Heading In The Reggae Direction

"I wasn’t sure what I was going to call the band and I didn’t have a name until after we had made the record,” reveals Xavier Rudd on The United Nations, the fitting title for his new backing band of international musicians. Subtly referencing his activism, the name’s strongest connection is to the band members, who come from all corners of the globe and represent the cultures of Australia, Indigenous Australia, South Africa, Samoa, Germany and Papua New Guinea. “Everyone was hanging their flags in the studio when we were making the record and there were all the nations’ flags around from everyone that was in the band. I was just like, ‘This is The United Nations,’ and we had the name.”

While Rudd’s previous albums have been a mixture of folk and blues-inspired roots music, Nanna, his eighth album, finds the Byron Bay-based musician head in a reggae direction. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, this project, but I was very, very patient with it. I wanted it to be really heavy and powerful, so it needed to be right in every way. I’ve waited and this year presented the time. Everything was right musically, spiritually, physically and literally. All those things that were pending for this kind of a project lined up and it all just came together.”

An album inspired by creation and reconciliation, as a storyteller and lyricist, Rudd’s strength lies in his ability to transform the negative into something uplifting and enriching – lead single, Come People, a prime example, mobilising listeners to take a stand and unite. “In a musical space, you can go to the heart, the root of what makes us happy and what makes us dance. We can sing about our struggles with pride and power and with happiness, because we’re making music and nothing else matters at that point.”

Riding high on the global success of his 2012 album, Spirit Bird, which saw him tour to all corners of the world over 30 months, Rudd is ready to hit the road. “I love playing music. I love this band and I love this record. I should probably learn to say no a bit more, but there’s so many great artists in the world playing great music that don’t have the opportunities that I have. I have been really blessed, so out of respect for other artists and for what I do, I dig in and go for it. It can be tiring and you need that little piece of home to fuel up again but the shows are very powerful. It’s good medicine.”

The multi-instrumentalist is renowned for playing guitar, didgeridoo and percussion, often all at once. This time around however, with the aid of an eight-piece band that includes guitar, bass, drums, percussion, keys, horns, flute and backing vocals, he’s relinquishing much of the responsibility but couldn’t be more excited. “We rehearsed and made a record. It’s going to be super powerful. It’s a pumping band and going to be amazing live. I can’t wait.”