My musical journey
Performing at Dark Mofo 2019
20+ years of performing, recording, writing, producing, learning, and unlearning,
I want to share my colourful journey with sound and music because I want you to know me better.
I started on an alto saxophone in primary school. My uncle gave me a John Coltrane cassette, and I practically wore it out. I picked it up by ear and then got lessons. Later, a family friend (Sia's dad) took me under his wing and gave me my first guitar. I determinedly wrestled with it, writing songs to high school sweethearts and learning from others.
After high school, I followed my saxophone into music and onto the streets of Melbourne. I supported myself by busking on the banks of the Yarra, tucked beneath the arts centre, where the acoustics amplified me into the cacophony of the nighttime city. Through this, I discovered a diverse and colourful music community, finding friendship, expression and support.
This led me into a mentorship and musical partnership where I was encouraged to sing and create electronic music. I loved computers and was quick to production and recording. I self-produced a body of work and subsequently landed a record deal. Suddenly, in my early 20s, my music was all over the radio. I was, playing music festivals, listening, learning, getting broken, mending up, and always listening to the support of those around me who saw the glow in my heart. It was a rag-tag and messy time and ultimately very unsustainable. From there, I tenderly and with much reverence and curiosity stepped into fatherhood...
No longer wanting to tour and be away from family, I sat patiently in music studios, composing music for films and TV ads and dedicating myself to holding other people's sounds and dreams. I sharpened my production skills, learning to hear music as someone who doesn't know what they're hearing - hears music. I unlearnt things that were getting in the way of offering more profound and more precise expression.
Then into a new musical partnership with one of my best friends, Mama Kin. We created a vulnerable and honest space of co-writing and collaboration with choirs. Delivering stripped-down and direct songs about life, sacrifice, pain, beauty, shadow and light. Leading us into Aria nomination and international touring, into the juggle of family, relationship, and artistry.
And then I was heading up to ancient homelands in Arnhem Land with Yolgnu elders hearing songs and stories. A dear friend had spent 12 years filming and gaining the trust of the famous Guruwiwi family as old man travelled the world sharing his healing heart medicine through the Yidaki. I was lucky enough to be asked to record and work on the score for the feature film Westwind and travelled up to meet him and his family. I composed the score back in a studio in Melbourne after 2 life-changing trips up north, eyes and ears wider than ever before. Connected with culture in a way I still feel humbled to have experienced.
To here now - an entirely new chapter of music. One that strangely combines threads of all these elements. As my journey has turned inward to learn my heart and soul.
20+ years of performing, recording, writing, producing, learning, and unlearning, all leading to the clarity that this work is here to serve me and others on the path home to ourselves. This new music is quieter, longer, deeper and slower. No longer seeking approval or to impress, this music is an expression of what nourishes me. The sounds I hear in my heart beneath its steady thump.
And here I sit, in the itchy place of wanting to share but knowing the job isn't complete quite yet, capturing recordings of new work, building a new website, study, new offerings and big plans for more ceremonies in the not-too-distant future.
A reminder that Ben and my next ceremony at Drift Arts Festival is April 28 - at 6.30 pm. Tickets are moving fast and are limited to only 50.
