Young Werther
Genre:
Indie
Region:
Ballarat, VIC
Young Werther's work has a subtle beauty. His songs manage to marry a refined pop sensibility with a haunting sound, all the while painting the most detailed picture inside your head.
Interview: 4 February 2008
Describe your music ...
... folk ... with a hint of dark pop. Lyrically and melodically driven. Inspired by living too close to the edge of one thing or another.
What's your local music scene like?
Very healthy indeed. Everyday there are people busking on the street. We regularly have great Australian and overseas artists at The Palais in Hepburn and The Theatre Royal in Castlemaine. Plus some smaller venues, like the old Hepburn, hosting local artists. Lift up a rock in this town and you'll find a musician. I reckon the music scene is pretty vibrant round these parts.
What inspired the move from Melbourne to Ballarat?
Actually, it's Daylesford. The move was inspired in the most part by the birth of my young son and his ever increasing need for space in which to crawl, eat insects off the floor and throw wooden blocks. Also, I'd been thinking about going bush for a long time. I finally took the plunge ... bit scary ... but I get to go to Melbourne most weeks for my fix of the city buzz.
Who's been a big musical influence for you?
Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Augie March, Disaster Plan, Colin Young, The Go Betweens (my Dad ... drummer/singer)
How do you go about writing your songs?
I begin by challenging a super natural being to a spiritual dual until they yield and give me one of their musical ideas. I then fall asleep on my guitar. When I awake I have a tune/chord and some words that doesn't make sense. I then work like a dog until it becomes something playable. Other times I just steal ideas from my dreams.
What do you do when you're not making music?
As a self managed artist I end up spending large amounts of time on the computer/phone organising things with mysterious people I've never met. Other times, I hang out with my young son and his beautiful mother. I also read too much about strange happenings and far off lands.
What have you got planned for the future?
I'm launching my new mini album 'Treasure' at Manchester Lane, Melbourne on 28th Feb 2008. Then I'll head off to play some dates around the country.
Visit here for details.
I'm currently writing material for my next record ... I plan to release a full length album later in the year and then tour it round Australia. Then I'd like to build an eco friendly house and perhaps write an opera based on the experience ... if not an opera then a short puppet show might do.
Australian music is ...
... a mixed bag ... but I think we have some of the
best there is.