Q&A with Karl S. Williams

Karl S. Williams
Currently on tour (November-December 2014) in support of his new album ‘Heartwood’, KARL S. WILLIAMS took time our for LifeMusicMedia…

:: What track changed your life ::

Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground by Blind Willie Johnson. A wordless and primitive expression of pure beauty. It showed me that all artifice could be done away with and the song could be whittled to its core, transcending even language.

:: What is your favourite Album ::

Probably Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here. I have listened to it a million times and it always works.

:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::

Steve Smyth, an absolutely brilliant and staggeringly moving performer.

:: Favourite Quote ::

There is nothing you can see that is not a flower, there is nothing you can think that is not the moon. By the great Japanese poet Basho.

:: When on tour, you can’t live without ::

My girls Ida Belle, Bettie Mae and Beatrice (guitar, banjo and keys)

:: When you think of Australia, you think ::

Home.

:: Worst thing to happen to music is ::

In recent times, probably the prevalence of poker machines in venues. More distantly the advent of recorded music, which though I love it, somewhat ended the need for people to learn and make ‘folk’ music for their own entertainment

:: Best thing about the current music industry ::

The internet allows you to reach a global audience without even leaving the house. It is a staggering, game-changing device.

:: Biggest influence ::

Leonard Cohen

:: Childhood hero ::

Jimi Hendrix

:: When you were younger you wanted to be ::

A geologist

:: Last album bought ::

Nadine Shah – Love Your Dum and Mad

:: First album you ever bought ::

Michael Jackson’s Greatest Hits

:: First concert you went to ::

I may have been to something earlier, but the first one I remember buying tickets for was Wolfmother at The Tivoli in Brisbane (on their first album launch tour). I grew up in small towns where nobody ever came anywhere near.

:: Last concert you went to ::

Holy Holy EP launch at Black Bear Lodge

:: Favourite current band ::

DM Stith

:: Favourite drink ::

Whiskey, neat.

:: Favourite book ::

The Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen

:: Favourite actor ::

Adrien Brody

:: Favourite website ::

cabinporn.com

:: The best boredom buster is ::

Making music, unequivocally.

:: The best film you ever saw was ::

American Beauty

:: Your ultimate snack is ::

Fresh bread and butter. If it’s warm from the oven, so much the better.

:: The first thing you do when you wake up is ::

Attempt to recall the dream or determine if it continues still. Then, coffee.

:: Best piece of advice you’ve received ::

Kiss her.

:: Your biggest aspirations ::

To never reach a point at which I aspire no higher, but less amorphously, to spread my music far and wide and play until the day I die.

:: Best gift you’ve ever given/received ::

Given: A bottle full of dandelion seeds.
Received: Love.

www.karlswilliams.com | www.footstompmusic.com | www.warnermusic.com.au

Karl Williams – in Session from Andrew Gough on Vimeo.

KARL S. WILLIAMS “HEARTWOOD” TOUR

5th November – Mojos, Fremantle, WA
$12 on the door

6th November – Rosemount, Perth, WA
$12 on the door

7th – 9th November – Bridge Town Blues, Perth, WA
http://bluesatbridgetown.com.au

13th November – LP Sessions, Brisbane, QLD
To reserve your FREE ticket go to http://zoo.oztix.com.au/

15th November – Drop In Festival, Redland Bay, QLD
http://dropinfestival.oztix.com.au/

26th November – Old Bar, Melbourne, VIC
$10 on the door

27th November – Baha Taco, Rye, VIC
$10 on the door

29th – 30th November – Queenscliff Music Festival, VIC
http://www.qmf.net.au

12th December – Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Free Entry

13th December – Festival Of The Sun, Port Macquarie, NSW
SOLD OUT – http://fotsun.com

17th December – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, QLD
$12 + bf from http://blackbearlodge.oztix.com.au/

18th December – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Free Entry

19th December – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast, QLD
$14 + bf from http://soundlounge.com.au/

Visit www.karlswilliams.com for all tour updates.