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Interview with
BOBBY ALU

(5th March, 2025)

Interview with Dave Bruce

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Photo – Ming Nomchong

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“Whether you’re on, near, or simply pining for a body of water and a calmer frame of mind, Bobby’s brand of coastal folk will take you there. It takes a lot of skill to make something this good sound so effortless.” Dorothy Markek – Double J

“His chilled out Pacific tunes have a long-lasting feel good effect and his finely crafted songs have instant appeal.” ABC Radio Australia

“Smooth hammock music genius.” The AU Review

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Have you always wanted to be an artist? When did you get the song writing bug?
I think I’ve always been an artist in training but it didn’t click for me until i was in my 20s. I wrote songs my whole life, my samoan uncles showed me ukulele & guitar.  I even taught myself drums by imaging it in my head before I ever sat behind a drum kit. It was weird. I remember seeing a drum kit when I was 10 and I thought about it so much that when I finally got to have a go at one, I could just play. 

Briefly describe your journey to date.
Starting as a drummer and percussionist I began playing in bands when I was 20. I think at one point I played in 15 different bands. I went to uni to learn how to record music and as an assignment recorded my first solo songs with me singing/playing all the instruments. Fast forward to now, one of those songs ‘It’s Time’ has 25 million streams and has paid for my university degree. This assignment became my first self titled album bobby alu. I toured the world playing drums for Xavier Rudd for 5 years and in 2019 I did my own project singing up the front full time. Since then I’ve released 4 albums and two EPs, and frequently tour in Australia, California, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. 

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
My music sounds like your perfect afternoon. Waiting for the sunset with your favourite people, drinking your favourite drink and feeling good about life. I honestly think that people generally love that feeling and I always try to create it at my shows. 

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
The first albums I bought with my own money was, Bob Marley, Metallica & Michael Jackson. I love music that makes me feel. I just love when art knocks you around, to laugh, or to cry. It’s a boss move by any artist that can draw these types of feelings out of someone. I just saw Khruangbin at the Riverstage in Brisbane, amazing how an instrumental trio played a beautiful set to 9500 people. I saw a folk singer Steve Poltz in Montreal last week, his stories and amazing songs captivated me. I loved it all. 

Your latest album ‘Keep It Tropical’ was released last year! What’s it all about? Will that be the focus of your upcoming tour?
I’m already writing a new album. Ha ha. I really feel so inspired at the moment. Last year I did 170 shows around the world. Keep it Tropical was a mantra to me to just follow the flow of inspiration. Be grateful for the good things that happen and know that it’s already a gift to simply be alive, sharing and playing music. This upcoming tour I’ll be playing many of those songs, as well as testing  some new flavours. 

Is there any new music on the horizon?
Me and my band are recording a new album in Vancouver later this year, so i’ll use this tour to try out some fresh grooves. I really do feel some momentum at the moment. There’s some exciting shows in North America and Europe coming up and I haven’t toured Australia extensively since 2020. I feel full of beans so I want to take advantage of that, as it might not always be this way. I have my eyes also set on Brazil in 2026. Sau Paulo has been one of the highest streaming cities of my music for the past 5 years and it’s  time to find out why. 

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You have the “Breakfast Tour” beginning later in the month? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I love breakfast. I always thought it would be cool to play in the morning. Me and a friend tried it last year and it was so lit. Some cafes there were 150 people spilling out onto the road on a Wednesday morning. Also i’m home and finished work by midday. Ha ha. Morning crowds are different. Life is busy so I figure when you play music to people in the morning they are still waking up and have a more open attention span opposed to the end of the night when we are full and tired. 

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
Honestly I get asked this question a lot. These days I think a bit differently as I have met some people that I admired so much, and in person it was unfortunately a very different story. I truly appreciate the people I meet on the journey and organically get to perform with. It’s a connection you know.  Sometimes you just click musically with certain people and it’s like real life magic. I’m so stoked with all the people I’ve jammed abd connected with over the years and I look forward to discovering more along the way. 

What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
A few years ago I wanted to start touring in California, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. I’ve toured there for 2 years now and am going back again this year. I was just thinking that it would be amazing to play Red Rocks Theatre in Colorado, to play in Brazil and also learn drums on Reunion island. Ha ha. My long term aspiration is to simply make music and travel the world doing so. Also I want to make a billion dollars and give it all away.  It’s all going well at the moment so I’ll keep rolling with it. 

With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out? 
Life expands and contracts in proportion to one’s courage. Also, learn how to nap.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
I think these days being in a room with actual humans is more important than ever. When you get those moments where everyone is in sync, it’s a pretty special feeling to share that. That goosebumps feeling. You can’t explain it but you know when it happens. Magic. A few highlights… A sell out show in Amsterdam where the crowd sang back my songs. Playing drums on acid to 20 000 people in the south of France. A tour collaborating with chefs and performing in their restaurants in Sicily. Taking my mum on tour and performing together.

Here are three general questions your fans will find interesting about you:
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? I went to Ghana, West Africa by myself, sharehoused with 16 people, showered from a bucket, just  to learn drums.
What is the one topic you can talk about for hours? The meaning of life 
What is the thing you like most about yourself? I like that I like to enjoy the good times 

Finally, just a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Catch a Fire by Bob Marley 
Artist – Bob Marley
Movie – Shawshank Redemption
Place to visit – Cook Islands 
Venue to play – MTELUS Montreal 
Food – Toasty 
Drink – Coconut 
Person in History –  David Attenborough 
Tattoo – Samoan Taulima by Sulu’ape 

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Follow BOBBY ALU
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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Photo – Ming Nomchong

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Press Release 7th March 2024 (below) HERE

BOBBY ALU
announces epic
Double Australian Tour

Serving up cruisey tunes
for breakfast and
intimate shows at sunset

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AMNPLIFY – DB