Singer-songwriter Jaimi Faulkner left Australia six years ago for Europe, where he now lives in Germany, but he still likes to get back to his roots when he can.
“I’m coming back to get in touch with the scene that I had been used to playing, and getting away from the European winter for a while,” Faulkner said.
In 2008, Faulkner won the Australian Blues/Roots performer of the year award and given the opportunity to represent Australia at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
However, living overseas, he said, allowed him to further explore the possibilities of his songwriting.
“I wanted to explore a broader music spectrum, other than the blues which I was known for here,” Faulkner said.
“The idea of expression through voice and through text was something I definitely wanted to do more.”
As such, Faulkner has put more of a focus on lyrics in his creative process over the years.
“Originally I wrote a lot about personal experience, relationships and personal growth, and then I got more interested in other people’s stories and… the political climate,” he said.
“I think as I get more into writing and trying to tell stories, it is more other people’s stories that are very interesting to explore.”
On Sunday January 22 Faulkner will perform a live solo set at Redcliffe on the Murray, headlining alongside with friend and musician Prita Grealy, as part of his 2017 Australian tour.
As well as playing a selection from his extensive back-catalogue, Faulkner said the audience would enjoy a few pieces from the new album he has been working on since November.
“It’s quite a different album for me, it’s the first time I’ve actually been involved in the engineering and production of the album as well,” Faulkner said.
“Musically, I would say it’s very much concentrating on the organic sound of four musicians playing in a room… thematically, there are quite a few tracks that deal with social injustice, and the new political climate.”
Prita Grealy will play her unique fusion of hip-hop, soul, and acoustic music.
For more information visit redcliffeonthemurray.com.au/events/