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Carus.
 "We told them there was no comedy, people on fire or juggling: it was just music and people were like 'cool' so we played on the street for the first night and told everyone to spread the word and we had twice as many people the next night. It was awesome!" Carus says of his recent time spent at the Edinburgh Fringe. He's just returned from his sixth European tour this time travelling though Germany, France and then on to the UK.
"The audiences throughout the countries differ in a big way" he croaks at me over the phone, "A German audience, when you first play to them you think they hate you because they sit there and are completely silent until afterwards and they come up and say, 'That was fucking amazing!' But I think the most noticeable difference was in France where in the north it was as if we were playing at the Corner [Hotel, Melbourne venue]. Everyone was dancing and heckling and going mental whereas people in the south were very quiet and respectful; way more conservative."
Touring internationally with a band is new to Carus: this European tour was the first time The True Believers joined him. In fact, it seems Carus' music is also feeling a change with the influence of the band, swinging away from the folk-rock influences that Carus rose out of back in WA. "We're playing music and taking it to a new level, rocking out more. It's to do with the energy and vibe we give off.
"I go through stages, like if I've done a whole bunch of band stuff then I like getting a change to do the solo thing. I was a bit worried about going back to Europe because when people think of me over there they think of a solo singer/songwriter. You're meant to play your guitar and sing your songs and people sort of sit and listen, but the stuff with the band is really energy driven. As it turned out the audience got what we were about and where we were coming from - no one really went 'I prefer it when you're just mellow.'
"I try not to be like a rock star but I try to always go 100 per cent in the entertainment world. I don't really hold back at all - I like jumping off speakers, taking my shirt off and jumping around like an idiot. I'm never going to be the sort of person who looks at their shoes and is too embarrassed to do a windmill or jump up and down because who are you kidding? It's a performance and you are onstage... I've tried to avoid writing songs that are professing to have answers to the universe so in that sense what people see on stage is pretty much what I am and if that is a stupid person who jumps around then yeah, I won't deny they're right!"
It hasn't been smooth sailing, though: just before the latest tour the keyboard player quit, and their violinist had other commitments. "We were worried about being a three piece and we were wondering what it would be like but in the end it was the best thing that could happen because it brought it all back to what music and touring is about: pushing not only yourself but the band, and then coming out the other end makes you a better band. Now that we're back in Australia we've really bonded and found our niche as a band."
The Australian tour is kicking off early October and takes in a short spurt supporting Pete Murray on his national tour, before going on to support the John Butler Trio in their upcoming Australian tour. "The tour comes now because this really is the only window of time I have for a while. Next year will be taken up by a new album. We want this album to be a step up from the older albums. That's all that seems to be missing at this point in time."
Jess Law
 | Carus plays Sat 8 Oct at the Thebarton Theatre supporting Pete Murray, then headlines at Jive on Sun 16 Oct. |
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