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Donavon Frankenreiter.
 To
say that Donavon Frankenreiter was laid back would be a gross
understatement; to say he sounded barely conscious would be
a bit harsh but would give you a more accurate impression. Then
again, maybe that's what pro-surfing and playing folk music
does to you. Currently in Panama to film 'The Drive Through
South America' surfing video, Frankenreiter managed to stay
awake long enough to do the interview before sleeping and getting
on a plane headed for Brazil and then Chile. It's a hard life
but someone's got to do it, and Frankenreiter seems more than
capable.
The first time Australian audiences saw the seventies-inspired folksman was alongside Jack Johnson in November last year and many would have been forgiven for thinking that a cast member from 'Almost Famous' had graced the stage. Is it any wonder then that Frankenreiter lists among his childhood inspirations Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix?
"I love all types of music. I listen to blues and reggae and lots of stuff." Hardly surprising either given the rootsy feel to his music, but perhaps you would be more surprised to hear of his favourite Australian bands: "I listen to the Hoodoo Gurus sometimes because their music is in a lot of surf movies. But I really like AC DC, they're like an all-time favourite."
With a name like Donavon Frankenreiter I was sure he'd have a tale or two to tell about the origin of his name or a story of mistaken identity but the man doesn't seem to be phased by anything. "Nobody ever says or spells it right but that's cool. I think it's German but I dunno, ha ha;" he laughs quietly.
Frankenreiter's guitar is collaged with photos of his baby son and many songs on his album are dedicated to his family and the pain of being away from them when on tour. Being a pro-surfer and musician hasn't helped his cause but April will see the whole Frankenreiter clan in Australia for his tour.
"I can't wait to get to Australia. I always have a really good time down there and this time I get to bring my family with me; my 14 month old son and my wife. They're gonna come with me to most of the shows. The first year of touring was the hardest when my son was one-to-twelve months. The surfing thing has taken me away from them a lot which is really hard. As much as I can bring them on tour I do. I gotta see my son at least every three weeks."
When he was 15, Frankenreiter moved to Hawaii from California and grew up with Jack Johnson and has been friends ever since, recently recording his album on Johnson's Brushfire Records label.
"When I was 15 I rented a room from Jack's parents and we surfed together all winter, played guitar for the first time together and had a really good friendship. We recorded the album in three weeks in October before coming to Australia. My family was there the whole time which was great. We'd show up at 12pm, record till 5pm then go to the beach, it was just a walk away. It was just a neat place to be and it was fun to make it with no pressure and no stress."
With the number of surfers-turned-musicians rising - not only in the States but even our very own Beau Young - one starts to wonder what it is about the pro-tour that produces such fine folk tunes. "I turned pro when I was 16 and I just took a guitar with me wherever I went. I never thought it would turn into a career and right now it's all new to me, but I'm really excited to be able to play to people. I think it has to do with all the travelling. When you travel eight or nine months of the year and you're seeing the whole world and having so many experiences it really helps you write. I write about moments in my life that felt good, just really nice positive things."
The east coast run is with Gary Jules, who unfortunately isn't coming for the Adelaide and Perth shows. He assumes he'll be taking Jules for a surf, simply because he's also from California. "He's a great singer songwriter and his songs are really neat," Frankenreiter gushes. "I haven't really heard of 'Donnie Darko' [for which Jules did the soundtrack] but I love that song [his cover of Tears For Fears' Mad World]."
Cassie Hilditch
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Donavon Frankenreiter plays at the Gov on Sat 24 April and his debut self-titled album is out now through UMG.
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