Budjerah Interview
Mitch: Your debut album, Gentleman, just came out on July 24. Do you mind sharing a bit about the album and what inspired it?
Budjerah: Gentleman, my debut album, is inspired by performing and up-tempo music. I went into the studio just thinking that I wanted everything on stage to be so high energy, kicking, fun and joyful. That’s how we ended up with all these up-tempo songs.
It was also really influenced by the music that I loved as a young kid. I thought about the artists I wanted to be when I was seven, like Michael Jackson and Usher. So when we got the song Gentleman, that also influenced the look of the suit, like an aspirational character or something that I can portray on stage.
Mitch: What made Gentleman feel like the right title for the album?
Budjerah: When I went through all the song names, it was the clearest title and had the clearest visual. When I say the word Gentleman, you can picture something. So it was just the most visual for me.
Mitch: What do you hope people feel while listening?
Budjerah: I hope they feel like dancing and feel happy and like they’re having a good time. If I can just make people happy and make them have fun, then that’s what I’m here for.
Mitch: If the album was turned into a movie, what would the plot be? What would the movie look and feel like?
Budjerah: I’ve thought about this actually. I’d want it to be like The Blues Brothers, where I’m trying to get to the stage and I’m in my suit. I’m ready, but there’s heaps of little funny mishaps. Maybe I’m on tour and it’s quite funny. Maybe I’m on the run from the mafia in my suit, and I’m just trying to make it on stage.
There would definitely be a bomb explosion where I’m walking away, and maybe some crazy fight scene where I’m shooting a pistol in a club. It’d be kind of crazy, but it’d be fun.
Mitch: What’s your favourite memory from making the album?
Budjerah: My favourite memory was in the last days of recording the album. My little brother, Ngandu, who’s 16 now was there with me, and he actually played on some of the piano parts.
He’s in my band, and it made me really, really happy just to watch him play and record. He’s in the little special thank yous because he’s so talented, and that was my favourite memory.
Mitch: Without using any genres, how would you describe your music?
Budjerah: I don’t like to do the same thing twice. I would just describe it as fun. Soulful. From my soul. High energy. Mellifluous.
Mitch: You’ve got an Australian tour coming up in October/November to celebrate the album! Why should people come along? What can they expect from a Budjerah show?
Budjerah: High energy. I want people to get up and dance and sing and just have fun because that’s what music is about.
Mitch: What is the best way for people to support you?
Budjerah: Get yourself a CD or vinyl. I think that’s the best way to listen.
CDs play from tracks one to eleven, and I want it to feel like a show. Listen to it out loud, not just on headphones or on your phone or in the background. Turn it on and dance and have fun. That’s the best way.
Mitch: Who are some emerging AUS/NZ musicians that people should get behind?
Budjerah: There’s so many artists. King Stingray deserve everything. Drifting Clouds. Dean Brady. They’re some of my favourites.
There’s this artist based in Melbourne named Dayani. She’s a Latin artist that lives in Australia, and I really like her music. And Jem Cassar-Daley as well.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS!!
Mitch: Favourite track from the album?
Budjerah: Let Me Know.
Mitch: Go-to karaoke song?
Budjerah: The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston.
Mitch: Finish the sentence! Budjerah is for fans of...
Budjerah: Music. If you love music, I love music. We should get along.