A Byron Bay local, Alu has taken Australia and the world by storm with his brand of island-inspired pop, using his Samoan-Australian descent to mix national heritage with culture to create vivid imagery of paradisiacal wonder.
“That mix is really important and really strong in my music,” Alu says. “I don’t really try to incorporate the island flavour, it just comes naturally and I can’t get away from it. It’s stuck with me since I started playing music. Living in Byron is a great place to create. There’s awesome musicians around and it’s really beautiful trying to mix this Polynesian and Australian flavour in what I think is one of the greatest places on earth.”
While finding time to play drums for fellow Australian Xavier Rudd, Alu recently returned from a world tour where he praised the European crowds for their positive energy and fun demeanour.
“There’s something about the people who come to the shows over there,” he says. “They were just crazy. I don’t know whether it’s just because they like Australians or because the music’s really positive, but I was really surprised at the response. Even these days I’m grateful to play in countries like Germany or the Netherlands, they’re just ballistic.”
Bobby’s latest effort Bay Sessions, released last year, is an ode to modern soul and R&B, encompassing smooth melodies that capture that easy listening vibe. Coupled with instruments that help to achieve a unique and authentic island flavour. Alu attributes his success to some of the great artists that came before him, and even more recently, some of the younger generation that he claims have been helping to inspire a soul revival.
“I really love that old soul scene,” he says. “Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Al Green – that whole era had the best tunes. I really resonate with that rhythm and melody, and it still has a place today. There’s lots of young cats like Leon Bridges and Michael Kiwanuka that have that vintage old school sound. It makes me want to step my game up a little.”
That soul revival seems to have taken shape at one of the best possible times, and is challenging the creative minds within and outside the genre to free themselves of their constraints and alter the writing process, something Alu claims is extremely important for any artist.
“It’s definitely been a busy two years,” he says. “Sometimes it’s tough to find that creative spark when you’re on the road all the time, but I believe going into this new record with a fresh mind is the best thing for everyone. The response is going to be very interesting.”
Alu claims the album will be done by November, right in time for the annual Queenscliff Music Festival where the talented multi-instrumentalist will be playing alongside the likes of the legendary Paul Kelly and the recently reformed Killing Heidi. He claims that while playing intimate shows is an experience which really cannot be matched, festivals have a special place in his heart.
“I played there a couple of years ago and had the best time,” he says. “I can’t wait to get back there. Festivals are really important to me because when I was younger and went to them, I loved the positive vibe and was always amazed at how many strangers turned into friends. Bring on the festival circuit.”
BY BENJAMIN POTTER
