Over the last decade, Heath Cullen has crafted four landmark albums and earned a trail of devotees across Australia, the UK, Europe and North America. As a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, he has collaborated on stage and in the studio with a vast array of artists, including Jolie Holland, Marc Ribot, Elvis Costello’s Imposters and The Waifs, and his music has been recorded by artists as diverse as Michael Menager and Daniel Lanois. His latest album Springtime In The Heart was recorded in Los Angeles with three time Grammy winning producer Joe Henry.
Photo Credit: Brian Rapsey
THE STREET TALKED TO HEATH BEFORE HIS PERFORMANCE IN CANBERRA WITH KEVIN WELCH.
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MUSIC.
Well… I’m grateful to/for the music in my life—it’s been a friend and an inspiration—it’s what I do, and I don’t know what I’d do without it.
AS A PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, AND VOCALIST INVOLVED IN ALL ASPECTS OF MUSIC CREATION, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR SONGWRITING PROCESS?
I think a lot of people think of songwriting as an act of self expression, but I see the process as an act of discovery. I rarely, if ever, sit down to write with a notion of what I’m there to write about. The songs come every way, but most often they’ll start with a few words that paint an interesting picture—or it could be that they simply sound good together. I’ll think on that phrase for a while and then I’ll let the song lead me to what it wants to say. It’s usually surprising. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, and it’s almost always revelatory.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE INFLUENCES OF LIVING IN THE COUNTRY ON YOUR MUSIC?
I live just outside the tiny village of Candelo on the far south coast—far enough out that I don’t have any neighbours within earshot, which means I can make as much noise as I like. Some people need a busy environment to stimulate their creativity, but I think it’s space and peace and quiet that work best for me.
YOU ARE PERFORMING WITH KEVIN WELCH IN A MUSICAL CONVERSATION AND SONG-SWAP ON STAGE. WHAT CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT?
Kevin and I have long been fans of one another’s work though we’ve only recently connected in person. But one thing we’ve discovered is that we’re both unafraid to fly without a safety net, so we’re both delighted to be bringing this show to the Street. We’ll be swapping songs new and old, one for one, and most likely we won’t write a set list. He’ll accompany me on some of mine, and I’ll do the same for him. I’m sure we’ll surprise one another… It’ll be genuinely spontaneous, something that I think is sadly lacking in a lot of live music these days.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO COLLABORATION WITH OTHER MUSICIANS?
That fearlessness that I mentioned is important. That and trust. You have to trust one another and yourself if you want to open the door to let the magic in.
YOU HAVE PERFORMED AT THE NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL. HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE FOR YOU?
I love the National! It’s a beautiful, diverse, unique little world that only exists for such a short moment each year. It’s one of my favourite things about Canberra.
WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO CURRENTLY?
Currently:
Karen Dalton
Jimmy Reed
John Fahey
Feist
Jackie Marshall
Iggy Pop
Anaïs Mitchell
Charm of Finches
Djinama Yilaga
Heath Cullen & Kevin Welch in concert at The Street Theatre on 9 February 2024
STREET TALK 