Jan Juc’s multi-instrumental folk-roots icon, Xavier Rudd, chats with Michelle Herbison about his connection to the Geelong and coast region and his new album, Spirit Bird.
WORDS: MICHELLE HERBISON
PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY: NO DICE ARTIST MANAGEMENT
How did growing up in Jan Juc shape your relationship with the Geelong and coast region?
It was amazing growing up down there; it was such a gift. I guess the word that springs to mind for me is community. Naturally it was wonderful and beautiful and mystical and interesting growing up on the south coast. After touring around so many cities over the years I really respect where I grew up.
I’m living up north now, on the coast just north of Byron. I’ve found a nice little community that’s kind of like what Torquay was 20 years ago.
There have been a lot of changes and development in Torquay recently. You were involved in campaigning against a development at Spring Creek a few years ago. How do you think changes like these are impacting the community?
The positive thing from the Spring Creek rally was that we were successful. Now more people are getting involved and seeing there can be change.
As far as I know from being immersed in the community and talking to friends who were involved, there’s a strong movement of more and more people wanting to protect the place.
The worry is just the rate that things are changing down there. You’ve got people coming into local and state government who have no connection to the coast, making decisions. They think they’re doing the right thing for tourism but really they don’t have any respect for what the place is at its core.
What would be your ideal hope for the region?
I think that some sort of balance needs to be found. It’s great for us to sit here and say, “no, no, no, it shouldn’t happen at all” but realistically, it is happening. But why not slow it down at least and give people a chance to breathe and make some community decisions together? I’m anti-development at the heart but it seems inevitable on the coast.
You write a lot of music addressing political, social and environmental issues. Do you feel a responsibility or a power to write music that shapes people’s ideas?
There are a lot of people all over the world who reach out to me to help in any way I can. I feel very blessed to have my music and what I do to offer that connection, bringing people together and inspiring passion in people. I don’t see it as a responsibility; it’s just what it is. My music comes from that connection I have to country and culture.
Your music often explores aboriginal rights and issues, and you’ve been associated with Narana Creations on Torquay Road. What do you think needs to be done for indigenous people in the Geelong and coast region?
Narana do amazing work for culture in the region. As far as I understand, there’s never been a real synergy between the Watharong co-op and the Narana mob. There was a falling out because what was set up at Narana is not on their country. It’s a shame because the country down that way is so devastated that it’s time for everyone to pull together in terms of culture and to not have disputes. I feel there’s good stuff being done for education and it should be supported no matter what.
The major problem for Narana is that the new highway is directing so much of their business away from them. They were the first place for tourists to stop on the Great Ocean Road. It’s a real worry because that centre is one of the most important places in Geelong.
Do you still have a bit of a soft spot for the region? Do you think you might live down here again one day?
I’ll always be connected to that place. It’s home. I’ve got a lot of family and friends down there and that country’s very powerful. I’ve been feeling the spirit of that land ever since I was a young boy and a lot of my music is influenced by that connection. I respect it wholeheartedly.
Yeah, for sure, I’d definitely like to live down there again.
Initially you started out as a one-man-band but in the last few years you have collaborated with other musicians and steered in a slightly different direction. Your new album, Spirit Bird, features some new effects like bird sounds in the background. What can you tell us about it?
I did the last record, Koonyum Sun, with an African rhythm section and I had a drummer for the previous records. Spirit Bird is all me; I’m doing it all live. I’m triggering samples in my percussion set-up for the bird sounds.
My music just sort of comes through me and shapes itself. I don’t plan it out. As it comes I just start going, “Okay, cool. I think this is how I need to do it”.
Every album’s different but not intentionally.
How does Spirit Bird reflect the place you’re coming from now?
It’s basically just the last two years. Songs just come over time and usually after a couple of years when I’ve got enough I just slice that part of my journey and make a record.
Every record has its place and quite often I find my music’s ahead of me. The music makes sense six or 12 months later. It’s stages in my life and things that are happening and different places I’m inspired by.
A lot of this particular album came out of my journey in the Kimberley in northwest WA with my work on the Save the Kimberley campaign.
Does that balance between political and emotional songs just shape itself?
Yeah. Nothing’s ever pre-planned. I’ve never actually sat down and written a song. It just comes through me and through what my opinion is. It’ll come at different times. I might be surfing or I might be mowing the grass or whatever, and different songs just come. I’ve always been someone who does that.
I have a rule that if it’s meant to stay, it’ll stay.
You’ve been making music and touring for more than a decade now. Have things started settling down for you a bit?
I’m not doing as much every year but I’ve got to a point where I’ve got a good following worldwide, which I have built over the last 10 years. I’m at a point where I can take time off and know people will be there when I go back.
I’m writing a bit at the moment but I’m more getting ready to tour Spirit Bird.
Spirit Bird was released on June 8. Xavier Rudd will tour the country in August and September, stopping into Geelong’s Costa Hall on Sunday, September 16. Tickets go on sale 9am Thursday, June 21 at www.xavierrudd.com
