The only thing bothering Tex Perkins is the copious amount of flies buzzing around Broken Hill as I sit down for a chat with one of Australia’s best known statesmen of rock. Flies, and more flies. “I’ve written a couple of songs in a tin shed just outside of Broken Hill”, was Perkins’ response when asked how his day had been.
“I’m method writing. I’m writing for a project at the moment. The songs are still the same. I’m making things as difficult as possible but life is good.”
Life is indeed good for Perkins, with a visit to Geelong coming shortly Perkins’ life isn’t getting any less busy regardless of his musical output. “[There is] very little time for quiet. The kids are usually running around in the background.” Perkins is a family man now, but suggests he has had plenty of time to get use to the pitter patter of little feet interrupting, or it is enriching for the song-writing process.
“It came pretty early for me. I realise I’ve been a parent for most of my life now. I was 24 when I first got into the parenting game. My daughters are now all grown up and moved on. I also realised that this (making music) is how I keep them fed. I don’t have the luxury of a day job, so I do what I do to create and because I love it.”
Over the summer Perkins had a rare break from the usual madness, and some soul-searching was in order. “I had eight weeks off over Christmas and was forced to have some reflection. I think it was the longest break ever. By the start of the sixth week I wanted to do a gig or something.”
It’s often worth asking people of Perkins’ stature just what they think they would have done with their lives if the music bug hadn’t bitten. “I would have figured something out. I learnt fairly early that I wasn’t a great member of the workforce. Probably the last time I was about 15. At that age you get treated like shit, and most bosses want your soul.”
Perkins is currently working through some demos and new writing for the current, hush hush project, and is sharing a studio work space with Cold Chisel’s Don Walker, one of the finest song-writers this side of Tailem Bend.
“The album we’re working on is a balance of good upbeat tunes, and some darker ones. At the moment we need a few darker ones. Don is wonderful. I think we are up to about 20 years’ experience of working together now. We tend to work on an album every 10 years,” he says.
And with that, Perkins resumed hostilities with the flies, and his sawn off acoustic guitar. Catch him and guests playing in Geelong playing at the Workers Club on April 17th.
Written by Chris Michaels
When & Where: Workers Club, Geelong – April 17
