I caught up with Pete Murray as he was driving around a wet Brisbane, I assured him I wasn’t going to ask him any trick questions as I didn’t want to be responsible for him having an accident. Pete is soon to head to Europe for number of shows and on his return will be playing at Gilligan’s here in Cairns.
Pete has recently released his fourth studio album “ Blue Sky Blue”. Having been three years since his last album so what does a musician get up to in between albums?
Fun...but I had three main objectives spend some time with my boys, write songs and do some surfing.
Has it been hard to get back into the swing of performing, touring and doing press?
For a little while it was but it’s Ok....I have been doing this for a long time so its easy to get back into it.
How long has it been since you have been to North Queensland?
When were the Cowboys in the grad final? (Me:- No Idea) I think it was 2006 so that was the last time but it will be good to get up there again.
What can the audience expect from your show?
It will be a full band show and we will play a lot of old things but we are really looking forward to showcasing the new album as well.
How would you describe your new album?
It has more of an electric feel with much more groove going on. The lyrics are quite personal though a lot of people will form a connection to their own lives through them.
How hard was it to write and record the songs for this album?
Some songs are easy and others are hard but I have always treated songwriting like a job. I usually get up in the morning go for a surf come home and try and work on songs then have some lunch, work some more on songs and if I get stuck maybe go to the gym.
Where was the album recorded?
We recorded at Sunset Sounds In Los Angeles and it was produced by Tom? Who has worked with the likes of The Foo Fighters and Beck. The bulk of the writing and demoing was done at my home in Byron Bay, I then sent all the demos over to Tom and we would do all the pre-production over the phone. He would listen to the acoustic tracks and over them he would put his own grooves on their and we would talk through them.
Then I went over to LA and the first week we laid down all the drum and bass at Sunset Sounds and then we did all my vocals at Tony’s studio...usually no more than 3 or 4 takes for any one song.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself playing in a lot more countries overseas and as I am really hands on dad when my boys Charlie and Pedro get a bit older taking them along with me. Charlie really loves his music too so I wouldn’t rule out a family band.
Whats your favourite travel destination and why?
It is pretty hard to go past Brazil the people are so friendly and unpretentious.
If you could record with any musician living or dead who would it be?
Elvis Presley,Bob Marley and Jim Morrison.
Whats the funniest thing to ever happen on tour?
The funniest thing to ever happen on tour was when we were traveling to the airport, I always say “ hey does everyone have their passports?’ as a jokey kind of thing...this day our new keyboard player gives me a blank look and I say “ Tom Cmon your joking” and he says “I don’t think I do” and He wasn’t lying. To make the situation worse he lived in Sydney and we were flying out of Melbourne. He called his girlfriend who had to go to house but had no keys get his passport and then take it to the airport so it could be brought down to Melbourne for Tom on a domestic flight by one of the pilots....the funniest thing was when his girlfriend got to his house the front door was wide open with all his stuff still there and he hadn’t been there for two days.....
Whats the best thing about being a musician?
Lifestyle...it has always been about the lifestyle for me. Having the time to do what you want to do and not having to be somewhere 9 to 5, travelling the world and meeting lots of people.
What’s the worst thing about being a musician?
Being away from my kids.
Pete Murray Play at Gilligans in Cairns
on Sunday the 22nd of April
Tickets are avaliable through
www.oztix.com.au
| 
