First of all, congratulations on the release of your third album, I Love Hate You. With a couple of albums under your belt now, did you find that the recording process was easier? Were you able to approach the new album as an experienced songwriter looking to experiment with new things?
I wouldn’t say easier, cause I’m always trying to find a different sound. I normally have it in my head and I love trying lots of different ways to get it. In my books there’s definitely no rules. I’m probably doing it so wrong compared to a professional studio but that’s just me. If there was no time for experimenting I don’t think I could do it. If I wack a garbage tin instead of a kick drum and it sounds right then all the better I say.
I heard that you collaborated with Sydney based band, Chase the Sun when recording the new album. Since you’re well known for your “Do It Yourself” approach to performing and recording, did you find that collaborating changed your sound and reshaped your songs?
Completely, it brought something else out to the songs which was a breath of fresh air, I loved hearing someone else’s interpretation especially when they are that good of players, and it did make me think maybe I’ll do a band thing one day. Anything that gives you a new spark in the brain and pushes something a bit different from your norm is good I think.
What or who was it that made you fall in love with blues and rock music?
Without question it was the movie Cross Roads. The music in that movie still puts shivers down my spine. I actually had no interest in the blues until I saw that movie. It’s changed my life forever.
Dallas Frasca has previously mentioned that their audiences in France were absolutely wild about Australian roots music. Where have you had the best response to your distinctive sound?
I toured France also about a year ago and man that place is amazing. Recently Poland as well, they definitely love Oz roots music. I’ll be back there in about a month…..can’t wait. I have to say the Americans as well, they are so welcoming to our take on it. the first time I toured there I was nervous especially in the South because that’s where it all came from, but they took to it with open arms.
It seems that the Australian music scene is flourishing with artists of a particular roots style alike yourself such as Chase the Sun, Dallas Frasca, Ash Grunwald, Kim Churchill, Alex Bowen etc. After travelling the world, do you think this particular blend of blues, roots and rock is a sound that is unique to Australian roots music and what do you think it is that makes it so enthralling for crowds?
That’s it for sure. I listen to a lot of loud rock music like Soundgarden and Faith No More, and blend it I suppose, just like a salad. I throw in all the ingredients I like, that just kind of seems normal for me. A lot of blues festival I’ve played around the world, people like to keep it traditional. Don’t get me wrong, that’s all good. Just me, personally, I’m not a traditionalist.
You’ve mentioned a love for notorious Maitland pub, ‘The Junkyard’, and how it not only supports original music, but also treats musicians with respect and encourages a crowd to have a whole lot of fun enjoying the bands they put on. What are your views on these types of venues dwindling away and how do you think we can all help to bring them back?
They will never go, there will always be somewhere I think. The more you go out and see original live music, the healthier the industry, but I think roots music will never fade……You watch I’ll never get another gig again after this tour.
Supporting your Newcastle show at The Great Northern is local talent Fox Control who also uses a looping system during his performances to layer sounds. What made you head down the track of loop pedals rather than forming a band?
I saw someone do it years ago and it looked a lot of fun. I bought one the next day and it shitted me so much, I never touched it for a year. Once I got my head around it, man, it just grew and grew. Now I travel with so much equipment, its ridiculous…. but I love it.
There is a lot of criticism that surrounds using looping systems as they are often referred to as ‘cheating’ and are compared to a backing track. Would you like to take a moment to dismiss this comparison and explain to everyone how a loop pedal differs to performing with a backing track?
I wish it were as easy as a backing track, but then again I would be bored crazy. Your timing has to be spot on, it normally takes me a month of practise on a new song before I’ll build the courage to do it live. The way I do it is I generally lay down a bass track first and then some vocal harmony and the rest is pretty much live. My right foot does the kick and snare, and the left does the hats and crash cymbals. I play the guitar and sing over the top. It’s a lot of work but a shit load of fun.
Do you have any tips for people looking to learn or experiment with a loop pedal during performances?
Start off with as little gear as possible, then build yourself up. Buy a little looper first, but mostly have fun with it, that’s the only rule.
What advice can you give to up and coming blues/roots artists trying to tap into the Australian music scene?
Focus on building yourself in one area first and then slowly expand. Like I said earlier, fun is very important. The audience will now if you’re bored, so keep it interesting.
Best of luck touring the new album! What’s in store for Claude Hay next?
As soon as I finish this tour which is in about three weeks, I head back to Europe, (Germany, Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands) then back to Oz and straight away head to Echuca festival in Victoria, then two weeks in the snow in Perisher, finally getting home in mid August, have a couple of weeks off, then it’s all on again.
Interviewer: Demi Mitchell