Adrian Calvano, frontman for Hamilton’s own Buddha in a Chocolate Box, isn’t afraid to speak his mind. “Reality TV talent shows are dumbing down our nation, art-wise,” he says passionately. “People are chosen on appearance instead of actual talent and substance to their song writing. They’re just quickly manufactured. It’s very fake, very calculated – they’re chewed up and then spat out.
“I respect honest musicians – and that’s people who stay true to themselves. They don’t conform just to sell records.” It’s that conviction that has seen the lads from country Victoria create a loyal following and carve their niche in the world of alternative folk rock.
Buddha in a Chocolate Box are currently in the middle of an eleven-date tour, proudly named A Solid Tour that will see them play their foot-stomping, hand-clapping tunes at pubs across the state – but there’s one place in particular they can’t wait to visit again.
“Port Fairy is pretty much our musical hometown. It’s the first place we felt safe enough to start playing our own music, and Port Fairy was the first town that was really pushing for us to do it our way. The locals brought that confidence out in us,” Adrian says gratefully. “They really embraced us.”
Armed with that support and encouragement, Buddha in a Chocolate Box began a new chapter. They released The Feast EP, receiving nation-wide attention when the tracks earned high rotation on triple j Unearthed. Adrian admits that they could hardly believe their ears when they heard that two tracks from their EP, ‘My Desiree’ and ‘She Feels Like Home’, debuted at no.1 on the Unearthed charts.
“We’ve been so happy with the response from people,” Adrian says with a smile. “We’re looking forward to putting out an album soon. I won’t say we’re superstitious, but we plan to use the same studio where we recorded the EP. With the success we’ve had, we thought we’d better stick to the same studio!” he laughed.
“We’re locked in with the Aviary Studio on the third week of March. We’d love it to be earlier but our booking agent went a little crazy, and right now we’re too busy playing gigs!”
Not that Adrian is complaining. Buddha in a Chocolate Box is his creative outlet – he says he wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. More of that insight comes through when Adrian explains the origins of the band’s unique choice of name.
“Buddha AND the Chocolate Box is a Cat Stevens’ album, released in 1974. I grew up listening to Cat Stevens – my mum used to play it all the time. What I love about him is the fact that he’s not pigeon-holed. He’s not folk, he’s not rock, he’s not pop – and that’s how I base my writing. I want to make music about whatever I’m feeling at the moment and I think Cat was a bit the same . . .
“The reason why Buddha and the Chocolate Box stood out to me is because he chose Buddha, representing religion, with the Chocolate Box representing everything that comes along with music – the touring, drugs, alcohol and all the evils they can bring. So I wanted Buddha in the Chocolate Box because our religion is the music – but a lot of people don’t like it!” he laughed.
When&Where: Sooki Lounge, Belgrave – December 20, The Torquay Hotel, Torquay – December 26, The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick – December 28 & Star of the West, Port Fairy – January 2 & 3.
By Natalie Rogers