What do you have here to show us today?
My favorite Yidaki (didgeridoo).
Tell us a little about the history of it.
I bought it in Surfers Paradise five years ago, it was a tacky tourist store in the strip and a total impulse purchase. It’s made out of Bloodwood and sounds so fat and rich.
What is it that you like so much about it?
I love the tone it gives. I love that it looks plain, no painting or wood burning or any real decoration, it just is all about the sound and tone. It’s legit.
How do you use it and how has it shaped the way you write music?
I play this one on recordings, or big shows. It’s long, about 160cm, and heavy, so getting it around is tricky. I use it to write also. I’ll play a bunch of different Yidaki patterns into a loop pedal and then write guitar lines and parts around those didge patterns.
Any other interesting points/stories about it?
Earlier this year, we headlined the Long Walk at Fed square, and the one lasting memory I have is of finishing our closing song, ‘Sorry’, and in that song I finish rocking out on the Yidaki and playing guitar at the same time. I remember opening my eyes and looking down the barrel of this long beautiful instrument as I played it in front of several thousand people, and saw Bill Shorten and Malcolm Turnbull bopping along to the drone of my Yidaki.
Tell us a little bit about what you have coming up.
I’m headlining the Torquay Carols by the sea event on Saturday December 10, playing The Retreat Hotel in Brunswick on Friday December 30, and then headlining Yurora Music Festival in Sydney from January 8-12.
