In Conversation: Bobby Alu
By Kate Love
Hailing from Australia, Bobby Alu is not just a musician but a storyteller whose melodies blend seamlessly with the rhythmic allure of reggae. With a penchant for crafting songs that resonate with authenticity and emotion, Bobby Alu offers a glimpse into his creative process and musical journey. Inspired by the effortless charm of old-school reggae and fueled by a desire to connect with audiences on a profound level, Alu's artistry transcends boundaries, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a world of tropical rhythms and heartfelt lyricism. As we delve into his insights and experiences, prepare to embark on a voyage through sound and soul with the incomparable Bobby Alu.
What inspired the creation of your latest single, "Ready For Your Love," and how does it reflect your musical journey?
I've been writing lots of songs the past few years. Mostly they take a bit of work but sometimes they happen spontaneously and pretty quickly. This song happened at the end of a long day in the studio. After dinner me and the band weren't quite ready to go home. I had just coincidentally had numerous chats to a few friends proclaiming their 'readiness' to feel and give love. These interactions formed the idea for this song. Myself, Paulie B & Declan Kelly love old school reggae love songs, so we all naturally moved in this direction. After a few hours the song was written and recorded.
When I first started writing songs, there wasn't much thought - I would just let them flow. After some years I reached a point where I felt like I needed to have more care and concern for the craft. This meant that I would have higher standards and be more self critical which has upsides but also it meant that I wouldn't write as much while striving for precision. These days I feel like I've come back to the free flow. Less criticism, and more accepting of the spontaneous and natural.
Can you share more about the reggae influences behind "Ready For Your Love" and how they shape your artistic expression?
Reggae music was being created and evolving in the 70s & 80s - it was starting to get a global audience and artists were pushing the boundaries. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear and many others were influencing the music of Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and The Police. I can hear the magic that was influencing the world in so many of those old songs. For me, reggae is a style that seems effortless but holds so much rhythmic and melodic depth. I love being on the line of opposites. It's here that you can be spiritual yet playful, and tight but loose.
Your upcoming Breakfast Shirts café tour sounds like a unique experience. What can fans expect from this tour, and what inspired the collaboration with Breakfast Shirts?
I've always dreamed of playing at breakfast time and what better way to live this dream than to book a whole tour! If we don't try to do the dreams in our head, they can stack up as another 'what if.' The hard part of dreaming is the doing part, so this tour is a big part of that for me. I love that it's literally the complete opposite of how you're 'supposed' to tour - it's a real exercise in flipping the script. I met Mark from Breakfast Shirts on the trail and he's such a unique, inspiring human. This collab almost seemed too good to be true, and we're going to over 50 breakfast stops in Australia to play a few songs, eat some breakfast, and have some great chats with locals over a morning coffee.
You've had an incredible journey touring internationally and sharing stages with notable artists. What have been some standout moments for you, and how have they influenced your music?
I find I'm constantly on the hunt for inspiration and influence. Over the years I've realised that it comes in all forms, in all sorts of situations, depending on whether or not I'm ready to receive. Sometimes the seemingly big moments are nothing compared to the seemingly small ones. I've had beautiful experiences playing drums for Xavier Rudd to 20,000 in the south of France, playing a backyard concert to 30 people in Santa Barbara or playing the New Brighton Farmers' market on a Tuesday morning. The diversity in my experiences has left me with the mantra that if you choose music, you choose every single type of gig. These thoughts make me grateful to be on the path. I realise that every experience is forever with me and will surface in the music I create.
Can you tell us about any upcoming collaborations or projects you're excited about, and how they might influence your future musical direction?
I'm literally about to drop an album - Keep It Tropical will be out in the world on May 3. I'm really excited about this one because it's based on so many adventures that I've thrown into a tropical soup, and some music has come out of it! I have been following what I call the 'threads' in my heart to dictate my direction. Less focussed on what 'should' happen and more into what I want to happen. This has led to some pretty wild touring plans, including the Breakfast Tour. I'm also hitting the road in North America in support of my mate Xavier Rudd in May. There'll be a restaurant tour of Italy. Some festivals in Germany. Shows in Switzerland. I'm also feeling like there's something in Brazil for us next year. On paper it all looks a bit random, but I fully feel committed and excited for every little dip and loop on this rollercoaster.
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.