Wednesday 30^th July 2008 @ Academy, Bristol
With Support From: Bobby Anderson

It’s mid-afternoon on a fairly muggy day and I have been let into the dressing room at the Bristol Academy for an interview with Aussie singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd. I’m greeted by a much tanned, smiley chap sporting a big woolly beanie and chomping on an apple. He sits bare footed and cross legged on a sofa situated next to my chair.

We start to chat about the new album Dark Shades Of Blue (released 18^th August) and what made this record different from the others. He explains how the new album was recorded in Australia, something he had not done for his previous three albums. “I was home,” he beams, “sleeping under the stars with my dog by a fire, looking up at the Southern Cross that I missed so much. I grew up looking at the Southern Cross and those stars.” He recalls the days of the recordings fondly; “I was at the beach in the mornings then recording in the afternoon y’know, I was happy and I hope that comes across in the album.”

It seems even Xavier’s instruments were happy to be back home; “you can hear a difference in the tone of the instruments. They are hand-made Australian timber so they react well to the heat and you can hear it, I can hear a richer tone from them.”

Xavier is by far the most chilled out person you could wish to meet, with a very warm and down to earth aura about him.

With a very impressive sized chunk of apple sitting in his cheek he talks about when it’s time to make a new album; “I don’t write songs down, I always carry my music in my head. After a year or two of carrying it around it’s time to dump it down somewhere and get it all out.” This must be a relief? “It’s is a relief, just to get it all out and kind of lose it. Then there’s a mode I’m in for a good month after when it feels weird and empty and I have to start to fill my mind up with something again. I’m just glad I got to dump it all down back home; I think the record sounds better for it.”

The interview (and the apple) is both finished and all that’s left is to wait to see him live this evening.

It’s now 7pm and Xavier Rudd’s Dark Shades Of Blue tour comes to the Bristol Academy. The venue fills up modestly with a friendly hint of anticipation in the crowd and we are treated to the company of two Bristol legends: Bobby Anderson, lead singer of Fortune Drive, playing an acoustic set and also the infamous Big Jeff, so you know its going to be a good gig.

Xavier was not about to disappoint either. His set up is literally like a small cage of over 20 instruments which he plays simultaneously! Yes that’s right he will play a guitar whilst also playing a didgeridoo and percussion with his bare feet. This has to be seen to be believed but what comes from this musical cage is nothing short of astonishing! He is only joined onstage by a drummer on selected songs otherwise he is making all of his music on his own.

For the first few songs the audience is agog with bewilderment and awe at how this is possible and this later turns to absolute respect and admiration. The crowd show this by non stop dancing and whooping throughout the night. For all the gigs I have reviewed for SY Magazine I have never witnessed such a happy, playful and friendly audience. Not only was everyone dancing with people they never met but they all genuinely made plenty of new friends and I was no exception. This mans music truly does bring people together. Do yourselves the biggest favour and go see this man live, cross oceans if you have to, his gigs can change your life!

www.xavierrudd.com

Stu Freeman
Photos: www.ianbradleyphotography.com