Define your genre in five words or less:
Singer/songwriter.
What do you love about making music?
Writing songs and performing them are the most cathartic experience in this world.
What can a punter expect from your live show?
I try to transport the audience to some other place – of course this is easier said than done, but I always give it my best shot anyway.
When’s the gig and with who?
October 5 at the Palms in Crown Casino. We’ll play the new album and then come back and play some of the old stuff.
How long have you been gigging and writing?
Forty years.
What inspires or has influenced your music the most?
Howling Wolf and many other old blues guys who bopped till they dropped.
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed?
A pure unadulterated love of music would be a good start.
When are you playing live/releasing your album/EP/single/etc.?
Harlequin Nights was only released recently and I am on a four-month national tour to promote it.
What makes you happiest about what you’re doing?
When I feel I’ve successfully connected with people.
And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing?
Bad monitors.
What’s your favourite song, and why?
According to my iTunes library it would appear to be Jolly Coppers on Parade by Randy Newman (439 plays) but I’m not sure whether that is correct. I love so many great songs I couldn’t list them all here.
Where would you like to be in five years?
It would be nice to be anywhere really.
What makes a good musician?
An absolute love and passion for music.
RICHARD CLAPTON plays the Palms at Crown Casino on Friday October 5.
