Tell us a little bit about where you’re from?

I am from Perth, Western Australia.  Long known as one of the most isolated capital cities in the world.  Bon Scott (ACDC) and Michael Hutchence (INXS) grew up here and the place has a small but very independent and ‘driven’ population.  We have an excess of blue skies and sunlight and long sandy beaches which is awesome.   However, being a very small city, it is hard to break out and try new things.  The consensus with most of the creative types (especially musicians) is that you must move to one of the big cities like Melbourne or Sydney to further your ambitions.

How has your location affected your music?

In this day and age, you can reach everyone, everywhere via social media and Youtube etc.  You can be bold and try new things, mix styles and really shoot for the stars.  But, you still need to do regular gigs to keep the band firing on all cylinders, which means you still need to play music that is up tempo, people can dance to, etc.  It has its limitations in this town – especially in the blues music genre.  So being torn between these two worlds shapes the way I write songs and what I am comfortable with sharing.  I sometimes have some pretty wacky ideas, but my pragmatic thinking pulls them back in and helps shape them into something I am more comfortable with.

What genre would you describe your music as?

My music is rooted in the blues and most of it is totally based in this genre.  However, mixing elements from heavy metal, hard rock, hip-hop, r&b, and jazz make it something that is quite different.  I would still say it is blues music – indie blues.  Not blues music written in the 50s or 60s, but blues music written with all the influences from the explosion of popular music released in the last 50 yrs.

What are you listening too? What are your influences?

At the moment, I am listening to a bit of ‘angry’ music like early GunsNRoses, Nirvana, Eminem to pick up on the songwriting elements and performances that make those bands compelling to listen to. My favourite things to listen to would definitely be Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen etc.  Blues and rock stuff.  Also, it is good to still listen to the radio to find new artists and styles that are breaking through.  That is one big thing I admire about Clapton – he was always changing styles in sync with the new music and reinventing his sound.  I definitely prefer that approach.

Where can we see you play?

At the moment, only in Australia, however I am looking at planning a 2017 tour through Europe and the US.  I am hoping I can make that happen.

Are there any evocative personal experiences that come through in your music?

Writing music when you are in a very strong emotional state can yield some really powerful lyrics, I would definitely say that I have written some songs like this before.  When I perform, I try to let out all the frustration, sadness, anger, happiness and excitement that I unfortunately have the tendency to bottle in.   Performing is my outlet.

Tell us about your live setup?

Generally I play as a trio – guitar, bass, drums.  I really like the freedom this gives.   I do like to do the odd show with a full band, like a nine-piece (add organ, horn section, backing vocal section) for something a bit different.  These shows are really enjoyable.

What’s next?

Tour in 2017 that I am working hard to put together, and I will also be getting back into the studio at the end of 2017 to work on album #2.   At the end of this year, I will be spending a bit of time in Melbourne, and playing the Bendigo blues festival and the Bridgetown blues festival.   Happy travels hey?