“I’d be doing you an injustice if I didn’t suggest investing some time
and money into listening to or seeing Bobby Alu live.” – The AU Review
“Alu’s folk sound is a delightful array of feel good vibes” – EARMILK
“clever, catchy, breezy pop with an unmistakably beachy feel.” – Double J
Continuing to bliss out and bless up, Bobby Alu today announces a run of intimate Australian headline shows, a nationwide call out for supporting ukulele players and the release of a stripped back rendition of latest single ‘Finally’.
Anyone familiar with a Bobby Alu live experience has witnessed the ease with which the Australian-Samoan moves from strumming blissfully away on his ukulele to raising the roof with a energetic percussion sequences, complete with traditional log drums.
Ready to share his deep love for the ukulele even further with audiences, Bobby Alu today announces a call out for players to join him on his Australian tour. “The ukulele is a really special instrument to me,” he says. “It was the first instrument I learnt when I was about four – my Mum taught me to play and its always been really significant in helping me to connect with my Polynesian heritage.”
Bobby Alu is looking for ukulele soloists or groups of any age or ability to open each headline show. “We want to share the stage with ukulele players around Australia. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to feel the flow,” he says. To apply, ukulele players can simply post a video of themselves playing a tune on Instagram or Facebook and tag @bobby_alu, their city and #FinallyTour. Applications close Friday 18th May and artists will be announced soon after.
Filmed at Yama-Nui studios in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the ‘Finally’ acoustic session released today features Bobby Alu’s producer/collaborator Paulie Bromley (The Beautiful Girls, george) playing alongside as he delicately ruminates on his beloved uke.
It’s a simplified version of the studio single which blends the self proclaimed tropical ambassador’s signature laid back flair with a more mature sound. Landing rotation on Double J, the track was also lauded by US taste-makers EARMILK describing it as a ‘delightful array of feel good vibes’.
Good vibes are definitely flowing for the ‘hammock music’ aficionado. Fresh from a nomination in the Blues and Roots category at the Queensland Music Awards, Bobby Alu is a finalist in the 2018 International Songwriting Competition and just last month picked up a Pacific Music Award nomination for FLAVA Best International Pacific Artist.
With a third album dropping this year, Bobby Alu hits the road armed with the only tools he needs – a uke and smile from ear to ear.
FRI 7 – SAT 8 JUNE | Palm Creek Folk Festival, MOUNT SURROUND QLD
SUN 9 JUNE |The Loft, BRISBANE QLD | AFTERNOON – ALL AGES
FRI 14 JUNE | Wesley Anne, MELBOURNE VIC
SAT 15 JUNE | Grace Emily, ADELAIDE SA
SUN 16 JUNE | Mojos Bar, FREMANTLE WA
FRI 28 JUNE | Venue 505, SYDNEY NSW
SUN 30 JUNE | Festival Of Voices, APSLAWN TAS
