Years ago I watched an unknown Xavier Rudd perform to an unsuspecting crowd at the Hotel Great Northern. Just one bloke and what looked like a ridiculous amount of instruments for anyone to feasibly play one at a time, let alone all at once. I could feel some people thinking, oh shit, another hippy kid with a didge. But that all changed the minute he started. He was good. Really, really, really good. And humble. His quiet talent hushed the room, and halfway through the first song this boy from WA whom no-one had ever heard of had the whole room in a trance. Everyone that night knew that this kid was something special. Fast forward a decade or so and he’s become one of the country’s most loved and respected singer/songwiters, loved mostly for his socially conscious themes that blend spirituality with humanity and environmentalism and his constant unwavering voice advocating the rights of Aboriginal peoples.
What has 2016 been like for you?
It’s been a great year for me. I’m feeling great and super blessed in so many ways!
Your onstage shows are always so infectious, there is this very obvious joy… Does that happen every time you step onstage?
Yes there’s a strong connection at all of my shows around the world that is very special and I feel honoured to host it. It’s always a celebration of good conscious folks with a focus of positive change for a better world and letting go to the ancient simplicity and power of music.
Your music seems to have this innate empathy and sense of connection… Tell me what you mean by ‘global togetherness’.
Global togetherness to me sounds like one people of all cultural backgrounds and religious understandings walking together as one people and saying goodbye to all the division through the generations to start fresh and learn from the mistakes of the past.
Human beings seem so prone to violence and aggression and one-third of the world doesn’t seem too concerned about profiteering at the expense of the other two-thirds.
What makes us better people, do you think?
Everyone has the trials and tribulations. We all make mistakes; if we can acknowledge our mistakes as we walk forward and try to do what we can in our days to give back to our magnificent planet then I reckon we are doing alright.
What role do you feel musicians and artists play in social activism?
There’re plenty of ways people of profile can spread their wings for social activism of different types. It seems the most effective way these days is simply awareness through social media; it’s proven to be a very powerful platform.
What changes would you like to see happen in the world?
Acknowledgement of Indigenous custodians in decisions to do with country, not just Indigenous groups that have been formed to make decisions on behalf of everyone else. Abolish the beef industry, abolish commercial fishing, ban all nets in the ocean, worldwide effort and funding to eliminate plastic in the ocean, abolish jealousy from the human being, encourage people to stop whingeing about minor things in their local communities and lives and invest that time in contributing to the bigger picture. Damn… the list goes on and on and on.
Why do you think so many of us have become so disconnected from our environment and the human condition?
Ego. Many people have strayed so far from themselves and their energetic connection to the planet and are not prepared to do the work it takes to return.
What should we expect for your upcoming show in Byron Bay?
High vibrational boogie time, love and devotion!
Xavier Rudd joins The Cat Empire for a show at Red Devil Park in Byron Bay on Saturday 4 February. Gates at 3pm.
Tix: www.ticketmaster.com.au.
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