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Downtown Alive takes a turn for the exotic import on the May 28 with Melbourne, Australia's Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers. Geoff has circled the globe with his unique approach to the blues that he honed on a forgotten instrument he discovered under the stairs. Recently he shared some thoughts with Metromix on the similarities of the South to southern Australia, his monogamous approach to his gear, and behind-the-scenes details from band camp.
Describe your sound for someone who's never heard you before. What would be a good single to get acclimated? I learned music mostly from old blues and jazz records, but I like things kinda funky too. That’s as good an indication as anything of my influences. I also play the guitar and my ambition is to perform with enough intensity that my favorite guitar is in several pieces by the end of the gig. Our live version of the song “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” is a good start. It has a rockin’ blues shuffle feel that the band can really stretch out on and the chorus is a nice little sing-along too.
I spent some time in Australia and came away very impressed with stations that receive public funding like Triple J. What can American radio stations learn from stations like Triple J? I’ve visited many American alternative radio stations that are doing a fantastic job passionately promoting a wide variety of music. Yes, we do have some fantastic radio options in Oz. We have some very healthy community-funded stations such as PBS and RRR here in Melbourne. We in the music scene love them and support them by subscribing each year, advertising our shows with them and also happily getting up early after a late night gig to do on-air interviews. It’s a two-way street so I’d recommend that listeners, fans and musicians don’t take their subscriber-based stations for granted. If you’re tuning in, give ’em some love.
You lived in Atlanta for a couple of years recently before relocating to your current residence in Melbourne. Is living in the South of the United States similar at all to living in the south of Australia? Actually, we’re not that dissimilar. The two cultures certainly have a lot in common and Melbourne, the city I live in, has a particularly vibrant music scene. Getting to know our counterparts in Atlanta and the surrounding region was an absolute joy. I guess there is a common camaraderie in our love for music and togetherness through sound. American audiences are a joy to play to in my experience. As an Aussie fan of American music styles, it was also a fantastic opportunity to spend a little time plying my trade close to the source of the blues, jazz and the whole funky mess.
You've played a lot of shows over the years. Does any one gig stand out above the rest? Oh there’s a thousand memorable shows for as many different reasons. Most recently though, I’d have to say that being invited to play on Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise was the most luxurious gig ever. I’d never been on any kind of cruise before and this was like a floating music festival. It was an absolute indulgence for the guys and I to have seven days sailing with endless music from a plethora of incredible artists all jumping up and down off stage jamming together. We got to mix it up a little too with one of the great legends of American music—how good is that?
If you could organize your own music festival, what bands would be on the bill and what time slot would your band occupy? My ideal line-up would be Robert Johnson, Freddie and Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. My band would work backstage being very humble indeed!
Have you played “Guitar Hero,” and is there any truth to the rumor that talent on the instrument doesn't translate to the game? I’ve never actually played it. We have kids in the family that have it. I took a look, but I honestly could not make head nor tail of it. Perhaps I’m simply not “Guitar Hero” material—ah well.
You've been involved with some guitar workshops at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp. You ever catch anyone sneaking out at night on panty raids, or is that kind of thing encouraged? A panty raid? Now that sounds like something I CAN do...let’s go! Actually it’s another one of those dream gigs. The guitar stuff I mean, not the panty thing. We have a lot of fun jamming, twanging and picking like a bunch of school kids with new toys. It really is a guitarist’s heaven. My workshop is scheduled for September this year, and I’m really looking forward to it.
What guitar are you favoring currently, and have there been any technical innovations on the instrument lately that have changed the way you play? The good folks at Gibson gave me my blonde EC-30 acoustic guitar back in ’97, and I haven’t picked up another acoustic since. On the electric side of things I had to retire my beautiful old Les Paul after about 20 years of hard touring. It really couldn’t take the rigors of constant traveling and performing any longer. I’ve been playing a PRS Standard 22 for the past seven years, and it’s an excellent instrument. I’m pretty monogamous though and rarely buy new gear. For the same price as a new Fender I can get on a plane and come and visit y’all—so YOU are my priority, see?
Underrated/Overrated:
Overrated: Guitar heroes
Underrated: Panty raids
You can learn more about Achison at www.geoffachison.com.
Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers play Downtown Alive Thursday, May 28 and The Bohemian on Thursday, June 11.
