I was travelling ‘down under’ at the time and had heard his name banded around but was yet to hear what all the fuss was about. When I first saw Xavier Rudd I had no idea what to expect, he was largely unknown to me. 2010 brought a new album and a new band to fit including bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo. Rudd’s 2007 tour in support of his 2007 album “White Moth” was lauded by critics for being entirely carbon-neutral and the album introduced darker themes which are observable in his follow-up “Dark Shades of Blue” in 2008. Rudd is widely known and appreciated on the festival circuits in Australia and Canada, and is equally appreciated in both countries for his socially conscious lyrics often regarding the mistreatment of aboriginals. Love & Special Sauce and later released the live album “Good Spirit” and the Studio album “Food in the Belly” in 2005. Becoming more well know Rudd toured with Jack Johnson and G. 13 and became a platinum selling album, due to distribution via Universal Records Australia.

His sophomore released named “Solace” saw Rudd’s introduction to the Australian music chart debuting at No. Rudd’s first recording titled “Live in Canada” was released independently in 2001 and made way for his debut studio album “To Let” in 2002. Rudd has also perfected the art of circular breathing on the didgeridoo, often seen with jazz musicians, he is able to produce a singular drone sound that never falters.

The list of instruments Rudd is able to play cannot be counted on a single pair of hands, from Weissenborn slide guitars and banjos, to harmonicas and Aztec Organettes, the Australian musician’s set up surrounds him with the capacity for sound. These skills were honed and expanded on during his years travelling and busking. Growing up Rudd learned to play the guitar, clarinet and saxophone however sought ways to overlap and interweave various instruments at once.

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