1.Growing Up
In the early to mid-1960s, an undeniable influence on my overall musical development was inspiration generated from eldest brother Keith and his penchant for surf guitar music. While I have no clear memories of listening to him playing as a child there has been a profound indirect effect in terms of overall construction of tone. A secondary yet equally important seminal influence was the physical sharing of bedroom space with his custom-built electric guitar. As well, it was the record collections of my older brothers and sisters – all who have great eclectic tastes in music – which eventually led me to my true love, blues.
2.Inspirations
Mississippi Fred McDowell, Lead Belly, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Ry Cooder among many, many others.
3.Your Band
Backsliders has been playing, recording and touring for 30 years in 2016 and has produced 13 albums in that time. The current lineup – me as founding member and Rob Hirst on drums – has been together 16 years. Joining us on harmonica at Girrakool is the young sensation, Joe Glover.
4.The Music You Make
Driving Delta and Mississippi hill country blues sounds mixed in with original 21st century new blues anthems, all with a distinctly Australian flavour.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
There is a great resurgence in music that is partially retrospective – drawing on various traditional music forms including folk and blues, which I see as incredibly healthy. As well, festivals such as Girrakool are cropping up throughout Australia, providing a venue for live acts and a place for communities to get together in one place and enjoy music en masse.
Backsliders appear at Girrakool Blues Festival & BBQ, Mount Penang Gardens, Kariong onSaturday March 5, withCedric Burnside Project, Clayton Doley’s Bayou Billabong, Gail Page and more.
