Jeff Lang plays at Mullum Roots Festival
Australian guitarist-songwriter-vocalist-producer, Jeff Lang has built a reputation for making startling music that is accomplished, intricate, gutsy, melodic and loaded with soul. Often taking unexpected turns, he has consistently inspired his audiences by creating a stylistically diverse catalog of over 25 albums.
Headlining the Mullum Ex-Services stage on Sunday, 13 July as part of the Mullum Roots Festival, Seven had a chat with Jeff last week in the leadup to his Mullum show.
You’re coming up to Mullumbimby soon – are you excited about that?
Yeah – I’m looking forward to it. It’s good lineup and a festival in that part of the world is usually a good thing. I can’t wait.
Are you bringing some new music?
I’ve been writing some new music and I will have at least one or two new songs. I’ve just got to make sure I get them up to performance confidence, and I’ve got a lot of new songs from the most recent album in the set already.
What is it like for you playing in small towns?
Anywhere that people are interested in listening to live music, I love coming there. And it’s really down to the person who’s running the event during their engagement with the local community. It’s what makes all the difference.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? What inspires you?
What usually gets me out of bed in the morning is my bladder and the resistance my teenage son has with getting to school – haha!
I am always interested in where the next song is coming from, and I try to find a new song. But, there’s lots besides music that keeps me inspired. I can be equally motivated to get out of bed and get into work if I’ve got someone’s record to mix, which is something I’ll be doing this week, I really look forward to that, or if I’ve got a new song idea, that’s definitely inspiring. But, you know, I can be equally inspired if my wife has a day off work and we’re going to go and have some lunch, that’s a pretty great thing to get out of bed for too.
What is your current ear worm?
Well, I’ve just been doing this theatre show –Vandemonian Lags , it’s a production by Mick Thomas, from Weddings Parties Anything – I have this song of Mick’s called ‘Jane Gilligan On The Town’. The chorus of that is constantly running through my head, it’s a wormy thing.
If you had a question that you would like to ask you, what would it be?
I ask myself things all the time, but I’d rather keep those to myself – ha ha! Yes. I mean, ‘Why are you doing that?’ That’s usually the one. ‘Do you feel compelled to do this?’ is a good question to ask yourself when you’re trying to do creative work. Is this something you feel compelled to do, or is this just something that you feel obliged to do?
Ed – I reckon I could answer that one for you myself – I reckon you do feel compelled.
That’s the thing. That the sort of question that I’d find valuable to ask myself, because the answer should be yes, and if it’s not…
Are you having enough fun?
Yeah, yeah, certainly! This last week, this play I’ve been doing is with a bunch of very, very talented people, brilliant people, but also, very, very funny company. And so this last week-and-a-half has been a lot of laughing. So yes, certainly, on the basis of the last couple of weeks, it has been a tick in the fun column.
Is there something about the Mullum Roost Festival that you’re looking forward to?
I think there’s catching up, you know, seeing some of the acts in the lineup, you know, Reg Monbassa, The Waifs – there’s going to be a lot of good people playing. So that’s what’s good – a chance to actually go and see them.
You can find out about the lineup for the Mullum Roots Festival at: mullumrootsfest.com.
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