Fresh from supporting the likes of Pete Murray and Busby Marou, Byron Bay musician M Jack Bee chats to Kendall Hooper and Larry Heath about his new single and upcoming East Coast tour.

Tell us a bit about yourself: When did you start playing music?
I started writing songs on a tractor as a kid, all 'woe is me' things at the back of the farm. Life seemed so dramatic back then. I picked up the guitar about 14 and left home at 16 to cut my teeth proper.

How did your upbringing influence your path in becoming a singer/songwriter - and in particular the sort of music you ended up playing?
We had a strange farmhouse a few hours north of Melbourne, a lot of music theatre got played. I loved the stories, and that a record from start to finish could have you hanging for closure. My concentration span was limited, so blues, folk and pop music spoke to me louder, and to get away with a story in 5 minutes or less excited me.

What instruments can you play?
I write on guitar, piano, accordion, banjo and all the free instrument apps I can find on my phone.

Are there any instruments you'd love to be able to play one day?
Trumpet. Louis Armstrong never ceases to move me, simple, elegant and fun.

You’re just about to wrap up a tour with Pete Murray and Busby Marou, how has that gone and what have the highlights of the tour been for you?
It's been a great tour, we were like a travelling family, even with big brother bullshit and all! There were many (and I mean many) great nights, HiFi in Melbourne and Brissie were fantastic, and the 12 wine glasses and two bottles of wine no one could juggle in Newcastle left a pretty amusing mess.

How does a support slop compare to a headlining slot? Is it at all more challenging as the crowd isn't necessarily there to see you?
It can be, but it also can make it a lot more fun as you look to what you can do to engage and encourage support from the crowd. 21 shows on this tour was like surfing a very consistent wave, every night I nutted out a different section, and it seemed to get better with every show.

What are you most looking forward to about heading out on your ‘Sound of Love’ tour?
Finally having vinyl to sell feels pretty exciting, it'll be great to get to my own crowd again, and re meet all the ones I met on this last tour with Pete and the gang. It's when you can really gauge what impact you've had on prior shows.

This will be your first time to take a band out on the road with you, what made you decide to do that and how do you think it will make your touring experience different?
I made this recording with a live band because that's how the songs sounded in my head, so to do it justice it only seemed right to take a band with me on the road. Also I've been living like Oliver Twist on the road, jumping in other peoples vans and rooms on tour (thanks Busby Marou!) and it gets lonely, this band I've put together are made up of the best players who happen to be my closest friends, so I think we are going to have a pretty good time.

Your live performances have gained quite a lot of attention, what sets you apart from everyone else?
Well, as one man onstage, I have been making quite a racket, using my little loop pedal to create walls of noise, I don't think people quite expect that. The stage is also the only place in the world I feel totally comfortable, and when I'm on it there are demon's I feel necessary to exorcise, it can be an intense place, but that's what it's become for me, it's my practise.

On your East Coast tour you will be playing the Mullum Music Festival as well as several club shows. How is playing a festival set different to playing in a more intimate setting?
Club shows you can really pull the crowd in, they get the slightest joke and feel all the emotion. Festivals create more separation, but there is also an expectation, especially when you are up against some amazing competition from other stages, so everything gets amplified. The festivals are more of an assorted chocolate box gig, you give an overview of what you do, your own club show you know they all want caramel middles.

Do you enjoy the experience of touring is does constantly being on the move get tiring?
I love it. There is nothing better than waking up knowing the most important thing to do on that day is find a venue, plug in and play hard.

You've got the single out... what's next and what else is in store for you in 2012?
After this tour, I'm straight into a beach house for the summer where I'm putting together a studio on the beach, and there I'll be creating my opus as the waves break out the front. Then I'll be hitting the road February March to spruik said opus. High expectations.

For 'Sound of Love' Tour dates and details visit www.mjackbee.com