Celebrating the 10th anniversary of his Feeler album, Pete Murray is set to embark on a special run of shows in the New Year, bringing the album to life for Australian crowds. Murray tells the AU about the record, having it sent to Abbey Road and more!
You have come a long way (selling CDs out of a Kombi) and 10 years of Feeler is a pretty big deal – What inspired the decision to remaster the now classic record and how did it end up at Abbey Road?
I think everyone thought it was a good idea to re-release Feeler, as it was such a big album when it was released. That album was very close to peoples hearts, so making it something special was really the only way we could do it. I played a show with the Adelaide Orchestra earlier this year and we already had the score for about six of songs from Feeler, so all we needed was to finish the other songs. I got in touch with Rod Ennis, who did the score for the orchestra on the previous songs for the Adelaide gig and I had him arrange the remaining songs on Feeler. The record label suggested getting it re-mastered at Abbey Road. I thought that was a very cool idea and I’m glad we did, as it sounds fantastic and really makes a difference!
Were you involved at all in the remastering process at Abbey Road studios? Did you get to spend any time there? If so, do tell us of your experiences…
No, unfortunately I was on a surf trip when the guys were mastering it at Abbey Road. I would have loved to be there, but maybe next time when we do the 25th anniversary…
And how did the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra get involved? What was it like hearing their take on the record?
My management told me that Sarah Blasko had used the Bulgarian Orchestra before and had great success. I thought it was a great idea to record them. I wasn’t over there during the recording but I was watching on Skype. It was really cool as I could watch the takes and if I had any suggestions then I could easily make them and they could try things out. I also sent Rod Ennis over there to conduct the orchestra. Rod and I had many conversations about recording the orchestra before he left so I didn’t need to do much as he had it under control.
On reflection of your career, did you ever think that you would be touring solo overseas along with the album peaking at #1 on the ARIA charts? What has surprised you the most about your successes and your career?
I really don’t pay any attention to the charts. I picked a guitar up at age 22, so everything has been a surprise to me from that date onwards.
How is your current tour overseas going? What have been some of the highlights so far?
It’s going great. I have had a lot of problems getting a release in America over there last 10 years, but I’m finally here now. There is already a small following of Canadians that have heard my music from Australia so things are building really well.
How do you feel you’ve grown as a live, touring musician over the years since Feeler was released?
I’m a lot more confident on stage now. I think that took me a little while to get the hang of it, as things just went so big so quickly. I enjoy the shows now way more as I try to just keep myself happy. I figure that if I’m loving playing live then the crowd will also love it.
How do you feel you’ve grown as a songwriter?
I think I’ve experimented with different flavours over the last four albums and that keeps me interested in what I’m doing. If I did the same thing every time I would get pretty bored with what’s going on.
After such a massive tour in the winter season in the US and Canada are you looking forward to coming home and hitting up the sandy beaches?
It’s always good to get home although I’m loving the snow and cold weather over here at the moment. I guess it’s very different from home and that’s what makes it fun. I’m looking forward to playing footy with my boys on the beach when I get home. There is definitely something very special about being on the beach at home in summer.
You’re touring Australia in the new year… what can we expect from the shows? We can only imagine a good chunk of Feeler?
I will play the whole Feeler album and if I get an encore then I guess people will have to wait and see what I’ve got up my sleeve. I’ll be playing with The Stonemasons – the original band that toured Feeler ten years ago, so knowing those guys, it’s going to be a crazy tour off stage and on stage it’s going to be pretty special to be performing with them again.
Are there certain venues or locations that you’re looking forward to playing at?
I know they will all be fun, but there are a couple of venues that are outdoors on this tour so I’m really looking forward to those. I’m playing back at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney again and that is a cool venue also.
After all the touring in both the US and Australia, are there any plans for a new album? What’s next for you in 2014?
I definitely want to record a new album next year but I’m in no real rush. The hardest thing is going to be finding time to do it with all the touring that is coming up.
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PETE MURRAY – THE FEELER ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Saturday 25th January – Leeuwin Estate Winery – MARGARET RIVER
Saturday 15th February – Bird In Hand Winery – WOODSIDE
Sunday 16th February – The Astor Theatre – PERTH
Saturday 22nd February – The Tivoli – BRISBANE
Saturday 15th March – The Forum – MELBOURNE
Friday 28th March – Enmore Theatre – SYDNEY
Saturday 5th April – ONE TROPICAL DAY – DARWIN
