Angus releases ‘McCusker Gill’ EP with Aussie rock legend Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock)
When Eric McCusker, the legendary Mondo Rock guitarist and songwriter behind hits like Come Said the Boy and State of the Heart, joined forces with Angus Gill, the Golden Guitar-winning country star, an unexpected but electric partnership was born. What started as a shared love for songwriting and literature during the pandemic has now evolved into a full-fledged musical project—McCusker Gill—a unique fusion of classic pop, rock, and sophisticated songwriting.
On March 21, 2025, the duo will release their self-titled debut EP, featuring four meticulously crafted songs that showcase their intergenerational chemistry and shared musical influences. The latest single, ‘Holy Rose Hotel’, featuring Australian singer-songwriter Imogen Clark, marks the fourth release from the project and captures the romance and escapism of two lovers retreating to an elusive hotel.
Though coming from different musical worlds—McCusker from the golden era of Australian rock and Gill from the heart of country music—their collaboration was sparked by a mutual reverence for the great songwriters of the past and present. Inspired by artists like Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Tin Pan Alley greats like George & Ira Gershwin, McCusker and Gill set out to craft songs that merge rich storytelling with sophisticated musicianship.
“I’ve always admired great songs, regardless of genre,” says Gill. “This project gave me the opportunity to explore my pop side and use my voice in a different way than I’ve done before.”
To bring the McCusker Gill vision to life, the duo enlisted some of the world’s most respected session musicians—many of whom contributed to David Crosby’s final album For Free, which left a profound impact on Gill & McCusker.
“When I heard the last David Crosby record, I was blown away by the musicianship and production,” Gill explains. “I put Eric onto the record and decided to reach out to these players and see if they’d be part of our project.”
The result is an all-star lineup:
Dean Parks – The most recorded guitarist in history (Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon)
Gary Novak – Acclaimed drummer (Alanis Morissette, George Benson, Michael McDonald)
James Raymond – David Crosby’s son and longtime collaborator on keys
Andrew Ford – Accomplished bassist (David Foster, Whitney Houston, Christopher Cross)
From the imaginative opener ‘Can You Imagine’ to the Steely Dan-inspired ‘Canned Laughter’, through to the lush elegance of ‘Holy Rose Hotel’, and the playful closer ‘I Tripped & I Fell in Love’, the McCusker Gill EP is a testament to the magic that happens when two distinct creative voices unite in the name of great songwriting.
“This project was about pushing boundaries while staying true to what makes a song great—melody, story, and feel,” says McCusker.
With Origin Music Publishing’s Philip Mortlock playing a key role in bringing McCusker and Gill together, the duo now finds themselves celebrating a project that defies expectations and highlights the enduring power of a great song.
‘Holy Rose Hotel’ and the ‘McCusker Gill’ EP was released on March 21, 2025.