Archie Roach returns to South West Victoria

Archie's journey brings him back home

BY JARED LYNCH Warrnambool Standard 16/04/2009 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2009.  All rights reserved

ONE of Australia's most prominent indigenous singers, Archie Roach, has returned home to the south-west. Roach and his songwriting partner Ruby Hunter have moved to Killarney to seek inspiration from the region's rugged coastline. Having being raised at Framlingham's Aboriginal mission, Roach yesterday told The Standard it was good to be back. "There's a certain something which seems familiar but you are not quite sure what it is," he said. "It is a beautiful area. We have got a lovely place with a nice garden out the back. There's a lot of inspiration to be found." Roach, the nephew of the late Banjo Clarke, spent the past 10 years living in Murray River land near Renmark. Despite a turbulent upbringing, he rose to the top of the Australian music industry and cracked the international market, performing with the likes of Bob Dylan. The 54-year-old is unsure when his next album will be released, but he said he was already working on a number of songs. "I've written a few songs since moving here and now we will prepare little demos and see where everything fits." Roach is living nearby close friend and fellow musician Shane Howard. He said he would record a few tracks in Howard's shed at Killarney and prepare material for record producer Nash Chambers, the brother of international country music star Kasey Chambers. "I've been working quite a bit with Shane so moving here makes it a lot easier, plus I also have family here," he said. "We'll prepare some songs for Nash to hear. We want to release an album as soon as possible but it takes time." Government agencies forcibly removed Roach from his family when he was a child. He met his partner Ruby when they were both homeless teens in Adelaide, using alcohol to dull the pain of their shattered lives. A fruitful songwriting partnership emerged. Roach said one of his greatest joys was hearing his partner's material. "We write on our own basically and then we are the first to hear one another's songs. It is a wonderful process." This year the pair won the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award, worth $40,000. It was the first time two people had been presented the award together, Roach said. "It was a big honour for the industry to recognise us in this way." Lenny Clarke, Roach's first cousin, said it was a boon for the region to gain such a talented pair. "Archie's (mother) and my mother were sisters and we have been close for a very long time," Mr Clarke said. "It's great that Ruby and him have moved here. Our music culture is very strong and rich and they add to that."