Where does JEFF LANG fit? This is the question that baffles me as I sit in musical amazement, tentatively YouTube-stalking my would-be interviewee. Lang is too folksy to be country, too country to be blues and he plucks away at his many guitars in ways that fascinate and hypnotise. Experimental he is, conventional he is not and, having already released a bevy of albums, nor is he a beginner. "I grew up in Melbourne and have been a musician for 26 years. I have played with the resonator, bottleneck, regular, acoustic..." says Lang about his wide collection of guitars.
It is no wonder that the guitarist and singer/songwriter has built such respect among his fellow musicians. He is surprisingly self-effacing, even philosophical about life as a musical genius and his gradual rise in fame and fortune. "Your music, it's not going to be for everyone. Ultimately it's about expression and speaking with a powerful voice... wallpaper style. As soon as it becomes about the lifestyle you may as well stay home and sing to the wall. People, they choose to come and listen to you. Transcend the moment. You want to just experience that moment. It moves beyond a form of language, yet helps you to speak and communicate. I don't think of it as a career, the music transports you until you are not thinking about rent or the fight with you girlfriend. Music needs to provide transcendence, entertainment. It is a worthy goal. Mainstream artists are there to be seen. That is more to do with fashion than music. It's important to have a career that isn't based around being the hip new thing because fame is really difficult to maintain. The people I respect have been around for a long time. Known by some but not a household name," explains Lang.
It is very much appropriate that the title of Jeff Lang's new album, Chimeradour, suggests the life of a travelling troubadour. "I follow a path that keeps me inspired, don't wanna be bored," laughs Lang. "I am somewhat a romantic drifter, living in a van, gig to gig. I drive some poor old van; only just made it to some of those places." As he speaks, Lang paints vivid pictures in your mind. His soothing voice takes you away, and all you want is for him to continue with his beautiful words. He is never more poetic then when talking about lyrics. "Inspiration comes from the mysterious outside of you. Follow the blind inspiration buried deep in the subconscious, falling out of your head like dream. Not everything you do is going to work. It's like turning on a tap and running it until it's clean."
The fabulously versatile melodies of Jeff Lang shall be gracing Canberra's humble Street Theatre on Saturday November 14 in the hope of the successful launch of his enigmatically named Chimeradour. Tickets through www.thestreet.org.au.
