Xavier Rudd fights the good fights while spreading music
:: Xavier Rudd ::
:: April 29 :: The Ogden Theatre ::
By Fallon Anderson
Colorado’s music scene has always proven to be quite vast and eclectic. In some regards, it’s pretty amazing that “Down Under” songwriter Xavier Rudd isn’t from here — well, except for maybe the fact that Colorado doesn’t have waves to ride.
Rudd is as eclectic as they come, with instruments ranging from various didgeridoos to djembe drums to slide banjo, from which he crafts a mixture of worldly elements all flowing as one.
Since his early childhood, Rudd has always had a fascination for music. “My music has always been there and comes through on its own accord and always has, ever since I was little,” Rudd told The Marquee in a recent interview. “I’m pretty blessed with an existence of meeting lots of amazing spirits and people and places. It’s all interwoven.” Since his debut studio album in 2002, To Let, Rudd has graced the music scene with messages of peace and togetherness, sorrow and loneliness, all the while drenching his messages in world happenings. “I definitely get hit by hard things. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful and wonderful things but I’ve also seen a lot of really confronting things,” he said. “Sometimes that makes me feel small and sometimes that makes me feel like I have some kind of responsibility to help. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can’t.”
Often, Rudd helps more than he may give himself credit for. A full-time activist, Rudd finds the courage to stand up for causes rooted in environmentalism, anti-whaling projects, art movements, and many more. Currently supporting the shut down of whaling in Antarctica and working toward a change in Australia’s gas industry, Rudd uses his strength to fight for us all.
Xavier Rudd’s latest album Koonyum Sun encompasses the whole-hearted talents of bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo alongside Rudd’s various embedded musical elements. Varying widely from the previous Dark Shades of Blue, Koonyum Sun takes listeners on an ethereal journey, opening up parts of a musical bliss Rudd had yet to uncover. Incorporating different languages, African-style beats and earth shaking below-the-belt bass lines, for Ben Harper and Michael Franti fans Rudd’s latest studio work is not to be left by the wayside. “My music is simply a reflection of my journey and what comes within that,” Rudd told The Marquee. “Music means love, peace, connection, emotion. Music is the voice of the heart.” Luckily for us, Rudd unzips his heart and lets the mass of music seep into our ears and minds. Rudd hopes to record a new album later this year; fans should expect a new release early next year.
Being an Australian native, Rudd’s adventure to the United States is a special one, but not far from ‘home.’ “I find that everywhere in the world there is similar energy. The U.S. is a powerful place to play music when you’re me and you come from a small town at the bottom of Australia,” Rudd said. “I’m bringing a whole spirit and energy and lifestyle that are very different from a lot of those places. When I open myself up I think that people really respect and appreciate it and get lost in it and that’s nice. As I move through and go places, I feel energy and spirit and I act accordingly. I look forward to seeing everyone. Have a cup of tea, have a look at those mountains and give thanks.”
With his solo tour kicking off this April, taking him all across our country and his own, Rudd is ready for time on the road. “I need to be with myself and my instruments for awhile,” he said. “There is something out there and I’m excited about it. I’ve got some cool new ideas. I’m working on new music so people are going to see new stuff. New grooves, new sounds, new didgeridoos, different things.”
:: Xavier Rudd ::
:: April 29 :: The Ogden Theatre ::
Recommended if you Like:
• Ben Harper
• Michael Franti
• Jack Johnson
