Journeying Through Love: Bobby Alu's Melodic Odyssey with 'Ready For Your Love'
By Kate Love
Bobby Alu's latest musical gem, "Ready For Your Love," has hit the airwaves, blending reggae and soul into a delightful harmony that promises to uplift spirits and set toes tapping. With its infectious rhythm and stripped-down production, this track showcases Alu's signature joyous harmonies in a celebration of love and connection.
Drawing inspiration from the romantic reggae style known as 'lovers rock,' popularised in Jamaica during the late 70s by legends like Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Horace Andy, "Ready For Your Love" exudes a timeless charm. It's a heartfelt declaration of love's simplicity, as Alu croons:
"You turned up, caused a rush / now you are giving me more than enough."
Reflecting on the creation process, Alu shares:
"Imagine you’re a bird doing everything you can to impress your queen - build a beautiful nest, pump out your chest, sing your heart out."
The spontaneity of the song's genesis adds to its allure.
"The band and I love reggae from the 70s and 80s. This song was never planned. We were at the studio working on some other tracks. After dinner we weren’t quite ready to finish. I showed them a chorus idea and we all jumped in bouncing ideas off one another."
The song's inspiration stemmed from a chance encounter.
"I had recently had a conversation with a stranger about how they were looking for love desperately and this exchange inspired the lyrics. Hours went by and we left that night with a new track in the bag. Spontaneous creative moments like this are some of my absolute favourite times in the studio. Time goes and you find your flow."
Breakfast Shirts tour
But Alu's creativity doesn't stop there. He's embarking on a regional café tour dubbed the Breakfast Shirts tour, where he'll serenade audiences while indulging in the culinary delights of regional Australia alongside Breakfast Shirts, the beloved internet personality known for his café reviews.
From January to February, Alu will traverse Australia, treating fans to his music alongside special guests, supporting Ash Grunwald in Victoria, and sharing the stage with his Mum Foloi Iulia in regional Queensland.
This tour follows a monumental 2023 for Alu, marked by relentless touring across the globe, including standout performances at industry showcases such as Folk Alliance in the US and Reeperbahn in Germany. His Sunsets (With You) tour saw him mesmerizing audiences across the US and Europe, building on the success of a massive 49-date European tour supporting Xavier Rudd.
Having graced stages at prestigious events like Bluesfest 2023 and supported renowned artists like Xavier Rudd and John Butler Trio, Alu's star continues to rise. His previous studio album, "Flow," garnered critical acclaim, earning nominations and accolades from the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), Double J, and more.
With half a million monthly Spotify listeners and a dedicated following that spans the globe, Bobby Alu's music is a beacon of warmth and positivity, resonating with audiences far and wide. "Ready For Your Love" is out now, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in Alu's enchanting melodies and infectious rhythms.
About bobby alu
Bobby Alu delivers enchanting performances blending Polynesian rhythms, engaging storytelling, and effortless harmonies. Armed with his trademark baritone ukulele and log drums, Bobby weaves influences from his Samoan heritage into his music as he expertly navigates the groove spectrum from folk through roots, reggae to tropical pop.
With a stellar reputation as a world-class performer, touring as Xavier Rudd's percussionist for five years and supporting the likes of John Butler Trio and Busby Marou, Bobby captivates audiences around the globe. His music remains marked by capturing the purest essence of enjoyment. In this special concert, Bobby will be joined by his mother, Foloi Iulia, to present a mesmerising fusion of graceful Samoan dance and traditional songs.
TOUR DATES
27 January - Island Social, Bruny Island TAS
28 January - Mountain Pepper Music, Neika TAS (SOLD OUT)
8 February - Golden Vine Hotel (supporting Ash Grunwald), Bendigo VIC
9 February - The Yarraville Club (supporting Ash Grunwald), Yarraville VIC
11 February - The Memo (supporting Ash Grunwald), Healesville VIC
17 February - URBNSURF, (supporting The Beautiful Girls), Melbourne VIC
18 February - GROW, Anglesea VIC
22 February - Maleny Community Centre (featuring Foloi Iulia), Maleny QLD
22 February - Majestic Theatre (featuring Foloi Iulia), Pomona QLD
24 February - Coolum Civic Centre (featuring Foloi Iulia), Coolum QLD
25 February - Eudlo Hall (featuring Foloi Iulia), Eudlo QLD
27 February - City Hall (featuring Foloi Iulia), Brisbane QLD