Starting your pub scene gigging in 2003 in local Fremantle, where has your music taken you to date?

I’ve had heaps of great opportunities and experiences through being involved in the music industry for the last few years.  Tours to parts of Australia I’d never otherwise see, the chance to record my own material and collaborate with other people, incredible gigs playing to all different sorts of people, not to mention meeting some of my closest friends and my beautiful girlfriend through music.  One great opportunity was the chance to perform one of my folk songs about the Battle of Pinjarra (a massacre of local Aboriginal people in the south west of WA in 1834) at their annual commemoration ceremony in 2006.  It made me realize that the songs that are written by local artists do have an impact on our society and culture.

Folk/Blues music, what inspired you to enter into this genre?

I had always enjoyed acoustic blues and listening to good songs.  I did some traveling a few years ago and discovered an artist called Kelly Joe Phelps who really struck a chord with me.  I found myself writing lots of songs while in the UK and when I came back in late 2004 decided to get out and gig as much as I could and see where it took me.  Blues is such a broad genre, broader than most people realize.  It can rock you out one minute, and then give you that reflective, trance like feeling the next.   The blues that really grabs me is stuff that comes from strong songwriting, with melodies that grow slowly and allow you to sink into them. 

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Your debut EP "Stones Beneath the Surface" released in May 2006 gave a good indication of your soulful sounds, now the soon to be released "barefoot ballads" brings a different slant on your music. Around 18 months between the two Albums - tell us how your music has matured and what has influenced those changes.

I think all the elements of my music, songwriting, singing and guitar playing have improved over this time through doing heaps of gigs.  I wanted to catch some of the feel of my live show on this latest cd, which is why it was recorded in front of an audience, and was a solo guitar and voice recording.  Heaps of other stuff has obviously happened which is reflected in the new songs… falling in love, growing up… life has lots of things to dish up and somehow it all comes out in the songs you write.

Touring around WA and the East Coast how did the audience take to you and your music, what was you most memorable experience on the other side of the nation?

I’ve had some great memories of tours especially across to the east coast.  Some shows in New South Wales with James Michael Thompson at the start of this year were a highlight for me, we got to play shows at some famous live music venues around the Byron Bay area, and the audiences were great and really receptive to our music.

Craig Sinclair now in the brighter spotlight with you winning the blues song of the year in the WA Folk Federation 2006 song writing competition and the more recent two of your songs having been nominated as finalists in the WAMi song of the year competition in two separate categories. As a solo singer/song writing artist, what does this mean for you?

The exposure generated through these competitions have been a real blessing, meaning that I’m playing shows to bigger crowds.  It gives you a chance to really think about what you want to do artistically, and take people on a journey.  If the people don’t come to the shows, then it just isn’t the same!

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As a Fremantle local how do you see the West Australian local live music scene and if anything what would you consider to be important factors that may need changing to assist all the budding singers and musicians out there in our state's industry?

I think there is some great music being made in Fremantle and Perth and its well supported by our community radio stations, street press and online promoters.  My feeling is that as a city and a population it is important that we put a genuine value on our artistic and cultural legacy.  Without a sense of culture, social problems and small-minded attitudes will always be a problem.  It’s up to musicians and artists to challenge themselves in order to make people think, and its up to the punters to get out there and get involved in the local art that’s going on, not just in the sense of consuming it, but thinking about it and adding their own two cents as well.  With a new federal government I hope that grassroots music is supported more strongly with funding and community programs.

Gigs, festivals and tours.... what's in store for Craig Sinclair in the future, what can we expect next and where is you and music heading?

There are some big shows coming up.  I’m launching the new cd Barefoot Ballads on Sunday 9th of December at Mojos in North Fremantle.  On January 5th 2008 I’ll be playing my first big stage festival show at the Wignalls Winery in Albany.  There are heaps of dates lined up for next year which people can look up at www.craigsinclair.com.au if they’re interested.  I’m always into playing with new people so my live shows will continue to feature a variety of talented local musicians.

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© 2007 - WA Gig Guide/Craig Sinclair