Clare Bowditch is about to make some big changes in her life, writes VAUGHAN MAYBERRY
It’s hard to believe one of this country’s consummate musicians would ever ditch her beloved Aussie homeland.
But Australian music will have to deal with the absence of one of their favourite daughters for a while because Clare Bowditch is shifting her whole life to Berlin later this year – kids, husband, the whole kit and caboodle.
Clare has mesmerised Australian audiences with her quirky folk-pop crossover numbers since her acclaimed album What Was Left won the prestigious J Award in 2005.
It wasn’t just her soothing vocals, porcelain skin and flowing red hair that won fans over, it was also her radiant personality and the fact that she’s a true knockabout Aussie gal. She’s a rare find in such an image-conscious industry.
But despite her successes, the last five years have been tumultuous for Clare to say the least. She’s not only recorded and toured heavily with her band The Feeding Set, but she’s also raising three children (including twins).
Clare assures fans her relocation is only temporary.
"(I want) to do some writing and find some creativity," she says from her home in Melbourne.
"I like Berlin and I like the culture.
"I like how it’s got the political history, which interests me, and it’s also close to Holland where I have family."
Clare has just completed an incredible summer of touring with the likes of John Butler Trio, as well as a string of festival highlights including the Blues Fest & Falls Festival with The Feeding Set.
The hectic schedule was on the back of the Feeding Set’s third album, The Moon Looked On, which despite its obvious delights didn’t really take off commercially.
But commercial success or failure doesn’t seem as meaningful to Clare as her family and friends and the music-making experience.
The latter is evident as she talks about another tour she did earlier this year with indigenous music icon Kev Carmody.
Clare sang a sparkling version of Blood Red Roses on last year’s tribute to Carmody, Cannot Buy My Soul, and joined the once-in-a-lifetime tour along with a host of stars including Paul Kelly and Tex Perkins.
"We all did this tour together telling Kev’s life – it was such a great experience," she says.
"He’s so warm and so humble and he’s our Uncle Kev now. He’s quite embarrassed by all the fuss, which was humbling for us."
Before her massive move, Clare is hitting the road minus her band The Feeding Set for a solo tour.
This time she is stripping back her show, armed with an array of instruments she has collected over the years.
Then it’s a period of hibernation in Germany where one of her plans is to write a new album.
"There will be some more experimental stuff coming out next time," she says.
"I really want to make an album that makes people dance and move. They say Berlin is the capital of electronic music, so you never know what I will come up with."
Clare Bowditch with support from Hot Little Hands performs at Tanks Arts Centre on Friday, August 1 from 7.30pm. To book phone 4031 9555.
