can be difficult to focus or hear oneself think over the noise.
And you've dropped your coin, better not stop to pick it up boy, something's coming
In a dangerous or unpredictable environment, taking time to stop and look around can be a risk to one's safety.
There's a rumbling in the air and there's a feeling everywhere that something's coming
A sense of anticipation or apprehension can settle over a community or individuals when something big is about to happen.
And the sky is filled with planes
The increased number of planes can signify a shift, an influx of people or goods or the beginning of a major change.
Bring the fists and bring the flame
The artist is employing violent imagery to depict a world in turmoil or conflict, where it may take strong actions to affect change.
Because when it comes, when it comes, it comes in a flood
When change or relief finally does come after a long period of difficulty or drought, it can be a sudden, overwhelming, and powerful experience.
To wash everything away
In a way, the rain can be seen as something that cleanses and creates space for growth or new beginnings.
Bring the rain
The repeated call to bring the rain is an invocation of hope and renewal in the face of difficult circumstances.
Writer(s): Henry James Angus Copyright: J Albert And Son Pty Ltd.
Contributed by Skyler E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.