A Quick Chat with Kook Joey
Can you tell us about your musical background and how you got started as a singer-songwriter?
I began playing piano through my primary school when I was 8 years old and then moved on to a private piano teacher when I was 10 and then began singing lessons for a few years. When I was 14 I started to learn guitar at my high school. I always looked forward to my guitar lessons with my teacher Andy Clarke, we’d always show each other new music we were getting into and learn those songs.
Your music is often described as a gentle caress for the soul. What drew you to the folk genre, and how does it influence your songwriting?
I first got introduced to folk music through my sister. We went to a Ziggy Alberts gig and I fell in love with the music. I love the story telling aspect of folk music and how it connects people as well as the acoustic sound of folk music. I try to tell a story with my music and connect with whoever is listening.
"Everything Is Good" is your debut single. What can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song and the message you aim to convey through it?
A few years back I was going through some anxiety and then I went to Port Fairy Folk Festival with some friends and realised that I was wasting so much time worrying about things that don’t matter, because everything is actually ok. We would go for freezing cold morning swims, go back to the camp site and make tea and fall asleep to music playing. It was those moments for me that brought me so much peace and when I realised that life can be great. The song describes those little moments that bring peace to me and my message is to remember to notice those simple things that make everything seem good.
The single features production and arrangement from Luke Carruana and Chris Smithson. How did this collaboration come about, and how did their contributions enhance the song?
I did a few writing sessions with Luke over face time through covid, we kept in contact and then at the beginning of 2023 I flew over to Sydney for a couple more writing sessions where we finished off songs I had written including “Everything is Good”. A few months later I flew back up to Sydney and Luke Chris and I recorded the song. Both Luke and Chris really understood the atmosphere and feeling that I wanted to create through the song and came up with heaps of ideas that helped build the song and create that soothing and feeling of peace that I wanted to express through the song..
Your music is said to draw inspiration from the serene landscapes of Australia. How does your environment influence your creative process, and what aspects of Australian landscapes are most significant to you?
I definitely feel most inspired when I’m surrounded by nature and love to write my music surrounded by it. I love the ocean, it brings me a sense of peace and a lot of my lyrics are written about time spent in nature and the impact it has on me.
You mention artists like Nathan Ball, Maple Glider, and Ziggy Alberts as influences. How have these artists impacted your musical style, and what do you admire most about their work?
I was introduced to both Ziggy Alberts and Nathan Ball many years ago and instantly fell in love with their music. I loved the storytelling aspect of Ziggy’s music and am always striving to be able to write like him. I love the layers of Nathan Ball’s music and the real connection that comes through his music. I was introduced to Maple Glider through my guitar teacher when he started teaching me her song “Swimming”. I love the softness of her voice and the way her music creates space to feel try to create that space in my music as well.
As a singer-songwriter, how do you approach the process of crafting melodies and heartfelt lyrics that create a calming atmosphere in your music?
I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself when I’m writing because I find that creates a block for me. I often begin to play around with the guitar and then let the lyrics pour out and if I’m finding it difficult I’ll just write something silly or leave it at that and come back another time. I naturally gravitate to writing softer music which I think is due to the fact that I listen to a lot of that style of music.
What are your future plans as a musician? Are there any upcoming projects or themes you're excited to explore in your music?
I want to keep writing and recording and would love to put out an EP sometime in the future. I’d love to explore creating more upbeat music as well as the more mellow music I’m used to writing.
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