Rivers Run Dry with Moss
If you love Australian music, then you know Ian Moss – with nine Cold Chisel albums and eight solo albums under his belt, Moss is one of Australia’s iconic musicians, delivering an unforgettable sound – not only as a telling soloist on guitar but especially with his silken voice, ringing with clarity and resonating with pure soul.
Seven caught up with Ian at home in Sydney to talk about his latest record and Bluesfest 2024.
What line-up are you bringing us?
I’m bringing a six-piece band that will largely be playing from my brand new album Rivers Run Dry.
Tell me about the new album
It’s a mixture of songs – some are new, some have been around for quite some time. There’s plenty of writing from me and some good co-writers.
What do you like about this type of big festival?
It’s always nice to be in front of a lot of people. Just playing in the larger tent-style venues, you always seem to get a good sound in those places. Bluesfest is also a festival where you can lean a little more on the blues so the emphasis is not necessarily having to play all your best hits. You can lay into the music a bit and be that muso for a while.
That’s kind of cool, isn’t it?
It is very cool.
Do you approach it differently from say how you would at a pub with 200 people?
Not really – it would be unfair to people. You know, you’ve got a job to do and you want to go down well, and you want to be remembered well. It’s just incredibly inspiring when you get a full venue.
What else inspires you?
If the pub is full and there’s only 300 or 400 people and you’ve turned 200 people away, then you’re probably just as inspired as if you’re playing in front of a crowd of 40,000 people – but then again, 40,000 people in a big arena, if you’re fortunate enough to be in that, it’s pretty inspiring.
Here I am, doing something I love doing and making a living out of it. How fortunate am I?
Have you had a look at the Bluesfest line-up? Is there anybody you’re excited about seeing?
I’d love to see Tom Jones, I am incredibly admiring of the guy – he’s in his 80s! And his voice is still amazing.
Are you having enough fun?
Having fun? I am absolutely having too much fun.
I’ve got a great band, and also, as we speak, I’m doing a solo acoustic tour in regional theatres. That’s real fun too, because I’m using a massive PA system and I don’t have to share the soundscape with anyone else. It’s a whole different beast, getting a song across with one voice and a stomp box and the guitar. It’s a lovely, lovely challenge.
How are your back and your legs going with the stompbox?
Ha ha – I have a pretty strong right leg!
See Ian Moss on Easter Saturday at Bluesfest 2024
