Adam Cole

Adam Cole

Adam Cole is a singer-songwriter based in Melbourne, Australia, and originally from Kiama on the New South Wales south coast. He forms the band Arrosa with Andria Prudente and Fiona McCartney-Hood in the mid-1990s. Arrosa signs to Infectious Records and releases two EPs, Womb and Stickgirl, both in 1998. The recordings are made by Charles Bickford of The Paradise Motel, who are labelmates of the band.

Early work and solo records

After Arrosa breaks up, Cole forms the short-lived Kali before recording under his own name. His first album, Like Endora, is self-released in 2001 and recorded by Tony Cornish during 2000. It features drummer Brett Polines of Silver Ray, bassist Chris Richards of The Beautiful Few, who is also Glenn Richards’s brother, and keyboardist Rob Dawson of Augie March. The album is dedicated to Dawson, who dies in a car crash on 2 January 2001.

Adam Cole & The Pollen Choir

Cole’s second album, Red Sky Morning, is released in 2003 under the name Adam Cole & The Pollen Choir. Contributors include Brett Polines, Chris Richards, Glenn Richards, Kiernan Box of Augie March, and Andy Papadopoulos of Registered Nurse. His 2006 release, Last Trip To The Sun, also comes out under the Pollen Choir name.

Style and presence

His work is marked by melody, texture, and lyrical writing that often draws on the seaside geography of Kiama. He remains a low-profile figure in the Melbourne music scene and rarely plays live.