Jeff Lang Q&A

Set to perform his first show at Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival in a matter of days, we had a chat to Jeff Lang fresh from a stint over in South America and China.
Hi Jeff, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
No dramas, happy to chat. I’m doing well, just finished a busy period with tours in South Africa and China, now I’m back in Australia for a while. I’m just writing more songs at the moment and recording a few other people’s projects also. Keeps me on my toes.
So you just performed at the Caravan Club over the weekend, how was the show?
That was fun! Such a great venue to perform, and it was a wonderful line up with Alison Ferrier and Matt Walker’s band Lost Ragas playing. I had a ball.
You also recently did a list of ’30 band/performers you’ve shared the stage with’, was that a test of your memory at all?
That was one of those things which gets handled around on Facebook periodically. I just listed to whomever came to mind that I’ve opened for or accompanied as they occurred to me so I ended up with the likes of Russell Crowe’s band (who I opened for ages ago at a show in Melbourne) sitting next to artists like Bob Dylan. But I didn’t really sweat it that much, just typed them out.
It must have been nice to look at the list and realise the talent that’s shared the spotlight with you, do you have any favourite memories from the performances they would have been for?
It was nice to look at it and recall moments from throughout that period. Some of the standout times are when you’re collaborating: making something new happen. Playing with Chris Whitley was certainly something I’m grateful to have had the chance to do.
You’ll be playing the Blues & Roots festival coming up in Bendigo, which you haven’t played before, have you heard much about the festival?
I only heard about it when they booked me to be honest. Looks like a great line up though, and the show I’m playing is a great bill so I can’t wait!
Given you haven’t performed there before, do you ever do any prep or research on the festival in the lead up?
Not so much, I just come along and look to do my best really. Every show is its own beast, so it’s always different night to night. It’ll be great to play in Bendigo again. It’s been a while for me.
Recently you performed at the ‘A Day of Protest Songs’ event where you sung on social consciousness, what was the main point(s) you were getting across on the day?
I was just happy to come down and contribute to raising money for the Asylum Seeker Legal Centre. I chose songs that I hoped might have a different slant to other stuff people would be singing on the day.
That event in particular was a fundraiser for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre, what are your thoughts on what’s happened with the treatment of the woman who was raped in Nauru?
I don’t see how anyone could be happy with someone being physically abused and then denied due care, treatment and consultation whilst in our country’s care. It’s difficult to know everything which happened, what with the veil of secrecy erected around anything to do with asylum seekers at the moment, but it certainly appears that she has not been treated with the appropriate level of concern. It’s shameful if that is the case.
When & Where: Blues & Roots Festival, Bendigo – November 5-8