Those who’ve been following this site will know that Australian singer-songwriter, Stu Larsen, embarked on a year of solitude in 2024; writing 12 new songs in 12 different locations around the world. Each of the locations was isolated with rustic accommodation lacking in modern conveniences.

Stu has since been in the recording studio, leading to the release of his album, Solitude, in June 2026. Solitude is available on your favourite streaming service, and as a vinyl double album from Suitcase Records via this link.

To support the album’s release, Stu is undertaking The Solitude Tour in 2026. He’s already done shows in all six Australian States and he has 30 dates coming up in Europe and the UK starting 26 September 2026.

I was lucky enough to catch Stu’s show in Melbourne where he was accompanied by Tim Hart and Paul Finch. It was a great night (see the photos above and below). The Solitude songs were terrific in a live situation and Stu threw in a few of his earlier songs as well. If you have the chance, I can recommend getting along to see Stu perform live.

Stu’s Solitude website is a great way to learn about his year-long journey. You can click on each of his locations around the world to watch the YouTube videos Stu posted for that month and then hear the studio version of the corresponding song. Stu’s website also provides a short monologue for each location, giving an even deeper understanding of his experiences along the way.

You might recall that I wrote a series of posts about Stu Larsen’s Solitude project. The transience of the lifestyle, and the timeworn imperfections of the cottages in which he stayed, reminded me of the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. And, of course, that prompted me to write haiku in response to the 12 song demos Stu posted on YouTube during 2024.

You can find all 12 of my posts at this link. As a reminder, here are a few of the haiku:

Bodmin Moor . . .
a new goldfinch
on an old stone

blue sky, blue jeans
………..at home with the blues

winter
comes round again
still a vagabond

Stu Larsen’s Solitude project was a major undertaking. I’m sure the travel, and the solitude, provided many physical and emotional challenges. But the effort was worthwhile. In the end, Stu’s vision and creativity did more than bring us 12 new songs. Collectively, the words, videos and music from his journey provide important insights on how to live in this beautiful world.