Canadian musical luminary Jeff Martin makes a long-awaited return to Cairns this weekend and this time he's in solo mode, writes Jesse Kuch

In the world of modern rock‘n’roll, there aren’t many people attracting the kind of veneration that Canadian Jeff Martin does whenever his name is mentioned.

As front man of legendary rockers The Tea Party, Jeff was responsible for ushering in an era of unbridled creativity in the global music scene, with his penchant for swirling, psychedelic rock anthems and lashings of Eastern vibes.

Despite The Tea Party disbanding in 2005, their popularity continues to endure, carrying over into Jeff’s post-Tea Party endeavours, including his work with new band The Armada and as a solo guitarist and songwriter.

Hitting town this weekend for a show at the Tanks, timeOUT caught up with Jeff to see what he’s been up to since his last visit about a decade ago.

>> Click here to win one of five double passes to see Jeff Martin at the Tanks Arts Centre.

He says that Australians have always been fans of his unique take on the rock sound, being one of the first places to cotton on to the sound of The Tea Party.

"You’ve got to look back to 1994, that was a special year," he says.

"It was the year that The Tea Party, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley all broke, and Australia was one of the first places that it happened.

"That says something about the openness the Aussie rock audience has. It’s an ongoing love affair that hasn’t ceased to gain momentum."

"Even now, when I’m playing shows, the audience is filled with 20-year-olds whose brothers and sisters used to listen to The Tea Party. It keeps on going like that."

That said, Jeff thinks the people of Canada and Australia share much in common.

"Both countries have a very big openness and also an acceptance of other cultures," he says.

"Both of our countries are very multicultural and that equates to the music too.

"My music has always had Middle Eastern and world influences and it takes a certain understanding of music before you can digest that."

So what can we expect from Jeff at his solo show at the Tanks this weekend?

"It’s funny you should ask that," he says with a chuckle. "For the first time in Australia, I’m going to test out new material before it gets recorded.

"I’ve never done that in the past, I usually wait until it’s been committed to a recording before I play it live.

"I’m going to play three songs that no one has heard yet, so it’s the great litmus test to see how well they work.

"Basically, it’s been a long time since we rocked and rolled, so long I can’t even remember the last time properly.

"I don’t know when I’m going to be able to get back to your beautiful city, so if you’ve ever liked any of my music, this is the one you have to come to."

>> Jeff Martin performs at the Tanks Arts Centre this Saturday night from 7.30pm. Tickets range between $30-$35, available now from www.ticketlink.com.au or by calling 1300 855 835.

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