Sometimes I do music journalism. Here is a sample…

IN BETWEEN recording and touring album number six Koonyum Sun, I chatted with Xavier Rudd about making music from the heart, surfing and his friendship with South African players Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo (Izintaba).

XAVIER RUDD TALKS ABOUT THE WAVES AND THE SPIRIT BEHIND HIS MUSIC

In your time off I hear you’re a keen surfer?
Yeah I head down home to Bells Beach whenever I can. There is always time for surf. It helps clear your head and it’s great fun when there is good weather. It would be nice to teach my boys when they are old enough.

With your profile do you think it’s important to be involved in public and humanitarian causes?
Yes I’ve contributed my music to support many causes. I went up to the Kimberley Ranges for a protest. Some company trying to put 3000 hectares of gas industry on Kimberly coast is horrible.

What music have you been listening to?
Dennis Brown. Check out ‘Money In My Pocket’. He sounds wicked. It’s mainly traditional old school reggae.

Which new songs are you looking forward to playing live?
Any new songs are great because it keeps me fresh. Playing ‘Set Me Free’ will be cool.

Which song gets a good Response live?
‘To Let’ is always pretty strong. I feel that I’m a really lucky artist to get a lot of love. I try to be heart based, humble and give it back in my music and causes. There are a lot of great artists in the world that don’t get the opportunities that I do.

There is a trend for independent artists. Are you still independent in your releases?
Yes I still own and produce all my recordings but I work with the records labels to distribute them. My deals vary in different territories from Europe to OZ. I think it’s important not to lose touch with your music rights in this industry but it depends on who you are as well. If you’re a short term commercial pop artist then you have your expiry date. If you want longevity for yourself and your listeners then there is no other way but to be involved in your music. These days it’s pointless letting someone else have control. You can put the same structure in place to market your music right using the internet and produce the quality yourself. It’s hard enough to be heard at first so you have to use the right resources.

Did you ever perform at open mic nights to be heard?
No I never really did open mic to be honest. I did one in Canada once. I was pretty shy! It sounds funny but I didn’t actually play because my music was my own and it has always been with me since I was a kid. It was my own little intimate expression and music helped me to stay grounded. As I got older I had a few friends encouraging me to play in front of people. So I just started to play some gigs and from there I was really lucky because some people liked it. It made me more confident. Then the venues suggested a cover charge and it progressed to getting a manager. It’s not easy but once you start drawing people in it takes off. Quite mind blowing actually! So I’m blessed that I can be the artist I want to be.

How did you name the new album?
The name of the album Koonyum Sun refers to where I was living when I was recording the album, which is up near Wilson’s creek. The ranges up there are a part of the mines that goes all the way down to Byron Bay. Every morning I was watching the sun light up that range and sink behind the range. Its aboriginal translation, I believe, is ‘place of thunder and lightning’. It’s amazing how many different aboriginal languages there are.

You once said ‘music is a gift from your ancestors’. Do you think that the people that you play with and the music you play is a gift?
Yes indeed. The guys I work with are amazing! We make music from the heart. Musically they bring African influences such as Zulu. Our friendship is really deep and they have helped me through some hard times. As I was making this album with them I was going through a separation with my wife. Spiritually they are strong because they grew up during Apartheid and they translate that experience into their art of whatever form. Their story exists in everything that they play; it’s powerful and I feel very blessed and in awe of what they have to bring.

What languages have you placed on the album and why?
Tio sings in Southern Zulu. And another guy Travis sings in his aboriginal native from Frasier Island. Music is a language for all no matter where you’re from.

You use a lot of multicultural influences in your music. What obscure instruments have you played and enjoyed?
Most recently I’ve played the West Indian string instrument. It is 22 strings of awesome. I had a really nice guy Tim from the Mornington Peninsula build it for me. You can hear me playing it on a song called, ‘Soften The Blow’ and we recorded that song live. The whole guitar sound and Indian feel is all one instrument.

Do you think the didgeridoo holds a strong place in your music?
Yeah it’s featured heavily in my music. I was adopted into country about eight years ago by the elder. He has now passed and I feel his spirit every time I play it. I don’t record a lot with it. I use it more live because it has more spirit. It’s very sacred to me and I could not travel without it.